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Karneval (カーニヴァル) is a Japanesemanga series by Touya Mikanagi, originally starting serialization in the monthly josei manga magazine Monthly Comic Zero Sum published by Ichijinsha in early 2008. There are currently eleven volumes released in Japan. An anime adaptation was announced in April 2012 and premiered on April 3, 2013.
Plot
Nai searches for someone important to him, with only an abandoned bracelet as a clue. Gareki steals and pick-pockets to get by from day to day. The two meet in a strange mansion where they are set up, and soon become wanted criminals by military security operatives. When Nai and Gareki find themselves desperate in a hopeless predicament, they encounter none other than the country's most powerful defense organization, "Circus".
Terminology
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Defense organization that works for the government. They perform raids to capture criminals and solve crimes that the Security force otherwise cannot handle. After their raids, they put on shows as an apology for scaring the citizens. Their group consists of the strongest, most capable fighters that use a special type of bracelet, known as Circus I.D., to fight.
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A dark, hidden organization that does illegal genetic research. They oppose the government and work against Circus.
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Post-humans with special abilities. The Varuga were once human, but a cell-modifying medicine given to them by Kafka slowly took over their bodies until they were fully transformed, at which point they became monsters.
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Bracelet instilled with great power, that can only be "activated" by its owner. They are used exclusively by the members of Circus. It gives them the ability to fly and perform various special attacks.
Nai Muhinyi is the main character of the story. He is an unusually naïve boy who appears to be 12-14 years old. He claims to have always been living with a man named Karoku in a forest near Karasuna. When Karoku does not appear one day, Nai ventures outside and finds a trail of blood leading from their home to the sea, and a left-behind bracelet (Circus I.D.). Feeling scared and lonely, he sets out to try finding Karoku with only the abandoned bracelet as a clue. He eventually meets Gareki, who saves Nai from a mansion where a Varuga woman named Mine was keeping him captive. This marks the beginning of their travel together. Despite his unworldly ways, he has an acute sense of hearing that is more well-developed compared to other people's. Akari, a research doctor at Circus reveals that Nai has the cellular structure of a human and a "niji", a small, delicate creature found in the forest he came from, and that these cells have managed to coexist unlike the Varuga. He also said that Nai is successfully existing as a new species and that if they were to describe the person who accomplished this, they would certainly be called a genius and that to produce a being like Nai, the creator must have been very devoted. Nai's name means 'nothing/not existing' when translated to English.
A 15 year-old teen who gets money by robbing rich people's mansions. He's very intelligent and sharp, his strong point being his knowledge of mechanics. He is also a skilled shooter and likes to carry around a gun. Gareki distrusts people and isn't very sociable, stating that he hates associating with others. However, despite his arrogant and distant attitude, he does have a more caring side that he doesn't like showing, seeming to have a soft spot for smaller children and Nai. He originally thought to use Nai for his robbing schemes but later joins him to find Karoku. When Nai tells Gareki about Karoku knowing that they were together, Gareki realizes that Karoku wants to keep him away from Nai. His name means 'Flower Gravel'
The Second Ship's Fighter. He is Hirato's subordinate. Yogi is an eccentric 21-year-old man, always bright and cheerful. Despite his age, he tends to act like a child. He wears a white allergy patch on his left cheek, that, when removed, causes him to become extremely violent, as well as changing his hair color. While he states that battles make him nervous, he is still a skilled fighter. His weapons are two thorn-like épées, and the name of his special attack is Dornkiste (German for "thorn chest"). He calls Nai "little Nai". He has a soft spot for Gareki.
Another fighter of the Second Ship's crew, and Hirato's subordinate. She is 16 years old. She is always wearing a serious expression on her face, is down to earth, and very dedicated. Tsukumo is also a skilled acrobat, and despite her frail appearance, she is strong and capable. Her beauty is complimented by both men and women. She is the most level-headed out of the group, and tries to be the shoulder to lean on even though she has a hard time understanding others emotions. Tsukumo is a sort of older sister to Nai, and cares about his well-being. She hated insects ever since she was a child, which was shown when Yogi mentioned that the species "niji" has a diet of primarily insects.
The Second Ship's Captain. A very polite 27-year-old man who doesn't take his work too seriously, but does his job well. His smile can be deceiving. Upon taking Gareki and Nai on board his ship, he entrusts them to Yogi and Tsukumo. His weapon is a cane, and the name of his special attack is Vakuum (German for "vacuum").
The Second ship's Lieutenant. Eva appears to be soft and feminine when she's with women but acts masculine when she's with men. She is very fond of Tsukumo.
The person that Nai is looking for. He is 18 years old, and is described by Nai as a gentle person, but their connection is still unknown. He is still alive, but his location is unknown. At the end of the second episode of the anime, however, it is implied that Karoku is held somewhere by Kafka. He is seen in a dark greenhouse full of roses with Eliška, the young granddaughter of a rich industrial who is implied to be the leader of Kafka. He sends messages to Nai through brain waves. He calls Nai his "special child".
The young granddaughter of a rich CEO. She grew up in an environment where she was treated like a princess, and as a result she was brought up to be a selfish girl who does not know how to be considerate towards others. She has a connection with Karoku that has yet to be explained.
A drama CD titled Karneval Circus was released on March 25, 2010, on the Frontier works label.
Anime
The anime premiered on April 3, 2013 on Asahi Broadcasting Corporation. It has been licensed for streaming by Funimation Entertainment and will premiere on April 8, 2013 at 12:35pm EST. Bandai Visual will release the tv series on Blu-ray and DVD with English subtitles; the first volume is scheduled to be released on May 28, 2013. Each episode is 24 minutes long.
The opening theme for the episodes is "Henai no Rondo" (偏愛の輪舞曲) by GRANRODEO. The closing theme is "REASON" by KAmiYU.
Cover of Karneval volume 1 as published by Ichijinsha in Monthly Comic Zero Sum, showing Nai.