Where to Watch Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju in New Zealand

Japanese television has a knack for doing more with less, and Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju is a prime example. It's currently available in Australia on Crunchyroll and Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, and in the US on Crunchyroll and Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, so there's no reason to keep putting it off. An 8/10 rating means the audience agrees.

Originally commissioned by MBS, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju quickly became exactly the kind of show that viewers rearrange their evenings for. When a certain man is released from prison, he knows exactly where he's heading first. After falling in love with a traditional comic storyteller's rendition of the story called "Shinigami," he is determined to become his apprentice. The performer, Yakumo, has never taken an apprentice before, but to everyone's surprise, he accepts the eager ex-prisoner, nicknaming him "Yotaro." As Yotaro happily begins his new life, he meets others in Yakumo's life, including Yakumo's ward Konatsu. The series ran for 2 seasons (2016–2017), building a story that gave its audience time to invest properly.

Genuinely enjoyable for a wide range of viewers. The animation is the delivery mechanism — the storytelling is what matters.