Ep. 1: Kohei Yamashita struggles with trust and performance anxiety as a third-generation aerialist.

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Kohei Yamashita, a third-generation circus performer, repeatedly fails to catch his partners during trapeze acts. He initially blames newly recruited foreign artists and becomes distant and distrusting toward them. The pressure to perfect his routine for an upcoming show has caused him to develop a sleep disorder and anxiety. As a child, the constant movement required by his family’s circus forced him to isolate himself from peers, preventing him from learning to trust strangers. His internal struggle is symbolized by a penguin. After reviewing a video of his practice sessions, Kohei finally realizes that his own errors, not his partners, are causing the stunt failures. This realization marks a turning point in his ability to connect with others and overcome his long-standing emotional barriers.