Katou Narumi is burdened with Zonapha Syndrome, a rare disorder that inhibits his breathing unless he elicits laughter from others. Thus, he trades in his Chinese kenpo training and becomes a clown based in Japan. Despite his new profession, he struggles to amuse his audiences.
One day, he meets Saiga Masaru, a wealthy young man, who gives him the laughter he needs. But when he discovers that Masaru is being targeted by assassins, Narumi steps up to protect him--only to find out that these assailants utilize creepy and enormous puppets as their weapons. Along the way, they come across Shirogane, who, with her puppet, claims she was entrusted by Masaru's late grandfather to safeguard him.
Their collective paths divide into two: Karakuri and Circus, performers and puppets, laughter and tears. The peculiar circus teems with living dolls that disseminate Zonapha Syndrome, the Shirogane who act as living puppets, and the puppet masters whose unyielding resentment sets off both sides of this tale.
