Rakugo Musume tells the story of Kazumi Nakamura, fascinated by the art of rakugo since her uncle took her to see a performance when she was a junior high school student. After graduating from university, Kazumi joins the school of the master she had seen with her uncle. There she spends five long years as a zenza (curtain raiser), continuosly looked down by her male classmates and any without real chances of becoming a master. Having failed her final exam she accepts the invitation of another master, impressed by her performance during her exam, to join his school.