Looking at the cover image and reading the short resume, I was given the impression that the series would be somewhat different than what it really is. Sakon on the cover image, and even Ukon with a bit of a dumb expression both look mysterious in a way like they have their own shocking secrets and the series would be more like xxxHolic where there's one big overarching story arc and mini arcs in between that will feel like some intense, thrilling mystery, but instead it felt like I was watching a slightly better version of Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo, which I gave up on after 40 episodes due to sheer boredom.
I will do a lot of comparison between both series, because at this point, these two are the only ones of this "genre" that I've seen and I don't have a larger base for comparison.
Karakuri Zoushi Ayatsuri Sakon is actually better, at least in creating a somewhat solid and consistent character for Sakon and Ukon (in a way). Another good thing about the characters is they are more human and there is something like an aftermath after the case is solved, both of which are missing in Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo, where a case ends and "everyone lived happily ever after" and then we switch to the next case. Characters here have feelings, they feel flawed, like real human beings who have hopes, dreams, fears, imperfections. In Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo, they feel more plain than NPCs in an MMORPG that aren't even quest-related - they only serve to drive the plot of the arc.
The cases seem more interesting (at least to me) compared to Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo, where every case feels more boring and predictable than the last and at some point it feels like there are a handful of "case templates" and the author was shuffling them and picking at random, which made the series feel old and boring in the first 10 episodes. In comparsion, Karakuri Zoushi Ayatsuri Sakon has cases that are related to the protagonist in a deeper and more significant way and it makes you care what will happen.
The relationship between Sakon and Ukon is also explored, although as I stated in the first paragraph, I had completely different expectations for this series and the relationship between the characters. My expectations were that it would not be 100% attached in reality, but I was wrong.
Overall, for me it's not as bad and boring as Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo, especially the last arc is very important to understanding the whole situation better and I don't regret watching it, but I must admit around halfway through, I started watching it at x1.25 speed, because I wanted to get it over with. If you like murder mysteries, you will probably enjoy this a lot, if you are like me and just like mysteries in general, which are real headscratchers and not necessarily murders and there is a lot of intrigue and tension involved, you will be disappointed, because cases span 3 episodes each and none of them are something extraordinary.
