Fifth-grader Akane Sakurazaki was captivated by the magical world of rakugo (traditional Japanese storytelling), having watched her father, Shinta Aragawa, a rakugo performer, at work. To support his family who have helped him achieve his dream, Shinta takes the promotion exam to become a "shinuchi," the highest rank in the rakugo world. With Akane and others watching, Shinta demonstrates his abilities, but the promotion exam takes a shocking turn that no one could have predicted.