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Akane-Banashi is turning into one of the most interesting anime of Spring 2026, in tow with Witch Hat Atelier and Daemons of the Shadow Realm, for anime lovers (via Comicbook). Regardless of the plot being deeply rooted in the Japanese Rakugo culture.
The show follows Akane Osaki, a girl determined to prove the value of rakugo after her father was publicly pushed out of the profession years ago. And the first three episodes have done pure justice to the manga.
Now, fans are eager to know when the next episode will air. Episode 4 will air on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 8:10 AM PT/PDT on Netflix. With Akane officially stepping into the role of an apprentice under Shiguma after she officially announced Kaisei Arakawa as her rival, the show has entered new territories where you can’t miss a single beat. Or an episode for that matter.
| Title | Akane-Banashi |
| Creator | Yuki Suenaga |
| Production House | Zexcs |
| Anime Release Date | April 4, 2026 — present |
| Episode 4 Release Date | April 26, 2026 (12:10 AM JST, delayed by 10 minutes) |
| Streaming | Netflix, ABEMA, Ani-One YouTube (Asia-Pacific), Akane-Banashi Global YouTube (Americas), regional platforms |
| IMDb Rating (as per Apr 23, 2026) | 7.9 / 10 |
Akane-Banashi Episode 4 Global Release Date & Time
Staying true to its official global release and timeline, Akane-Banashi Episode 4 is slated to release on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 8:10 a.m. PT/PDT on Netflix.
Please note that the official website has confirmed a 10-minute delay for Akane-Banashi Episode 4 due to special programming. Originally scheduled for 11:30 p.m. JST on April 25 (Saturday), the episode will now stream at 11:40 p.m. JST on all 24 station channels of TV Asahi Network in Japan.
Now, ABEMA/Netflix streaming would also see a 10-minute delay as a result. Originally, it was scheduled to air on April 26, 2026, at 12 a.m. JST (Sunday) on both ABEMA/Netflix. Now, the episode will air at 12:10 a.m. on April 26.
Here is the global release timetable for Akane-Banashi Episode 4 based on its release time on Netflix:
| Baker Island Time (BIT) | April 25, 2026 | 3:10 a.m. |
| Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST) | April 25, 2026 | 2:10 p.m. |
| Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT) | April 25, 2026 | 4:10 p.m. |
| Pacific Time (PT / PDT) | April 25, 2026 | 8:10 a.m. |
| Mountain Time (MT / MDT) | April 25, 2026 | 9:10 a.m. |
| Central Time (CT / CDT) | April 25, 2026 | 10:10 a.m. |
| Eastern Time (ET / EDT) | April 25, 2026 | 11:10 a.m. |
| Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT) | April 25, 2026 | 12:10 p.m. |
| Newfoundland Daylight Time (NDT) | April 25, 2026 | 12:40 p.m. |
| Greenland Time (GT) | April 25, 2026 | 1:10 p.m. |
| Azores Time (AZOT) | April 25, 2026 | 2:10 p.m. |
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | April 25, 2026 | 3:10 p.m. |
| British Summer Time (BST) | April 25, 2026 | 4:10 p.m. |
| Central European Time (CET) | April 25, 2026 | 5:10 p.m. |
| Eastern European Time (EET) | April 25, 2026 | 6:10 p.m. |
| Moscow Standard Time (MSK) | April 25, 2026 | 6:10 p.m. |
| Gulf Standard Time (GST) | April 25, 2026 | 7:10 p.m. |
| Iran Standard Time (IRST) | April 25, 2026 | 7:40 p.m. |
| Pakistan Standard Time (PKT) | April 25, 2026 | 8:10 p.m. |
| India Standard Time (IST) | April 25, 2026 | 8:40 p.m. |
| Nepal Time (NPT) | April 25, 2026 | 8:55 p.m. |
| Bangladesh Standard Time (BST) | April 25, 2026 | 9:10 p.m. |
| Myanmar Time (MMT) | April 25, 2026 | 9:40 p.m. |
| Indochina Time (ICT) | April 25, 2026 | 10:10 p.m. |
| China Standard Time (CST) | April 25, 2026 | 11:10 p.m. |
| Singapore Time (SGT) | April 25, 2026 | 11:10 p.m. |
| Philippine Time (PHT) | April 25, 2026 | 11:10 p.m. |
| Japan Standard Time (JST) | April 26, 2026 | 12:10 a.m. |
| Korea Standard Time (KST) | April 26, 2026 | 1:10 a.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) | April 25, 2026 | 11:10 p.m. |
| Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) | April 26, 2026 | 12:40 a.m. |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) | April 26, 2026 | 1:10 a.m. |
| New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) | April 26, 2026 | 3:10 a.m. |
| Fiji Time (FJT) | April 26, 2026 | 2:10 a.m. |
| Samoa Standard Time (SST) | April 25, 2026 | 12:10 p.m. |
| Tonga Time (TOT) | April 26, 2026 | 2:10 a.m. |
| Line Islands Time (LINT) | April 26, 2026 | 3:10 a.m. |
| Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) | April 25, 2026 | 3:10 p.m. |
Keep an eye out for Netflix (Asia) or the respective streaming platform to watch the episode. Also, the above table shows the time based on the Netflix airing slot. Hence, other channels that would stream the episode (region-wise) could have a 30-minute difference.
Since the series is still not available on the streamer for the global audience, check below, where and how you can watch it.
What to Expect From Akane-Banashi Episode 4?
Hikaru Koragi in Akane-Banashi. [Credit: Zexcs]The last episode marks the real beginning of Akane’s journey as a professional-in-training. After her debut, she officially joins Shiguma’s rakugo school and is placed under Kyoji’s supervision. However, instead of glamorous training, she is given menial chores, which frustrate her at first.
In the upcoming episode, expect her to start adjusting her storytelling based on the audience, showing early signs of growth rather than instant success. The manga emphasizes gradual improvement, so this episode should highlight her struggle to balance technique with emotional connection. There’s also a good chance the episode deepens her bond with the Shiguma school while reinforcing the harsh reality of rakugo’s hierarchy.
Where to Watch Akane-Banashi Episode 4?
Maikeru Arakawa in Akane-Banashi. [Credit: Zexcs]Based on the release details provided, Netflix (Asia) is the main place to watch Episode 4. The official rollout has been split by region, with the official Akane-Banashi Global YouTube channel used for North and Latin America after the Japanese broadcast for the time being, while other territories use local partners.
From May 2026, the anime will stream on Netflix worldwide, with Japanese and English dubs starting May 17, 2026, as confirmed by Netflix.
Akane-Banashi airs on TV Asahi’s IMAnimation block and BS Asahi. The official site says it airs every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. JST. For North America and Latin America, the episodes will be posted on the official Akane-banashi Global YouTube channel.
Below is a table for better understanding:
| Japan | TV Asahi, BS Asahi |
| North America | Akane-Banashi Global YouTube Channel |
| Latin America | Akane-Banashi Global YouTube Channel |
| Asia-Pacific (excluding Korea & China) | Ani-One YouTube Channel |
| Taiwan | Bahamut, Hami Video, LiTV, Line TV, My-Video, Catchplay, friDay |
| Hong Kong & Macao | Bahamut |
| Indonesia | Catchplay |
| Thailand | TrueID |
| Mongolia | PlayMax.mn STAR TV |
| South Korea | Laftel, Aniplus Channel |
| Germany, Austria, Switzerland | Aniverse |
| Spain | Anime Box |
| Italy | Anime Generation |
| France, Monaco, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg (and parts of Switzerland) | ADN |
The manga is easier to track. You can read Akane-Banashi officially on VIZ’s Shonen Jump site and on MANGA Plus by Shueisha. VIZ is currently listing Chapter 203 as free and still marking new chapters ahead, while MANGA Plus continues to carry the title. The manga is clearly not finished yet.
1. When will Akane-Banashi Episode 4 release?
It is set for Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 8:10 a.m. PT/PDT on Netflix (Asia). Which is 12:10 a.m. JST on ABEMA on April 26, 2026 (Sunday).
2. Where can I read the manga?
You can read it on VIZ Shonen Jump and MANGA Plus by Shueisha.
3. When will Netflix stream the show globally?
Starting May 17, 2026, the show will be globally available in Japanese with English subtitles and with an English dub.
Are you watching Akane-Banashi? If not, then hit that “play” button now!
Akane-Banashi is streaming on Netflix Asia.
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English (US) ·