Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Episode 9 (Review)

By: MithrandielMiss my latest review? Check it out here![yasr_multiset setid=11]Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu kicks off its episode with a casual trip to the local bathhouse. Since Yakumo is still working hard to recover following his collapse, the relaxing baths ought to be a good escape for him. Of course, as soon as Yotaro decides to join it becomes a lot less relaxing.Yotaro and Yakumo discuss the fate of the mafia boss arrested at the end of last week's episode. Being sentenced to 6 years hard labor at a high-security prison, the conversation shifts to when Yotaro first saw Yakumo perform at a prison show. After some prodding and further convincing from his pupil, Yakumo concedes to do a prison show one more time.Telling the poignant and relevant tale of a clerk locked away in a warehouse for 100 days while his beloved languishes away and dies, the hardened prisoners quickly succumb to Yakumo's other-worldly storytelling ability. They become increasingly emotional as they reflect on the tragedy of the poor clerk who lost his love, and even the guards can't help but fight back the tears as Yakumo draws them into his vibrant world of rakugo.Following his performance at the prison, Yakumo stops by Yotaro's performance of "Inokiri", but leaves halfway through.Unimpressed by Yotaro's boisterous performance, Yakumo dismisses his student's work and makes his way back to the theater. Dismissing Mangetsu and Yotaro's pupil, Yakumo takes the stage and fully intends on ending his life while performing rakugo. As he concludes his story he sees the spirit of Sukeroku, who helps him toss a candle into the theater and set it aflame.As Sukeroku takes Yakumo into a fearsome embrace, his former friend morphs into a horrifying figure that the 8th Generation sees as the God of Performance.Though Yakumo has largely surrendered himself to death, the terrifying nature of Sukeroku's true form causes him to have second thoughts. As he's seemingly pinned down amidst the burning theater, Yotaro bursts in and offers his master a way out by extending his hand. Yakumo's desire to survive overrides his fatalism in the final moments as his pupil leads him out of the crumbling theater and the episode concludes in flames.This week's episode was another fantastic performance by the cast, particularly Akira Ishida (Yakumo's voice actor). His rakugo performance at the prison was equal parts haunting and tragic; the audience reflects on Yakumo's deteriorating voice...the loss of a passion so fierce that he's effectively isolated himself for decades in its pursuit. Sukeroku and Miyokichi's return is a fearsome signal for veterans of the series as the show nears its conclusion - the doomed couple acting as harbingers of death for the ailing Yakumo.No matter how it wraps up, one thing is for sure: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu continues to set a high bar for dramatic storytelling, quality character development and terrific animation.