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.

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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

<Related Links>

>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.

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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