Welcome to the second episode thread for the Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu Rewatch! Back to your regularly scheduled 20-minute episodes this time.
Legal Streams:
As of now, Rakugo is streaming on Crunchyroll in the States, and you can check here to see where it's streaming elsewhere.
Schedule:
| Date | Episode |
|---|---|
| 10/8 | Season 1 Episode 1 |
| 10/9 | Season 1 Episode 2 |
| 10/10 | Season 1 Episode 3 |
| 10/11 | Season 1 Episode 4 |
| 10/12 | Season 1 Episode 5 |
| 10/13 | Season 1 Episode 6 |
| 10/14 | Season 1 Episode 7 |
| 10/15 | Season 1 Episode 8 |
| 10/16 | Season 1 Episode 9 |
| 10/17 | Season 1 Episode 10 |
| 10/18 | Season 1 Episode 11 |
| 10/19 | Season 1 Episode 12 |
| 10/20 | Season 1 Episode 13 |
| 10/21 | Season 1 Discussion |
| 10/22 | Season 2 Episode 1 |
| 10/23 | Season 2 Episode 2 |
| 10/24 | Season 2 Episode 3 |
| 10/25 | Season 2 Episode 4 |
| 10/26 | Season 2 Episode 5 |
| 10/27 | Season 2 Episode 6 |
| 10/28 | Season 2 Episode 7 |
| 10/29 | Season 2 Episode 8 |
| 10/30 | Season 2 Episode 9 |
| 10/31 | Season 2 Episode 10 |
| 11/1 | Season 2 Episode 11 |
| 11/2 | Season 2 Episode 12 |
| 11/3 | Season 2 Discussion |
| 11/4 | Overall Series Discussion |
Questions of the Day
- That was quite the aburpt transition into a flashback – how did you feel about the integration there?
- What are your first impressions of Sukeroku?
- As always, did anything particularly strike you about this episode, either as a first-timer or on rewatch?
Links to trackers
You can find the show on MAL, Anilist, and ANN!
Please be mindful of spoilers to make sure the first-timers experience the show with the same wonder you did on first watch!
Apply for Awards!
Enjoying watching and discussing this modern classic and want more? Think the Jury got it hopelessly wrong? Apply now to be a part of the 2024 r/anime Awards! Applications open until October 22.
by Schinco
4 Comments
**Episode 2 (first timer)**
* “remain dignified” vs “Hey you”
* Taken in by the very first performance – they went from conflict to not fast.
* “Just letting him hang around with that ruffian might be just what he needs.” – true.
* “I’m the one who will have to look after them” – also true.
* “You were abandoned, too.” – Emotional damage.
* Cat!
* Did anybody call the long rakugo performance yesterday daring? How about doing a long *bad* rakugo performance today?
[](#emptyinside)
* Followed up by the far better performance by the other apprentice – crushed.
* Except, Yakumo takes it very well, smiling about the good performance instead of being envious. A sign they could become good friends.
* Preview: And what could separate good friends, except a woman.
A far more straight forward episode than ep1. We are introduced to young Yakumo and Sukeroku and their initial styles (that is, Sukeroku’s natural style, Yakumo has not found his yet). They are likeable enough, but there is little to discuss here.
**First Timer**
Ah ok, we’re going into either Yakumo’s backstory or the main plot line. Still not sure which it is. Either way, I think I have less to say about this episode than last – Yakumo being a title is somewhat surprising, as are the seemingly frequent name changes. I have never come across this yet. Bon being disabled since a young age is also not something I caught on to – old people using sticks are just too common. Also him not liking Rakugo at the beginning is surprising for a master – though I guess that helped shape his Rakugo. The show putting in his boring performance in full is also a bit surprising, though from an artistic point of view I’d say it’s an ok choice. The seventh generation definitely didn’t approve of the performance – but not sure if it’s the style or just because he’s bad. Will be interesting to know why that is.
We’re definitely not at the end of this plotline yet though, as the promise between the two is still missing. And I guess we also need Bon to start liking Rakugo. Looking forward to how this continues.
Rewatcher here, haven’t seen s2.
One thing I’m paying closer attention to this time around are the contents of the performances themselves and how they relate to the characters at the time:
* Yakumo hates rakugo, but he doesn’t ditch it altogether, as he can’t imagine another way to survive with his broken leg. He’s stuck and hopeless. His first performance is about a man who can’t give compliments. The man is rigid and stiff and tries to mimic how others give compliments. He’s preoccupied with how to stick to the form and rules of compliments, without giving it any thought as to how to bend them to his unique situation, so he gives the wrong one every time. To him it’s a checklist to go over, not something that can be personal and genuine. He’s so out of his depth he doesn’t even know what he doesn’t know.
* Sukeroku is a force of nature, born to play rakugo. He did not prepare enough for his part but he’s ready to go. His performance has two elements. First, a character with great confidence, who knows what to say and how to say it to get his way. He takes the lead, butters up the shopkeeper with compliments, and this charm and brazen energy lets him get away with some trickery and get a meal for cheaper. Then, another character tries to follow suit but can’t. They too were too concerned about what the first character said, rather than how or why they said it and so failed.
**First timer**
I’m finding it really interesting how much I am able to get out of the in-universe rakugo performances, despite having almost no familiarity beyond knowing the basic concept of rakugo. While Yotaro’s first performance in yesterday’s episode was enchanting, Yakumo’s is just straight up bad here. We don’t even need the audience reactions to know it’s bad.
QOTD:
1. Nothing in particular to say about the form they did it in, but this definitely clarifies how this is a frame story, as I saw mentioned in the interest thread. Previously I assumed that had more to do with the performances.
2. The similarities to Yotaro seem very apparent. Easy to see why Yakumo sees Sukeroku in him.
3. Nothing in particular in this episode, but I am finding the show very striking overall, so far. As I mentioned earlier, I particularly liked Yotaro’s performance in ep 1.