I am still learning

Why is it so good? Well, it showcases how Akane overcomes the issue of having to go after two great performances, but still blew everyone away without the need to be overshadowed. People were underestimating her since she’s some no name high schooler and she just blew everyone away. Akane learned that enunciation isn’t the key to Jugemu, but telling the story of a parent’s love for their child. This was why she had asked Masaki why she was named Akane; she learned that Toru was the one who named her as he thought about the vermillion sunset he saw when he first held her in his arms. It helped her learn that all parents give some thoughts to naming their child, which is how she was able to channel that same love into her performance.

Also, the reason why Shiguma wanted her to do Jugemu twice to win the competition is so that she’d have an understanding of character perspective. He definitely knows her well to know that she’s just try to charge straight in if he had given her direction. Because he gave her no direction after telling her to do Jugemu, this was why Akane had to do things she normally didn’t like asking the older apprentices for help and asking her teacher for book recommendations about the Edo period; she’s not much of a reader. Her performance is basically a culmination of everything she has learned up until now as well as her own talents for being able to pull it off. I did like that instead of going for the tragic ending that the original story had, she went with her own twist in that Jugemu managed to save himself from drowning because they were taking too long. It shows that she didn’t have to completely take in Koguma’s advice, but still took it and did her own twist on it.

The highlight was definitely listening to Anna Nagase, Akane’s voice actress, perform. She had to voice all the characters in the story from Jugemu to his parents to the monk and even the old lady. She does a great job making every one of them sound distinct. On top of that, she says Jugemu’s name at various speeds depending on where the story was. She said it slowly when the mother was playing with her infant son and then fast when Jugemu’s friend shows up and even faster when the father is worried about his son’s fate. I think my favorite part of the performance was learning about each part of Jugemu’s name and what they meant.

The fact that Ikken and Issho seemed to have figured out that she’s training under Shiguma really does hone in on her talents. Ikken, in particular, figured out who she learned rakugo from because of her vocal habits. It shows that he has a very keen eye. Issho seemed to have figured it out too, but I don’t think he knows she’s Shinta’s daughter.

Anyways, it was nice seeing Karashi getting absolutely humiliated by Akane after he underestimated her too much. I hope that this means he’s going to start taking rakugo seriously going forth. I do wonder if Hikaru is also going to keep on pursuing rakugo after this. Let me know your thoughts on this episode!

So then for him to remember his mom when he's wondering what he has that could help him… Remembering the name the SHE gave him (Haru)… While Issho gave him a name that comes with expectations and is associated with excellence, his mom gave him a name that comes with hope and that is associated with resilience! Because being a good parent isn't about telling your kid what they should be; it's about supporting and encouraging them through the storms in life!

So Kaisei, who went into rakugo to escape his past (poverty and the feeling of powerlessness), who tried for years to become what Issho wanted him to be… is now choosing to go back to his past, into his years of fear and vulnerability. Is now choosing to stop trying to be everything Issho wants him to be. Is choosing to live up not to the name given to him by his master, but to the name that was there before, the one given by his mother. He chooses not to lose his original self.

'My name is what represents me' ≠ a rakugo prodigy better than everyone else and without weaknesses.