Episode 2

Episode 2
Episode Information
Kanji	第(だい)二(に)話(わ)
Rōmaji	Dainiwa
Air Date	January 16, 2016
Arc	Yakumo and Sukeroku
Staff Information
Director	Tarou Kubo 久 (く) 保 (ぼ) 太 (た) 郎 (ろう)
Script	Jun Kumagi 熊 (くま) 谷 (がい) 純 (じゅん)
Storyboard	Shinichi Omata 小 (お) 俣 (また) 真 (しん) 一 (いち)
Animation Director	Hirofumi Morimoto 森 (もり) 本 (もと) 浩 (ひろ) 文 (ふみ)
Music Information
Opening	Usurahi Shinjuu
Ending	Kaha, Taredoki
Navigation
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The second episode of Season 1. The episode spans 24 minutes and marks the beginning Yakumo and Sukeroku arc.

Synopsis

The episode begins with a young Yakumo walking with an older woman in the summer heat. They both stop in front of a traditional Japanese home, with the name-plate, "Yuurakutei Yakumo" plated outside the gate. Bon hesitantly reads the name 'Yuurakutei" out, and the woman with him compliments him on being able to read it. The woman leans down in front of Bon, adjusting his shirt collar, telling him to be good to his new master, despite how nervous he is, he is very fortunate. In between this discussion, the scene cuts between them and a young Sukeroku running, telling them to hold up. The woman grabs Bon as Sukeroku jumps in front of them both. Sukeroku eagerly asks if Bon is gonna be apprenticed by Yakumo Yuurakutei the 7th. Bon, clearly with some animosity, asks what of it if he were to be. Without a moments waste, Sukeroku runs through the gate and states he's now his older brother, as he passed through the gate first. Sukeroku reaches out his hand towards Bon, Bon then quickly swats it away.

The scene cuts to Yakumo Yuurakutei the 7th introducing himself, the family, and the house to Bon. Sukeroku stands in the back, nagging Yakumo to stop ignoring him. Yakumo eventually snaps, calling him a brat and to get lost. Sukeroku snaps back by stating that Bon was also a brat, so why was he being taken in and not him. Yakumo reveals that he had owed Bon's parents a favor in the past, and that's how he ended up here, and if he wanted in too he'd need to have a connection. Sukeroku claps back by saying that he does in fact have a connection, because he was born to perform Rakugo. Sukeroku lists off popular Rakugo stories he can perform. Yakumo, impressed by his confidence, tells him to perform a story for him.

Sukeroku begins performing "Nozarashi." in which Kikuhiko watches in amazement, even laughing at certain points. Yakumo cuts him off in the middle, stating that he had just simply learned from someone else, although commending him for being able to make Kikuhiko laugh, instantly making Kikuhiko blush in embarrassment. Yakumo then continues on to ask why Sukeroku came to him. Sukeroku claims that he wants to inherit the Yakumo name, and the only way to do so is from him. Yakumo states that Sukeroku has no idea how hard it is to inherit the Yakumo name, and in the end he decides who takes it. Yakumo asks where Sukeroku's parents are. Sukeroku says he doesn't have any, and that he was taken care of by an old man at the theatre who liked Rakugo, but he had died so he came to Yakumo.

Character Appearances

• Bon Yakumo/Kikuhiko
• Shinnosuke Sukeroku
• Yakumo Yuurakutei the 7th
• Yakumo's wife
• Matsuda

Rakugo

• 野ざらし (Nozarashi)
• 子ほめ (Kohome)
• 時そば (Tokisoba)