Karakuri Zoushi Ayatsuri Sakon

Sakon Tachibana is a gifted young puppeteer who finds ordinary conversation difficult. With his outspoken puppet Ukon in his hands, however, he can express himself with remarkable confidence. Their exchanges do more than entertain an audience: they help Sakon organize his thoughts and notice what other people would rather leave unspoken.

Travelling brings the pair into contact with murders and apparently inexplicable incidents. Assisted by Sakon's detective aunt Kaoruko and photographer friend Zenkichi, they study contradictory accounts, concealed grudges and carefully staged appearances. Sakon's understanding of performance becomes a means of exposing the human motives behind seemingly uncanny crimes.