Karakuri Circus (2018)
A dark, action-packed anime following a boy heir, a martial artist, and a deadly puppet wielder entangled in circus conspiracies and ancient secrets.
Karakuri Circus - Series Information
- Original Title: からくりサーカス
- First Air Year: 2018
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Created by: Kazuhiro Fujita
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Crime, Animation, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 24 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 36
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: October 11, 2018 (Canada - 18+), October 11, 2018 (Germany - 16), October 11, 2018 (Australia - MA 15+), October 11, 2018 (Brazil - 14), October 11, 2018 (Mexico - C), October 11, 2018 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: Tokyo MX, BS11
- Alternative Titles: Le Cirque de Karakuri (JP), 魔偶馬戲團 (TW)
- Production Companies: Studio VOLN
- Production Countries: Japan
Karakuri Circus - Plot
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.
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Karakuri Circus - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Kazuhiro Fujita
Main Cast
- Chihiro Ueda
- Rikiya Koyama
- Megumi Hayashibara
- Romi Park
- Masahiko Tanaka
- Akio Otsuka
- Takahiro Sakurai
- Nozomu Sasaki
- Tomoyo Kurosawa
- Marina Inoue
Karakuri Circus - FAQs
Where can you stream Karakuri Circus online?
Karakuri Circus is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and HiDive, including an ad-supported tier on Amazon Prime Video with Ads and the Hidive Amazon Channel. If you prefer to own it, Amazon Video also offers the series for purchase.
Is Karakuri Circus based on a manga?
Karakuri Circus adapts the manga of the same name by Kazuhiro Fujita, serialized in Weekly Shōnen Sunday from 1997 to 2006. The manga ran for 43 volumes and is widely regarded as one of Fujita's most ambitious works, blending shounen action with dark fantasy and circus mythology.
What is the ZONAPHA Syndrome in Karakuri Circus?
ZONAPHA Syndrome is a fictional disease central to the story. It causes its victims to suffer violent, unpredictable seizures, with the only known relief being witnessing genuine human laughter. Protagonist Narumi Katou lives with this condition, which drives much of his motivation and emotional arc throughout the series.
Who are the main voice actors in Karakuri Circus?
The principal cast features Chihiro Ueda as Masaru Saiga, Rikiya Koyama as Narumi Katou, and Megumi Hayashibara as Shirogane. Other notable performances come from Romi Park, Akio Otsuka, Takahiro Sakurai, Tomoyo Kurosawa, and Marina Inoue, assembling a roster of veteran anime voice talent.
How many episodes does Karakuri Circus have?
Karakuri Circus consists of 36 episodes across its single season, which aired from October 2018 to April 2019. There is also a specials season containing one additional episode, bringing the total episode count to 37 when including supplementary content.
Is Karakuri Circus suitable for younger audiences?
Karakuri Circus carries mature content warnings in several regions — rated 18+ in Canada, MA 15+ in Australia, and 16 in Germany. The series features intense violence, gore, dark themes, and disturbing imagery, making it best suited for older teens and adult anime fans rather than younger viewers.
What anime is similar to Karakuri Circus?
Fans of Karakuri Circus often enjoy Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition and Tengoku Daimakyo for their dark fantasy and action elements. Akudama Drive and Battle Game in 5 Seconds also share the series' high-stakes, violent energy. Tougen Anki and Mission: Yozakura Family offer similar shounen-driven thrills.
When did Karakuri Circus first air?
Karakuri Circus premiered on October 11, 2018, broadcasting on Tokyo MX and BS11 in Japan. The series concluded in 2019 after 36 episodes. It marked a long-awaited anime adaptation of Kazuhiro Fujita's beloved manga, which had ended over a decade earlier in 2006.
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