Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Episodes 5-7 (Review)

By: Mithrandiel[yasr_multiset setid=11] Miss my previous review? You can find it here!In the last few weeks, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu has certainly run the emotional gamut. Things were looking up a couple weeks ago when Yakumo agreed to do a "family show" with Yotaro once again. Elated at the chance to perform alongside his Master, Yotaro shares his excitement with Konatsu, who continues to keep her emotions for the "Old Man" at an arm's length. Yakumo hears murmurs of Yotaro frequenting the red-light district and confronts him, only to realize that there was a perfectly good explanation for his frequent visits (no, really!)There he goes again, being a total Yotaro and not letting us stay annoyed with him for long. Despite his continued sheepishness and seeming immaturity, you really see Yotaro's growth in the latest episodes as tragedy strikes near the end of Yakumo's performance.Seeing the spirit of Miyokichi as he concludes his rakugo, Yakumo collapses suddenly following his performance. Despite Yotaro's (justified) concern, he realizes that the show must go on. He entrusts Yakumo to Konatsu and goes on to perform "Inokori", a difficult piece of rakugo that's known for bringing out a storyteller's unique personality.Yotaro's Inokori is a masterwork of the show so far. You are so engrossed with the performance that you don't even realize that you've listened to the story before in episode 9 of the previous season, when Sukeroku performed it. Yotaro's ability to push the stress and concern that is no doubt weighing heavily on his mind and simultaneously deliver such a fantastic piece of rakugo is an indication of just how far he's come since the early episodes of the first season.Following Yotaro's performance he rushes to the hospital, but only family are allowed in past a certain time and so he finds himself unable to talk with his Master in the critical hours following his incident. In another sign of his growing maturity he seamlessly steps in to fulfill Yakumo's obligations as the entire  country reacts to the news of the rakugo master's collapse with anxiousness and concern.Yakumo isn't out for very long, groggily coming to at the end of episode 6, but Yotaro is still busy rushing around the city in order to fulfill his Master's previous obligations. While accompanying Yotaro on his errands, Amaken learns of a classic film reel that has performances from both Master Yakumo and Sukeroku in their younger days.Yotaro's admiration of his Master's rakugo never gets old. His enchantment with the performance is contagious as he's transported into the world of Yakumo's story. More impactful, however, is Sukeroku's performance afterwards. Yotaro senses Sukeroku's contentment with life in that moment based on the joy with which he tells his story.Of course, fans of the series are aware of what ultimately happened to Sukeroku and Miyokichi, and our familiarity with the tragic nature of their relationship, not just their end, makes Yotaro's comments more poignant.Following the films, the group goes to the local cemetery to pay their respects to Miyokichi. There, Matsuda makes a stunning confession about the truth of Miyokichi and Sukeroku's death - a twist I will leave you to discover.Episode 7's finale is an emotional gut-punch, and executed wonderfully. It's a fantastic bookend to a strong arc as we now move forward with this new knowledge and see how it impacts the family dynamic.Overall, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu continues to stand out as a fantastic piece of storytelling. It is certainly contending for my anime of the season spot.Interested? You can catch it on Crunchyroll on Fridays.