During the Meiji era, a high-security prison known as Gokumonjou was established on a massive lake to combat the rising crime rates that plagued the new era. The Kumou brothers, including the odd family patriarch Tenka, the bold and honourable second-born Soramaru, and the naive youngest Chuutarou, were appointed as ferry operators. Despite their grim task, the trio enjoyed a relatively peaceful existence in the always-overcast town of Oumi, where they resided with their caretaker Shirasu Kinjou.
However, the lengthy history of Oumi contains a dreadful legend about the fearsome "Orochi," a snake-like monster that awakens every three centuries in a human host. Soramaru and Chuutarou were unaware that the Kumou family's real mission was to prevent Orochi from resurrecting entirely, or else the world would be plunged into chaos. During the monster's next return, the Kumou family must summon the courage to keep laughing in the face of disaster.
Additional content:
Volume 1: Utakata ni Warau (two parts)