The stage is around the Showa 30s — an era based on Japan in the midst of rapid economic growth, when the circus was a center of entertainment woven into people's lives.
**'Kirkus Collection,'** a world festival only the finest circus troupes are allowed to enter. Vying for a spot, countless troupes tour Japan giving performances and compete fiercely day by day.
The passion and growth of young people aiming for that dream stage, drawn with a retro, warm atmosphere — a noted original anime of summer 2026.
📝 Highlights & Appeal Light spoilers
01The rare subject of the circus
A work that depicts the circus head-on — rare for anime. Its freshness lies in the gorgeous shows and the effort and drama behind them.
02A retro, warm Showa-era world
A retro atmosphere based on Japan during rapid economic growth is the appeal. You can soak in the nostalgic yet warm mood of the era.
03A fiery story aiming for a world festival
The goal is the 'Kirkus Collection,' which only the finest troupes can enter. The young people striving for that dream stage set your heart ablaze.
04Unpredictable developments, being fully original
Being an original work with no source, the ending is entirely unpredictable. You can watch with bated breath to see how far the Sunflower Circus can go.
05Visuals by A-1 Pictures
A-1 Pictures and others, behind many talked-about works, handle the production. Expectations rise for the circus's gorgeous performances drawn with impactful visuals.
06A lavish, skilled voice cast
Tomori Kusunoki, Ai Kayano, Rie Kugimiya and more — a lavish cast that charmingly voices the characterful troupe members.
07Theme songs that color the youth
OP 'Yurari Yureru' by NOMELON NOLEMON and ED 'DAYS!' by Aooo. Theme songs that freshly color the young people's passion and youth.
08A classic coming-of-age drama for everyone
A classic coming-of-age ensemble about striving toward a dream. Though set in the rare world of the circus, it offers a universal story that resonates with anyone.
💡 Key Points & Predictions Some spoilers
The early arc will likely follow the young members of the Sunflower Circus setting out to aim for the world festival 'Kirkus Collection.'
Through repeated performances and fierce competition with other troupes, the members should grow bit by bit.
Being fully original, whether they reach the dream stage is unpredictable. Watch where this fiery coming-of-age ensemble, set in a retro era, heads.
🧾 Story So Far Contains spoilers
Here is the premise: the stage is a world based on Japan around the Showa 30s, during rapid economic growth.
In that era, the circus was a center of entertainment woven into people's lives. There exists a world festival, the 'Kirkus Collection,' which only the finest troupes are allowed to enter.
Vying for a spot, countless troupes tour Japan giving performances and compete fiercely. The anime is expected to begin from the challenge of the young members of the Sunflower Circus.
✅ Recommended Viewing Points
Strongly recommended for fans of coming-of-age ensembles about striving toward a dream and original anime with rare subjects.
You can savor both the retro, warm Showa world and the gorgeousness of the circus. Because it's fully original, it's a work you can't look away from until the end.
👀 Trivia & Fun Facts
・The setting is a world based on Japan around the Showa 30s during rapid economic growth.
・The goal is the festival 'Kirkus Collection,' open only to the finest troupes.
・The OP is by NOMELON NOLEMON and the ED by Aooo.
💫 Unresolved Foreshadowing Contains spoilers
Behind the fiery coming-of-age drama, intriguing elements seem prepared:
● Whether the Sunflower Circus reaches the 'Kirkus Collection.'
● The pasts and dreams each member carries, and where they lead.
● How the rivalries with other troupes are depicted.
● Being fully original, the ending no one knows.
The more performances they give, the more the members' drama should deepen.
💌 Predicted Viral Quotes for Next Season
● "Someday, we'll stand on the world's greatest stage."
— A young troupe member holding up a dream.
● "Once the show begins, we can all be the stars."
— A member's resolve, staking everything on the stage.
*Predictions based on the work's direction.