- Type: TV
- Studio: Studio VOLN
- Publish Date 2018-10-11
- Status: Completed
- Genre: Action Adventure Animation Drama Mystery
- Scores: 2.53 by 4,405 reviews
- Duration: 24 min
- Views: 495
Karakuri Circus
The odd ZONAPHA Syndrome, a rare and mysterious illness that causes its victims to experience violent seizures at random and for which the only known treatment is to witness someone laugh, affects Narumi Katou, a middle-aged man. A small child fleeing from three adults while carrying a massive bag runs into Narumi one day as he is working a part-time job. The young man introduces himself as Masaru Saiga, the company's renowned new owner after his father recently passed away. However, other family members are attempting to kill him so they may inherit the wealth. Narumi, who is driven by her desire to protect the kid, aids Masaru in fleeing and eventually engages the assailants, only to learn that they are sentient, humanoid puppets with superhuman stamina. A white-haired girl enters the fight as Narumi is about to lose and quickly summons another puppet from the boy's luggage while claiming to be Shirogane, Masaru's protector. In Karakuri Circus, three characters from various backgrounds are followed as they try to solve the mysteries of a long-ago narrative of love and treachery and the conflict between humans and puppets. Their fates eventually converge and divide.