Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu - Recommendations

AnnaSartin says...

The main characters of Barakamon amd Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu are hyper-focused on perfecting a classical Asian art form. Will appeal to viewers who enjoy anime with a distinctly Japanese feel.

ichigouraharasan says...

Family plays an important part in these both.  They both are also about artists learning more of themselves.

ShowerOfSunshine says...

Both shows revolve around family and both also have a very traditional approach as they both have main characters that are focused on perfecting their art form.

Barakamon is a bit more relaxed than Rakugo.

subparalien says...

The focus of both of these is the pursuit of traditional art, which is in tension with a desire for community.

Showa Genroku Rakujo Shinjuu also does a lot with narrative elements and storytelling techniques. Barakamon is more just sweet.

AnnaSartin says...

Slow paced but well-written anime with a distinctly historical Japanese feel featuring main characters that are dedicated to their craft. One is a healer of sorts that travels the land seeking to aid people with supernatual afflictions, the other is a performance artist who has dedicated himself to reviving people's interest in a style of entertainment that is in danger of being lost in the ceaseless flow of time in an age where new forms of entertainment are replacing the old. Both characters have tragic back stories that propelled them to where they are in the present, but the tone of the two shows are quite different. Even so, they have a somber and at times tragic air to them that more mature veiwers will appreciate.

ichigouraharasan says...

Both are subdued and introspective, with wisdom.  They have a great sense of peace and sadness, unfairness and acceptance.

subparalien says...

The tone and animation have a lot in common. Plus, there are elements of historical Japanese society in both. Mush-shi is fantasy, but has some pretty specific (so I'm told) lore it follows. 

And besides, who doesn't love that subtle, almost nostalgic feeling of pain?

ElliecakeEllster says...

Absolutely incredible anime. The attention to detail is so specific with going as far as even animating the different vowels when the characters are speaking to really help the storytelling feel more real and easy to understand. The characters are all interesting and relatable in their own ways and the stories they tell were well chosen and done in a way that we feel present as viewers too and can gladly watch/hear the same story told again.The art and realistic character design and behaviors are similar between Mushishi and Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu. I always appreciated when the style doesn't need to be exhaggerated or lewd to be beautiful. 

Howlorihara says...

Both shows have a similar tone and place emphasis on many of the same aspects.  Both stories do an excellent job at grounding the audience in its time period.  Furthermore, both also focus on a deep and complex relationship between it's male main characters.

ichigouraharasan says...

These both deal with more mature and adult storylines and themes.  Unfairness and acceptance in life are central.  They both feel subdued with a sadness but also a sense of peace, with wisdom.

subparalien says...

Ahhh, yes... The slow build up. soft and beautiful animation, and conflicting moral elements that make you question how you like the characters. If that's your jive, then both these animes are for you.

Bronia says...

This is a no-brainer recomendation! Both shows smell different from standard anime fare. They have very distinct but very related themes to one another. Shouwa Genroku (SG) is to Rakugo what Sakamichi no Apollon (SNA) is to jazz music, using the arts as a frame for personal growth and coming-of-age friendships between young men and women. Both are graceful depictions of recent-ish historical Japan, SG spanning from the 1930s to the 1970s and SNA rooted in the 1960s. Both shows gracefully explore close friendships formed between young men. (The straight-laced and the ruffian character-types, no less!)

Both anime have a grown-up quality to them that will be appreciated by fans of one or the other. If you watched one and were enthralled by the rich characterization, interactions, and history wrapped up in the tale of mastering and growing into your passion for the arts, I strongly encourage you to take a look at either of these pieces. Both have differences, but at their core are thematically similar and equally pleasurable to watch.

At the time of writing this, SG has only released up to the 7th episode and the content of this rec may not reflect the final product of the anime. I will edit it if need be.

subparalien says...

Look, I'm a sucker for animation style. While slightly different, both of these are lovely art to watch.

Both can be described as slow, sweet, and painful.

Kids on the Slope is a coming of age story, while Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is multi-generational.

XMrNiceguyX says...

These series have a little bit of a different approach in that SHouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is more focus on romance and it's pacing is much slower than Ojii-san no Lamp.

In essence though, these shows have a similar setting of dealing with new technology (Ojiisan) or new forms of entertainment (Shouwa) and people trying to sturggle with them. This struggle is more pronounced and aimed at westernization and advancement of technology in Ojii-san, Shouwa has this more as an undertone. In general, the feel and setting are extremely similar.

Finally, the structure of the show is similar in that it's an older guy educating the younger generation of the past. In particular a somewhat dying medium in te Shouwe and the fleetiness of technology in Ojii-san no Lamp.

AnnaSartin says...

Both take place in historical Japan and are stories told by old men recounting the days of their youth. They deal with the reality of how modern progress can overshadow tradition, whether it be cultural or technological.

harshrox2 says...

similar slow burning story about 2 charcters , and their relationship which change both of their lives, Josei, etc...

Bronia says...

Both shows are pretty grown-up looks at adult friendships, dreams, love, and life. Both follow individual(s) who are passionate about what they do but face hurdles in achieving their goals. Both shoes have strong protagonists who perservere through lots of drama. So. Much. Drama. If you like the emphasis on relationships (platonic and romantic) and a general melancholy and a study of characters and the hardship of love (and not just love between people, but love for the arts, etc...)

I can't really put this into words properly, but if you like one show, I encourage you to give the other a try. Due to differences in length, Nana may take you a bit more patience to get into the meat of it- but once you do you'll like what you see if you liked Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu!

ShowerOfSunshine says...

Both shows have stories which are told by elders looking back on their past.

Rakugo is easier to follow whereas Millenium Actress can become a bit confusing at times, but overall both shows have complex and interesting characters.

They also take place in a very similar time period.

Inu230 says...

An older character shares their life story and how they became the person they are. The past is not always pleasant and reliving the trauma can cause distress in the present. Both animes show the impact and devastation moments have and how shattered a person can become when they do things they should not, when they trust people they should not have, when they put their desires above their morals.

Lel0uchViBritannia says...

Both animes show the struggle of a protagonist who is trying to become proficient in the field of their passion. Glass Mask shows the efforts of Maya who is a clumsy girl but she got a natural skill of acting, on the other hand, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu depicts the struggle of Yotaro to become a good storyteller. Both animes have a good mixture of funny scenes and a serious story.

chii says...

Both shows focus on the old style of Japanese story telling. Shouwa focuses on the story telling part of the stories with one person, where Kabukibu is more of a play with a cast of people. But both share the joys of a preformance with people who are passionate about the stories they tell. Kabukibu focuses on high school club where Shouwa has a grander story to be told over all and focues on adults for the most part. Check one out if you enjoyed the other for sure.

NatsumeKhun says...

Both of these series are beautifully made with great story telling and well fleshed out characters. In Sangatsu no Lion, shogi is used as a metaphor and a tool to further enhance the story. In Showa Gen Rakugo, Rakugo is used to do the same thing. Each of these shows touches on darker subjects, such as bullying, loss, depression, illness, and more. If you enjoyed one, you will certainly enjoy the other.