Akane-banashi Anime is Coming to Netflix: English Voice Cast and Release Date Announced!
Netflix has shared the English voice cast and release schedule for Akane-banashi, which has made a big splash in the anime world. According to the official announcement, the first two episodes of the series will meet the audience on the platform on May 17, 2026. This production, which centers on Rakugo, the traditional Japanese art of storytelling, has been eagerly awaited for a long time by both fans of the genre and Shonen Jump enthusiasts.
Leading the English voice cast is Abby Trott, who will voice the main character Akane Osaki. We will hear Xander Mobus in the role of Akane's father Shinta Arakawa, and Rebecca Wang in the role of her mother Masaki Osaki. The voice direction and scriptwriting are handled by Alex Von David, one of the experienced names in the industry. The cast also includes talented names such as Brook Chalmers (Shiguma Arakawa), Evan Michael Lee (Issho Arakawa), and Matt Shipman (Kaisei Arakawa).
Akane-banashi is based on a popular manga written by Yuki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue, which has been published in Weekly Shonen Jump since 2022. The story follows the journey of young Akane, who steps into the world of Rakugo to save her father's honor and reach the highest rank, Shin'uchi, after he was unfairly expelled from the prestigious Arakawa school. The series has received great acclaim not only in Japan but also worldwide; it has ranked high in prestigious awards such as Manga Taisho and has received support from legendary names such as Eiichiro Oda (One Piece) and Hideaki Anno (Evangelion).
