Karakuri Zoushi Ayatsuri Sakon

The Vengeful Demon of the Abandoned School, Part I

Funasaki Hazuki invites Sakon to a meeting of six members of her old primary school puppetry club in the now-abandoned building. Mysterious events occur and one of the group is killed. The bridge connecting the school to the village is destroyed and they are stranded with the investigating policeman.

The Vengeful Demon of the Abandoned School Continues with More Killings

Within the confines of the abandoned school, a series of murders causes the student body to descend into irrational behavior driven by intense fear. As one student after another falls victim to the unseen threat, panic spreads rapidly through the remaining survivors. The narrative focuses on the escalating chaos and the desperate attempts to understand the source of the violence while trapped in the isolated location. The atmosphere is thick with dread as the death toll rises, leaving the students to grapple with their mortality and the terrifying reality of their situation.

Sakon Exposes the Policeman as the Killer Seeking Revenge for His Brother

Sakon discloses that the policeman is the murderer driven by a desire for vengeance. The officer is the sibling of Osamu, a former student who took his own life after being subjected to severe bullying by members of the puppetry club several years ago. This revelation connects the current violent events directly to the past trauma inflicted upon Osamu, establishing the policeman's motive as retribution for his brother's tragic death caused by the club's actions.

The Izu Two-Faced Oni, Part I

Sakon suspects an insider killed Takamura with a Nihinto, linking it to a murder 16 years prior.

Following the death of Takamura, who was killed using a Nihinto, Sakon turns his suspicion toward members of the current group. He theorizes that this recent homicide is connected to a separate murder that occurred at the same location 16 years earlier. The investigation focuses on identifying the killer within their midst, driven by the belief that the two incidents share a common origin or perpetrator. This connection to the past event adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing mystery, as Sakon attempts to determine if the current violence is a continuation of the older crime.

Sakon's Investigation Continues as Yagisawa Confesses and Dies

During the ongoing investigation led by Sakon, Yagisawa admits to his crimes. Following this confession, he takes his own life by jumping to his death. This event concludes the current phase of the inquiry into the incidents involving the Izu Two-Faced Oni.

Sakon uncovers the truth behind Yagisawa's suicide and Sato's past actions

Sakon deduces that Yagisawa committed suicide to protect Sato, Mai's mother, who killed her abusive husband in the puppet mansion 16 years ago. Sato has been managing Mai under an assumed identity. Sakon reveals that Sato killed Sugiyama because he was blackmailing her. This revelation explains the hidden connections between the characters and the events leading to Yagisawa's death. The narrative focuses on Sakon's investigation and his discovery of the truth regarding Sato's past actions and her relationship with Mai. The episode provides closure to the mystery surrounding the puppet mansion and the identities of those involved.

Sakon leaves Ukon with craftsman Hayami before a fatal workshop fire occurs

Sakon entrusts the puppet Ukon to craftsman Hayami for repairs at Fukami's puppetry workshop. Upon returning to retrieve the puppet, Sakon discovers a gas explosion and fire engulfing Hayami's workshop and living quarters. The incident results in Hayami being burned to death. This event marks a significant turning point involving the puppet and the local artisan, setting the stage for subsequent developments in the narrative arc.

Sakon Investigates the Suspicious Fire That Destroyed Hayami's Workshop and Claims Ririsu's Life

Ukon was repaired by Sensei Fukami and avoided destruction in the fire at Hayami's workshop. While the group assumes the explosion resulted from the young girl Saya's cat, Ririsu, who perished in the blaze, Sakon remains doubtful. He theorizes that an individual disconnected the gas hose and blocked the outlet with cheese. Ririsu consumed the cheese, triggering the gas release and creating the illusion of an accident. The situation escalates when Yoshida, a fellow craftsman and suspect, is discovered having hanged himself, adding further complexity to the investigation.

Sakon uncovers the left-handed killer Aoki through voice mimicry and a past fire connection.

Sakon analyzes evidence to conclude that a left-handed individual committed the murders, despite all present suspects being right-handed. He identifies Aoki, an assistant with a head bandaged from a past fire, as the left-handed culprit. By using Ukon to imitate the voices of the deceased, Sakon tricks Aoki into confessing. The narrative reveals that Aoki is the ex-husband of Keiko, Hayami’s partner. His motive stems from revenge for the death of their daughter years ago during a fire that disfigured him while he attempted to save her. This backstory explains his hidden identity and his connection to the victims, resolving the mystery through psychological manipulation and revealed history.

Sakon attends a Bunraku performance at the Akizuki residence before a murder mystery unfolds.

Sakon is invited by the Akizuki family to perform Bunraku. Following the show, head Souichirou Akizuki receives a call and departs abruptly. Sakon learns of slasher killings in a nearby village, with Akizuki's eldest son, Kyouichi, as the primary suspect. Kyouichi has vanished alongside an allegedly cursed Byakko sword. Hours later, another call reports that Souichirou has been murdered by his own son, escalating the tension surrounding the missing heir and the weapon.

Sakon investigates suspicious blood on hydrangeas at Byakko Temple linked to Muramasa's Byakko sword legend

Sakon suspects foul play after discovering blood spatters on hydrangea flowers within the nearby Byakko Temple grounds. Local legend states that the temple was constructed to honor the spirits of 100 foxes, whose blood the master swordsmith Muramasa utilized during the quenching process to forge the Byakko sword. Based on these findings, Sakon proposes that an unknown individual murdered Souichirou Akizuki and deliberately framed his son Kyouichi for the crime, shifting the focus of the investigation away from the original suspect.

Seance reveals Kyouichi's death as Oki Katsumi attacks with the Byakko sword

Sakon conducts a seance with Ukon, during which the voice of Kyouichi emerges to disclose that he is deceased and interred near flowers. Oki Katsumi, a family friend, exposes himself as the murderer while attempting to exhume Kyouichi's remains. Katsumi engages in combat wielding the Byakko sword, but the weapon shatters upon striking a stone fox statue. Consequently, Katsumi meets his demise when the broken blade strikes him.

Sakon investigates the Ran'ou Museum after Director Yuuki Mari is murdered with an Egyptian knife.

Sakon travels to the Ran'ou Museum to meet his former elementary school master and mentor, Kisaragi Ittetsu. During the visit, the museum's director, Yuuki Mari, is discovered dead. The cause of death is an Egyptian knife, an artifact intended to be the centerpiece of a new exhibition. Kaoruko uncovers evidence that suggests Kisaragi is responsible for the murder. The investigation focuses on the connection between the mentor and the victim, raising suspicions about Kisaragi's involvement in the crime committed with the specific weapon from the upcoming display.

Sakon seeks to delay Kisaragi's arrest by investigating museum staff tensions and the director's unpopularity.

Sakon maintains that Kisaragi is innocent and identifies significant tensions among the museum staff, noting the director's unpopularity. He requests Kaoruko to postpone the arrest for 24 hours, allowing him sufficient time to prove Kisaragi's innocence. This delay is intended to facilitate a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case, as Sakon remains convinced of Kisaragi's lack of guilt despite the prevailing suspicions. The narrative focuses on the procedural steps taken to verify these claims within the limited timeframe provided by the request.

Museum Manager Suspect and Staff Member Killed by Statue

Isshiki, the museum manager, emerges as the primary suspect during the investigation. He appears to possess a solid alibi due to residing far from the museum. Sakon suspects that Isshiki is actually living nearby with Takahashi, a female museum staff member. However, the situation takes a dark turn when Takahashi is killed inside the museum by a falling statue. This event complicates the inquiry into the curse and the whereabouts of the manager, shifting focus toward the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident and the potential connection between the victim and the suspect.

Kaoruko and Sakon expose Isshiki as the murderer of Museum director Yuuki Mari

Kaoruko uncovers proof that Isshiki resided at Takahashi's house, while Sakon finds that museum telephone handsets were tampered with. Sakon tricks Isshiki into admitting he knew about the interference, which destroys his alibi and identifies him as the killer. The investigation reveals that Museum director Yuuki Mari discovered the Egyptian knife bought by Isshiki was a counterfeit. To conceal this significant professional error, Isshiki murdered Yuuki Mari.

Kaoru's Disappointed Love Sympathy Part I: The Kujou House Mystery

Sakon and Kaoruko visit Noh master Kujou to meet Naoto, a senior apprentice and potential arranged marriage partner. Tensions rise within the household due to Kouei, the eldest son and drunkard, who resents his talented half-brother Eimei. On the eve of Naoto’s final performance for the Kujou school, Master Kujou is fatally shot through the head by a crossbow arrow from a distance. Kaoruko begins an investigation into the murder, suspecting everyone present, including the niece Aki and the long-term attendant Tsubota.

Kouei’s Debt and the Oni Mask Murders Reveal a Timer-Triggered Crossbow

Aki discloses that Kouei is heavily indebted from gambling, making him a primary suspect. However, Sakon reveals the crossbow was triggered by a timer, meaning anyone could be the killer and obscuring whether Kujou or Naoto was the intended target. Naoto discovers a threatening note in his room fired by the same weapon that killed master Kujou. Subsequently, Aki is found stabbed to death by an attacker wearing an Oni mask. The group pursues the assailant and discovers Kouei dead in a crashed car, still wearing the Oni mask and costume, suggesting he may have been the murderer all along.

Sakon uncovers Naoto as the true mastermind behind the Kujou school murders.

Sakon learns Aki aided Kujou’s murder but doubts Kouei’s guilt. Tsubota reveals Eimei’s mother died by suicide ten years ago after being barred from the school, implicating Eimei. However, Naoto discovers Eimei dead at a cliff. Sakon then exposes Naoto as the true culprit, who manipulated Tsubota to eliminate the school’s heirs and seize control. Kaoruko is deeply hurt by Naoto’s cold actions but conceals her pain.

Strange Tales of Okuhida Ghost Part One

Sakon, Ukon, and Zenkichi travel to Hida Takayama for a puppeteer festival and reportedly encounter the ghost of Nishimura Tsukiko. Legend states she committed suicide after a hospital error caused the death of Numata Mitsuru's sister, Youko, leading Mitsuru to incur gambling debts. Hoshie disputes these claims, insisting such actions were out of character for her sister. Later, the group witnesses the apparition of Tsukiko seemingly push Numata Mitsuru to his death at a nearby hot springs.

The Okuhida Ghost's Eccentric Talk Part Two Continues

Sakon discovers Dr. Kobayashi hospitalized Youko despite her mild condition and notes her hostess work in Tokyo. Ghostly sightings of Tsukiko increase, leading to Dr. Kobayashi being lured to a warehouse by a note from her and subsequently found hanged. Tsukiko arrives shortly after, suffering from amnesia. Hoshie explains Tsukiko's identity to her, and Tsukiko provides a videotape found nearby. The recording depicts Dr. Kobayashi being attacked in the warehouse, apparently by Tsukiko herself.

Investigation into the Okuhida Ghost reveals a warehouse intruder before Dr. Kobayashi's death.

Analysis of the videotape suggests another person was present in the warehouse prior to Dr. Kobayashi's murder. Hospital director Terao seems to be the sole beneficiary of these deaths. While en route to interrogate him, Terao's water mill house explodes, killing him. Sakon identifies the killer and confronts Numata Mitsuru, who survived by faking his death. Following these events and the appearance of a Takayama doll, Tsukiko regains her memory. However, she has no recollection of recent events and remains shielded from the truth regarding her former fiancé Mitsuri's murders.

Sakon becomes successor after grandfather collapses, while senior puppeteer Niemon dies on stage.

At a family puppetry gathering, Sakon’s grandfather, Tachibana Saemon, faints mid-performance. He subsequently names Sakon as his heir, angering veteran puppeteers. During the performance of "Love Flowers Tearfall Profuse Bloom Dance," Sakon takes the lead. The most senior puppeteer, Niemon, manipulates a demon puppet rumored to be cursed. While controlling the figure, Niemon suddenly collapses and dies on stage. This tragic event occurs during the play, marking a significant and somber moment for the troupe and the audience present at the event.