Karakuri Circus

Narumi Katou is a down-on-his-luck middle-aged performer cursed with ZONAPHA Syndrome, a baffling condition that triggers sudden, crippling seizures that only subside when someone nearby laughs. During a routine part-time shift he collides with Masaru Saiga, a terrified young heir hauling an enormous suitcase, who says he recently inherited Saiga Enterprises after his father's death. Masaru is relentlessly pursued by relatives and mercenaries who want his fortune, and Narumi reluctantly becomes his defender. They soon connect with Shirogane, an enigmatic puppeteer, and other unlikely allies as a darker network of puppetry, blood ties and violence closes in, blending sleuthing, horror and action without giving away its big reveals. Emotional stakes rise as loyalties shift and surprising alliances begin to form.

Premiering in 2018, the TV anime adapts Kazuhiro Fujita's sprawling manga, with Toshiki Inoue credited among the creators. The series assembled a notable cast including Chihiro Ueda, Rikiya Koyama, Megumi Hayashibara, Romi Park and Masahiko Tanaka, and aired in Japan.

Karakuri Circus left a distinct mark among genre fans, remembered especially for its elaborate puppet designs and tonal swings that mix childlike wonder with grotesque violence. It encouraged fan art and spirited online discussion about puppetry as a symbol of control, inheritance and the loss of agency across generations.

Viewer ratings are strong, reflected by an average score near 8.2 out of 10, and many reviewers highlighted its expressive voice acting and varied action set pieces. The show returns to themes of guardianship, legacy, trauma and identity, questioning how much people are shaped by family, fate and mechanical forces.

While it did not collect major mainstream awards, Karakuri Circus earned respect among niche audiences for tackling large tonal shifts and complex source material. Its adaptation quality, the chemistry of the principal cast and the ambitious use of puppet imagery helped secure a steady, engaged fanbase after broadcast.