DVD release - Wakeful Nights (AnimEigo) available on April 1, 2008

Wakeful Nights (Nezu no Ban, 2005), aka “A Hardest Night!!”, is a comedy set in the world of Rakugo—which is Japanese (typically raunchy) comic storytelling. When the leader of a rakugo troupe (Hiroyuki Nagato) dies, his wake becomes a tribute to the art of raunchy storytelling. The first story involves his oldest protégé, Kyoji (Takashi Sasano) misunderstanding his final wishes. Nearing death, he half mutters a phrase which sounds a whole lot like a slang term for a particular female body part. Stunned but determined, Kyoji enlists the help of another troupe member’s wife Kyota (Kiichi Nakai), who in turn gives the old man a final thrill, only to find out that’s not what he said at all. That’s only the beginning of the stories that are told as more members pass on over time.

Region 1, NTSC, anamorphic widescreen, DVD-9. Japanese audio with optional English subtitles. Features include deleted scenes, karaoke, additional songs, stills gallery, trailers, and program notes.

Available at the following retailer(s) on April 1, 2008: