The appeal of Saiga Masaru, one of the main characters of Karakuri Circus, which began airing in the fall of 2018, can be summed up simply by the encounters he makes and the growth he grows. Karakuri Circus itself has a complex and bizarre setting, so I think the quickest way to convey its appeal is to follow his encounters and growth, so I would like to follow his growth while giving away some spoilers.
[Karakuri Circus] What kind of character is Saiga Masaru when he first appears?
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Saiga Masaru is the son of Sadayoshi Saiga, president of the world-famous Saiga Group. However, despite being the son of a mistress, Sadayoshi somehow inherited a huge amount of money from him due to his will. His family is not happy about this, and their lives and custody are now under threat. When Masaru first appeared, he was a weak, wimpy boy who only needed to be protected.
Meeting with Narumi Kato and Shirogane Saiga
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
When Katsu's family attempted to assassinate him, he was saved by a kind-hearted older brother named Narumi Kato. Later, he was rescued by Shirogane Saiga, the puppeteer controlling the puppet "Arurukan." They then escaped an attack by Hideyoshi Asika, a member of Katsu Saiga's assassination squad. The strong and kind Narumi Kato recalled that he was just as frail as Katsu when he was a child, and later said, "You can be stronger than me." These words would have a profound impact on Katsu later on.
Kidnapped and Chooses to Fight
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
He is then kidnapped by his uncle, Zenji Saiga, who plots to kidnap Masaru and adopt him. Narumi and Shirogane are used by the assassination squad, including Asika, and launch a raid on Zenji's mansion. Katsu decides not to run away but to fight, and showing glimpses of his incredible talent and courage, he buys Asika for 1 billion yen, attempts to escape from his predicament, and reunites with Narumi and Shirogane.
Kato Narumi dies!
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
After the battle with the puppeteer, Masaru attempts to escape the burning and collapsing mansion, but Narumi, shielding Masaru from a massive explosion, is caught in the blast, leaving only one arm behind. It was all because of his encounter with Narumi that Masaru was able to decide to fight. When you know you should laugh, you shouldn't cry. Narumi Kato, who gave us so much, lost it right before our eyes, and so begins Masaru's story.
[Karakuri Circus] This is what makes it so appealing! Masaru Saiga's Growth Story
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
After meeting Narumi Kato, Masaru Saiga decided to break free from his weak self. However, what awaited him was a terrible separation from Kato Narumi. However, I believe this experience had a great influence on Saiga Masaru's growth as a person. From now on, Masaru will continue to grow through various encounters.
[Karakuri Circus] Saiga Masaru's exploits in the Circus Arc (first half)!
The Circus Arc Begins
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
"Karakuri Circus" is comprised of two parts: the Karakuri Arc, told from the perspective of Narumi Kato, and the Circus Arc, told from the perspective of Masaru Saiga. The two stories then intersect in the Karakuri Circus Arc, leading to the final chapter. The Circus arc follows Masaru Saiga as he meets various people and rebuilds the moribund Nakamachi Circus.
Masaru Becomes Zenji's Adopted Son
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
In the end, Masaru decides to become Zenji's adopted son. However, Zenji's trauma over Masaru's death leaves him unwilling to abuse his inheritance. And so, Katsu begins attending school again.
Bullying Reignites: Encounter with Nakamachi Circus
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
At first, Katsu was bullied at school, but after meeting Narumi and surviving hell, he became stronger. Katsu doesn't let the bullying get the better of him and fights them off, but then the remnants of the puppeteer killing squad burst in. With the bullies taken hostage, Katsu is put in a difficult position and is rescued thanks to the efforts of the Nakamachi Circus members and Shirogane. However, having put everyone in danger, Katsu decides to transfer schools to avoid getting his acquaintances involved.
Meeting Taranda, Lieselotte, and Tachibana
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Saved with the help of the Nakamachi Circus, Masaru is deeply moved by the performances of the once-glorious Nakamachi Circus. At that time, he meets Taranda Lieselotte Tachibana, who has come to Japan in pursuit of the killer tiger "Beast" that has escaped from the major circus troupe Parish Circus.
Arrived in Japan with Drum to Kill the Beast
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Liselotte is a beast tamer, and she has come to Japan with her lion, Drum, to kill the Beast that once murdered her sister. Liese intended to sacrifice herself and allow Drum to kill the Beast while it was preying on her. However, with the help of Masaru at the last moment, he breaks free from his sister's curse and succeeds in defeating the Beast.
Liese has joined the team!
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Then, Liese expresses her desire to join Nakamachi Circus, and the group sets out on a journey to find a venue where they can add a wild animal tamer to the circus and perform. However, the road ahead is difficult, and even though there are talented performers, Nakamachi Circus is unable to perform due to constraints... Will Nakamachi Circus be able to rebuild?!
[Karakuri Circus] Here's what makes it so appealing! He encounters many different people through the circus.
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
After meeting the three members of Nakamachi Circus and Liselotte, he rebuilds the circus troupe despite the challenges ahead. Katsu remains the central figure, and the people involved are also growing. He's no longer the bullied, cowardly Katsu he once was.
[Karakuri Circus] Masaru Saiga's Performance in the Circus Arc (Mid-Season)
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Afterward, the circus begins to show signs of recovery, with new recruits including Wilma, the knife-wielding troupe who tried to kill Nakamachi; the Miushi brothers, who once railed against Nakamachi and his friends but have fallen so low they're practically living in a blind house; and the cranky old prop maker Ikukata Yasushi and his granddaughter Ryoko.
A plane crash-lands just before the performance, revealing the man's presence
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
The circus performance was on track, and just as Nakamachi Circus' performance was about to begin, a plane made an emergency landing at the circus arena. Naturally, the performance was canceled, and everyone began a rescue operation, only to encounter an automaton. An attack by automatons puts Katsu and Shirogane in a difficult situation, but they are saved by a mysterious person. The two believe that this person is Kato Narumi, who once turned Shirogane into a human and died protecting Katsu.
Deciding to Continue the Circus for Narumi Kato
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
The two were unable to see Narumi Kato. However, if he was truly alive, and they continued traveling and running the circus, he would eventually return. Believing this, the two once again vowed to continue the circus.
[Karakuri Circus] Masaru Saiga's Achievements in the Circus Arc (Part 2)
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
As Masaru Saiga continues his journey, Shirogane reveals his true name and true identity. As Shirogane and Masaru continue their journey with the circus troupe, they begin to see the troupe members as real family. However, the media catches wind of Katsu and reveals to the circus that he has inherited a huge fortune.
He returns to the place where it all began to discover his true self
Source: Karakuri Circus ©Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Feeling guilty about having lied to the circus, Katsu decides to discover his own secret. Then, following the advice of Guy, who has been with him since the plane crash, he heads to the place where the events that led to the transformation of Masaru into the person he is today began. There, Masaru discovers a shocking truth.
At the Karakuri Mansion Ruins in Karuizawa
Source: Karakuri Circus ©Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
This is the place where Masaru's idea began. It was the site of the Karuizawa Karakuri Mansion where Katsu had once been kidnapped, which became the scene of a conflict between puppeteers, and where Kato Narumi passed away. Katsu meets the mansion's caretaker, who hands him a key and a letter. The letter had been entrusted to him by Katsu's father, even before he was born, for the Katsu he would one day become. The letter contained an incomprehensible passage that read, "There has been some kind of error in the transmission of memories."
Shocking Fact
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Following the instructions in the letter, Katsu enters a certain room and finds a recorded message for him. He is informed that Saiga Katsu is not actually Saiga Katsu, but Sadayoshi Saiga, with Sadayoshi Saiga's brain data completely transplanted into him. Katsu is shocked by the contents of the message. However, before he can even accept this, he is attacked by the puppeteers of Kuroga Village. The puppeteers have come to kill Sadayoshi Saiga.
Katsu Reunites with Shoji Saiga
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Katsu is captured by the puppeteers of Kuroga Village and presented before a certain person. That person was Katsu's grandfather, Saiga Shoji, the only person who had ever been kind to him. Shoji had lost half of his body and was living inside a special liquid. Shoji had no doubt that Katsu was still Sadayoshi inside. Saiga Shoji gave Katsu some of his own blood, which had released his memories, and Katsu relived Shoji's memories and learned the whole story of the situation he was in.
Katsu Learns Everything About the Past
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
By drinking Shoji's blood, Katsu learns of Shoji's past. He marries Angelina, the spitting image of Francine, and becomes a Shirogane. He also meets and adopts Dean Maistre, another Shirogane. He learns that the child he had with Angelina was Eleonore. Angelina died in an automaton attack, and Eleonore became a Shirogane.
Sadayoshi Saiga's Purpose
Source: Karakuri Circus ©Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Sadayoshi Saiga's true identity was Dean Maistre, a Shirogane. Dean Maistre loved Angelina. However, Angelina ended up marrying Shoji. So Sadayoshi changed his target to Eleanor, a spitting image of Angelina. He raised Eleanor as an emotional doll and had her protect Katsu. Sadayoshi's goal was to take Katsu's place and obtain Eleanor, and Katsu was his child.
The Mastermind Behind Everything
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
And, more importantly, Dean Maistre is Shirogane, who once fell in love with Francine but whose love was never reconciled. The mastermind behind everything, Shirogane = Sadayoshi Saiga = Dean Maistre = Faceless, whose body was not completely destroyed by Shoji's attack, appears. Masaru had downloaded Faceless' knowledge and experience, but not his personality.
Game with Faceless
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Faceless's attack destroyed most of the fighting forces present. Katsu uses the knowledge and experience downloaded from Faceless to fight on equal terms, but he remains in a desperate situation. However, Faceless, who has taken an interest in Katsu, proposes a game to him. The game involves targeting Eleanor for the next two years, and Katsu must protect her during those two years.
[Karakuri Circus] Here's what makes it so appealing! A shocking truth: Katsu has become stronger!
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
This was a shocking revelation for Katsu. If he had remained the same as in episode 1, he would have been captured by Faceless without being able to do anything. However, through his encounters with Narumi and various other people, Katsu had grown stronger. It could be said that his previous encounters and experiences saved him.
[Karakuri Circus] Masaru Saiga's Performance in the Karakuri Circus Arc
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Masaru then remained in Kuroga Village and rapidly grew as a puppeteer. In addition to his knowledge and experience as a Faceless, he also possessed natural talent, allowing him to defeat the Faceless' assassins one after another. He will also have a variety of encounters and experiences, including setting up flags with the three Asika sisters of Kuroga Village, and will grow even stronger and more resilient.
[Karakuri Circus] Masaru Saiga's Performance in the Clockwork God Arc
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Faceless doesn't wait for the two-year game with Masaru to be resolved, and instead puts into motion an unprecedented plan. He launches a plan to wipe out all of humanity through Zonaha disease. He then executes his plan to download a personality into Masaru and obtain Eleanor. In Kuroga Village, Eleanor is attacked by the "Final Four" automatons sent by the Faceless. She desperately tries to protect Katsu, but he is overwhelmingly stronger.
Eleanor is Kidnapped
Source: Karakuri Circus ©Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Katsu was no longer someone who needed to be protected. Katsu fights on equal terms with the final four, but the circus members who had avoided Zonaha disease thanks to being by Eleanor's side are taken away, almost as hostages.
Masaru Enters the Demonic Lair of Mont Saint-Michel
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Masaru enters Mont Saint-Michel, the Faceless' castle, alone to rescue Eleanor. With the help of Liese, Hirama, and Ryoko, who had followed them, they finally reach Faceless, but Masaru is captured by Faceless and downloaded into himself, becoming Faceless himself.
Rescue
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Once the download is complete, Masaru's personality and all become Faceless. Faceless then activates his final plan to have Katsu destroy him and take his place. However, Katsu's download has failed. Having drunk Eleanor's blood, the download process is ineffective due to the constancy of the Water of Life, so Katsu deceives Faceless by undergoing the download process himself.
The Road to the Final Battle
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Katsu manages to rescue Eleonore. Faceless's plan fails again. Faceless then accelerates the progression of the Zonaha disease, attempting to wipe out humanity. The only way to stop the Zonaha disease is to pursue Faceless into space and find out for himself. Masaru also boards the steam engine for the final battle, but is unable to meet Narumi or the rest of the circus.
Fighting Together
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Kato Narumi's mission was to pursue Faceless into space, but just before the shuttle launch, a horde of automatons attacked. Katsu bursts into the battle and protects Narumi, who is outnumbered. Showing overwhelming strength, the two repel the automatons, but Katsu does not reveal his true identity and says he will pursue Faceless. Katsu then boards the shuttle to face Faceless in a final battle.
Final Battle
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
The final battle with Faceless in space was extremely brutal. Katsu loved Eleanor, but Eleanor loved Narumi. In a sense, they were in the same position as Faceless. Faceless asks why he didn't take Eleanor away like he did. However, Masaru's answer was different from Faceless's. The first person Eleanor fell in love with was Narumi. Even if he took her away, he wouldn't be happy.
Brother, I was wrong.
Source: Karakuri Circus © Kazuhiro Fujita, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Those words were not spoken by Faceless, but by Kin Shirai, who was speaking to his brother. It was because he was in the same position that those words moved Faceless's heart. At the very end, Faithless understood his brother's feelings, and, having never looked after him before, Faithless told Katsu about the treatment for Zonaha disease, and after sending Katsu to the ground, he uttered his first and last words of repentance.
Curtain Call
Source: Karakuri Circus ©Fujita Kazuhiro, Shogakukan / Twin Engine
Zonaha's disease disappeared from the world, and after everything was done, Katsu was wearing a costume in a foreign land. There, Katsu saves a brother and sister who are similar to the former weakling Katsu, and tells the brother and sister, "Can I become stronger too?"
I hear that. And Katsu responds as Narumi once said.
"Yeah, I'm sure it's way more than me!"
Saiga Katsu Charm Summary
Katsu, who was a weak-willed man, grew strong and in the end he became a rival to Narumi. Met with a variety of people made me stronger. It was a different vector from Narumi's strength. If Narumi's strength is devilish, I think Katsu had gained the opposite strength of the vector. It's hard to imagine Katsu, who has finally become so strong that he saves the world, even looking back from the first episode. I think that's what makes Saiga Katsu the most attractive! !
