My Master Has No Tail うちの師匠はしっぽがない

My Master Has No Tail — Manga Review

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

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Overview

My Master Has No Tail (Japanese title: 『うちの師匠はしっぽがない』) is a manga series written and illustrated by TNSK, serialized in good! Afternoon (Kodansha) since 2019.
Set in Osaka during Japan’s Taishō era (early 20th century), the story combines two seemingly distant worlds: rakugo—the traditional Japanese art of comedic storytelling—and ayakashi, or supernatural creatures from folklore.
👉 Wikipedia (English)

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Story Summary

The protagonist, Mameda, is a young tanuki (raccoon dog) who dreams of transforming into a human. However, the era is changing—humans no longer fall for simple tricks, and the old world of spirits and illusions is fading.
After one of her failed attempts to fool humans, Mameda encounters Daikokutei Bunko, a beautiful and enigmatic female rakugo performer. Captivated by Bunko’s storytelling—where laughter and tears blend seamlessly—Mameda begs to become her apprentice.

Through her training, Mameda enters the complex world of rakugo. She learns not only the techniques of performance but also the emotions behind the art: the rhythm, the timing, the empathy toward the audience. Her journey is both a coming-of-age story and a reflection on the fading beauty of traditional culture.

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Main Characters

Mameda
A curious and energetic tanuki girl. Her innocence and determination make her both relatable and endearing. Through her eyes, readers are introduced to the art of rakugo—its humor, discipline, and human depth. Mameda’s journey is a gentle guide for those who know little about the tradition.

Daikokutei Bunko
Mameda’s mentor and one of the few female rakugo masters in the story. Calm, elegant, and sharp-tongued, Bunko embodies the grace and rigor of the profession. Her character represents both the preservation of art and the challenge of living authentically as a performer.

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Story Development

The narrative unfolds as Mameda trains under Bunko, performs in local theaters, and experiences both success and failure on stage. Each episode draws inspiration from real rakugo classics—such as “Time Noodles” (Toki Udon) or “Shibahama”—allowing readers to learn about the art naturally through storytelling.

Despite its supernatural premise, the manga is deeply grounded in human emotion. It explores the frustration of artistic growth, the sting of failure, and the joy of connecting with an audience. These emotional nuances make the story as much a human drama as it is a fantasy.

The 2022 anime adaptation further enhances the experience with its warm color palette, authentic Osaka dialect, and rhythmical pacing that mirrors real rakugo performances. It faithfully preserves the manga’s serene yet emotional tone.

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What Makes This Manga Stand Out

1. A Rare Focus on Rakugo – Japan’s Verbal Art
   Few manga tackle rakugo so directly and respectfully. The series does not treat it as a gimmick, but as a living art form that still speaks to modern readers. The depiction of a female rakugo master also adds a refreshing perspective, challenging traditional gender roles within a male-dominated craft.

2. Soft Artwork, Profound Message
   At first glance, the art style seems gentle and cute—round faces, soft colors, expressive eyes. Yet beneath this delicate aesthetic lies a serious meditation on what it means to dedicate oneself to art. The manga asks: What is “truth” in performance? What does it mean to move people with words?

3. A Perfect Introduction for Beginners
   Even readers unfamiliar with rakugo can follow the story easily. The explanations are woven naturally into the dialogue—often through Mameda’s innocent questions. This makes the manga not only entertaining but also educational, serving as an accessible gateway to Japanese traditional storytelling.

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My Impression

At first, I was drawn in by the adorable art style. However, as I kept reading, I realized how deeply the manga conveys the essence of rakugo. It’s not merely about humor—it’s about understanding human emotions and expressing them through words and pauses.

The story carefully explains each performance in a way that even beginners like me can appreciate. The balance between the fantastical and the realistic depiction of the rakugo world is masterful. I was particularly impressed by how authentically it portrays the atmosphere of the theater—the pressure, the applause, and the silence between words.

The moment that stayed with me the most was when Mameda watches her master perform for the first time. The audience laughs, then quietly tears up, and for a brief instant, time seems to stop. That’s when I understood: rakugo is not just storytelling—it’s a mirror reflecting the listener’s soul.
TNSK succeeds in visualizing this rhythm and breath—something intangible—within the static pages of manga. It’s a subtle, remarkable achievement.

Though My Master Has No Tail isn’t as widely known as some mainstream series, I consider it one of the finest works depicting rakugo. It’s both a charming fantasy and a sincere love letter to an art that continues to evolve.

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Conclusion

My Master Has No Tail is a rare gem that bridges tradition and imagination. Beneath its soft, charming art lies a profound exploration of artistic passion, mentorship, and cultural legacy.
It speaks gently but firmly about the beauty of preserving tradition—not through nostalgia, but through storytelling that lives and breathes in the present.

For anyone curious about Japanese culture, this manga is a perfect starting point. It’s warm, accessible, and quietly thought-provoking. You don’t need to understand every nuance of rakugo to be moved by it; the story itself performs the role of a storyteller, inviting readers to listen, laugh, and reflect.