The Genuine Storytelling of Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

A Video Essay on the qualities that made Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju a highlight of both the Winter 2016 anime season and this year as a whole. It's not often that I've watched a new show and honestly been floored by its characters, presentation and just overall determination to tell an interesting story. It highlights the life of one man as told through his eyes, as he recalls how he grew up, learned about his artform and the friends he made and lost in all that time. It's actually incredibly interesting how the story itself is then about a story told within it, and somewhat in the same way as its namesake performances. Rakugo is the Japanese art form of telling a short story to an audience, and typically it has a comedic slant to it, making it somewhat akin to stand-up comedy. However it's really the characters that shine in this tale, and the art form or Rakugo itself is just one way in which they help to show character growth and set the stage for how everyone in the cast changes. It's among the first anime I've ever watched where I thought to myself, "Wow, this could've been a live action television series" because of how well it presented itself. For how much it taught me along the way, I'm glad I finally get to outline what made it such a rewarding watching experience with you. Keep in mind this isn't a review. As always, I just enjoy sharing why I like the stuff I like. Hopefully you'll enjoy it, too! Thanks to everyone for continually being patient in waiting for new videos. I'm always out to keep the quality of my videos ever higher and to really push my skills, so that makes it extra rewarding when these connect well. Not only that, but seeing as I'm back in college that will take priority over videos at times. ____________________________________________ Footage Used, in order of appearance: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju Bungo Stray Dogs Season 2 Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash Sweetness and Lightning Erased Girlish Number Hibike Euphonium Season 2 Bill Burr: Let it Go Bill Burr: You People are All the Same Bill Burr: I'm Sorry you Feel that way Konosuba Dimension W ____________________________________________ Music Used: Freddie Joachim - Shadow of Smiles J Dilla - Strugglin' J Dilla - Everytime Freddie Joachim - Foolish J Dilla - Illasoul J Dilla - R U Listenin' Freddie Joachim - Close Love J Dilla - Alien Family Nujabes - Music is Mine