Karakuri Circus

Eleven-year-old Masaru Saiga inherited a vast fortune after his father died in an accident. These riches make Masaru a target for kidnappers, who send fearsome puppets to abduct him.

After the briefest of respites, Masaru, Narumi and Shirogane are plunged into peril once more. Assassin Eiryo Ashihana has tracked them down and attacks with the evil clown-like marionette Pulcinella.

The kidnappers relentless attacks finally succeed and they snatch Masaru. Narumi and Shirogane discover that Masaru’s uncle, Zenji Saiga, is the mastermind behind the abduction, and they rush to his mansion to attempt a rescue.

Masaru determines that overcoming his own weakness is the only way he will escape from his uncle Zenji.

After having rescued Masaru numerous times, Narumi got caught in the blast that destroyed Zenji’s mansion and has not been seen since. Masaru’s sense of loss is profound, but he is determined to be strong as Narumi had taught him.

Narumi, despite being presumed dead after the explosion in Karuizawa, awakens to find himself in a hospital. There he meets ladies' man Guy and an old woman named Lucille and struggles to regain his memory of what happened.

Having learned the truth about ZONAPHA syndrome, Narumi realizes there is only one way he can give children who suffer from it a chance of a future. He must destroy the automata the Midnight Circus uses to spread the disease.

With their numbers boosted by the addition of knife-thrower Vilma and their coffers swelled by successful fundraising, Nakamachi Circus are ready to put on a show in Izu.

The members of Nakamachi Circus rescue the injured Guy, who turns out to be Shirogane’s marionette teacher.

Liang recounts the tale of the love triangle that lead to the birth of ZONAPHA syndrome.