Sukeroku loved Rakugo more than anything else, and what made him an undisputed “King” of Rakugo was the fact that he could do it as easily as breathing. First of it all, there was his personality. Sukeroku was sparkling and yet unruly, and often showed a disregard towards higher-ranked Rakugo performers – attitude which lead him to be forced to leave the Yuurakutei household and resulted in Sukeroku getting involved with Miyokichi, the woman of his life.

That boisterous personality of his showed very well through his Rakugo. In fact, Sukeroku's performances were very brash, sometimes schmaltzy, and often irreverent. He didn't care for the social constructs that the traditionalists of Rakugo wanted to build, he just wanted to make people happy and his idea was to perform a Rakugo that was as close as possible to people. Despite making the traditionalists unhappy, he gained popularity among the audience and his performances were way better appreciated than Kikuhiko's. Even after his death, his name remained unforgotten and shadowed Kikuhiko through years.

Having to differentiate Sukeroku and Kikuhiko's performances, we would say that Kikuhiko struggled for the idea of perfection of Rakugo, while Sukeroku performed with his own heart in his hands, and that was what touched people – and viewers – deeply.

Throughout Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, it was impossible to ignore a subtle bromance between Sukeroku and Kikuhiko. Their relationship was enviable and multishippers around the world actually glimpsed a feeling of romantic love between the two of them. Kikuhiko and Sukeroku are on totally opposite sides; while Kikuhiko is stoic, serious, strict and totally intense when it comes to women, Sukeroku is hyperactive, carefree and enthusiastic. So yes, they are perfect complements to each other, it's not a stretch to see bromance between them.

It's impossible to forget the wonderful moment when Sukeroku returned from the war in Manchuria, and met Kikuhiko once again. Their tearful reunion brought to tears viewers, as well, as it was powerful and showed how much worried both of them were, at the thought of not being able to meet each other once again. Nor it is possible to forget episode 8, when Kikuhiko confessed to Sukeroku how much he enjoyed being with him and listening to his Rakugo. Their relationship kept building among ups and downs, arguments and revelations, and their bond grew stronger and stronger.

Friends, brothers, rivals and foes: they were all of this, and much more. Sukeroku never failed at spurring Kikuhiko to give his best, and always tried to get his spirits up. On the other side, Kikuhiko was good at reprimanding Sukeroku. Multishipper fans were right, Sukeroku and Kikuhiko were probably meant for each other.

Sukeroku's being a troublemaker pops up since childhood, since the first episodes of Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu. We see him refusing to take baths, running here and there, dirty and sweaty. Growing up, he maintained consistency, and his being a rebel showed even more and in different areas. For example, Sukeroku refused to wear anything different from a yukata, because he could feel comfortable only with it. Since he liked drinking and smoking, he kept asking money to Kikuhiko, as he basically kept spending everything.

His unruly personality basically caused his own downfall. In fact, Sukeroku's disregard for high-ranked Rakugo performers, and for Yakumo – his master – who kept demonstrating his insecurities towards Sukeroku's way of performing Rakugo, resulted in him being forced to leave the Yakumo household. That was the moment when he met Miyokichi, and eloped with her. Miyokichi had had her heart broken by Kikuhiko, whom she loved. Basically, Miyokichi and Sukeroku's interaction had roots in the disappointment they both had faced. Miyokichi wanted a way out, far away from Kikuhiko, while Sukeroku wanted a way out from the world of Rakugo that didn't seem to accept his way of performing.

We can appreciate Sukeroku even in those agitated moments, as he proved once again to be able to remain true to himself and his own ideals. But what we probably loved the most about him, was his way of loving unconditionally.

Point 3 leads us directly to point 4, as a consequence. Did we mention Sukeroku's way of loving unconditionally? Well, when he eloped with Miyokichi, he knew very well how she actually was in love with Kikuhiko. Sukeroku, though, loved Miyokichi so much so that he showered her with affection and attention. Eventually, she became pregnant with their daughter, and gave birth to the little Konatsu. Miyokichi, then, showed her true colors: she didn't care for Konatsu or Sukeroku, so she left. That's when Sukeroku's life turned for the worse, inexorably.

Left alone with her daughter in the countryside, Sukeroku holed himself up in a room, depressed and wretched. Only his love for Konatsu could spur his spirit. In fact, their relationship was totally enviable. Konatsu praised his amazing father, who could perform a wonderful and funny Rakugo, with all the people in the village. And Sukeroku gladly performed for his little girl.

Maybe because those episodes state subtly how Sukeroku's life is about to end, but there's a lingering feeling of sadness and forthcoming tragedy that pull viewers heartstrings, as Sukeroku appears like the ghost of the man he was and is totally lifeless.

When Kikuhiko, out of concern for Sukeroku's life, went in the countryside looking for him, he encountered Miyokichi once again. She had turned to prostitution to earn money, and seeing Kikuhiko she tried once again to seduce him. Kikuhiko rejected her for the umpteenth time, and she attempted suicide. It was Sukeroku, still in love with her despite everything, who managed to convince her to step back from that idea. When she slipped from the balcony, though, Sukeroku followed her. They died together, under the shocked eyes of Kikuhiko and Konatsu.

Sukeroku's death was a terrible event to swallow for everyone. It's right after his death, that everyone realized the impact that his personality had in their lives, the importance of Sukeroku as a friend, as a father, as a Rakugo performer, as a person. It's interesting to see how his presence will be felt throughout the show, until the very end of the second season. In fact, Kikuhiko will turn into an even colder man, never once forgetting his friend and rival, to the point that he will start seeing his spirit due to the fault he feels about his death. Konatsu, taken and raised by Kikuhiko, will turn into a woman full of resentment, towards Kikuhiko and Miyokichi. The world of Rakugo will miss the funny performance, so near to people, that Sukeroku only could manage. His character and his deeds with Rakugo will influence even Yotarou who, after listening to the story, decides to become the Third Generation Sukeroku.

It's right in the second season of Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu that we understand how Sukeroku and his brilliant personality will always be unforgotten, because the lives of those who had met him, were changed one way or another, just to demonstrate how amazing, charming and lovable he was. As a Rakugo performer he had his own way of doing things, and his own ideals, and he never compromised just to follow the tradition. As a friend, he gave Kikuhiko a brother, a troublesome one, but at the same time, he gave him a rival to help Kikuhiko give his best. As a father, he loved Konatsu with all his might, bequeathing the love for Rakugo to her. And, finally, as a lover, he went as far as to die with the woman he loved, even though his love was one-sided. That's why he remained everlasting in the other characters' lives... And in the viewers' hearts, as well.