Many of us could do with a second opportunity in life. In the case of Yotarou, we can say he hit the rock bottom. Yotarou Yuurakutei went to jail instead of his boss, so we might expect Yotarou was going back to his gang once he was fred. Heck, even his boss himself thought so!

However, Yakumo Yuurakutei gave a performance in jail that Yotarou really enjoyed. That changed his life views forever and encouraged him to change his career. We should say it was a clever thing to do, as these type of artists are distinguished by the effort and years of training they dedicate to their art. Their background counts much less. Thus, Yakumo noticed Yotarou’s enthusiasm from the beginning and decided to help him getting his second opportunity in life.

We have to credit Yotarou for not being a shy and timid violet. Who would have the guts to request a great artist to make them their apprentice? And making the request to one that has never taken disciples on top of that! Yotarou also challenges other students because he wants to be the very best. Oh, and should we mention when Yotarou was so desperate to captivate the audience that he showed off his yakuza tattoo? ^^U

Nevertheless, Yotarou Yuurakutei does his homework as well. Sometimes this creates conflict with Yakumo, as their rakugo style is quite different. Master and disciple quarrel often, but that does not stop Yotarou’s aim. He stays up late or wakes up early to listen to old rakugo records, particularly the ones from Sukeroku Yuurakutei. Yes, even if Yakumo disagrees with that performing style. Yotarou can not avoid being impulsive.

Maybe we can infer that Yotarou is a person that can improvise in compromising situations, as he used to be a criminal. However, he also translates this resourcefulness to his new life. To be a successful rakugoka, Yotarou needs more than simply memorization and repetition of tales. A master can read the environment and their public’s reactions. They can also improvise on the spot, and in the case of Yotarou, he nails it. Actually, the first time he goes up, Yotarou takes advantage of his previous experiences in life and tells the comic tale of a burglar.

Yotarou also knows how to be a team player. He meets Eisuke Higuchi, a popular writer, and they decide to push the boundaries of rakugo. They research old and unknown pieces while Eisuke writes new performances. Yotarou also uses the power of television to keep rakugo alive in the hearts of the Japanese people.

Another aspect of Yotarou’s resourcefulness is when he makes people happy outside the scenario. It is not obvious because he usually is relaxed and smiling, but for example, he is always pushing Konatsu to go after her dreams. This translates to bluntly telling Yakumo about Konatsu’s exercises, or when Yotarou arranges for her to perform in the school of her son Shinnosuke. All in all, he does not stop his spontaneous interventions until Konatsu becomes the first female rakugoka.

Yotarou would be a boring character if he was only sly and comical. From the very first episode of Showa Genroku Rakugo, we experience some sad and touching moments by his side too. We can mention when master Yakumo expelled Yotarou for falling asleep in the middle of his performance (gulp!). A touching moment might be when he offers Konatsu to become her baby’s father. How about when Yotarou’s past as yakuza was a bit embarrassing for his career? He ended up embracing it fully and even got his yakuza tattoo completed. Or how about when the police interrupts the rakugo performance to arrest one of Yotarou’s former companions, so he ends up drinking together with them remembering the good, old times?

However, perhaps one of the most impressing and artistic scenes from the show is when Yakumo performs his tale Shinigami (the one Yotarou enjoys so much) in the empty theatre. He ends the narration knocking down a candle and hallucinates with his former comrade Sukeroku, representing the Shinigami. Yet, just before surrendering to the flames that are consuming his surroundings, Yotarou comes to save him. In the end, Yakumo decides to live and lets his disciple carry him away. That is an excellent metaphor of the new saving the old… and Yotarou behaved like a cool guy in the scene 🙂

Some comical characters in anime can get in our nerves. Nevertheless, Yotarou is charismatic because he is funny when it is required but he also has depth. He wins the hearts of his audience since his first performance, which is vital for his career as a rakugoka! Yotarou even dissuades his former boss from taking him back to the road of crime. We should learn from Yotarou, as maybe all that some bad guys need is a good laugh.

Going back to the point, perhaps the most difficult conquest Yotarou achieved in his personal life was that of Konatsu’s heart. Although he was always there by her side, Yotarou had to wait patiently for years. Yes, imagine that! Yotarou called Konatsu sister all the time, but he managed to convince her to let him be Shinnosuke’s father. Some time later they married and finally, they had a daughter (Koyuki) together. Yotarou is what we would call a winner, because he also has conquered our otaku hearts with his adventures!