AKANE-BANASHI - Akane Arakawa - Statue Noodle Stopper 10cm

FuRyu has dedicated a Noodle Stopper figurine to Akane Arakawa, the heroine of the manga *Akane-banashi*. Standing approximately 10 cm tall, this Prize Figure depicts the young storyteller in the midst of a rakugo performance, posed in a manner befitting the distinctive concept of the Noodle Stopper range.

Akane is depicted kneeling in the seiza position on a purple cushion, wearing a pink kimono with loose sleeves. Her black hair, with pink-tipped strands, is tied back and frames her face. She has a particularly lively expression, with a mischievous smile and one eye closed, whilst she holds a folded fan close to her face and accompanies her story with a hand gesture. This pose directly echoes the gestures the character uses when performing on stage.

The figurine is made from painted ATBC-PVC. Her seated design means she can be placed on the edge of a shelf or piece of furniture, but also on the lid of a packet of instant noodles – the origin of the name ‘Noodle Stopper’. The FuRyu range thus combines a decorative presentation with a pose designed to make the most of the edge of a surface.

Standing 10 cm tall, this version offers a compact yet instantly recognisable depiction of Akane in her rakugo setting. It also marks the character’s first appearance in this ‘Noodle Stopper’ format from FuRyu.

Technical specifications

• Manufacturer: FuRyu
• Range / Collection: Noodle Stopper Figure
• Licence: Akane-banashi
• Character: Akane Arakawa / Akane Osaki
• Type: Prize Figure / Noodle Stopper figurine
• Material: Painted ATBC-PVC
• Height: approx. 10 cm
• Pose: sitting in the seiza position on a cushion, in the midst of a rakugo performance
• Accessory shown: folded fan
• EAN / JAN: 4573646297708

Origin and character background (Lore)

Akane Arakawa is the stage name of Akane Osaki, the protagonist of *Akane-banashi*. The manga, written by Yuki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue, has been serialised in *Weekly Shonen Jump* since February 2022. The story centres on rakugo, a traditional Japanese storytelling art form in which a seated performer tells a story alone, bringing different characters to life through their voice, facial expressions and gestures.

Ever since childhood, Akane has deeply admired the rakugo of her father, Tohru Osaki, who performed under the name Shinta Arakawa. He attempted to attain the prestigious rank of shin’uchi, but his examination ended in his expulsion from the Arakawa School. Deeply affected by this event, Akane decides to follow the path of rakugo herself, with the aim of reaching the highest level and proving the worth of her father’s art.

She trains under Shiguma Arakawa, her father’s former mentor and a specialist in sentimental tales. Akane gradually develops her own style of storytelling whilst competing against other young rakugo talents. The work thus places great emphasis on the preparation of stories, understanding the audience, and the various techniques that allow a storyteller to bring multiple characters to life without leaving their seat.

This Noodle Stopper from FuRyu captures precisely this aspect of the character: rather than depicting Akane in a generic pose, the figurine shows her on her cushion, fan in hand and in the midst of a performance, directly highlighting the art of rakugo which lies at the heart of *Akane-banashi*.