Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon

Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon
人形草紙あやつり左近
Genre	Detective fiction
Manga
Written by	Masaru Miyazaki
Illustrated by	Takeshi Obata
Published by	Shueisha
Demographic	Shōnen
Magazine	Weekly Shōnen Jump
Original run	1995 – 1996
Volumes	4
Anime television series
Directed by	Hitoyuki Matsui
Studio	Tokyo Movie Shinsha
Network	WOWOW
Original run	October 8, 1999 – March 31, 2000
Episodes	26
Light novel
Written by	Takashi Yamada, Maro Sharaku
Illustrated by	Takeshi Obata
Published by	Shueisha
Demographic	Shōnen
Imprint	Jump J Books
Published	April 26, 1996
Volumes	1

Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon (人形草紙あやつり左近, lit. "Doll Puppeteer Sakon") is a manga series written by Masaru Miyazaki (under the alias Sharaku Maro) and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. The plot follows Tachibana Sakon (橘 左近), a bunraku puppeteer who solves mysteries with Ukon (右近), a puppet.

Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon was serialized in the Shueisha magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1995 to 1996. The chapters were collected into four Tankōbon bound volumes. The manga was adapted into an animated television series by Tokyo Movie Shinsha and broadcast on the satellite network WOWOW from October 8, 1999, to March 31, 2000.

Characters

Sakon Tachibana: A master puppeteer who likes to travel and solve mysteries along his journeys with his puppet and best friend, Ukon. When he does not have Ukon with him, he is a very timid, humble young boy. However, once he places Ukon on his hand, he develops a careful, quiet, observant and calculating personality. He is displayed as a brilliant young man who can solve any case but feels that sometimes it is best "not to see everything so clearly", and is often underestimated by the criminals because of his young age and occupation as a puppeteer. He is also considered very handsome and cute, despite his young age and is often hit on by older women, much to his embarrassment and annoyance. He often worries whenever Ukon is not with him, considering him as his family, and is shown to have a kind heart and will do his best to help those in need. It has been shown that when he was younger, he was often bullied for liking and playing with puppets and that when he was seven, his father committed suicide after injuring another performer's face on accident.

Ukon: A 100 year old child doll made in the early Meiji era by a famous puppet maker. When Sakon operates him, he appears to come to life, having a very distinct personality that differs drastically from Sakon's reserved, quiet nature (when he holds Ukon); however, the two continue to have a strong sibling like bond. He is loud, talkative, rude, and likes beautiful girls. He tends to jump to conclusions in his deductions of who the criminal is, and becomes irritated if Sakon does not tell him what he is thinking or who he suspects is the criminal, often relying on him to explain his deduction of the crime. He is also the one to inspire confidence in Sakon and the victims of the case they are trying to solve. He also has the ability to allow the souls of the dead to take possession of his body to listen to their final words before their death, which often comes in handy when solving mysteries.

Kaoruko Tachibana: Sakon's aunt from his mother's side and assistant police detective. She often follows Sakon on his journeys so she can meet handsome men and eat delicious food, and believes herself to be a rare beauty. She also often focuses more on the motives of people involved in a crime rather than their alibis and possible method of murder, which she often relies on Sakon for. She insists that Sakon call her "Kaoruko nee-san" rather than "Kaoruko obaa-san" and hits Ukon whenever he insults her or says a careless remark.

External links

• Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon at TMS Entertainment (Japanese)
• Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon at WOWOW (archived) (Japanese)
• Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
• Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia