Karakuri Circus backdrop
Karakuri Circus poster
Action & Adventure
Mystery
Crime

All Episodes of Karakuri Circus

Browse all episodes of Karakuri Circus

All Episodes of Karakuri Circus

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...
Select Season:

Season 1

  • The Curtain Rises
    7.7/1036 votes

    The Curtain Rises

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/11/2018

    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.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Promise
    7.6/1029 votes

    Promise

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/19/2018

    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.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Abyss
    7.8/1025 votes

    Abyss

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/26/2018

    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.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Swirling Tiger
    8.8/1033 votes

    Swirling Tiger

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/1/2018

    Ashihana declines Masaru’s offer until a diary reveals the Slaughter Team’s exploitation by the Saiga. Using Grimaldi, Ashihana re-enters the villa. Yamanaka traps Narumi and Shirogane, and Masaru agrees to be Zenji’s son, but attacks him when Zenji plans to kill them. Shirogane shares her tragic childhood with Narumi. Masaru and Ashihana use Grimaldi to free them, but Yamanaka attacks again. Masaru controls Harlequin, shifting the battle until explosives destroy the villa. Masaru, Narumi, and Shirogane survive, but only Narumi’s left arm remains.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Circus - Departure
    7.8/1022 votes

    Circus - Departure

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/8/2018

    Two months later, Masaru recovers and lives with Shirogane, who enrolls in a nearby high school to protect him from bullies. Masaru shrugs off their taunts, showing his scars. Shinobu Nakamachi faces eviction while rebuilding a circus. At school, Masaru gains acceptance, and Shirogane’s acrobatic talents make her popular. Masaru takes Shirogane to meet Nakamachi, convincing her to join his circus with Nori, Hiro, and animal handler Liselotte. Meanwhile, Narumi lies unconscious in intensive care, missing his left arm.

    Director: Won Chang-hee

    Writer: Unknown

  • Hell
    8.7/1028 votes

    Hell

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/15/2018

    Narumi awakens in an Illinois hospital with amnesia and a prosthetic arm, saved by Guy Christophe Resh. The hospital, run by Dr. Banhart, houses 2,000 children with Zonapha syndrome, where staff smile to prevent attacks. Narumi learns terminal Zonapha patients linger between life and death. Resh reveals the Midnight Circus uses automata to spread Zonapha and asks Narumi to become a Shirogane. The last Aqua Vitae healed Narumi. When Paulmann and Anselmus attack the school, Resh uses his Karakuri Olympia, and Narumi helps defeat them.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Demonic
    8.2/1019 votes

    Demonic

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/22/2018

    Paulmann and Anselmus injure Narumi, but his Aqua Vitae-enhanced healing allows him to destroy them. Narumi agrees to become a Shirogane to protect the children. At the Nakamachi Circus, Shirogane performs as a clown and is challenged by Vilma. That night, Vilma corners Masaru to kill him but is stopped by Shirogane, who recovers from Vilma’s knives and defeats her with Harlequin. Impressed by Shirogane’s loyalty and Masaru’s resolve, Vilma joins the Nakamachi Circus.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Moment's beginning, moment's end
    7.9/1017 votes

    Moment's beginning, moment's end

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/29/2018

    Shirogane enters a beauty contest for the Nakamachi Circus’s publicity. Masaru convinces Lise to perform, while Shirogane recalls Narumi. In China, Narumi, Guy, and Lucille face ten hijacking automata on their plane. Narumi defeats them without triggering explosions. Mr. Spazza’s insectoid automata attack, and Guy exits to fight them while Lucille lands the plane in a bay. The Nakamachi Circus’s opening is disrupted by the crash. Shirogane stops the automaton Magdalen from attacking Masaru, and Narumi appears through the flames.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Memories
    7.6/1016 votes

    Memories

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 12/6/2018

    After the crash, Shirogane rescues Guy and shares her past with him and Narumi. Masaru, haunted by dreams, searches for Narumi. In China’s mountains, Narumi, Lucille, and Ming-Xia find Ming-Xia’s father, Liang Jian-Feng, with Zonapha at an Aqua Vitae spring. He recounts his ancestors, Yin and Jin, who studied alchemy in Prague. Narumi recognizes the story, recalling the brothers’ love for Francine, which caused their rift.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Francine
    7.6/1015 votes

    Francine

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/13/2018

    Narumi recounts Yin’s memories: Jin abducted Francine after she chose Yin. Years later, Yin found Francine imprisoned in Quiberon, dying from a disease. He perfected Aqua Vitae to save her, but she died in a fire. Jin later created an automaton, Lady Francine, animated by Aqua Vitae, and spread Zonapha to force villagers to make her laugh. Lucille, a survivor, gained Yin’s memories and Harlequin, vowing to destroy Jin’s automata. Pantalone seeks Aqua Vitae, but Liang Jian-Feng triggers an explosion, destroying the spring.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Fanfare
    7.5/1014 votes

    Fanfare

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 12/20/2018

    In Maine, Shirogane-Os prepare to attack the Midnight Circus in the Sahara. Narumi, Lucille, and Ming-Xia join them, meeting George Laroche and Ashihana in France. At the circus, they face the Faceless Commander and his Shirogane-Os. Les Quatre Pionniers propose one-on-one battles. Zed destroys two automata but is defeated by Merry-Go-Round Olsen. Narumi smashes an automaton, while Fatima and Ming-Xia face Orazio and Pedrolino. After winning, a trapdoor sends them to another challenge.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The faceless commander
    7.8/1014 votes

    The faceless commander

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 12/27/2018

    Fatima and Ming-Xia receive treatment, while Narumi, Rockenfield, Malina, and Tor face deadly traps in the Midnight Circus. They split into two groups, with Narumi’s group navigating a dark staircase. The others enter a chamber requiring combat to proceed. George and Ashihana arrive by helicopter. Below, Narumi’s group faces more traps, and the Faceless Commander sacrifices himself to save Narumi, who reunites with Tor, Timbavati, Rockenfield, and Malina to confront Les Quatre Pionniers.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Lucille
    7.8/1013 votes

    Lucille

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 1/10/2019

    Tor, Timbavati, Rockenfield, and Malina battle the Quatre Pionniers. A weakened Narumi struggles to reach Doll Francine. Lucille arrives with Fatima, Ming-Xia, Ashihana, and George, unveiling her Francine marionette, Angelina, halting the circus. Lucille convinces Dottore to abandon Francine, but he fatally wounds her, causing her to crystallize. Tor self-destructs to eliminate automata, allowing Narumi’s treatment. Timbavati battles Columbine, using his Shirogane blood to neutralize her, but both die.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • By the Sea, in the Dead of Night
    7.9/1014 votes

    By the Sea, in the Dead of Night

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 1/17/2019

    Pantalone and Arlecchino destroy the Francine marionette and George. A Shirogane doctor dies saving Narumi. Fatima’s Spinettina fails against Pantalone and Arlecchino, but Narumi defeats them. Lady Francine reveals she’s a copy, and the real Francine is elsewhere. Narumi attacks Shirogane, mistaking her for Francine based on a Clogue survivor’s claim, but spares her after recalling their past with Masaru.

    Director: Won Chang-hee

    Writer: Unknown

  • Back to the Starting Point
    8.0/1014 votes

    Back to the Starting Point

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 1/24/2019

    At the Saiga ruins, Masaru receives a letter and keys from Sadayoshi, revealing he’s his father reborn. Kuroga puppeteers attack with Shogetsu, believing Masaru is Sadayoshi. Masaru uses Goyellemes and Captain Nemo to defeat them but is captured and brought before Shōji’s conscious remains.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Encounter
    8.0/1014 votes

    Encounter

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 2/7/2019

    Shōji forces Masaru to drink his blood, triggering memories of Shōji’s past at Miura Dojo and meeting Angelina (Tohno-dayu), who wielded Arlequin. Shōji drank Aqua Vitae to stay with her forever, vowing eternal love.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Visitor
    7.7/1014 votes

    Visitor

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 2/14/2019

    Shōji reveals Sadayoshi was adopted, not his biological son. Guy shares his Zonapha infection and transformation into a Shirogane. Angelina refused to surrender her Soft Stone, defeating Guy. Shōji adjusted a Francine automaton to be less powerful and brought her home to Angelina, who later gave birth to a daughter.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • A Smile
    8.3/1017 votes

    A Smile

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 2/21/2019

    Shōji names his daughter Éléonore. Her birth affects Guy and Francine, who feels incomplete without a vital gear. Automata attack for the Soft Stone, now in Éléonore. Francine escapes with her, turning well water into Aqua Vitae, consuming herself. Angelina dies fighting automata, crystallizing. Shōji and Guy continue the battle.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Truth Behind the Shadow
    7.6/1013 votes

    The Truth Behind the Shadow

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 2/28/2019

    Guy insists Masaru is Sadayoshi. Masaru denies it, encountering Éléonore but falling unconscious after Guy’s attack. Shōji’s memories reveal Éléonore’s life in Quiberon and Sadayoshi’s betrayal, using Masaru for immortality. Shōji destroyed the memory data, surviving Sadayoshi’s attempt to kill him.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Black Sun
    7.5/1014 votes

    Black Sun

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 3/7/2019

    Masaru recalls Sadayoshi downloading memories into him during a car crash, where Shōji and Guy intervened. At Karuizawa, Daiki, the Faceless Commander, claims to be Masaru’s father, embodying Bai Jin and Sadayoshi. He attacks, but Éléonore takes a blow meant for Masaru. Daiki escapes with her, challenging Masaru to follow. Shōji dies, reuniting with Angelina in the afterlife.

    Director: Won Chang-hee

    Writer: Unknown

  • Silver Goddess
    8.0/1013 votes

    Silver Goddess

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 3/14/2019

    Masaru mourns Shōji as villagers succumb to Zonapha. The Faceless Commander, Deus, unleashes Artemis, composed of Apollyon bugs. Masaru and Guy pursue, but Cupidia downs Guy. Narumi destroys Cupidia and joins Guy to reach the Zonapha Research Institute, where Fou’s “Harry” can counter Apollyon. Faceless’ automata attack, and Arlecchino, Pantalone, and Colombine discover Éléonore resembles Francine.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Head to Harry!!
    7.7/1013 votes

    Head to Harry!!

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 3/21/2019

    Ming-Xia defeats Gambler Jones to save Tom. George calms children with music but faces Bola Misteriosa. Ashihana challenges Pantalone, who spares him, recalling Francine’s orders.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Demon's Return
    8.3/1014 votes

    The Demon's Return

    Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 3/28/2019

    Ashihana uses George’s Shirogane blood to fight Pantalone, who spares him. George defeats Bola Misteriosa but dies. Narumi destroys automata, reaching Dr. Banhart’s lab with Ming-Xia, confronting Blom Blom Low and Drill September. Guy and Olympia hold off automata outside.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Escape
    7.8/1013 votes

    Escape

    Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 4/4/2019

    Narumi and Ming-Xia defeat Blom Blom Low and Drill September. Ashihana spares Pantalone, who helps Guy. The Long-legged Clown Express rescues survivors, including “Harry.” Masaru and Lise chase Faceless’s airship.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • At Mont Saint-Michel
    7.7/1012 votes

    At Mont Saint-Michel

    Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 4/11/2019

    Masaru and Lise crash on Mont Saint-Michel. Aboard Faceless’s airship, Éléonore meets automata like Captain Graziano. On the island, Dr. Lao’s beasts attack, but Naya Steele helps Masaru after disabling Colombine. Masaru discovers the Shirogane-O’s human bodies.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Animal Show
    7.5/1012 votes

    Animal Show

    Season 1 Episode 26 - Aired 4/18/2019

    Lise tames Dr. Lao’s beasts, killing him. Faceless beats Éléonore to possess Masaru. Colombine shows Masaru the Shirogane-O’s bodies. Naya attacks, but Masaru disables her. Faceless confronts Masaru with new automata.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Download
    7.8/1013 votes

    Download

    Season 1 Episode 27 - Aired 4/25/2019

    Masaru fights Faceless’s automata with Harlequin. Lise and Colombine battle to stop Faceless’s rocket. Faceless tries to transfer his consciousness into Masaru but fails due to Masaru’s resistance.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Pig-chan Was Gone
    8.2/1015 votes

    Pig-chan Was Gone

    Season 1 Episode 28 - Aired 5/2/2019

    Masaru resists Faceless’s control, using Éléonore’s blood. Colombine fights Diamantina’s teddy bears. Masaru frees Éléonore, leaving Faceless in the rocket. Narumi arrives, finding Colombine’s remains after her sacrifice.

    Director: Won Chang-hee

    Writer: Unknown

  • What Shirogane Did
    7.4/1011 votes

    What Shirogane Did

    Season 1 Episode 29 - Aired 5/9/2019

    Éléonore proves her loyalty by sharing Aqua Vitae with Zonapha sufferers. Faceless threatens to kill humanity with Apollyon. Fou plans to send “Harry” to stop him. Narumi mistrusts Éléonore.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Pieta
    8.1/1012 votes

    Pieta

    Season 1 Episode 30 - Aired 5/16/2019

    Guy challenges Narumi over Éléonore but is dying. Masaru learns Narumi is alive and searches for him. The Nakamachi Circus heads to the launch pad with “Harry,” while Guy sacrifices himself to stop automata.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Black Meteor
    7.5/1011 votes

    Black Meteor

    Season 1 Episode 31 - Aired 5/23/2019

    Vilma equips the Nakamachi Circus with Éléonore’s blood-tinted knives. Automata attack the train, and Vilma dies fighting Wild West Jane. Masaru destroys Keniss.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Valediction
    7.4/1011 votes

    Valediction

    Season 1 Episode 32 - Aired 5/30/2019

    Shinobu consoles Masaru, revealing Éléonore’s sacrifices. The Nakamachi Trio prepares to fight Lady Spider and Captain Graziano. Arlequino and Pantalone seek Éléonore’s permission to stop Bringhella and Harlequin.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Nakamachi Trio vs Lady Spider
    7.3/1011 votes

    The Nakamachi Trio vs Lady Spider

    Season 1 Episode 33 - Aired 6/6/2019

    The Nakamachi Trio distracts Lady Spider with circus tricks, killing her with Vilma’s knife. Arlequino and Pantalone fight Bringhella and Harlequin, who confesses his love for Éléonore, tearing Pantalone apart.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • Rearguard
    7.7/1011 votes

    Rearguard

    Season 1 Episode 34 - Aired 6/13/2019

    Éléonore fights Harlequin to protect Narumi. Narumi defeats Bringhella. Masaru beats Captain Graziano. At the launch pad, Narumi and Masaru fight automata, with Masaru defending Narumi’s rear.

    Director: Won Chang-hee

    Writer: Unknown

  • Embrace
    8.2/1013 votes

    Embrace

    Season 1 Episode 35 - Aired 6/20/2019

    Masaru blinds Narumi to take his place in the shuttle. Narumi and Éléonore defeat Harlequin and declare their love. Ashihana dies stopping Pinball-K. Masaru confronts Faceless, who cloned Bai Jin’s body.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown

  • The Curtain Falls
    8.4/1016 votes

    The Curtain Falls

    Season 1 Episode 36 - Aired 6/27/2019

    Faceless refuses Masaru’s plea for the Zonapha cure. Diamantina destroys Francine automata but is dismantled. Faceless helps redirect the crashing station, revealing Éléonore’s singing cures Zonapha. Masaru escapes, and humanity is saved. Six years later, Narumi and Éléonore’s circus brings joy to war-torn areas, and Masaru saves children in a bear suit.

    Director: Unknown

    Writer: Unknown