Series synopsis
Karakuri Circus, also known as からくりサーカス is a Japanese action & adventure mystery crime animation drama television series that premiered on Tokyo MX on October 11, 2018. It ended on June 27, 2019. It was created by Kazuhiro Fujita. It stars Chihiro Ueda, Rikiya Koyama, Megumi Hayashibara and Romi Park.
Narumi Katou is a middle-aged man who suffers from the bizarre ZONAPHA Syndrome: a rare and inexplicable disease that causes its victims to endure severe seizures at random, with the only cure being to watch someone laugh. One day, during Narumi's part time job, a young boy with a giant suitcase fleeing from three adults runs into him. The boy introduces himself as Masaru Saiga, the new owner of the famous Saiga Enterprises following his father's recent death. However, other members of his famil ...
Premise
Narumi Katou is a middle-aged man who suffers from the bizarre ZONAPHA Syndrome: a rare and inexplicable disease that causes its victims to endure severe seizures at random, with the only cure being to watch someone laugh. One day, during Narumi's part time job, a young boy with a giant suitcase fleeing from three adults runs into him. The boy introduces himself as Masaru Saiga, the new owner of the famous Saiga Enterprises following his father's recent death. However, other members of his family are trying to assassinate him and claim the fortune for themselves.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Chihiro Ueda as Masaru Saiga
- Rikiya Koyama as Narumi Katou
- Megumi Hayashibara as Shirogane Saigazaki
- Romi Park as Lucille Berneuil
- Masahiko Tanaka as Shōji Saiga
- Akio Otsuka as Zenji Saiga
- Takahiro Sakurai as Akira Ashika
- Nozomu Sasaki as Christophe Guy Lesch
Supporting cast
- Tomoyo Kurosawa as Talanda Liselotte Tachibana
- Marina Inoue as Vilma Thorne
- Hisao Egawa as Shinobu Nakamachi
- Ryota Iwasaki as Noriyuki Nakamachi
- Kaito Ishikawa as Hiroo Nakamachi
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 37 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 1 | January 24, 2019 | January 24, 2019 |
| Season 1 | 36 | October 11, 2018 | June 27, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 14.5 - Review A recap episode summarizing the events of episodes 1-14 of Karakuri Circus. It revisits Masaru Saiga’s inheritance struggles, Narumi Katou’s Zonapha syndrome battles, and Shirogane’s role as their protector, highlighting key encounters with Karakuri puppets and the unfolding mysteries of the Midnight Circus. |
January 24, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Curtain Rises Narumi Katou, in a bear costume promoting the Straw Circus, encounters Masaru Saiga, who accidentally triggers Narumi’s Zonapha attack. Masaru’s laugh saves Narumi, but he’s kidnapped by men in black suits. Narumi rescues him, escaping by train. Masaru shares his father’s death and inheritance tied to Karakuri puppets. On the train, they’re attacked by puppets, revealed when one is destroyed. Masaru summons Shirogane, a harlequin-clad woman, who uses the puppet Harlequin from his suitcase to defeat the attacker. Shirogane takes Narumi and the unconscious Masaru to a clinic, while a pursuer deploys the puppet Pulcinella. |
October 11, 2018 |
| 2 |
Promise Ashihana sends Pulcinella to attack, but Shirogane’s Harlequin easily defeats it. Ashihana’s gang captures Masaru, but Narumi rescues him, suffering a Zonapha attack. Unable to make Shirogane or Masaru laugh, Narumi gets Shirogane to beat him up in a store, curing his attack. Shirogane and Masaru move into Narumi’s apartment, unaware they’re being watched. The puppet Grimaldi snatches Masaru through a window. Ashihana, from the Slaughter Team, reveals the Kidnap Team took Masaru to the Saiga villa in Karuizawa, filled with dangerous Karakuri puppets, and offers to guide them there. |
October 19, 2018 |
| 3 |
Abyss Masaru’s uncle, Zenji Saiga, claims to protect him but raises suspicions. Narumi and Shirogane storm the Saiga villa, clashing with the Kidnap Team as the Slaughter Team follows. Shirogane’s Harlequin destroys a trap door and the puppet Theogualtier. Masaru discovers his father’s notes revealing he’s bait to destroy the Kuroga clan. Narumi and Shirogane fall into a trap, triggering Narumi’s Zonapha attack. Shirogane shares her past as a puppet master and why she can’t laugh. Masaru escapes Zenji by jumping from a window, landing safely near Ashihana, whom he tries to hire. |
October 26, 2018 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Tokyo MX |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 11, 2018 |
| Last aired | June 27, 2019 |
| Runtime | 24 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Thursday |