Complete guide to the world of the successful Garo license!

Today, we talk about tokusatsu and more particularly GARO! Discover the world of the GARO license with us, on the occasion of the recent release of a third anime available on Wakanim ! Not to mention the film planned for next year!

Before you start

The term "Tokusatsu" (特撮) is a contraction of "Tokushu Satsuei" (特殊撮影) which literally means "special effects". It is a term used to define these Japanese series, which are illustrated in particular by their many special effects. But also with their "sentai" heroes transforming (Kamen Rider), masked heroes (Bioman) or represented by young girls (Sailor Moon). All have this goal in common: to save the world that threatens to plunge into the shadows.To learn more about the world of toku and sentai, we invite you to read our review on Hikonin Sentai Akibaranger.

The GARO universe

It is now time to present you this famous license, which began with a tokusatsu (Toku for followers) oh so exciting and very taking!Garo was created by AMEMIYA Keita (director and chara-designer), a well-known figure in the world of science fiction and fantasy. Especially since this one has a unique style recognizable among all.

Garo was born in October 2005, with a certain Kouga, heir to the title of the Golden Knight. A man with special power, thanks to his sword and armor that allow him to hunt creatures called "horrors" and that feed on the malaise of humans. The hard work of a knight is to stay in the shadows while protecting humans. Note that Makai knights are exclusively men. However, there is another class that also hunts Horrors and is mixed. They are called Makai priests. They do not have swords, but they have a brush allowing them to create various buckets (protection, attack or defense). They can also build magical tools, capable of defeating demons. It is not uncommon for knights and priests to ally when a horror is too powerful.

If the story is quite classic since it is once again a question of a struggle between good and evil, the chara-design brought to the horrors is impressive. A quality due to the imagination of the author who is very prolific and who continues to seduce fans. Moreover, Amemiya Keita very often shares her creations on the social network twitter. Each year, at least one series or film is released that completes the Garo license. The seasons follow one another, without necessarily having the same protagonists, which allows to renew the license while keeping the universe clean of the series.

In order not to get lost here's how to proceed in your viewing:

Viewing Help – Garo License

Garo – Saejima Kouga Generation

Recurring protagonists in this generation: Kouga, Kaoru, Rei, Jabi, Barago, Rekka, Shiguto, Gonza, Leo, Tsubasa.

• Garo: season 1

• Garo Special: Byakuya no Maju : direct suite

• Garo the Movie: Red Requiem
• Kiba: Dark Knight Side Story: Set in season 1 (after episode 23), tells the story of Barago's past.
• GARO: Makai Senki: Season 2
• Garo: Soukoku no Maryuu: direct sequel to season 2
• Garo: Makai no Hana: Season 4, a direct sequel to Season 2, introducing Kouga and Kaoru's son: Raiga. 
• Biku: Yamigirinichi: A spin-off on Bikuu, takes place after the events of Garo: Makai no Hana. 
• Zero: Black Blood: season 1, spin-off on Rei, takes place at the same time as the Saejima generation.
• Zero: Dragon Blood: Second season of the spin-off on Rei. 

Garo – Dougai Ryuuga Generation

Recurring protagonists in this generation: Ryuuga, Jabi, Rian, Rei, Gonza

• Garo: Yami wo Terasu Mono: Season 3, a side story where Kouga is mentioned as Garo's last owner.
• Garo Gaiden: Tougen no Fue: takes place at the same time as Garo: Soukoku no Maryuu.
• Garo: Gold Storm Sho Movie: Episode zero of the Dougai Ryuuga generation, a direct sequel to season 3. 
• Garo: Gold Storm Sho: picks up at the end of the above film. 
• Garo: Kami no Kiba sequel from the Ryuuga Dougai generation, reprised after Garo: Gold Storm Sho. 

Other

• Garo: Honoo no Kokuin: The first anime that takes up Garo's outline in a completely different story.
• Garo: Guren no Tsuki second anime of the license, additional story that does not follow the toku, nor its predecessor.
• Garo: Divine Flame: A sequel to the first anime Garo: Honoo no Kokuin, takes place four years later.
• Garo: Makai Retsuden: spin-off of Garo's 10th anniversary where all the protagonists of the first and second generation are reunited in new adventures.
• Garo Asura: Direct sequel to Garo: Makai Retsuden.
• Vanishing Line Garo: third anime that does not follow the previous ones, nor the toku.

Garo first generation

Saejima Kouga

Garo – 牙狼-GARO – (season 1)

Episodes: 25

Duration: 24 minutes

Release date: October 7, 2005 to March 31, 2006

The story takes us into a fantasy universe where demons, the Horrors, possess humans by feeding on their negative feelings before killing them. We follow Kouga Saejima, Makai knight in golden armor who fights in the shadows, against his creatures. During one of his fights, he meets Mitsuki Kaoru, an illustrator, who receives blood splatters from the Horror. Kouga then finds himself linked to Kaoru, who has now become the target of the Horrors.

Kiba: Dark Knight Side Story – 呀〈KIBA〉 ~暗黒騎士鎧伝~ (special episode)

Episode : 1

Duration: 45 minutes

Release date: September 3, 2011

The story takes place during episode twenty-three of the first season. Kaoru was captured by Barago. The two Makai knights, Kouga and Rei are in pursuit of her in order to save her.Barago then decides to tell him his story and explains why he became the black knight Kiba. 

Garo Special: Byakuya no Maju – 牙狼-GARO-スペシャル 白夜の魔獣 (special episodes)

Episodes: 2

Duration: 51 minutes

Release date: September 15 to December 22, 2006

We find Kouga, still hunting for the Horrors. The priestess Rin informs her that she is sent by the priest Amun, so that he can help her save another priestess, Jabi who is in the Makai kingdom. Meanwhile the Silver Knight, Rei Suzumura (friend of Kouga) is sent to destroy the powerful resurrected Horror Legules.

Garo the Movie: Red Requiem – 牙狼<GARO> ~RED REQUIEM~

Episode : 1

Duration: 1h35

Release date: October 30, 2010

Three Makai priests, Akaza, Shiguto and Rekka, have just finished with a Horror.Kouga then appears, saving them in extremis from a second Horror, hidden in the form of a baby. His mission is to find and eliminate Horror Karma. But it won't be easy, because no one has yet returned alive from the Makai world, created by Horror through a mirror. Not even Rekka's father, who was also a Makai knight.

GARO: Makai Senki – 牙狼-GARO- ~MAKAISENKI~ (season 2)

Episodes : 24

Duration: 24 minutes

Release date: October 6, 2011 to March 22, 2012

We are still in the company of Kouga who was promoted by the Senate. But he has been marked by the seal of destruction and he tries to avoid an early death, just like Zero (Rei). In parallel, the relationship between Kouga and Kaoru continues. Kaoru wants to publish her first illustrated book. A new enemy appears and a Makai priest, Fudou Reo, joins the two knights.

Garo: Soukoku no Maryuu – 牙狼~蒼哭ノ魔竜~

Episode : 1

Duration: 1h35

Release date: February 23, 2013

The plot picks up after the events of season 2. While Kouga has made a contract with Gajari to stop Sigma Fudo's plans, he travels to the promised land to retrieve part of the Gajari: the Fang of Sorrow. But he no longer possesses his Makai knight attributes.Kouga, in his journey will meet Meru, Esaruto and a master swordsman to whom Kouga will give back the name of Kakashi.

Garo Gaiden: Tougen no Fue – 牙狼外伝~桃幻の笛~

Episode : 1

Duration: 1h35

Release date: July 20, 2013

This film takes place at the same time as Garo – Soukoku no Maryuu. Here, it is the Makai priests who are in the spotlight.After Rekka practices with Jabi, she returns home to find a strange flute. The next day, Jabi learns terrible news. Rekka would have stolen this flute which would contain a terrible power.

Garo: Makai no Hana – 牙狼-GARO- -魔戒ノ花- (season 4)

Episodes: 25

Duration: 24 minutes

Release date: April 2 to September 27, 2014

The story takes place after season 2 of GARO: Makai Senki. Raiga Saejima is the son of Kouga Saejima and Kaoru Mitsuki who disappeared when he was a child. He lives with his father's butler, Gonza. He can, however, count on his parents' friend, Rei, who trained him to be the rightful heir to his late father's title of Garo. As the Horror Eyrith escapes, Raiga sets out to find him accompanied by Crow and Mayuri, endowed with the power to imprison the creature in time;  thus preventing his resurrection, before it becomes the ultimate Horror and condemns the world.

Garo second generation

Dougai Ryuuga

Garo: Yami wo Terasu Mono – 牙狼〈GARO〉~闇を照らす者~/ 牙狼-GARO- ~闇を照らす者~ (season 1)

Episodes: 25

Duration: 24 minutes

Release date: April 6 to September 21, 2013

This season does not follow the previous ones and could be considered the first of the second generation Makai. We discover new heroes and the Horrors are still a scourge for humanity.The story takes place in Vol City, a futuristic city. Dougai Ryuuga is the new Garo, who has arrived in town to defeat the Horrors.He meets Takeru Jakuzure, Makai Zen knight and Aguri Kasugami, Makai Gai knight. However, Ryuuga's armor has a black, not golden, color, raising various questions and the fate of the last Garo known to date: Kouga Saejima. He also became friends with two priests: Burai and Rian.

Garo: Gold Storm Sho Movie – 牙狼<GARO> -GOLD STORM- 翔 -劇場版-

Episode : 1

Duration: 1h22

Release date: March 28, 2015

This film picks up after the events of Garo: Yami wo Terasu Mono and is the prequel to season two. We find Ryuuga and Rian several months after their departure from Vol City. Ryuuga begins to suffer the harmful effects of the energy that accumulates in his knight armor.Rian cannot purify her, so researches a priest who can help them. It seems that a Makai Priestess can take care of it at City Line. On their way there, they meet D Ringo, a food vendor; In his van a mysterious painting calls them out. They eventually meet the famous Ryume who accepts their request. But the arrival of Ago will shorten their rest.

Garo: Gold Storm Sho – 牙狼〈GARO〉-GOLD STORM (Season 2)

Episodes: 23

Duration: 24 minutes

Release date: April 14 to September 19, 2015

This drama is the sequel to the previous film. Ryuuga and Rian succeeded in their mission by stopping Ago and are now the guardians of City Line where an abnormal increase in Horrors occurs. Because of the plot of two people: Jinga a Makai knight and his wife, the priestess Makai Amily, who became Horrors. They plan to destroy humanity. But Ryuuga and Rian, helped by Daigo Akizuki, a Makai knight, the Makai Gald priest, D Ringo and Yuki will do everything to make their plan fail.

Garo: Kami no Kiba – 牙狼 GARO 神ノ牙 KAMINOKIBA

Episode: 1

Duration: not disclosed

Release date: January 2018

This film will follow season two Garo: Gold Storm Sho. The armor of a Makai knight was removed. The Garo Knight, Ryuuga and the priestess Makai Rian, are tasked with uncovering the truth about the case. We will also find their former colleagues (season 1) Takeru and Agure, involved in the case, as well as Haruna, Daigo, D Ringo and Yuki (season 2) who will once again face old enemies: Jinga and Amily (season 2).

Spin-off

Biku: Yamigirinochi – 劇場版「媚空 ビクウ

Episode: 1

Duration: 1h18

Release date: November 14, 2015

Priestess Makai Biku first appeared in the fourth season Garo: Makai no Hana. Biku is a Makai priestess who is one of the Dark Hunters. She underwent special training to care for Makai priests and knights who had fallen into darkness. His mission is to find the priest Makai Usami and find out if he has betrayed them.

Zero: Black Blood – 絶狼<ZERO>- BLACK BLOOD (season 1)

Episodes: 6

Duration: 24 minutes

Release date: March 5 to March 7, 2014

The plot centers on Rei Suzumura, the Silver Knight Zero and takes place after the events of the second film Garo: Soukoku no Maryuu. Zero is on his daily patrol in town when he meets Ring, creator of a community where Horrors and humans live in harmony, as long as humans allow them to be devoured.Rei is then tasked with eliminating him in order to save the humans under the influence of the Horror. For this, he will be helped by priests Makai Kain and Yuna. However, Yuna's mother, priestess Makai Lyu, is Ring's accomplice.

Zero: Dragon Blood – 絶狼〈ZERO〉 -DRAGON BLOOD- (season 2)

Episodes: 13

Duration: 24 minutes

Release date: January 17 to April 1, 2017

Season 2 allows us to find Zero in new adventures. Rei continues his duty as a Makai Knight. While hunting a group of Horrors in a hotel, they meet Alice Hiromi, a photographer looking for a strange egg hiding a mysterious secret.The knight, after some research, realizes that the egg is a Makai relic that would be a dragon egg capable of bringing disaster. The battle for possession has only just begun as Edel is also in pursuit.

Garo: Makai Retsuden – 牙狼〈GARO〉-魔戒烈伝- (special 10 years)

Episodes: 12

Duration: 24 minutes

Release date: April 9 to June 25, 2016

This season was produced to celebrate the ten years of the GARO franchise and allows us to review the protagonists of the different seasons produced. The series is made in the form of individual episodes featuring Garo's characters, each of them narrated through the Saejima family's butler, Gonza Kurahashi.Kouga, Ryuga, Rian, Raiga or Biku, Crow and Jinga will be present.

Garo Asura (special episode)

Episode: 1

Duration: 24 minutes

Release date: July 2, 2016

This episode is credited in Garo: Makai Retsuden. However, the story takes place before the events of Garo: Makai no Hana. Raiga Saezima listens to a story told by her mother Kaoru about one of the first Golden Knights Garo. The knight Makai Gouki will therefore have to face the terrible horror Zarugin in order to save innocent people.

Anime

 Garo : Honoo no Kokuin – GARO -炎の刻印-

Episodes: 25

Duration: 24 minutes

Release date: October 3 to September 16, 2015

The anime is an original story about Garo's concept. In the kingdom of Valiante, which resembles Spain during the Inquisition, the Makai Order is in crisis. The monarch is sick and manipulated by his advisor, Mendoza, who launches a veritable witch hunt against the Makai knights and priests. A pregnant priestess is arrested and sentenced to the stake. As everything burns, she gives birth to a son, Leon in exchange for her life. The child's father, Herman Luis, a Makai knight, saves his child and disappears. Later, seventeen-year-old Leon Luis is now Garo's porter. But Mendoza expanded his influence allowing the Horrors to take human form to insinuate themselves into the government.

Garo : Divine Flame – 劇場版 GARO -DIVINE FLAME-

Episode : 1

Duration: 1h20

Release date: May 2, 2016

The film takes place four years later, the events of Garo: Honoo no Kokuin. Leon and Alfonso train Herman's son Roberto and future Makai Knight.They are summoned by Garm, who asks them to eliminate a face-stealing Horror. Meanwhile, Roberto is kidnapped and Leon meets Dario, a long-lost knight.

Garo: Guren no Tsuki – GARO 紅蓮ノ月

Episodes: 24

Duration: 24 minutes

Release date: October 10, 2015 to April 4, 2016

The plot does not follow the previous anime and integrates new heroes into a new era. We are in a Jidai-geki, dedicated to medieval times, around the year 800 in Japan, during the imperial era of Heian (794 -1185). Many Horrors sow trouble in the imperial capital of Heian-Kyo.Raikou, holder of the title of Golden Knight, hunts them down to restore order to the country. He will be accompanied in his task by Seimei, a Makai Priestess and Kintoki, his servant. 

Vanishing Line Garo -牙狼<GARO>-VANISHING LINE-

Episodes: 24

Duration: 24 minutes

Release date: October 6, 2017 to ??

New plot and new characters in this season. The metropolis of Russell is under the daily yoke of demonic monsters from a magical dimension. Sword, the Makai knight, fights every day in secret to defend the city from these creatures who seek to take possession of its inhabitants. One day, in the middle of a fight, he makes a discovery that will upset his routine; that of a strange keyword: "El Dorado". Behind this term seems to hide a terrible plot orchestrated by demonic monsters. Thus begins a long-term investigation for Sword, supported by Sophie, a young woman he meets while she was also on the trail of "El Dorado", the only clue linking her to her missing brother. Sword is also affected by the disappearance of his little sister, creating a bond between the two young people. This is the beginning of a journey where feelings intertwine. (Wakanim)

Chronological summary table

If the universe of fantasy, superheroes and save the world attracts you… Then Garo should be a good way to meet all your criteria and make you have a good time! You are spoilt for choice with the anime released in October or the tokusatsu expected in 2018!