Zonaha disease, a rare illness that appears in Karakuri Circus, is an important disease that is at the core of the story. As the story progresses from its appearance, various facts about Zonaha disease are revealed. We would like to examine and thoroughly unravel the rare disease "Zonaha disease," which has important implications from the beginning to the end of the story!
[Karakuri Circus] Zonaha Disease: Death-Rich Suffering If You Don't Make Someone Laugh
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
One of the main characters, Narumi Kato, suffers from Zonaha Disease. The symptoms of the disease are "death-rich suffering if you don't make someone laugh." Because of this, Kato Narumi had to find a job that would somehow make people laugh, so he dressed up in a costume and handed out balloons. This is how Saiga Masaru and Kato Narumi met, and you could say that the story begins when Kato Narumi contracted Zonaha disease.
Zonaha Disease: Full of Gag Elements
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Initially, Zonaha Disease was portrayed as a humorous symptom, full of humorous elements: "If you don't make someone laugh, you will suffer to the point of death." Narumi Kato was portrayed as a comical, hilarious comedian who was constantly failing to get laughs.
[Karakuri Circus] How to Cure Zonaha Disease? Narumi Kato Becomes Shirogane
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
There is no established cure for this rare disease, Zonaha Disease. The only current treatment is to drink the elixir known as the "Water of Life." The "Water of Life" is a solution of the "Soft Stone" (called the Philosopher's Stone in other works), and drinking the Water of Life grants resistance to Zonaha disease. However, if one drinks more than a certain amount of the "Water of Life," they will become "Shirogane," a superhuman with silver-white hair and eyes. Kato Narumi also overcame Zonaha disease with the Water of Life.
Shirogane, the Exterminator of Zonaha Disease
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Shirogane only age once every five years and gain greater regenerative abilities and immortality than ordinary humans. They will only die if they lose a large amount of blood at once or if most of their body is damaged all at once. However, the Water of Life has the property of passing on memories, and the majority of Shirogane who drank the Water of Life in which the consciousness of the alchemist Shirogane had dissolved became dominated by a desire for revenge against the automatons.
[Karakuri Circus] The Automata: The Spreader of Zonaha Disease
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Zonaha Disease is caused by the pseudo-blood of automata, humanity's enemy. These automata are spreading the Zonaha disease germs all over the world. It can be said that all Shiroganes around the world are destined to exterminate these automatons.
Why would they do such a cruel thing?
Source: Karakuri Circus ©Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
The original Francine doll and the four oldest automatons were created by the alchemist Shirogane. Out of grief over the loss of someone he loved, Shirogane created the Francine doll, but the only function the Francine doll lacked was the ability to laugh, so it was abandoned by its creator, Shirogane. As a result, in order to find a way to make himself laugh, he is spreading Zonaha disease all over the world.
[Karakuri Circus] This is Hell, the Truth about Zonaha Disease
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
As the story progresses, Narumi Kato visits a Zonaha Disease research facility. Upon seeing the Zonaha Disease patients and researchers housed there, he realizes just how devastating the disease is.
First Stage of Zonaha Disease
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Zonaha Disease has three stages of symptoms. The first stage, like Narumi Kato's, is when "if you don't make someone laugh, you suffer so much you could die." Conversely, at this stage, you can live as long as you can make someone laugh.
Zonaha Disease, Second Stage
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
The immune system weakens, leading to various complications. While the majority of cases end in death at this point, those who manage to die at this stage can be considered fortunate in some ways.
Third Stage of Zonaha Disease
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Metabolism stops, body temperature remains constant, the body stiffens, and the patient continues to suffer semi-permanently without aging. The patient can survive without food and can only die from external causes. This third stage, which makes the patient unable to die, is why Zonaha Disease is considered the worst disease.
This is hell
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Patients infected with Zonaha disease live hopelessly, uncertain of when they will die or whether they will survive and reach the third stage of the disease. To alleviate the symptoms, the staff members who care for them administer narcotic-like drugs to themselves, forcing themselves to laugh. After witnessing this hellish experience, Narumi Kato vows to eradicate the automatons and eradicate the Zonaha disease from the world.
The Zonaha disease's influence on other works
Source: Karakuri Circus ©Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
The popular manga "Hunter x Hunter" features a disease called Zobae disease. The disease makes it impossible to die, and this is likely the source of the story. The author may also have Zonaha disease.
[Karakuri Circus] What was the origin of Zonaha disease?
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
The Zonaha Disease began when the alchemist Shirogane spread it to the descendants of the village of Clog, who had indirectly killed someone he loved. Later, the descendants of Clog Village are saved by the Water of Life of Shirogane's brother, Shirogane, but because Shirogane's desire for revenge was dissolved in the Water of Life, they are doomed to fight against the automatons for hundreds of years.
Increasing Number of Automatons
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
After Shirogane abandons the Francine doll, the remaining Francine doll uses the remaining research facility to develop a pseudo-body fluid. This pseudo-body fluid also contains the pathogen of Zonaha disease, which ends up spreading the disease throughout the world.
[Karakuri Circus] The pathogen of Zonaha disease is the ultra-microscopic automaton "Apollyon"
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
The pathogen of Zonaha disease is not a virus, but an ultra-microscopic automaton called "Apollyon." These are so-called nanomachines, and the true nature of the automaton's pseudo-bodily fluids and silver smoke is also nanomachines. Nanomachines enter the body and manipulate the nerves, causing symptoms.
Apollyon is a nanomachine that disrupts mechanical systems.
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Apollyon not only infiltrates living organisms and causes abnormalities, but, like nanomachines, penetrates the tiny joints of machines like missiles, destroying them from the inside. As a result, precision machinery is destroyed by nanomachines, making long-range missiles and other offensive methods ineffective against automatons.
There are also automatons that use Apollyon for offensive purposes.
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Columbine, one of the four oldest members, has the ability to control Apollyon for attack and defense. Apollyon is a nanomachine with a wide range of applications, in addition to inducing Zonaha disease.
What was the original idea?
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
The true nature of Zonaha disease is microscopic nanomachines, and there is a work that may have inspired the idea. It is "ARMS," which was serialized in Sunday at the same time as Karakuri Circus. Nanomachines are also at the core of the story of ARMS, and it's possible that author Fujita Kazuhiro was influenced by the idea that the true nature of Zonaha disease is nanomachines.
[Karakuri Circus] The Worst Zonaha Disease: Apollyon's Madness Mode
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
In the final chapter of the story, Faceless unleashes Apollyon, the pathogen of Zonaha disease, throughout the world, setting into motion a plan to wipe out all of humanity. At this point, the Zonaha disease no longer has the third stage's ability to cause suffering without causing death, and instead has the ability to kill living organisms.
If he wanted to, he could have wiped out humanity at any time.
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
By scattering nanomachines across the world and even changing Apollyon's mode to further shorten the time limit for death, Faceless held the lives of all humanity in his hands, demonstrating the incredible capabilities of Apollyon.
[Karakuri Circus] How to Cure Zonaha Disease: Mode Change Apollyon
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
The cure for Zonaha Disease is "Eleonore singing a lullaby." This audio password changes the mode to cure mode. With Eleanor's lullaby broadcast worldwide, Zonaha disease disappeared from the world.
Was the Faceless' malice the most terrifying thing?
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Zonaha disease, once feared as the worst rare disease, has shifted into a healing mode. This suggests that, depending on its application, it could potentially be used for medical purposes, and is certainly not a technology that solely harms humans. Perhaps the most frightening aspect was Faceless's malice in treating Apollyon like a biological weapon.
Karakuri Circus: Zonaha Disease Summary
Zonaha Disease appeared from the beginning of the story and remained a key theme throughout. Zonaha Disease has traumatized so many readers, and I never imagined it would end up like this. It's a truly epic and well-written premise!
