Akane-banashi Vol. 4 — Manga Raw / Buy Official

During the Karaku Cup finals, Akane showcases incredible technical prowess in her performance of "Yajiro," mesmerizing everyone present. However, her triumph is short-lived when Issho Arakawa dismisses her style as "colorless," branding her an empty mimic devoid of true artistry. This harsh verdict hits her harder than any physical blow, yet it ignites a fierce fire within her. After narrowly losing the championship, she realizes that mimicking the masters is not enough. Driven by a thirst for vengeance and artistic legitimacy, Akane decides to drop out of university and pursue a full-time apprenticeship under the Arakawa school. The path ahead is fraught with internal politics, the immense pressure of the Arakawa name, and the grueling life of a junior performer. She must shed her student identity and develop an individual voice that can stand up to Issho’s suffocating standard. This volume captures the transition from a talented amateur to a fledgling professional, setting the stage for an intense struggle to find the "color" of her own craft.