Top Rakugo Anime Recommendations

Gintama'

Also known as Gintama Season 2.

Studio: Sunrise
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Sci-Fi

After a one-year hiatus, Shinpachi Shimura returns to Edo, only to stumble upon a shocking surprise: Gintoki and Kagura, his fellow Yorozuya members, have become completely different characters! Fleeing from the Yorozuya headquarters in confusion, Shinpachi finds that all the denizens of Edo have undergone impossibly extreme changes, in both appearance and personality. Most unbelievably, his sister Otae has married the Shinsengumi chief and shameless stalker Isao Kondou and is pregnant with their first child.

Bewildered, Shinpachi agrees to join the Shinsengumi at Otae and Kondou's request and finds even more startling transformations afoot both in and out of the ranks of the the organization. However, discovering that Vice Chief Toushirou Hijikata has remained unchanged, Shinpachi and his unlikely Shinsengumi ally set out to return the city of Edo to how they remember it.

With even more dirty jokes, tongue-in-cheek parodies, and shameless references, Gintama' follows the Yorozuya team through more of their misadventures in the vibrant, alien-filled world of Edo.



Tags: Parody , Swordplay , Slapstick , Samurai , Ensemble Cast , Found Family , Meta , Male Protagonist , Episodic , Aliens , Gore , Philosophy , Anachronism , Shounen , Ninja , Historical , Primarily Adult Cast , Female Harem , Rakugo , Yakuza , Oiran , Tragedy , Space , Time Skip , LGBTQ+ Themes , Boys' Love , Cosplay , Skeleton , Robots , Kuudere , Yuri

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

Also known as Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju.

Studio: Studio DEEN
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama

The story revolves around a mature prisoner who was released on good behavior during Japan's Shouwa Genroku era (1960s to early 1970s). He is called Yotarou by others, a term that means an "anti-hero" or a "dim-witted man." When he returns to society, he starts a new life in rakugo (comic storytelling). Touched by Yakumo's role as the "grim reaper," he asks the master to take him in as an apprentice. Most of the season delves into Yakumo's own past during World War II and the years afterward.



Note: The first episode aired with a runtime of 48 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.

Tags: Rakugo , Acting , Tragedy , Historical , Primarily Adult Cast , Josei , Male Protagonist , Love Triangle , Time Skip , Disability , Meta , War , Suicide , Elderly Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast

Zombie Land Saga: Revenge

Also known as ZOMBIE LAND SAGA REVENGE.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Music , Supernatural

The second season of Zombie Land Saga.

From throughout the ages, a group of legendary girls have become zombie idols to save Saga Prefecture. It's the return of the cutting-edge zombie idol anime! One day, Minamoto Sakura lost her life in an unfortunate accident. Then, ten years later… After Sakura wakes up in a strange mansion, mysterious idol producer Tatsumi Kotaro tells her that she will be joining a group of legendary girls to form an idol unit. The seven girls are charged with a quest to save the fading Saga Prefecture and adopt the group name Franchouchou. After overcoming the difficulties stemming from their different ages and different periods of history, their undead zombie bodies allow them to defy expectations of what idols can be. During the final winter of the Heisei era they performed their first featured concert at Karatsu's Furusato Exhibition Hall, Arpino, taking another step towards becoming a legend. Now, in the modern Reiwa Era… The curtain rises on a new chapter in the story of Franchouchou, as they march towards a bright future full of hope.



Tags: Idol , Female Protagonist , Zombie , Primarily Female Cast , Surreal Comedy , Dancing , Historical , Parody , Work , Natural Disaster , Revenge , Monster Girl , Satire , CGI , Oiran , Ensemble Cast , Time Skip , Rural , Episodic , Bar , LGBTQ+ Themes , Rakugo , Achronological Order , Transgender , Tragedy , Swordplay , Urban Fantasy

Joshiraku

Also known as Joshiraku.

Studio: J.C. Staff
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

Marii, Kigurumi, Tetora, Gankyou, and Kukuru deserve a round of applause for keeping the art of Rakugo alive! What’s their secret? Witty, absurd banter of course! These five friends always have something to talk about, no matter how silly the topic.

Tags: Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Meta , Surreal Comedy , Primarily Female Cast , Satire , Parody , Slapstick , Acting , Rakugo , Female Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Otaku Culture , Urban , Shounen , Nudity , Educational

Undead Girl Murder Farce

Also known as Undead Murder Farce.

Studio: Lapin Track
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Supernatural

The 19th century — a world inhabited by vampires, golems, werewolves and other paranormal creatures. Immortal beauty and disembodied head Aya Rindo, along with half-human-half-demon "Demon Killer" Tsugaru Shunichi and her loyal maid Shizuku Hasei, travels through Europe as supernatural detective "The Cage User," solving supernatural mysteries while she searches for her lost body.



Tags: Detective , Classic Literature , Monster Girl , Historical , Monster Boy , Travel , Female Protagonist , Youkai , Crime , Foreign , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Conspiracy , Revenge , Urban Fantasy , Demons , Werewolf , Gore , Vampire , Rakugo , Rural , Fairy Tale , Maids , Guns , LGBTQ+ Themes

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen

Also known as Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju.

Studio: Studio DEEN
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama

Unable to forget a performance of "Shinigami" performed by the rakugo master Yakumo in the prison where he was being held, Yotaro's first act upon his release was go right to the theater, where he begged, pleaded, and was finally accepted as Yakumo's live-in apprentice. After years of refining his art, Yotaro was promoted to the rank of Shinuchi and inherited the title of 3rd Generation Sukeroku. For the sake of his master Yakumo, Konatsu, and to change the image of Sukeroku inside them both, what kind of rakugo will Yotaro discover?

This celebrated human drama, based on a story by Haruko Kumota, offers an honest and sympathetic look into the lives and livelihoods of rakugo storytellers in the Showa era.



Tags: Rakugo , Josei , Primarily Adult Cast , Acting , Male Protagonist , Afterlife , Time Skip , Elderly Protagonist , Historical , Suicide , Yakuza , Gods , Inseki , Memory Manipulation

Kageki Shoujo!!

Also known as Kageki Shojo!!.

Studio: PINE JAM
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

The curtain rises on the Kouka School of Musical and Theatrical Arts. Spotlight on Sarasa Watanabe, a starry-eyed 5'10" student who dreams of performing as Oscar, a male lead role. She forms an unlikely friendship with her new roommate, a former idol who now also hopes to join the all-female Kouka Acting Troupe. Together, they’re in for the role of a lifetime.



Tags: Acting , Primarily Female Cast , School , Female Protagonist , Ensemble Cast , Coming of Age , Shoujo , Heterosexual , Primarily Teen Cast , Denpa , Musical Theater , Kuudere , Crossdressing , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Idol , LGBTQ+ Themes , Work , Twins , Rakugo , Otaku Culture

Monogatari Series: Off & Monster Season

Also known as MONOGATARI Series: OFF & MONSTER Season.

Studio: Shaft
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Supernatural

The sequel to the 'Final Season' story arc of the Monogatari series.

From the past to the future, their story continues.

Now that he has graduated from high school, Koyomi Araragi’s story ends here. His story is truly over now, but the stories of the girls Koyomi saved - their stories - are not over yet.

This is the prequel or sequel to their stories and their struggles.



Tags: Urban Fantasy , Philosophy , Youkai , Primarily Female Cast , Vampire , Female Protagonist , Suicide , Meta , Coming of Age , Gods , Drawing , Hikikomori , Fishing , Clone , Gore , Zombie , Rakugo , Fairy Tale , Afterlife , College , Crossdressing

Kabukichou Sherlock

Also known as Case File nº221: Kabukicho.

Studio: Production I.G
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Mystery , Psychological

The East Side of Shinjuku Ward … In the center of this chaotic neighborhood, the neon-lit Kabukicho district is expanding. Where light shines, there are also deep shadows. The curtain rises on this night stage where bizarre murders occurred! Is this suspense? No, comedy? An indistinguishable drama is about to begin….



Tags: Detective , Primarily Adult Cast , Police , Urban , Male Protagonist , Rakugo , Episodic , Crossdressing , Delinquents , Surreal Comedy , Classic Literature , Bar

Uchi no Shishou wa Shippo ga Nai

Also known as My Master Has No Tail.

Studio: LIDENFILMS
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Fantasy , Slice of Life

Throughout time, supernatural, shapeshifting tanuki loved playing tricks on humankind. One plucky tanuki, Mameda, is no different. But there's one big problem. She wasn’t born in the days of yore — she was born in modern, more cynical times! How can she fulfill her mischievous tanuki destiny when supernatural hijinks are a thing of the past? She finds an angle when she meets Bunko, a master of the Japanese art of rakugo, which uses storytelling to beguile its audience. Mameda is determined to use rakugo to cast a spell on humanity, but first this tanuki trickster must convince the no-nonsense Bunko to take her on as an apprentice.



Tags: Rakugo , Primarily Female Cast , Historical , Female Protagonist , Kuudere , Shapeshifting , Youkai , Acting , Seinen , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Kemonomimi , Mythology , Animals , Tsundere , LGBTQ+ Themes , Age Gap , Ojou-sama , Disability , Found Family

Teppen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also known as TEPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Laughing 'til You Cry.

Studio: Drive
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

Yayoi Sakamoto, a diehard fan of comedians and comedy acts, enrolls in the private Kazuki High School in Nanba (Osaka's entertainment district famous as the starting point for many comedians). She reunites with Yomogi Takahashi, a childhood friend who once formed the comedy duo "Konamonzu" with her when they were little. Before long, they find themselves putting together a routine at a park like they did before, in order to enter a local shopping area's contest. At that moment, a mysterious girl calls out to them.



Note: The airing of the show's second episode had originally been cancelled due to "various circumstances." It was later broadcast on September 10th.

Tags: Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Primarily Female Cast , Surreal Comedy , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Teen Cast , Time Manipulation , Aliens , Episodic , Rakugo

Joshiraku OVA

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

OVA episode bundled with fifth volume of manga.

Tags: Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Meta , Satire , Surreal Comedy , Rakugo

Aru Asa Dummy Head Mic ni Natteita Ore-kun no Jinsei

Studio: EKACHI EPILKA , INDIVISION
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

The slapstick comedy revolves around a protagonist who was reincarnated into a dummy head microphone (a microphone embedded in a fake human head to faithfully record the aural ambience). That dummy head microphone happens to be used by Yuri and other high school girls in an ASMR club, who have their sights set on the "ASMR Koushien" high school championships. (ASMR or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response is the nerve-tingling or relaxing sensation one gets in response to stimuli such as certain sounds or sights.)



Tags: Reincarnation , Primarily Female Cast , LGBTQ+ Themes , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Parody , School Club , Surreal Comedy , Rakugo , Isekai , Food

Aquarion Logos

Also known as Aquarion Logos.

Studio: Satelight , C2C
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Fantasy , Mecha , Sci-Fi

Once upon a time, human voices had defined the true nature of all things, yet the invention of text changed the status quo, while creating a "Logos World" between the voice and the truth. Millennia have passed since then, advancements of civilizations have made the "Logos World" too big to control "texts." A group of young people dedicate themselves to counter chaotic "texts" with "Creative Voice Power," and among them, a boy named Akira Kaibuki living in Asagaya.



Tags: School Club , Super Robot , Primarily Teen Cast , Calligraphy , Rakugo

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Yotarou Hourou-hen

Studio: Studio DEEN
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama

Bundled with the special editions of the manga's 7th and 8th volumes.

The story revolves around a mature prisoner who was released on good behavior during Japan's Showa Genroku era (1960s to early 1970s). He is called Yotarou by others, a term that means an "anti-hero" or a "dim-witted man." When he returns to society, he starts a new life in rakugo (comic storytelling). Touched by Yakumo's role as the "grim reaper," he asks the master to take him in as an apprentice.



Tags: Rakugo , Historical , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Josei , Acting , Elderly Protagonist

Atama Yama

Also known as Mt. Head.

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Fantasy

After a stingy man eats some cherry seeds, a cherry tree grows on his head and he gets into a lot of trouble.


Tags: Rakugo , Body Horror , Surreal Comedy , Male Protagonist

Kabukichou Sherlock OVA

Also known as Case File nº221: Kabukicho OVA.

Studio: Production I.G
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Mystery

Six side stories set in the world of Kabukicho! Get one more glimpse into the lives of James, Fuyuto, Watson, Torataro, and the rest of the Detective's Row House!



Tags: Urban , Episodic , Detective , Crossdressing , Surreal Comedy , Bar , Delinquents , Rakugo , Classic Literature

Rakugo Tennyo Oyui

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy

Six girls including Tsukishima Yui were summoned into the end of Edo period by the power of mystic stones. They became celestial nymphs to protect cities from evils. Each girl obtained her own power. The power Yui obtained was "word". She would fight against evils by her "words" that gave people hope.





Tags: Historical , Rakugo

Kataribe Shoujo Honoka

Also known as Kataribe Shoujo Honoka.

Studio: Ishikawa Pro
Status: Finished
Genres: Slice of Life , Supernatural

Kataribe Shoujo Honoka is an original animation to promote the city of Tono in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.

Tags: Rakugo , Advertisement , Youkai , Female Protagonist