A Surprising Shonen Jump Manga is Changing Tournament Arcs Forever
Warning! Contains spoilers for Akane-banashi chapters 16-18!
The Tournament arc is a classic Shonen trope found in a variety of manga, but one unexpected series is flipping the whole thing on its head. Most tournament arcs involve the protagonists of a series entering a competition for any number of reasons. While the exact nature of the tournaments differ from series to series, these arcs generally share certain elements. However, Akane-banashi is taking the basic formula of a tournament arc and turning it on its head.
Akane-banashi is a manga by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue following the teenage girl Akane as she attempts to become a professional Rakugoka. Rakugo is a style of Japanese comedic storytelling in which a lone performer regales their audience with a variety of traditional stories. Despite focusing on such a niche subject, Akane-Banashi has become somewhat popular, even garnering praise from storytelling master Eiichiro Oda, the author of One Piece. It is easy to see why, as the manga feels fresh and different from anything else in Shonen Jump currently. And one area where the manga is proving this is in how it deals with its ongoing tournament arc.
Related: Dragon Ball Super’s Tournament of Power Winner was Teased from the Start
In chapter 16 Akane joined a Rakugo competition meant to spotlight young and aspiring Rakugoka. As with the beginnings of many tournament arcs, various competitors are introduced with brief mentions of what makes their Rakugo style or background unique. Shockingly, Akane is introduced as the clear favorite to win the competition, as she has already had the tutelage of a Rakugo master and made an impression on one of the preeminent Rakugo performers at the event. This is a shocking
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