In this series introducing anime from a bygone era — filled with heroes and shows we all grew up with — today we explore Rakugo Tennyou Oyui (落語天女おゆい), a TV anime that aired on television and other channels in 2006, a series in which watching it feels like a battle within yourself, yet it became one of the most charming anime of its era.
A Young Fighter × Rakugo — Can They Really Mix?
Rakugo Tennyou Oyui tells the story of Suzukimi Yui, a young girl who loves the art of rakugo storytelling. She and her friends are transported through time to a fantastical Edo-period world in their imagination, a world teeming with ghosts and evil spirits. Their mission is to subdue those wicked beings in their role as “divine daughters” — six of them in total, split into different types: Kotodama Tennyou (the two goddesses of spoken words), Kekkai Tennyou (the goddess of barriers), Kakurou Tennyou, Kigo Tennyou, and Kenka Tennyou.
What makes this anime stand out is how it genuinely weaves rakugo into every element. For example, the Kotodama Tennyou’s incantations come from the famous rakugo piece Jugemu (寿限無) — lines like “Yaburakoji no burakoji” — while the enemy’s sealing phrases borrow from Shinigami (死神), and even the minor villains are inspired by rakugo and folk tales, from Gashadokuro from the ukiyo-e print Soma no Furudairi, classic pieces like Nukesuzume and Ikuyo Mochi, to the ghost-story classic Botan Dourou (牡丹灯篭).
A 75th-Anniversary Work for the Rakugo Association — And Famous Rakugo Masters as Gorgeous Young Men
The real-life rakugo credentials are no small matter, because Rakugo Tennyou Oyui is a commemorative work celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Rakugo Art Association (落語芸術協会), with professional rakugo master Katsura Utawaka writing the original story, and the association lending its full support.
A major highlight is that legendary rakugo masters of the level of Katsura Utamaru and Sanyuutei Kouyuza appear as characters in the anime, and are even “reimagined” as handsome young men in bishōnen style. Other rakugo masters also appear in small roles throughout the series, reflecting just how deeply the association committed to this project — when the DVD release came out, it was even announced on the program Shōten (笑点).
Why Did This Become a Girls’ Action Anime?
The answer lies with the original author himself. Katsura Utawaka is an anime fan himself, with Sakura Taisen (サクラ大戦) as his entry point into loving this medium — he has even written columns about Sakura Taisen in Animedia magazine and contributed to other anime projects as a performer and as a star.
The influence of Sakura Taisen is clearly visible throughout this anime, from the casting of Hirano Aya as the regular lead character, to the giant mecha piloted by the characters playing a central role in the story.
The Golden Age in Which This Anime Aired
2006, when this anime aired, was an era when late-night anime was at peak popularity. Megami Magazine was booming, and the magical-girl genre had a firm grip on the market, so it is hardly surprising the Rakugo Association chose this format to mark its anniversary. Looking back now it feels like a bold decision, but the unique charm of this anime is that viewers can casually spot which character came from which rakugo story.
The Opening Song “Sakura Saku” by Little Non
Another unmissable highlight is the opening theme “Sakura Saku (サクラサク)” sung by Little Non, airing on the Saturday-morning anime slot. This song has an infectious energy — the catchy sun-sun-shibiibu-shi rhythm, combined with uplifting lyrics in the “cheer for those who try!” style, and lead vocalist Nakano Nozomi‘s distinctive voice make it truly stand out. The band includes Fukuda (bass), Ito Daize (drums), and Tanishima Shun (guitar).
Little Non is also known for the ending theme “Hanamaru★Sensation” from the anime Kodomo no Jikan and the ending theme “Bōken Kiroku” from Battle Spirits: Shounen Toppa Bashin.
Where to Watch
Rakugo Tennyou Oyui is available for streaming on platforms such as D Anime Store and others. If you are looking for an anime that stands apart from the usual fare, blending the fun of rakugo with Sakura Taisen–style girls’ action, this title is not to be missed.
Source: aniani
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