Karneval (manga)


Karneval is a Japanese manga series by Tōya Mikanagi which originally started serialization in the monthly Josei Manga magazine Monthly Comic Zero Sum published by Ichijinsha on August 28, 2007. There are currently twenty-one volumes released in Japan. The series follows Nai and Gareki, who join a defense organization called Circus in hopes of finding a man named Karoku. However, they are unaware that Karoku belongs to a secret organization called Kafka, which is responsible for performing human and animal experiments called Varugas. A 13-episode anime adaptation by Manglobe aired between April and June 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".

Characters

Main characters

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Circus

Circus is a 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.
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Kafka

Kafka is a dark, hidden organization/place that does illegal genetic research. Their ultimate goal is to bring about the growth of incuna cells in human beings. They oppose the government and work against Circus.

Varugas

Varugas are post-humans and post-animals with special abilities. They were once human or animal, 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.

Other characters

Media

Manga

On August 22, 2014, North American manga publisher Yen Press announced the license of the manga, with the first volume to be published on March 24, 2015. Yen Press is releasing Karneval volumes in a 2-in-1 omnibus format.

Volume list

Chapters not yet in tankōbon format
These chapters have yet to be published in a tankōbon volume. They were originally serialized in issues of Monthly Comic Zero Sum.
An anime adaptation was announced in April 2012. The anime premiered on April 3, 2013 on ABC. It was later licensed for streaming by Funimation in North America and premiered on their streaming service April 8, 2013 at 12:35pm EST. The anime was released by Bandai Visual on Blu-ray and DVD volumes with English subtitles, with the first volume being released on May 28, 2013. Funimation later added the English dub version on June 2014, alongside Date A Live, Red Data Girl and series.
The opening theme is "Henai no Rondo" by Granrodeo while the ending theme is "Reason" by Kamiyu.

Episode list

Audio

A drama CD titled Karneval Circus was released on March 25, 2010 on the Frontier works label. An internet radio show premiered on January 25, 2013 on animate.tv, with Hiro Shimono, the voice of Nai as the host.

Reception