Chika Gentou Gekiga: Shoujo Tsubaki

Set against the backdrop of 1920s Tokyo’s impoverished underbelly, the story follows Midori, a young girl forced to earn a meager living selling camellias. Her life takes a drastic turn when she is recruited into the Aka Neko Za, a traveling circus troupe populated by performers marked by physical differences and societal rejection. The initial experience is deeply unsettling for Midori, who faces harsh conditions and cruel treatment.

Amidst this bleak environment, a master illusionist named Wonder Masamitsu offers unexpected kindness and protection. Their burgeoning connection provides a glimmer of hope, but the fragile peace is threatened by external forces. The series explores themes of societal prejudice, vulnerability, and the search for belonging within an unconventional community. It depicts the complexities of human connection forged in unlikely circumstances, contrasting moments of tenderness with the enduring hardships faced by those deemed outsiders.