Kōsuikyō Cup National Young Rakugoka Championship 2nd Preliminary Round Archive Distribution Starts on Pia Rakugo Zanmai!

Pia Corporation is pleased to announce that archive distribution of the 2nd preliminary round of the "Kōsuikyō Cup National Young Rakugoka Championship" has started today, April 30th (Thursday), on "Pia Rakugo Zanmai," a video streaming service offering unlimited viewing of Rakugo performances for a fixed monthly fee (distribution period is limited to one year). The "Kōsuikyō Cup National Young Rakugoka Championship" is a competition featuring young performers who will lead the future of the Rakugo world. It is open to Rakugoka with 15 years or less of experience since their debut. Fifteen contestants are selected based on recommendations from theater and Rakugo event organizers nationwide. Three preliminary rounds are held with five performers each, and the top performer, determined by audience and judge votes, advances to the finals. A new repechage round has also been introduced, where the second-place finishers from each of the three preliminary rounds will compete for the remaining one spot in the finals. At the 2nd preliminary round held on April 10th at Kyurian Small Hall, five performers participated: Yanagiya Komon, Ryutei Shingaku, Hayashiya Kiyohiko, Yanagiya Kofune, and Katsura Tengo. As a result of votes from judges and the audience, Yanagiya Komon, who performed the classic "Tsuru" (Crane), took first place. His lively performance, depicting an old man who acts knowledgeable about the origin of the name "Tsuru" but then becomes timid when criticized, captivated the audience. He secured his spot in the finals to be held on May 22nd (Friday). Ryutei Shingaku took second place and will compete in the repechage round, also held on May 22nd (Friday), for a chance to advance to the finals. View Details Kōsuikyō Cup National Young Rakugoka Championship Preliminary Round 2 Archive Distribution Kōsuikyō Cup National Young Rakugoka Championship Preliminary Round 2 [Archive Distribution Period] April 30, 2026 (Thursday) 12:00 PM – April 29, 2027 (Thursday) 11:59 PM [Distributed Performances] ★…Rakugoka making their debut on Pia Rakugo Zanmai ★Hayashiya Kiyohiko "Reiwa Comes to the Island" ・Ryutei Shingaku "Sushi Nigiru." ★Katsura Tengo "Zoo" ・Yanagiya Komon "Ukiyo Doko - Yume -" ・Yanagiya Kofune "Tsuru" Future Archive Distribution Schedule [Preliminary Round 3] April 28, 2026 (Tuesday) 6:30 PM start / Kyurian Small Hall, Tokyo Performers: Harukaze Tei Asaeda, Sanyutei Gunma, Kokontei Hinagiku, Suzusuya Mima, Katsura Genta Archive Distribution: May 21, 2026 (Thursday) 12:00 PM – May 20, 2027 (Thursday) 11:59 PM [Repechage Round] May 22, 2026 (Friday) 3:00 PM start / Nakano ZERO Small Hall, Tokyo Performers: Three second-place finishers from each preliminary round Archive Distribution: June 11, 2026 (Thursday) 12:00 PM – June 10, 2027 (Thursday) 11:59 PM [Finals] May 22, 2026 (Friday) 7:00 PM start / Nakano ZERO Small Hall, Tokyo Performers: Three first-place finishers from each preliminary round + one winner from the repechage round, totaling four performers Archive Distribution: June 11, 2026 (Thursday) 12:00 PM – June 10, 2027 (Thursday) 11:59 PM >Advance tickets and PPV viewing tickets for the competition are on sale at Ticket Pia >"Kōsuikyō Cup National Young Rakugoka Championship" Official Website About "Pia Rakugo Zanmai" "Pia Rakugo Zanmai" is a video streaming service where you can enjoy unlimited viewing of Rakugo performances anytime, anywhere on your smartphone or PC for a fixed monthly fee. It offers over 3,000 pieces of content! More than 200 performers, from veterans of the Rakugo world to promising young talents, appear! In addition to Living National Treasures, popular Rakugoka, and aspiring young artists, the service also delivers performances by Kodanshi (storytellers) and Rokyokushi (narrative singers). ① Over 3,000 Rakugo performances available for unlimited viewing on smartphones and PCs! ② More than 200 performers, from veterans to promising young talents, appear! ③ Full of exquisite content recorded at Shinjuku Suehirotei, the "Hall of Verbal Arts." ④ New content constantly added. Additionally, a first-month free trial campaign for new members is currently underway. You can enjoy unlimited viewing of performances for one month from the new membership registration date (paid member registration) for free. View Details Pia Rakugo Zanmai Distribution Lineup (As of April 30, 2026) [※Alphabetical Order] Ichigen Tei Yone Tarō Irifunetei Senkyo Irifunetei Senko Irifunetei Senzō Irifunetei Senta Irifunetei Sen Tatsu Irifunetei Senpaku Irifunetei Senyū Katsura Akashi Katsura Utasuke Katsura Utazō Katsura Udanji Katsura Umeko Katsura Edatarō Katsura Kichibō Katsura Ginji Katsura Genta Katsura Koushi Katsura Koume Katsura Konan Katsura Kobun San Katsura Sakunosuke Katsura Sasamaru Katsura Sanshirō Katsura Jimon Katsura Shōmaru Katsura Shin'emon Katsura Shinbee Katsura Sensei Katsura Takechiyo Katsura Takemaru Katsura Tengo Katsura Natsumaru Katsura Hakuroku Katsura Harunosuke Katsura Haruwaka Katsura Hinatarō Katsura Fukudanji Katsura Fukudome Katsura Fukumaru Katsura Fukuyaku Katsura Fumitsuki Katsura Bunka Katsura Bunji Katsura Bunzaku Katsura Bunshō Katsura Kikusuke Katsura Manga Katsura Yamato Katsura Yuyu Katsura Yukishika Katsura Yukimaru Kaminarimon Otosuke Kaminarimon Kosukeroku Kawanishi Tsukushi Kanda Akuri Kanda Kyōko Kanda Shōri Kanda Yōko Kanda Ran Kinshōtei Ikoma Kinshōtei Baji Kinshōtei Bataro Kinshōtei Banosuke Kinshōtei Kokoma Kinshōtei Kobaishō Kinshōtei Komasan Kinshōtei Hakuraku Kin