Sakon, the Ventriloquist

• Ja Kanji — 草紙あやつり左近 • Genre — Mystery, supernatural

• Type — manga • Author — Masaru Miyazaki (manga artist) • Illustrator — Takeshi Obata • Publisher — Shueisha • Imprint — Jump Comics • Magazine — Weekly Shōnen Jump • First — May 22, 1995 • Last — January 1, 1996 • Volumes — 4

• Type — tv series • Director — Hitoyuki Matsui • Producer — * Yasumichi Ozaki • Shirō Sasaki • Masaki Kaifu • Music — * Norihiro Tsuru • Yuriko Nakamura • Studio — TMS Entertainment • Network — Wowow • First — October 8, 1999 • Last — March 31, 2000 • Episodes — 26

• Type — light novel • Author — * Takashi Yamada • Maro Sharaku • Illustrator — Takeshi Obata • Publisher — Shueisha • Imprint — Jump J-Books • Published — April 26, 1996 • Volumes — 1

• Portal — yes Sakon, the Ventriloquist is a Japanese manga series written by Masaru Miyazaki (manga artist) (under the alias Sharakumaro) and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. It was serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from May 1995 to January 1996, with its chapters collected in four tankōbon bound volumes. The plot follows Tachibana Sakon, a bunraku puppeteer who solves mysteries with Ukon, a puppet. The manga was adapted into a 26-episode anime television series by TMS Entertainment and broadcast on the satellite network Wowow from October 1999 to March 2000.

Sakon Tachibana is a young puppeteer from an Edo period tradition. His puppet, Ukon, was crafted by a master artisan over one hundred years ago. However, when Sakon performs ventriloquism with Ukon, the puppet magically transforms into a cheerful, chatty, and witty creature. Sakon somehow becomes involved in mysterious criminal cases. He has a sharp eye for detail and uncovers the truth in unusual ways. Using Ukon's voice and thoughts, he reveals secrets and solves difficult cases.

• Sakon Tachibana • Megumi Ogata • A master puppeteer who likes to travel and solve mysteries along his journey with his puppet and best friend, Ukon. When he does not have Ukon with him, he is a very timid, humble young boy. However, once he places Ukon on his hand, he develops a careful, quiet, observant, and calculating personality. He is displayed as a brilliant young man who can solve any case, but feels that sometimes it is best "not to see everything so clearly", and is often underestimated by the criminals because of his young age and occupation as a puppeteer. He is also considered very cute, despite his young age, and is often hit on by older women, much to his embarrassment and annoyance. He often worries whenever Ukon is not with him, considering him as his family, and is shown to have a kind heart and will do his best to help those in need. It has been shown that when he was younger, he was often bullied for liking and playing with puppets, and that when he was seven, his father committed suicide after injuring another performer's face by accident. • Ukon • Motoko Kumai • A 100-year-old child doll, made in the early Meiji era by a famous puppet maker. When Sakon operates him, he appears to come to life, having a very distinct personality that differs drastically from Sakon's reserved, quiet nature (when he holds Ukon); however, the two continue to have a strong, sibling-like bond. He is loud, talkative, rude, and likes beautiful girls. He tends to jump to conclusions in his deductions of who the criminal is and becomes irritated if Sakon does not tell him what he is thinking or who he suspects is the criminal, often relying on him to explain his deduction of the crime. He is also the one to inspire confidence in Sakon and the victims of the case they are trying to solve. He also has the ability to allow the souls of the dead to take possession of his body to listen to their final words before their death, which often comes in handy when solving mysteries. • Kaoruko Tachibana • Miho Yamada • Sakon's aunt from his mother's side and assistant police detective. She often follows Sakon on his journeys so she can meet handsome men and eat delicious food, and believes herself to be a rare beauty. She also often focuses more on the motives of people involved in a crime rather than their alibis and possible method of murder, which she often relies on Sakon for. She insists that Sakon call her "Kaoruko nee-san" rather than "Kaoruko obaa-san" and hits Ukon whenever he insults her or says a careless remark. • Zenkichi Fujita • Ryotaro Okiayu • A photographer friend of Sakon's, who sometimes joins him on his travels, and helps in his investigations. He is obsessed with taking pictures, but tends to forget to take them, which Ukon makes note of.

Written by Masaru Miyazaki (manga artist) and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, Sakon, the Ventriloquist was serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from May 22, 1995, to January 1, 1996. Shueisha collected its chapters in four tankōbon volumes released from August 4, 1995, to March 4, 1996.

A 26-episode anime television series produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha aired on Wowow from October 8, 1999, to March 31, 2000. Humming Bird performed the opening theme "Hikari naki Yoru wo Yuke", and Akino Arai performed the ending theme "Kanaete". In July 2026, AnimEigo announced that it will release the anime on Blu-ray in November of the same year.