Descending Stories
“Flourishing Shōwa – Rakugo Double Suicide”
Series Overview
When a certain man is released from prison, he knows exactly where he's heading first. After falling in love with a traditional comic storyteller's rendition of the story called "Shinigami," he is determined to become his apprentice. The performer, Yakumo, has never taken an apprentice before, but to everyone's surprise, he accepts the eager ex-prisoner, nicknaming him "Yotaro." As Yotaro happily begins his new life, he meets others in Yakumo's life, including Yakumo's ward Konatsu. Konatsu was the daughter of a famous storyteller, and Yakumo took her in after her father's tragic death. Konatsu loved her father's storytelling, and would love to become a performer in her own right—but that path is not available for women.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
2 Seasons • 25 Episodes
26 min per episode
2016 – 2017
Premiered: Sat, Jan 9, 2016
Creative Production Team
Latest Aired Episode
Season 2, Episode 12: “Episode 12”
Fifteen years have passed since that fateful day. Yotaro and Konatsu's children are growing up: Shinnosuke is a futatsume, and Koyuki has entered high school. Those who made their lives from rakugo, those who gave their lives to rakugo… aspects of their checkered pasts carry on to the next generation. What feelings lie in the hearts of those who inherit the names Kikuhiko, Sukeroku, and Yakumo, as they face their rakugo? The curtain is finally about to come down on Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju.
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju - Opening 2 | Imawa no ShinigamiOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2018-06-13
Cast & Creators
Explore Star Directory →
Tomokazu Seki
Yotarou (voice)
Koichi Yamadera
Sukeroku Yuurakutei (voice)
Akira Ishida
Yakumo Yuurakutei (voice)
Kappei Yamaguchi
Amaken (voice)
Megumi Hayashibara
Miyokichi (voice)
Yu Kobayashi
Konatsu (voice)
Toshihiko Seki
Eisuke Higuchi (voice)
Shigeru Ushiyama
Matsuda (voice)
Koji Yusa
Mangetsu Tsuburaya (voice)
Ayaka Asai
Koyuki (voice)
Mikako Komatsu
Shinnosuke (voice)
Yuki Ono
Shinnosuke (adult) (voice)
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Mamoru Hatakeyama
Haruko Kumota, Jun Kumagai
Kana Shibue
Asahiko Koshiyama
Rie Matsubara
Akiko Yada, Yoshihiko Yamazaki, Nobumitsu Urasaki
Department Leadership Roster
Asahiko Koshiyama
Director of Photography
Akiko Yada
Producer
Rie Matsubara
Editor
Yoshihiko Yamazaki
Producer
Nobumitsu Urasaki
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
TV-14: Parents Strongly Cautioned — Contains material unsuitable for children under 14.
International Certification Matrix
Parents Strongly Cautioned — Contains material unsuitable for children under 14.
14+ Parents Strongly Cautioned.
Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Descending Stories.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Descending Stories
Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.
What is Descending Stories about?
When a certain man is released from prison, he knows exactly where he's heading first. After falling in love with a traditional comic storyteller's rendition of the story called "Shinigami," he is determined to become his apprentice. The performer, Yakumo, has never taken an apprentice before, but to everyone's surprise, he accepts the eager ex-prisoner, nicknaming him "Yotaro." As Yotaro happily begins his new life, he meets others in Yakumo's life, including Yakumo's ward Konatsu. Konatsu was the daughter of a famous storyteller, and Yakumo took her in after her father's tragic death. Konatsu loved her father's storytelling, and would love to become a performer in her own right—but that path is not available for women.
How many seasons does Descending Stories have?
Descending Stories comprises 2 seasons available to explore.
Who stars in Descending Stories?
Key cast members in Descending Stories include Tomokazu Seki, Koichi Yamadera, Akira Ishida, Kappei Yamaguchi, Megumi Hayashibara.
Who created or directed Descending Stories?
Descending Stories was developed and directed by Mamoru Hatakeyama.