Katou Narumi is afflicted with Zonapha Syndrome, a rare condition that stops his breathing unless he can make others laugh. This has led him to abandon his training in Chinese kenpo and return to Japan, where he now works as a clown. However, there's a significant issue: he isn't naturally funny.
One day, he meets Saiga Masaru, who recently inherited a large fortune. Masaru gives Narumi the first genuine laugh he has had all day. When Narumi learns that assassins are after Masaru, he steps in to protect the boy. To his surprise, these assassins use massive, eerie puppets instead of traditional weapons. Soon after, they encounter Shirogane, who controls her own puppet and claims she was sent by Masaru's late grandfather from France to protect him.
Their paths intertwine and separate, forming two narratives: Karakuri and Circus, puppets and performers, tears and laughter. There is the strange circus of living dolls spreading Zonapha Syndrome, the human puppets collectively known as the Shirogane, and the puppet masters driven by an eternal grudge that sets both sides of this spectacle in motion.
(Source: Batoto)
Oh, dear Lord, it's coming! A two hundred feet tall wave of sh*t! It's too late to run, it's everywhere! Noo, no God please no, noooooooooooo!!!
No, I’m not talking about the review, I’m talking about manga.
Just how deep should a brain cancer go, in order to bring a “masterpiece” like that? The author probably had diarrhea and by some miraculous mistake confused it with his work and took that sh*t to the editors, who also happened to have a heat stroke, so they approved that. APPROVED FOR 4 HUNDRED PLUS F**CKING CHAPTERS!!!
That is the example of when the industry is in stagnation and lack of fresh and new ideas makes an impact on it.
So, why do I hate it so much, and what made me go all berserk about it?
Well, first, the plot.
The story is based on humans fighting some automatic dolls that spread their Zonafa syndrome (which already sounds like a 5-year old’s tale) that makes everyone laugh in order not to die (this is first two chapters so I'm not spoiling anything, if you still have intention to read that) and the main hero is infected with this virus (very surprisingly) – now who in the world with a sane mind would want to read that, when manga world has to offer something like Vinland Saga, Innocent, Hokuto no Ken, Naruto, Shamo, Attack on Titan, The Breaker and others.... And the story only gets more and more bland, so somewhere near to the middle it looks like a god damn porridge.
The art style. Well, the art style is pretty much mediocre, besides the design of the main character. Just look at him – 4 lines, wow, such a "detalization", seems like somebody with a suicide convulsion would bring something more satisfying (reminds me of Uwe Boll's films), this only underlines the carelessness of the author who didn't even want to pay attention to the main hero and made him look like a Japanese Hulk whose face got smashed with a frying pan (cause he looks so handsome:)).
Next goes an aspect that deserves special attention – characters' lines. Guys with Down syndrome show up more creativity than the creator in this novel. So irrational and with no sense of logic: frequently reiterative replicas that claim same things; too much unnecessary words and lines, making an impression that creator was trying to make something out of nothing; idiotic conversations which can drag for a couple chapters (manga world is full of this one, but Karakuri Circus overcomes them all) – all this is proof of the author's inability to be entertaining and provide an adventurous shounen, instead he just stretches same situations for dozens of chapters desperately trying to figure out what to do next, not realizing that his work already looked like a transfusion of nothing from empty glass to empty glass from the very beginning.
Obviously this manga was created just for profit sake, because from any aspect it sucks comparing to anything I've read so far.
-Why did you go for almost two hundred chapters then? – you ask.
The thing is, I was a manga translator once, and our team has picked this project, unfortunately, my voice could not be heard. So during the period when I was translating this work, all my neighbors’ heard how good I am at using bad words and making some new “sophisticated” combinations out of existing ones. At the end of volume 17, I said F*CK THIS AND F*CK THOSE WHO READ IT, and left the project. This insanely stupid manga has forever ruined me for translating any other novel ever again, and for reading any other Japanese comics for a very long time.
But you don’t have to trust my words, make your own opinion. Give it a shot, maybe you’ll like it. There are too many projects here on MAL (anime and manga) that have sky-high ratings, but personally I think they’re just low-graded trash. That’s how it works, with experience your tastes change, especially when you try to compare things. There will always be something better, something worse, and Karakuri Circus will always be the bottom for me!
It's an extraordinary experience to stumble upon a remarkable manga that seems unnoticed by most. For me, that manga was Karakuri Circus. This story is full of unexpected twists and turns in both plot and character development, taking you on a journey you'd never anticipate. It's regrettable that this manga remains relatively unknown, possibly due to limited international releases and a lackluster anime adaptation. Nonetheless, I'm here to persuade you why Karakuri Circus, a true diamond in the rough, should be read and why it stands as my all-time favorite manga.
Story: 10/10
Karakuri Circus centers around three main characters: Narumi Katou, Masaru Saiga, and Shirogane. Their paths cross when Narumi decides to protect Masaru from mysterious humanoid dolls called "Automata." They then meet Shirogane, a puppet master sworn to protect Masaru based on a promise to his grandfather. To avoid spoilers, I won't delve deeper, but their lives become intertwined in a conflict spanning centuries. The narrative alternates between perspectives, occasionally converging, creating a unique reading experience. Kazuhiro Fujita's brilliant storytelling includes numerous twists that connect back to earlier chapters, leaving readers stunned.
Art: 10/10
Kazuhiro Fujita's art style is distinctive. If you've seen his other works like Ushio and Tora or Souboutei Kowasubeshi, you know what to expect. His rough style makes characters stand out and memorable, while the background details are phenomenal. Although it takes some getting used to initially, his art improves drastically throughout the series. The progression is noticeable and beautifully complements the dark tone of the story.
Characters: 10/10
The characters in Karakuri Circus are well-developed. Narumi and Masaru particularly stand out with their unique growth arcs that highlight the story's themes. The supporting cast is also excellently written and enjoyable. The main villain, whose identity I won't spoil, is charismatic and intricately crafted, making them an unforgettable character.
Enjoyment: 10/10
Karakuri Circus is a long, winding road where the destination is always uncertain. Watching the characters and artwork evolve is a joy. The satisfaction of seeing earlier events tie together is immense. It's absolutely worth reading.
Overall: 10/10
I wish more people knew about Karakuri Circus, as it's a hidden gem deserving more attention. At the time of writing, I've read 355 out of 426 chapters, awaiting the complete English translation. A dedicated team is working on it, so hopefully, we'll see the end soon.
This manga presents a unique challenge when it comes to rating. It feels almost like two separate stories, with the first three volumes being quite engaging and the subsequent ones taking a sharp turn towards the mundane.
Initially, the story gives the impression that Narumi is the main character. He's quirky, captivating, and injects life into the narrative. Meanwhile, the supposed protagonist, a kid, appears generic and less intriguing, receiving minimal screen time. However, this dynamic shifts dramatically by the end of volume 3.
The manga starts off decently, then peaks in terms of captivation and excellence, culminating at the end of volume 3. After this point, it transforms into something utterly generic, losing all its previous energy. What was once an action-packed, dramatic fighting manga morphs into a rather typical slice-of-life school story centered around the kid, who still fails to be interesting. Even the girl character falls flat, contributing little to maintain interest.
I found myself deeply engrossed up until volume 4, but my enthusiasm waned quickly as the fourth volume felt uninspiring compared to the earlier parts. The action seemed slow and pointless.
If I had to rate just the first three volumes, they would earn a solid 9/10. Volume 4, on the other hand, barely managed a 5/10, leading me to drop the series. This makes giving an overall rating difficult, but if forced, I'd average the scores to arrive at a 7.
Interestingly, reading only the first three volumes wouldn't leave you feeling shortchanged, as they form a complete arc on their own. So, feel free to give those initial volumes a try without committing to the rest of the series.
I really don't appreciate this story, not one bit.
Why am I here, penning its review when I should be asleep?
This manga is quite the roller coaster. It grabs you and doesn't let go until the very end. The conclusion felt a bit underwhelming to me. Nevertheless, it's still a decent narrative overall. An old-school shounen tale with a dark twist (and an abundance of blood, seriously, it's everywhere). If you're into 90s-style shounen and martial arts, you'll likely enjoy this. I did savor the journey, but ask me to read it again?
No! No! Absolutely not!
Because it's just too painful. Too much killing. Not that it's unnecessary; it aligns with the grim theme of the story. But it's still overwhelming, giving you hope only to snatch it away. By the end, I realized my hands were filled with emptiness, just as the opening stated.
I genuinely admire Fujita Kazuhiro's work for its unique plots. Karakuri stands out among his three works I've read (Gekkou, U&T, Karakuri) for its storytelling and plot. However, I'd recommend trying Gekkou, his most recent completed piece. His character development and storyline planning have seen significant improvement (though there are still some plot holes).
I am writing this review to share my feelings about the masterpiece that is Karakuri Circus. Why do I love this manga?
The storyline is intricately crafted, filled with revelations that keep you on your toes. The characters are exceptionally well-developed and each one is more endearing than the last. The plot progresses smoothly without any lulls.
If you're looking for an original shonen, don't hesitate—go read Karakuri Circus. The universe and atmosphere of the manga really captivate me, especially the concept of incorporating the circus into the story. However, the manga isn't solely about the circus as one might initially think.