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Wow! What in the Rakugo world is this amazing drama!
Subjective Gut Rating: 9.25
Thanks to Reddit and Netflix, I discovered the incredible drama, “Descending Stories: A Life in Rakugo”. I had never heard of rakugo and definitely don’t have any expectations going into this drama. Rakugo is a 400-year-old traditional Japanese art of comedic storytelling, where the performer plays multiple characters using their own voice, facial expressions, a paper fan and a small hand towel. This is originally a manga series, later adapted to an anime and then this live action drama.
Plot:
The drama mainly focuses on the lives of three rakugo performers from different generations. This is more than starting out as an apprentice and working up the ranks to be the Master. All three of them, Kikuhiko, Hatsutaro and Yotarou, had no family and had nothing. Rokugo is their world, their life, their livelihood and all that they have. While the drama follows their career journeys and very minor romance subplots, it’s how they found themselves, became their own persons and discovered their very own version of rakugo that are central to this plot. Viewers also learn about the traditional stories, music, culture, apprentice/master relationship and the industry. The drama spans many years and different generations, thus they are called descending stories. I’ve grown to love each of their unique personalities, thoughts and decision-making process. Actually, the drama started with a mystery. What happened to this couple on the night of their death? Who killed them? Was the main lead to be blamed for all of this? Why did their daughter hate her mother so much? To round up this amazing drama is the different relationships between the characters - rivals, friends, lovers, found family, apprentice/master.
Rakugo:
There is a LOT of rakugo in this drama. If you are not up for the education of it, this might not be your kind of drama. I believe stories told are all very famous ones. At first, you will have to read the subtitles to follow along the story, while enjoying the magnificent performances by everyone. Their voices, facial expressions, posture and body movement are to be admired and applauded. As they repeat these stories at different performances and rehearsals, you will start to remember them and apply them to what’s happening onscreen with the characters. Some of these stories showcase the acting, others complement and provide a deeper emotional connection to the characters.
Acting:
Salute to main lead, Okada Masaki, playing Kikuhiko/Master Yakumo Yuurakutei. It was amazing seeing him play the young teenager Kikuhiko, and slowly age all the way to 8th Generation Master Yakumo at the age of 70. The audience has no problem understanding how he has changed throughout these years. Contrasting the more stoic and cautious Kikuhiko, is the outgoing and boisterous Hatsutaro played by the equally amazing Yamazaki Ikusaburo. The chemistry between these best friends bring their stories to life. The rest of the cast is just as amazing with many veteran actors and actresses. They make me laugh and cry, and there are also many heartwarming moments.
Romance:
Romance is not central to the plot, but it does play a very important role in the relationship between Kikuhiko, Hatsutaro and Miyokichi. So much happened because of this love triangle. The men have different priorities, thus making very different decisions - career vs. love. And these decisions probably have created the tragedies that happened, and affected the next generation. I guess if I have to nitpick on this drama, it would be Kikuhiko’s affection being too subtle. What was shown in the drama doesn’t really show how in love he was. I needed the director to add in some subtle facial expressions from Kikuhiko, or side/longing glances here and there.
Production:
I want to praise the makeup department. The gradual aging of Kikuhiko is amazing. The amount of grey hair, wrinkles, and age spots showing up throughout Kikuhiko’s life is so realistic. The sets look realistic, and costumes are beautiful and era-appropriate. I was really transported back to the 1930s with the characters and their rakugo, and was taught a very valuable and interesting history lesson.
This drama is definitely not for everyone but I whole-heartedly recommend it especially if you enjoy learning about new cultures and history. But if you don't, this might be quite boring for you during the storytelling times. However, I was caught off guard by how much I enjoy the world of rakugo and the interesting characters and relationships in “Descending stories: A Life in Rakugo”. I will remember the amazing acting by the cast, and the acting while storytelling for a long time.
Drama Completed: 6/23/2026 Review #698
Thanks to Reddit and Netflix, I discovered the incredible drama, “Descending Stories: A Life in Rakugo”. I had never heard of rakugo and definitely don’t have any expectations going into this drama. Rakugo is a 400-year-old traditional Japanese art of comedic storytelling, where the performer plays multiple characters using their own voice, facial expressions, a paper fan and a small hand towel. This is originally a manga series, later adapted to an anime and then this live action drama.
Plot:
The drama mainly focuses on the lives of three rakugo performers from different generations. This is more than starting out as an apprentice and working up the ranks to be the Master. All three of them, Kikuhiko, Hatsutaro and Yotarou, had no family and had nothing. Rokugo is their world, their life, their livelihood and all that they have. While the drama follows their career journeys and very minor romance subplots, it’s how they found themselves, became their own persons and discovered their very own version of rakugo that are central to this plot. Viewers also learn about the traditional stories, music, culture, apprentice/master relationship and the industry. The drama spans many years and different generations, thus they are called descending stories. I’ve grown to love each of their unique personalities, thoughts and decision-making process. Actually, the drama started with a mystery. What happened to this couple on the night of their death? Who killed them? Was the main lead to be blamed for all of this? Why did their daughter hate her mother so much? To round up this amazing drama is the different relationships between the characters - rivals, friends, lovers, found family, apprentice/master.
Rakugo:
There is a LOT of rakugo in this drama. If you are not up for the education of it, this might not be your kind of drama. I believe stories told are all very famous ones. At first, you will have to read the subtitles to follow along the story, while enjoying the magnificent performances by everyone. Their voices, facial expressions, posture and body movement are to be admired and applauded. As they repeat these stories at different performances and rehearsals, you will start to remember them and apply them to what’s happening onscreen with the characters. Some of these stories showcase the acting, others complement and provide a deeper emotional connection to the characters.
Acting:
Salute to main lead, Okada Masaki, playing Kikuhiko/Master Yakumo Yuurakutei. It was amazing seeing him play the young teenager Kikuhiko, and slowly age all the way to 8th Generation Master Yakumo at the age of 70. The audience has no problem understanding how he has changed throughout these years. Contrasting the more stoic and cautious Kikuhiko, is the outgoing and boisterous Hatsutaro played by the equally amazing Yamazaki Ikusaburo. The chemistry between these best friends bring their stories to life. The rest of the cast is just as amazing with many veteran actors and actresses. They make me laugh and cry, and there are also many heartwarming moments.
Romance:
Romance is not central to the plot, but it does play a very important role in the relationship between Kikuhiko, Hatsutaro and Miyokichi. So much happened because of this love triangle. The men have different priorities, thus making very different decisions - career vs. love. And these decisions probably have created the tragedies that happened, and affected the next generation. I guess if I have to nitpick on this drama, it would be Kikuhiko’s affection being too subtle. What was shown in the drama doesn’t really show how in love he was. I needed the director to add in some subtle facial expressions from Kikuhiko, or side/longing glances here and there.
Production:
I want to praise the makeup department. The gradual aging of Kikuhiko is amazing. The amount of grey hair, wrinkles, and age spots showing up throughout Kikuhiko’s life is so realistic. The sets look realistic, and costumes are beautiful and era-appropriate. I was really transported back to the 1930s with the characters and their rakugo, and was taught a very valuable and interesting history lesson.
This drama is definitely not for everyone but I whole-heartedly recommend it especially if you enjoy learning about new cultures and history. But if you don't, this might be quite boring for you during the storytelling times. However, I was caught off guard by how much I enjoy the world of rakugo and the interesting characters and relationships in “Descending stories: A Life in Rakugo”. I will remember the amazing acting by the cast, and the acting while storytelling for a long time.
Drama Completed: 6/23/2026 Review #698
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