The Genius Puppeteer Loves the Holy Knight Fiercely

by Hatoba Kogarashi

Holy Knight Gilbert, who was on the verge of being executed as a defeated general, was saved by Chris, a puppeteer from the enemy country.

However, Chris's true intention was to use Gilbert's "soul" to create a new puppet, one more realistic and lifelike than anything he'd made before. Gilbert is reluctant to accept Chris's ideas, but finds himself faced with an impossible to die as a prisoner of war, or become a puppet.

Refusing to accept either of these options, Gilbert begs Chris to use him for his own pleasure instead. Chris accepts, and as the nights of being toyed with continue, Gilbert's stubbornness begins to melt away... 

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Romance, LGBT, Yaoi, Queer, Boys Love

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2022

Reviews

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s giving Captive Prince vibes.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is among the more bizarre and unique mangas I've read recently. The art is richly detailed, and the mechanical world created is part Steampunk, part medieval times. The central relationship was more erotic than anything, but there was undeniably a connection, even if I wished character motives had been explored more thoroughly.

[akacya ❦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 reads: 265/300

the holy knight gilbert was on the verge of being executed by his enemies, but he’s saved by the puppeteer chris, who wants to use his soul to make a new puppet. presented with the options to be killed or turned into a puppet, gilbert finds another way, and offers to address chris’s other needs.

this was such a unique manga! i loved the puppets. they kind of reminded me of the automatons from the infernal devices trilogy. they were even used to build an army in this story, too! another thing i loved was the intricate art style, which was perfect for such a fantastical story. i enjoyed how the characters grew so much throughout the novel. honestly, i wasn’t expecting that from chris. overall, this was an interesting manga. i’d be interested in reading more from the author.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Giving this manga a happy ending sure was a choice.

[am · Rating 1 out of 5]

ok donc c'est l'histoire d'un chevalier qui a le syndrome de stockholm après avoir été gardé de force et violé par un zinzin perché fan de poupées et d'âmes

[Susanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad story with beautiful art. Two lonely people, the puppeteer Chris and the Knight Gilbert, are thrown together and end up changing each other’s lives.

Gilbert, the enemy knight, is sentenced to death, only to be saved by Chris who wants to turn him into a living puppet because of his beautiful soul. Gilbert refuses and offers his body for Chris to have his way with instead. There are some good graphic scenes. Little by little emotions grow between the men. Gilbert decides to become a doll, only for Chris to have a change of heart. The ending is happy for now and, since this seems to be a stand-alone, satisfying.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be mindful of the TW but I really enjoyed this. I thought the world and the magic in this was really interesting. This also felt like a solid, well-rounded oneshot. The artwork was great and just an overall enjoyable read. Not as dark and depressing as I had expected. Definitely a little dark but nothing to crazy.

[Janina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could've been so much better if it wasn't so fast moving. The story beats itself are interesting but they happen too fast and can't have the emotional weight they could've had with more time. The sex scenes were the least interesting part by far, the puppeteer magic was so cool and this should have been a series instead. The world building definitely had potential for more stories. Sigh.

[Yuuto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really nice art but the story was a mess

[Richard Humphries · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scratches some very interesting ideas of faith and the soul with a sort of “becoming Frankenstein’s creation” story. Wish it went more in depth to the mythology / world building; so I could go for a sequel.

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

where to read: inkr

The art is beautiful, but the plot wasn't that good.

It's about a knight, Gilbert, who's become a prisoner of war, but when he's set to be executed, the enemy nation's master artificer and puppeteer steps in to claim him. The puppeteer, Chris, tells Gilbert that he finds his soul beautiful and wishes to turn him into a doll, but Gilbert refuses so he becomes Chris's slave. Although Chris will not give up that easily and wishes to convince him to relinquish his soul to him.

Idk, man, the plot just was messy and I didn't care about the romance. I don't get why Gilbert likes Chris for anything other than Stockholm and accepting his circumstances. All Chris does is sexually assault Gilbert until he likes him and shows him that there's nothing left for him except to live with him. I think the why Chris wanted his soul and his backstory with his mom could've been interesting, but it just didn't land. Just not good tbh.

[Lexyloowoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who isn’t crazy about medieval stories. The story was easy enough to follow along. And the artwork was absolutely stunning. It was longer than I was expecting it to be, but I liked where the story went. I do wish that words had been said, but I’m not gonna complain. I’m pretty happy with this love x love story. I wouldn’t say it’s one of my favorites, but it’s definitely not one that I would sell tomorrow. Maybe a couple years down the line, but I’m glad that I read the story.

[Ryofire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more of a 3.5 than a 4. The art is lovely, with a gorgeous cover and some really detailed, pretty shots of armor. Gilbert in full armor in particular is a treat. The characters are interesting and the world-building is okay. The story isn't the best, but if you're into master/slave stuff, this is there, and there's some fun kinky stuff with collars, dildos, orgies, and voyeurism. It's kind of a wonky version of Beauty and the Beast with some extra pseudo Christianity, which is odd, and the Beauty and the Beast thing isn't just because Gilbert is Chris' prisoner and they fall in love/lust. At one point, Gilbert is tasked with organizing Chris' library, which feels very much like Disney Beast giving Belle the library as her domain, just with fewer freedoms.

I found the sorcerer friend plot odd, especially given they're the only character of color, and apparently one of the only "evil" characters, which is kind of eesh. Gilbert is betrayed by his comrades, of course, and they all seem pale-skinned, but still.

The story also has a weird way of tackling the central premise with its cast. It wants to humanize Gilbert's captors without at all understanding what that means. I think the funniest part in the story was probably when Chris' friend tries to convince Gilbert to become a doll as if they're discussing the weather. It's a kind of class separatism, where Gilbert is a servant and prisoner of war, and a non-entity given he's publicly dead, so he can be treated like dirt. "Why not just give up everything and become a toy?" It's an incredibly weird situation. Maybe this is saying something about how out of touch rich people are, particularly weapons contractors and the government stooges they support?

It also kind of jumps the gun with certain characters, like when Chris asks, upset, if Gilbert really wants to go home. And then stops bothering him for a bit out of frustration. There's no evidence of their relationship developing, other than with the voyeurism, and Gilbert is isolated from news of the outside. He has no idea what's going on back home, and Chris has not made any attempt to let him know about it. Maybe Chris thinks that he's being charitable and Gilbert should be convinced his prison is heaven already? It's just kind of strange, and a narrative beat that really doesn't work, unless you assume Chris is upset because HE knows, and he believes that Gilbert should like... pyschically know that it's a waste for him to try to head home. It's just a weird plot thread. But Chris and Gilbert are generally fun together.

This feels like it exists primarily for vibes and kinks than plot, and it works well enough on that front, hence the high star rating. It's not a bad use of your time if the art and plot sound compelling.

[Sol · Rating 1 out of 5]

0 ⭐

Massive trigger warning: This book has more rape in it than any other book you've ever read

Dead dove to the dead dove-iest extent. Normally Tokyopop gives CWs/TWs in the description for their manga but for some reason they didn't in this one. Which sucks because I really could have used one.

A disgusting horrible man saves a POW knight from execution, and proceeds to just be absolutely disgustingly horrible with him. The knight can either become a human experiment for the man, go back to death row and die, or be his human slave. And yes, the word slave is used a million times. The man in question, Chris, is utterly abusive and, I can't say this enough, it's just a disgusting reading experience. The book even tries to make me feel bad for Chris by being like "He had a really tough childhood :( his mommy died and he had no friends :(" like wow, I really don't give a shit. He deserves to die alone idc, he's a rapist and mass murderer, I hate his ass. He's one of the most disgusting and awful love interests ever. The main character literally is a victim of repeated sexual assault and Stockholm syndrome. It hurt because our main character Gilbert is such a lovable, understandable, sympathetic character -- not that it would have been okay whatsoever with a piece of shit character, but I feel like we're just watching a nice person get his life destroyed and that's it, that's the manga.
It made me so sad, and it almost offends me that it tries to wrap up the story in this nice heartwarming little bow.

Just an awful story that leaves you feeling grimy in the end. I really detest it. Avoid this at all costs.

[Emma (littledollreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I just saw at the library, picked up, and then just read without really looking too much deeper into it. I do that quite frequently which is why I can never stick to a tbr, I’m just too busy just diving head-first blind into books that no one else has ever heard of. And I’m happy to report that on this particular dive, the results were good. There is a lot about this world that peaks my interests as a set of story elements. I really loved the slight bits of magic intertwined with technology. Ans I especially loved the mechanical dolls, those are actually just one of the concepts that exist in the world that I love. I am a steampunk Lolita doll person and that is kind of exactly what these are. Also, the romance in here was very Caprive Prince but a less slow burn, not easy to pull off but done well enough here.

Thoughts while reading the first couple of pages:

- Now look at that cover and tell me this won’t be amazing
- See we already have stabby maids, I love stabby maids
- Ope, i see we have the silly belly-out female fantasy armor, tisk tisk
- OOO, Monicle man is scary
- I really feel like this man should have been stripped of his armor at some point earlier than this, he really shouldn’t still be in it
- AAAA the maids are mechanical dolls, I love them even more
- Oooo, thats creepy (/positive)
- Very Drosselmeyer
- This is absolutely fascinating
- OH, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING

[Ya Boi Be Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up for the art detail. I went in blind and damn! This is just straight up smut. Definitely not the dark fantasy enemies to lovers I was expecting. Instead you get master / slave erotica.
It does try to ramp up with actual plot and world building halfway through. But with a start so heavily focused on only the kink it's whiplash and doesn't transition well into the parts where you're meant to start genuinely caring. It’s even harder with the reveal near the end that the puppeteer has a Woobie-esque backstory and literally started a fucking war killing many in the process as well as the Knight deciding he wanted to turn into a doll as mercy for the puppeteer??? It also has plot holes like the puppeteer getting mad at Holy Knight for wanting to leave even though there is no way he'd know he's wanted / would get killed as a traitor.
But the art! It's amazing. The character expressions in particular are immaculate and characters and their cloth are rendered very well. Though it doesn't seem to translate as equally strong to the smutty moments which are still drawn nicely but don't fit as much.

[Snowy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*

Gilbert is a Holy Knight fighting in a war, but he's defeated by the enemy country and their puppet master Chris. Chris saves Gilbert from execution because he has a unique soul and because of that, he wants to turn Gilbert into a doll.


The entire manga is spent on having Chris pressure Gilbert into becoming an immortal doll because he reminds him of his mother. Gilbert wants to live so he offers to fuck Chris instead. The entire plotline was so predictable. It's not even bad in a good or fun way. The smut scenes aren't good, Chris has a weird obsession with his mother and the readers are expected pity this weirdo, and Gilbert is a dumbass who gets betrayed by his comrades because of course he needs an excuse to cut ties with his old life and be fully dependent on Chris. ugh.

I have read A LOT of yaoi. I've also read a lot of trash yaoi that had some reason to exist. This doesn't.

[Yeollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you in the mood for a Medieval Era BL with plenty of shenanigans and breathtaking art? It’s an era piece, with fantasy elements, and an interesting world!

Its art is a feast for the eyes. The characters are meticulously designed and it shows. Plus, there’s plenty of… dollmaking… to keep you hooked. The story isn’t for everyone; it deals with power imbalance. Although it used its time well, some things could benefit from being fleshed out more, since certain details felt rushed. However, that doesn’t stop it from being an enjoyable read.

Who is this manga for
The story borders on Stockholm Syndrome. As a story that’s not afraid to showcase power imbalance, this one is for fans of dark storytelling. It’s a oneshot where things happen a little fast, so it’s for fans of dark, short stories.

Check out the full review on the blog
https://yeolliestorytime.com/the-geni...

[Elaine White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story if a bit rushed. Pretty much erotica, with a space/master theme.
Holy Knight Gilbert is captured during the war and sentenced to death by the enemy, as the only way to save his military company. But Puppeteer Chris has other ideas. He can see people's souls and Gilberts is fascinating. He wants it to put into one of his mechanical "dolls"...except that Gilbert would literally do anything else but surrender his soul!
The plot was clever with the soul/puppeteer concept, and I firmly understood Gilbert's reasons for refusing, and I liked seeing the change in both MCs as the story progressed.
It was pretty much all about the power dynamics and sex, but it had good pacing, a great concept and was beautifully drawn. The artwork was simply stunning!

[dragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

2024 might be the year of puppets and automatons (are they coming back or is it just me reading older titles? haha). anyway, this is SMUT. and ohhh how nice it is~def kinky, hehe. there's also some plot that i was surprised was as "developed" as it was in just one volume. still, i was a bit curious about the whole magic and technology. the end felt kind of melancholic though, sort of like not a win or loss? idk, it was kind of sad in a way :")

[Camron Winger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was incredible. The spice wasn’t as detailed as I would have liked, but the story itself was so interesting and fascinating. I saw someone else mention the steampunk aspect, and where I can see how it could be viewed that way-I wasn’t getting that vibe. Or at least not in detail anyway- but the art is incredible, the story was incredible, I loved every second of it and I’m hoping there’s a sequel.

[Jerrica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art style is lovely, MCs are ok. My biggest issue is it’s dialogue heavy but there isn’t necessarily a plot. There’s a plot but it’s not, to me, prominent? It kind of doesn’t matter is what I’m getting at. The world is interesting, but I thought it was a little lacking in the romance and plot lines. It’s also really slow

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

”If you need a purpose to live, I’ll give you one.”

A lot sweeter than I expected. And the illustrator for this manga is extremely talented. The detail in each piece of art is exquisite. Especially the doll hands. There is so much fine detail and care that went into each person and item in this.

[Yolotzin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay. Interesting concepts, but it could've used more world building. Or at least more growth of their connection. I know it's a single volume, but they hardly spend any time together outside of fucking. They were both lonely souls eager for a connection. Like the story was edging around all these plot points it seemed. I really enjoyed the art and detailing though.

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely corruption arc concept that could've been executed better. The author's reluctance to lean into a sadist tone made for a middling story and characters with lukewarm motivations. The story finds its footing about halfway through the book in chapter 3, with a surprising twist that dramatically raises the stakes.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5, rounded up. It's so good and the art is gorgeous. I was in the mood for something dark and smuty, and this certainly delivers. It's one of those in which it starts toxic and ends the same, but with both characters accepting that they're exactly what the other wants and needs. The plot and progression don't feel rushed, and it flows quite well. A great one-shot manga.

[Chloe Coffield · Rating 3 out of 5]

i needed more plot. DONT GET ME TWISTED- it was good. but i felt like a lot more pages were needed of simple moments between the characters before the whole ‘falling in love’ aspect. kinda rushed.

the art was GORGEOUS!!! especially…. ya know…. (which i was not expecting but pleasantly surprised by)

this one is cute 🤷‍♀️

[Sarah Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun time if you're into dark romances, dubious consent, and some religious trauma (should stay away if those are not for you). The illustrations are especially pretty with all the details on the background, clothing, and dolls.

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I do like a messed up story...but this could have benefited from a longer story. The mc falls for the ml. Why tho? Like the smut is horrifying and hot, but I needed that emotional development to actually believe the conclusion. It felt like post nut clarity at the end.


Cw of sa, murder

[Amanda Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise, good art, twisted characters and kind of a creepy story. Enemies to lovers but really it's more of a stockholm syndrome trope. Can definitely say that the author did a good job making me not like either of the characters, but oddly I'm not mad about it.