Karakuri Zoushi Ayatsuri Sakon

Story: One has to be clear about this, a lot of the arcs run into the cliques of the murder mystery genera. Also, there are some that have very big simularities to cases in other Anime/Manga, but this is not do to complete coping, but due to the cliques that run through them. That being said, what makes this story is the mystery solving pair, a boy and his puppet, and how they interact with the characters. As it progresses, one gets to not only get a really good mystery to try to solve, but a better understanding of who Ukon and Sakon are. Art:The artwork is very detailed. For those wondering why Ukon looks so much like the Rurouni, it is because the two artists worked together when starting out. I can actually find quite a few simularities in their work due to this, yet their art has their own flavor to it. Sound: The opening theme is so haunting, perhaps even gothic, as in the sence of a literary term. It is the same with the ending music. It is something that sticks in ones head and one gets out. Character: Is Ukon possesed, or does Sakon have a major split personality disorder? That is a good question as the story progresses, one has to wonder that, as Sakon is rather attached to the puppet and is really only know being able to make friends with people, something he couldn't do when he was younger. Sakon is also very smart too, which sets him apart. Enjoment: It is one of my favorites, I fell in love with the characters and loved the fact they were so unique. Overall: I highly recomend this Anime to any one who is into this kind of stuff. It is worth at least watching once, to form ones own opinion of it.

Ayatsuri Sakon is anime about a young boy puppet master who is skilled at using puppets and soliving cases involving murder. Story:9 The story of Ayatsuri Sakon is About A Young shy boy named Sakon and his puppet Ukon getting involved in some weird cases involing murder and it is up to them to solve these cases. The story is really kool becasue its not episodic but instead they are like 3 or 4 episode arcs which is really different than im use to. Its like watching a mini movie every arc. Art/animation: 9 The art and animiation were great it had that old school anime feel. Characterswere animated well and so were the areas and places. Sound:8 I didn't pay to much attention to the sound but the opening and ending were decent and music in the episodes had that mystery and murder feel to it. Characters:8 I really think the only chacters get developed are Sakon and Ukon. there are different characters in every arc and some recurring charcters like Sakon's aunt and cameraman friend. Sakon is a shy and smart character and he uses his puppet to help him say stuff that he wouldn't say. Enjoyment:10 I really enjoyed this series from start to finish. It was really enjoyable how people interacted with Sakon and his Puppet Ukon. It had me wondering if the puppet was a dual personality or just a way to express himself. Overall :9 If you like mystery anime and want to try something a little different this is a good anime to pick up. This anime has some unique cases and a differnt approach to solving them. you should give it a try.

An old favorite from late 1990s, this is a solid murder-solving ventriloquist show and a particularly memorable representation of its genre. The show comprised of eight murder cases, presented in separate story arcs that last for 3-4 episodes each. It's very similar structural-wise with Kindaichi Shounen, which also shared a number of familiar whoddunit tropes between them; seemingly impossible scene of crime, multiple victims, tragic and elaborate backstory, etc. While none of the ideas or solutions for the murder themselves is particularly mind-blowing, it’s still plenty engrossing for the most part. The show also subscribes to the fair play rule and very generous withclues for audience who wanted to play along… …a tad too generous, perhaps. The murderers tend to be really easy to figure out, as the show really like to shove visual lead-on and backstory information in your face that makes it painfully obvious, especially in later cases. Heck, a certain case/arc practically spoiled itself through its title alone! While I certainly prefer a predictable but fair mystery over ones that pulled off unfair solutions out of thin air, this could still be a problem—especially when we’ve figured out the murderer way ahead of the curve and had to wait impatiently while the characters are still busy freaking out. Luckily, Ayatsuri Sakon also has plenty of supporting elements that helped mitigate this. For one, Sakon is a great detective character. Paired up with his ventriloquist puppet/channeling medium/bratty alter ego Ukon, these two provided the most unique Holmes-Watson dynamic I’ve ever seen. Watching Sakon develops and interacts with various recurring characters is very intriguing, as the show gradually reveals more of his personality and background between cases, especially during the second half of the series. Bunraku (the art of Japanese puppetry performance) itself is a prominent theme throughout the story, with a lot of screen time intertwined with Sakon’s development and depicting the culture surrounding it, which lend a distinct flavor and personality beyond your typical “genius boy solves murder” basic set-up. Speaking of flavor, the show is very effective atmospherically, exuding an air of chilling mysticism in-between development of suspense, poignant character moments, and amusing banter between its main characters. While the animation is probably on par with what you expect from its time, the character models (drawn by the renowned Takeshi Obata) also meshed pretty well with the overall themes. What I really love, however, is the music: the soundtrack is terrific, with an array of background tunes that always solidified the mood, as well as OP + ED combination that not only very fitting, but also featured great vocals and ranked among my all-time favorites. A thoroughly niche show, Ayatsuri Sakon probably appealed the most to those who are already card-carrying member of murder mystery fan club. But, if you’re interested in Japanese puppetry culture or just like good character drama/tragedy in general, it’s also good enough reason to give this an extended look.

This anime is one more of what is called oldy but goody and there are many reasons as to why that is. This anime about a boy and his doll solving mysteries mostly involving murders has an unique feel to it that i havent as far seen any other anime manage to emulate. There is a peacefull feeling to it as you watch and listen to this anime the story that just keeps giving you one piece and then another of a greater mystery or we get to learn more Sakon and his relaitonship with his talking doll Ukon. The stories are not those typicalmystery animes that keeps on milking itself with another bad mystery with no sence after another. Every story that one watches here has a great relaxing yet tence feel to it. In honesty whenever i watch this i feel myself sucked in so much that i tend to forget that i just watched through 3 episodes and 1 mystery. Since they fit so well together What makes this anime so beatiful and peaceful is the art but also the music that is around it. From the good opening to the great and peacefull ending song they both come together great at showing how this anime got both exitement and a certain relaxing feel to it. One might say that the relaitonship between Sakon the boy and the doll Ukon is kinda typical in an anime sence but in another sence its also greatly unique. Ukon is that supportive figur that gives Sakon what he lacks and their combination is what makes much of the anime. This anime is great in everything it does. With a story that is easy to remember and get sucked into and with characters that you feel with or dislike. I think honestly i liked everything about this anime and there isnt much that i can think about that is bad about it and hopefully many more will watch it so it never gets forgotten as with many other older yet great anime. ' For me this anime is one of those hidden gems meaning its old but it never loses to other anime that it can be compared to. I believe this anime willl keep its age for a very long time.

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