Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
This multi-generational epic dives deep into rakugo, a rich form of Japanese storytelling theater. Small-time crook Yotaro has never forgotten the rakugo tale "The God of Death," which the master Yurakutei Yakumo performed for Yotaro during his time in prison. After his release, he goes to Yakumo's theater and pleads to be made his apprentice. Yakumo reluctantly accepts, but Yotaro quickly finds the world of rakugo is complex and grapples with a growing bond with Yakumo's ward, Konatsu. Meanwhile, the two young people bring reminders of Yakumo’s own inescapable past. (Source: Kodansha USA) Note: Won the 38th Kodansha Manga Awards for Best General Manga and the New Creator Prize of the 21st Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2017.
Why this rank?
The series score blends every entry below, weighted by vote volume — see the full methodology. Each entry's page breaks its own score down per source.
| Entry | Score | Sources | Votes (weight) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju | 7.62 | 3 | 8,231 |
Parts, ranked
Every entry of this series by aggregate score — the sub-ranking inside the ranking.