Garo (TV series)

For the avant-garde manga anthology, see Garo (magazine).

Garo
Title screen.
Created by	Keita Amemiya
Starring	Hiroki Konishi, Mika Hijii, Rei Fujita, Masaki Kyoumoto
Country of origin	Japan
No. of episodes	25
Production
Running time	24-25 minutes (per episode)
Original release
Network	TV Tokyo
Release	October 7, 2005 – March 31, 2006

Ougon Kishi GARO (Japanese 黄金騎士牙狼, meaning "Golden Knight Fanged Wolf") is a Japanese tokusatsu television series. It was broadcast on TV Tokyo from October 7. 2005 to March 31, 2006, lasting 25 episodes (with one additional "Overview" special, summarizing the events of episodes 1 through 13, aired before episode 14) . Produced by Bandai, the series is considered by some to be a turning point in tokusatsu entertainment, as it was marketed towards adults and older teenagers, as opposed to younger children. The show contains graphic violence, nudity, and mature themes. It was marketed as a "Hyper Midnight Action Drama."

Introduction

"Where there is light, shadows lurk and fear reigns... yet by the blade of Knights, mankind was given hope..."—Ward Sexton

GARO focuses on the life of Makai Knight Saejima Kouga, who protects humanity against dark demonic manifestations called "Horrors." In his quest to purge them, he encounters a young girl named Kaoru whom he saved from a Horror, but was stained with its demonic blood. As a rule, those that been stained by the blood of a Horror shall be cut down, or else they will die painfully in approximately 100 days. Kouga had planned to use her as bait at the beginning, but when they lived together, he started to have mercy upon her and afterwards, he tries to find a way to purify her before her remaining time expires. Thus, the series focuses on Kouga's developing relationship with Kaoru and his stand in protecting humanity after the wishes of his father, who was his predecessor with the title of GARO. The series was created by Keita Amemiya (Kamen Rider ZO, Zeiram). It is directed by Makoto Yokoyama (Super Sentai) and Kengo Kaji (Uzumaki).

Cast and Characters

• Hiroki Konishi as Saejima Kouga/Golden Fang GARO
• Mika Hijii as Mitsuki Kaoru
• Mark Musashi as Kodama
• Rei Fujita as Rei Suzumura/Silver Fang ZERO
• Yukijirou Hotaru as Gonza
• Hironobu Kageyama as Zaruba (voice)
• Masaki Kyomoto as Ryuuzaki Karune/Barago/Dark Fang KIBA
• Yasue Sato as Jabi the Makai Priest
• Alisa Yuriko Durbrow as Shizuka
• Kimika Yoshino as Garuma

Major Info

Horrors

The darkness inside human-beings feed and helps create demonic creatures called "Horrors." Horrors come in many forms however they usually come in a black winged skeleton humanoid form that can fly and feed upon humans. Each Horror has unique tastes and it feeds on specific negative emotions and then takes over the human host. The Horror can cooperate with its host or completely take over the human being to feed upon its emotions. The Horrors' main diet, though, is humans. Horrors can manifest spiritual energy into physical objects such as chains or become objects like a watch to ingest a human. Each Horror tends to prepare the human or play with its food first before eating. The first introduced Horror was attracted to prideful women and absorbed them through its mouth. Another Horror actually tortures his victims by controlling women with clay and then ripping the clay apart along with the actual body. It prefers to tear his prey apart through art until they die from excessive bleeding and then proceed to feed on them. Though they tend to look alike, their forms appear differently when bursting out of the possessed human and gain new abilities in their new form. However once they use up the energies of their host they return to their basic form. At times when a Horror is defeated the host is returned to their human state, but dies shortly thereafter.

Makai Knights

Also known as Magic Knights, Makai Knights carry a piece of sentient gothic jewelry that is able to help train and advise its wearer, and detect Horrors. They also help empower certain techniques when in their mystical armor or help dispel hypnosis from horror influences. Makai Knights have their own set of armor and abilities that are unique to themselves. This armor is passed down generations, or from master to apprentice. All Makai Knights cannot stay in their armored form for no more than 99.9 seconds (ZERO, however, is a possible exception). If this time limit is surpassed, the armor starts to burn its wearer. This is because the armor is made of Soul Metal, something that only trained people can use, such as Makai Knights or Makai Priests. Soul Metal burns away normal human flesh on contact and is tougher than any other metal due to its magical properties. Their weapons are also made of Soul Metal.

Makai Knights must be able to control their emotions and their yin and yang. If there is an overwhelming amount of yin, demonic powers start to take over the Knight, giving him tremendous power, but eating his body away in return if the process is not stopped in time. They can summon mystical armored horses, have lighters that emit spiritual flames to help detect Horrors and use the same flames to encompass their bodies along with weapons to increase damage potential.

Makai Priests

Their role is to create anti-Horror devices, spells, and weapons to support the Makai Knights. Makai Priests contain a vast knowledge of spells and purification techniques. Like Chinese Tao Masters, they have seals for spells, a brush to write a seal, are trained in martial arts, and have prefabricated devices used to defend or attack. A Makai Priest is fully capable of handling Horrors, but their role is to only aid and keep equipment maintenance for a Makai Knight. The priests provide a sentient Madou Jewelry (like Zaruba and Silva) to advise and detect Horrors for the Knights.

Watchdogs

They are the middle-persons behind the works of the war between Makai and Horror. It is they who usually detect Horrors and inform the Makai Knight of their missions. The Makai Knights are usually informed by a letter called "Orders Document" that's mailed to them. They have no real control over Makai Knights, but they have been involved directing the actions of the Makai for centuries. They help purify the Makai's weapons, refuel their Madou Fire Lighters, and send the spirits of the defeated Horrors (in the form of little daggers) back to their realm. Whenever they collect up to a dozen blades they will send the blades back into the demon realm. The story suggests there are many groups of watchdogs existing and directing the Makai's will, and the ones addressed to GARO are three cherubim-like girls who although have the appearance of young teenagers, they are technically centuries old.

Minor Info

Madou Fire

It's a spiritual form of fire that's commonly used by the Makai to destroy Horrors, increase battle strength, and can heal injuries. Such unique fire is contained in a specially made lighter by Makai Priests.

MADOUBI "Madou Lighter"

The Madou Lighter is a gothic themed Madou Fire Lighter that resembles a demonic eye. All Madou Lighters have a special piece of gemstone and can be revealed by removing the metal skin of the lighter. The lighter requires maintenance by the Makai Priests from time-to-time or it can stall (as seen with Amon working on Kouga's lighter). The Madou Lighter also requires refueling and Madou Fire is blasted into the gemstone piece for refueling by the Watchdogs' wolf statue. The Madou Lighter is often seen used to heal, open "Orders Document," detect Horrors, and for GARO's Blazing Armament technique.

Madou Horses

They are mystical horses that assist the Makai Knights in combat. They have the ability to enter and travel through other realms and can leave the battlefield if the Makai Knights choose to. Madou Horses can only be summoned when the Makai Knights are in their armored form. Madou Horses may appear to be armored horses, but there's nothing underneath the metal, the whole horse is considered to be a sentient machine. Only those that slew over 100 Horrors can qualify a special trial to gain them. After passing the trial they can summon Madou Horses at will and have the ability to enhance or strengthen the Makai Knight's combat abilities. Only two Madou Horses have appeared in the show so far, Gouten, which is GARO's Madou Horse, and Ginga, which belongs to ZERO.

Forced Repatriation

Even after being defeated by a Makai Knight, a Horror does not disappear completely. Their essence permeates the sword used to slay it and thus, this sword must be purified. After the purification, the Horror's existence is reduced to a little blade, and even in this state, the Horror may return to life someday. In order to prevent it, whenever twelve blades are collected the Watchdogs perform a ritual to open a door to the demon realm to send the purified blades back. This process is called forced repatriation.

Orders Document

The Watchdogs always mail letters to dispatch the Makai Knights. The document itself is sealed in a traditional letter and branded with a wax seal. The Madou Lighter is used to burn the document and the contents magically reveal an unknown calligraphy that only the Makai know for orders and/or invitations. The majority of the documents are usually about the appearance of a Horror or invitation to speak with the Watchdogs.

Soul Metal

The material responds to the wielder's strength and thoughts, and used to destroy Horrors. Its potential is based on the wielder's will. Saejima Taiga displayed he can make Soul Metal light as a feather or heavy as a boulder. These weapons, however, require purification. The protagonist is often seen putting his sword into the mouth of a wolf statue that purifies the dark energies after slaying a Horror and the dark energies transform into small blades. Anything that's purified, though, can be reversed by having another human inserting the purified blade into their own bodies. After that they become a Horror and must be cut down.

Barchess

Similar to regular chess, but played with Makai magical skills, The pieces represent a type of warrior in the form of a colored block along with an illustrated black ink illustration of a warrior. When the pieces encounter each other the player then puts the uncolored side together and put the pieces on the side. The players then charge energy to the chess pieces and the ink illustrated pieces come to "life" and fight. The pieces respond to players reactions and if the piece is slew then the defeated pieces fly out of the board.

Forest of Glen

It's a spiritual realm in the form of a forest. This realm is guarded by the Makai and inside it contains Horrors ready to snack on weak spirits. A mechanical Makai sentient robot exists in the realm as a custodian. Kouga had to face the Grou Dragon in order to win the Barankas Fruit to purify Kaoru. Kaoru was also inside this realm at one point because she lost the will to live and this realm borders life and hell. Makai Knights can't summon their armor while inside the forest, their Makai blades however take on their summoned form without the need for their armor. Kouga was able to use the Sword of GARO inside the forest to fend off Horrors.

Major characters

Saejima Kouga/GARO the Golden Knight

Saejima Kouga (aka Golden Fang GARO) is the Golden Makai Knight of the East. Kouga is a young man who apparently thinks in nothing else than destroying Horrors. His father was the one that started his training at an early age and he still trains on a daily basis to sharpen his skills. Since childhood Kouga thought highly of Saejima Taiga (his father) and respected him above everything else. Because of Saejima's constant hunts he didn't allow Kouga to associate with anyone besides Jabi, Amon, and Gonza.

One night young Kouga got out of bed after hearing Gonza's concern for Taiga. He followed Taiga into the forest and witnessed a fierce battle between his father and Taiga's fallen student. Kouga came out of hiding and his student tried to kill him, but Taiga took the blow and was impaled by his own disciple's hand. Taiga gave the mark of death on Barago before he dropped the Sword of GARO "GAROKEN" while attempting to protect Kouga in his final fight. Zaruba helped Taiga convey his final thoughts to Kouga to take the title of GARO and to be brave. Kouga and Gonza at first tried every means to lift the sword out of the ground from brute strength to crane, but it would remain stuck in the forest until Kouga mastered the ability to wield Soul Metal. It took almost a decade for Kouga to be strong enough to lift the sword out of the ground and assume his place as the Golden Knight.

Kouga is not a social person and always keeps his feelings to himself, but possesses a noble and kind heart behind his emotionless façade. He spared Kaoru's life because she reminded him of his mother, but never told her about her situation. When asked by the Watchdogs and Zaruba of his intentions about Kaoru, he just said he only let her live to use her as a bait for the Horrors.

As GARO the Golden Knight his armor helps protect him from damaging blows, but his armor isn't unbreakable. If a Horror is strong enough they can damage and injure Kouga. Should the armor be exposed to a very powerful blow the armor will retract before the 99.9 seconds time limit. The Sword of GARO is a powerful weapon that can cut down almost anything, only a rare few Horrors are strong enough to resist its force. Kouga is able to use a technique called "Blazing Armament." This is when he uses the Madou Fire from his MADOUBI lighter to encompass his sword and his armor to increase his damage potential. In the series he's able to use Blazing Armament without the use of the Madou Fire Lighter. When riding Gouten his combat strength is increased and his sword is able to transform into GARO-ZAN-BA "Wolf Slashing Horse." Because his armor is composed of Soul Metal, the armor reacts to his will along with Madou Fire.

Kouga fought all this time believing in his cause to destroy Horrors in the name of Taiga and the GARO legacy, but it was discovered his father's killer was a Makai Knight. It made Kouga question his reasons and actions for slaying Horrors. His resolve wasn't weakened, but was instead focused directly at Taiga's fallen student Barago.

While in a losing fight with Kodama, Kouga lost his way and used darkness to empower his armor. Because Soul Metal reacts to the wielder, Kouga's body was being consumed by his own armor. His armor deformed into a "LOST SOUL" form. A giant golden werewolf-like berserker, killing Kodama in the process (impaled and ripped to shreds). While in darkness his armor surpassed the 99.9 seconds limit and Zaruba asked for ZERO's help in taking down the GARO armor. After ZERO managed to get through Kouga's mind he struck Kouga's armor in the belly and it hit the triangle armor piece (weak spot) and Kouga's armor was lifted, saving Kouga's body and soul.

In his quest to save Kaoru they found each other in the underworld realm and he went on to battle with Meshia. Meshia was a strong opponent and Kouga was losing the fight because Meshia kept unleashing Horrors on him. At one point a large group of Horrors tackled and restrained Kouga, but at this point Kaoru's painting came to life giving Kouga wings becoming TSUBASABITO GARO. Kouga in reality couldn't have beaten Meshia, but Meshia was overconfident in her power and didn't react fast enough when Kouga struck his sword into Meshia's brain. After she fell, KIBA reappeared and tried to bring Kouga down with him. When that failed, KIBA returned to the human realm and fought GARO for the last time. KIBA was also arrogant and lost to GARO. After the final battle Kouga was reassigned to the northern district and had an emotional farewell with Kaoru. Kouga finally saw the final product of Kaoru's art in her father's book and Kouga was brought to tears. Kouga was last seen in the northern district and Zaruba had just detected a Horror behind him, he reacted and the "Chapter of the Dark Knight" ends there.

Zaruba

He's a Madou Ring for Kouga's duties as a Makai Knight. Zaruba originally belonged to Saejima Taiga. After Taiga was killed, Kouga has since worn his father's ring. Zaruba himself was created by the Makai Priest Amon who creates the anti-Horror equipment to aid and support a Makai Knight.

The full strength of Zaruba is unknown, however, throughout the series he's able to help dispel confusion, breathes Madou Fire (in the Forest of Glen), detect Horrors, and create parts of himself into a ring to help locate and detect Horrors, and see through illusions. His aid is not limited to Makai Knights -- Kaoru once used Zaruba to guide her through the Glen Forest back to the human world.

During GARO's final fight against KIBA, Kouga could not summon his armor due to a magic seal placed by KIBA. Zaruba told Kouga to throw him into the dimensional rip in an attempt to bring his armor. After a long exaggerated battle with KIBA, Kouga tried to summon GARO again and this time Kouga's armor was brought out by cherubs to help him gear up. Zaruba used all of his energy to bring it to Kouga, and after his victory, he was too weak and disintegrated. Before parting ways, Rei gave Kouga a re-forged Zaruba as a token of appreciation from the East Watchdog, but he did not have any of his previous memories and didn't like his name. Zaruba and Kouga were assigned to the northern district where in the final episode he warned Kouga of a Horror behind him.

Mitsuki Kaoru

She is a young aspiring artist who's always having trouble making money. Kouga spared her life after she was splashed with a Horror's blood and secretly tries to find a way to cure her. Because of her Horror scent, she attracts Horrors constantly, however, she doesn't know she's being pursued half the time because Kouga does his best to quietly deal with the Horrors that try to approach to her. She eventually was evicted from her house and temporarily freeloaded on Asami's place. After Kaoru's bad cooking gave Asami food poisoning, she then moved into Kouga's home. She literally took Kouga's words of staying close as an excuse to move in. Kouga wanted her to at least earn her keep, but her cooking was so horrible that Gonza threw up.

Kaoru has feelings for Kouga as well, but was devastated when she found out Kouga used her as Horror bait, even though Kouga actually never did it (except for one occasion). Kaoru always seem to manage to involve herself with a Horror all on her own, and that's why Kouga always says she's an unlucky woman. For her protection, Kouga placed a special ring created by Zaruba in one of her fingers, allowing him to always locate Kaoru's position when necessary and be alerted if a Horror is close to her.

Later it is revealed that Kaoru's father and she have been involved with Horrors and GARO since her childhood. Her father was a famous artist who created a child picture book in which the hero is a golden knight that reflects his experience when he was saved by Saejima Taiga, and Kaoru herself was one of the six girls chosen by Barago as candidates to use as a medium to summon "Meshia the Ultimate Horror."

During Meshia's ascension (using Kaoru as entry point) Kaoru temporarily reunited with her family and Kaoru's father suggested Kaoru paint. After she finished her painting, her work somehow came to life and helped Kouga retransform into GARO, but he had golden wings. After Meshia was destroyed, KIBA tried to drag Kouga down with him, but Kaoru appeared and help grab Kouga back in the human realm. After all major battles were over, Kaoru decided to head off to Italy to study art and had an emotional farewell with Kouga. She gave Kouga a copy of her dad's book with a completed picture at the end which touched Kouga in a personal way, and he cried briefly.

Gonza

He's the butler of the Saejima household and his relationship with Kouga is best described as Bruce Wayne and Alfred. Gonza does all butler related activities and also advises Kouga on certain matters when Kouga doesn't understand. He helped raise and assist Kouga with his training since childhood. Though he as been exposed to the Makai world for over twenty years (between Taiga and Kouga), Gonza is a regular person without any form of Makai training other than the training to become a good butler.

Suzumura Rei/ZERO the Silver Fang

Once known as Ginga Suzumura Rei, aka ZERO is the Silver Makai Knight of the West. He was an orphan and the knight that wielded the Silver Fang armor at that time took pity on him and raised Rei as his son. His father (the house butler) was actually an old dying Makai Knight who never had kids so Rei was trained by him to inherit his title and start his own lineage, continuing the tradition of guardianship. Though trained as a Makai Knight, Rei didn't have the tenacity or murderous intent to be a true warrior. One fateful night his lover Shizuka and his father were killed by a warrior who suspiciously resembled GARO. Since then he renamed himself as ZERO and has a vengeful spirit to get back the Makai Knight that took his loved ones away.

During ZERO's quest for revenge he violated a host of protocols expected of a Makai Knight. He left his western territory post and barged into Kouga's eastern post. Because ZERO wasn't sure if Kouga was the same GARO that had taken his family, he remained constantly uncooperative and even started fights with him to vent out his anger. ZERO wields a pair of short swords called the GINROUKEN which can merge into a single piece weapon for stronger hits and use as a projectile weapon. ZERO's Madou Horse Ginga is similar to GARO's Gouten, but ZERO's horse has a blade attached to his head. Later in the series, the Watchdogs of the West try to frame Kouga for his family's death, but ZERO would later discover the true killer was KIBA and ally himself with GARO. As the truths of matters unfold he became a caring friend for Kouga because their object of vengeance is KIBA/Barago.

Rei and Kouga later visited another Watchdog where they reported and were ordered to assassinate Barago and KERBEROS. Because of ZERO's tall list of violations he wasn't allowed to participate in Kouga's mission, but Kouga argued on is behalf, needing his power. Rei's suspension was relinquished and he joined Kouga in dealing with Barago and KERBEROS. During Kouga's dark transformation it was ZERO who helped Kouga snap out of his darkness.

KERBEROS tried to stop the duo from reaching KIBA and Kaoru, but Rei decided to stay behind to deal with her, allowing Kouga to press forward. She assumed Shizuka's form and tried to trick him. He soon saw through her illusion because Shizuka addressed Rei as Ginga. After a very difficult fight ZERO almost died, but survived a mortal blow because Silva took the hit. After a losing fight against KERBEROS, he took the opportunity of her overconfident victory and killed her.

Silva

She is the Makai assistant to ZERO just like Zaruba. She belonged to the former Silver Fang (Rei's father) and serves the current one. She takes the form of a Madou necklace of a woman wearing a mask. It was Silva that identified the killer of ZERO's family was related to another Makai Knight. It's unclear of Silva's true potential since ZERO never once used his blades or techniques with Silva as Kouga does with Zaruba. For now she's merely an advisor and Horror detector.

Watchdogs of the East - KEIRU, BERU, and ROUSU/GARUMA

The three ancient priestesses are in the form of three little girls in white angelic clothing named. Their thoughts are so unified that they complete each other's sentences in conversations. Centuries ago they were chosen to be the link between Makai and the human world. In a conversation between Jabi and Kouga it's revealed one of them used to be a human being, but her body decayed and has taken the form of one of the little girls. It's never revealed as to who was the former human that influences the rest of the two. The priestesses are oldest from the left and youngest to the right. The priestesses’ names starting from left to right are KEIRU, BERU, and ROUSU (sounds out KERBEROS, the hound of Hades). At first they performed their expected duties for Kouga, but later associated with Barago for the common goal of unleashing Meshia. During the early part of their partnership, the three misused Horror and Madou materials to try to kill those that interfere with their plans. In the process Amon and Jabi were murdered. They blamed Shizuka's death on Kouga, motivating ZERO to kill GARO. Purified Horror blades were used to feed Barago instead of force repatriation.

Later Barago brought a female human body to serve as a host for the Watchdogs' spirit. The Watchdogs revealed their true forms as three old women. The three merged into the host body as one entity (GARUMA), allowing them to leave their place in order to help Barago with his plan. Although GARUMA was apparently helping BARAGO to obtain immortality, she was really just using him to bring Meshia into this world.

According to the Watchdogs, Kodama is their son, although it is not explained whether they created him, or just considered him as one. She displayed pride over Kodama's growth as a fighter and expected him to be stronger. When Kouga became a berserker and killed him, GARUMA showed concern over his demise, and hatred when she was fighting ZERO.

GARUMA is able to summon her own Makai armor. She fights using an arc and her fighting techniques (including invoking blue magic orbs) are similar to Kodama, but much stronger. She tried to stop Kouga from interfering with Meshia's plans, but was stalled by ZERO. GARUMA overwhelmed ZERO and got overconfident of the situation and was defeated (impaled) to her own surprise.

Barago/KIBA the Black Fang

Barago was once a talented Makai disciple of Saejima Taiga. Barago lost his loved ones to the Horrors and relied heavily on the powers of the Makai for revenge. His desperation for power grew and KIBA (living Makai Armor) heard his need. Barago was lured into a forgotten lair filled with forbidden techniques. KIBA revealed his voice in a Madou Book. Inside the book was filled with forbidden techniques that can strengthen a Makai Knight. Barago desired power so much that he agreed to give up his body and soul for vengeance. Upon saying those words dark powers emitted out of the book and transformed him. The forbidden Madou Book taught Barago how to surpass the 99.9 seconds time limit and a method of absorbing Horrors to gain their attributes. As Barago absorbed more Horrors his armor continued to deform into what it is now.

At one point Barago's armor deformed into a giant creature. Currently the KIBA armor is organically pure black with a cape in a humanoid form. Barago wields a sword similar to Saejima Taiga and a Madou Axe named AN-GA (Darkness Fang). AN-GA was given to Barago by the Watchdogs. Barago wishes to be the strongest and every time he absorbs a Horror his power amplifies. His ultimate goal is to absorb enough Horrors to fulfill immortality. This was based on a legend/myth of KIBA the Ultimate Makai Knight. Legend says if a Makai warrior absorbs more than 1,000 Horrors, he will achieve ultimate power. The truth behind this ultimate power is immortality (as told by Jabi). In a dramatic grand display of power, Barago single-handedly absorbed a giant Horror (composed of 12 Horrors).

Barago uses a potion to change his face, disguising himself as Ryuuzaki Karune, who is also Kaoru's psychologist. The Watchdogs address Barago as KIBA, yet those that seen him always address him as Barago. Barago transforms into KIBA without a Soul Metal weapon, but instead a Madou necklace, blowing on it to activate it. He swings his necklace and becomes the Dark Knight. Because of his amplified strength over the years of absorbing Horrors he's stronger and faster than the Makai Knights.

Barago's intentions were revealed after analyzing the situation carefully amongst ZERO, Kouga, Kaoru, and Gonza. They realized that it was Barago that selected six girls as candidates to open a gateway to unleash Meshia the Ultimate Horror. They also came to the conclusion that it was Barago that implanted yin (dark energy) into objects to attract Horrors so he could personally absorb them. The Watchdogs allied themselves with Barago to help bring forth Meshia.

Over a decade ago he selected six girls as living gateways to help summon Meshia and Kaoru is one of them. Barago foolishly believed that Meshia would be his source of great power, but when Kaoru was possessed by her, he discovered he was just being used as a means to bring her to this world. Meshia "ate" Barago with little resistance, but his body returned to the living world after Meshia was defeated by Kouga, fully possessed by KIBA.

Minor characters

Ryuuzaki Karune

He's a psychologist counselor to Kaoru. Ryuuzaki pays Kaoru to come into his home/office for counseling to gather research data of unknown purpose. Later it is revealed that he is no other than Barago in disguise, offering her money as means to motivate her to return to him to keep an eye on his candidate.

The Dark Armor of KIBA

The spirit of KIBA influenced everything since the beginning. KIBA's spirit resides inside what was once a grey colored Makai Armor that's filled with the dark knowledge of Makai Power. After sensing Barago's desperation for power KIBA revealed himself in a Madou Book that contained forbidden techniques. Sensing Barago's need for power he gave Barago knowledge and power of the forbidden Makai methods. Barago wholeheartedly agreed to give up his soul for power. When KIBA heard this, a dark wave of energy appeared, giving Barago the power of KIBA. Both of them were eaten by Meshia and after she was defeated by Kouga, KIBA fully possessed Barago's body and returned to this world to fight GARO and ZERO one last time.

Asami Shinohara

She's Kaoru's best friend. She always helped Kaoru's financial problems by giving her financial tips, loans, and job references. When Kaoru lost her apartment Asami reluctantly allowed Kaoru to move in for a few days. Kaoru made a dish for Asami as a way to appease her, but made her sick instead. Asami was sent to the hospital, which at the time was filled with Horrors, but she was not devoured. The fact that she appeared in episode 8 and 10 is proof of that.

Shizuka

She's the deceased lover of Rei. She too was an orphan and was taken into a lavish estate alongside Rei. Shizuka's origins aren't known, but for some inexplicable reason she was killed by KIBA. After KIBA's defeat the story never went into explanations about Shizuka's murder.

Amon the Makai Priest

Amon is the priest who helped Saejima Taiga in creating anti-Horror weapons, spells and devices. Amon was the one who created Zaruba. He's similar to Chinese Tao masters who learned Makai techniques along with martial arts to slay demons. He loves drinking red sake and playing barchess. Barchess is a Makai version of chess, but Amon made it interesting by wagering 10 years of life to the winner of the game. Amon never completed his game with Saejima Taiga and waited 20 years for Kouga to replace his father. As Kouga nearly lost, Amon told him to return again to play another time. It wasn't long that he was murdered under mysterious circumstances and the Watchdogs fingered the murder to his proud student Jabi. He died holding a chess piece Koma, cluing that his killer was a powerful Makai warrior.

Jabi the Makai Priest

She is the replacement of the current Makai Priest Amon and was a former childhood playmate with Kouga. She and Kouga trained together, but were separated between their teenage years. Jabi makes obvious signs that she sexually desires Kouga, but also understands Kouga desires Kaoru. Jabi is a sensually aggressive woman and wants to be a good woman rather than being a talented Makai Priest. She carries two Makai brushes to summon electrical attacks and has two red Makai flags used to ward off certain magical attacks. She only reunited with Kouga briefly and died the following night by a surprise attack from Kodama. The only thing left was her Makai Tao-brush.

Saejima Taiga/former GARO

He is the father of Kouga and the previous GARO. In spite of having a lavish estate and money, Taiga was always on the move. Taiga lead a nomadic lifestyle, constantly either training Kouga or fighting Horrors in between resting. Taiga originally had a student that might have taken the title of GARO, but somehow he was corrupted by his own darkness and killed his former master. During the fighting, he noticed Kouga had followed him and came out from hiding. When his fallen student Barago tried to kill the young Kouga, Taiga was impaled while trying to protect his son. He severely wounded his opponent and gave him the "mark of death" (a branding method that kills the marked person within days) and dropped his sword lifeless. With the help of Zaruba, Taiga conveyed his final thoughts to ask Kouga to be strong and continue the Golden Knight's legacy.

Taiga believed Barago to be an excellent student. His student was highly motivated based on his past and when his student turned to dark Madou arts for power he tried to save him. When he failed to save Barago, Taiga made Zaruba promise to not reveal the truth of Barago to Kouga until the timing was right.

Kodama

He's the "butler" of the Watchdogs and his relationship with them is that he is the son of the three Watchdogs. His face is of Eurasian features and he has never once spoken in the series. For the most part Kodama's job is to follow the orders of the Watchdogs, keep household maintenance, and protect them from harm. He's highly skilled in martial arts and doesn't fear taking on a Makai Priest or Makai Knight. Though he was outsmarted by Jabi in their first encounter he took advantage of a momentary distraction from Jabi and Kouga to shoot her in the back.

Apparently Kodama doesn't speak, but he's able to use his voice to summon magical destructive blue orbs, and throw them at his enemies. The longer and louder he can shout, the bigger and stronger the magical orbs will be. In his last fight, Kodama transformed himself in what looked like a mixture of Horror and Makai Knight armor to fight GARO, but after Kouga was possessed by his armor, he was easily destroyed by him. His name is derived from the Japanese word meaning "echo."

The Grou Dragon

He's the guardian of the Barankas fruit. Grou is a sentient mechanical dragon created by the Makai that resides inside the Glen Forest. He has a main dragon head on the top and four sides to his body (almost cube-like). His cube-like body has a rustic color and when he speaks he rotates it to a different side of his body. Whenever he reacts to some thought his body makes a turn. It's unclear whether Grou has more than one personality much like the Transformers Quintessons. Two sides of his body have a white naked woman statue, a white gothic skull of a creature, and one side with just gears that resemble the yin/yang sign. Grou has a blaster-cannon, his statues are actually large mechanical claws, his gothic skull is actually a claw and grinder, and his gear side has multiple mechanical tentacles. He has four mechanical legs and his back is capable of bringing out two large wings for flight. His only purpose is to destroy Horrors, but when he encountered Kouga he was curious about Kouga's nature to protect people. He challenged Kouga to a fight to examine his need to protect and offered him the Barankas Fruit as a victory prize if Kouga could defeat him. Grou helped Kouga summon his armor and his rider Gouten to fight. Kouga almost lost to him, but ZERO stepped in to assist him. Kouga thought he lost the fight because he had help, but Grou said that ZERO's interference is part of Kouga's power. Grou then vanished and Silva remarked that Grou was never alive and that the power of the Makai will eventually revive him.

Meshia Mother of the Horrors

She's the mother of all Horror and existed since the beginning of the conflict between Makai and Horror. Meshia is the most unique Horror because she's the only Horror that appears almost perfectly human. She's almost entirely powder-white, gigantic (Godzilla-size), naked, with unique jewelry around her head and shoulders. Her back contains a round disk similar to that of Chinese mythology Gods and Tao magical techniques seen in Shaman King. She always wanted to enter the human realm, but despite all her powers she couldn't cross through without a large source of energy. Somehow she led the Makai to assume that absorbing Horrors will make them strong, knowing there would be a Makai Knight desiring power badly enough to find her. Barago at first thought Meshia would be his final Horror to absorb, but she ate him using Kaoru's body as a gate medium. Her plans to reach the human world were foiled by Kouga, who entered the demonic world and defeated her. Meshia's power was greater than that of GARO, but Meshia was overconfident with her power and Kouga struck his sword into her head, killing her and releasing KIBA in the process.

White Night DAN

He's the Makai Knight of the northern area. He has a spear as his weapon and a Madou Bracelet named Goruba. His real name is Tsubasa.

Video Game(s)

A video game based on the series was produced by Bandai for the PlayStation 2, under the name Ougon Kishi GARO. There were two versions released, a 'normal' version with the game disk, instructions, and standard pamphlets, and a more expensive 'Limited Edition' version which came with a green 'Fire' recolor of the metal Zaruba ring from the "Equip and Prop Vol. 1" GARO toy.

Theme Songs

• OP1 - "Theme of GARO"
• OP2 - "牙狼~SAVIOR IN THE DARK~" [Garo ~SAVIOR IN THE DARK~] by JAM Project
• ED1 - "僕が愛を伝えてゆく" [Boku ga Ai wo Tsutaeteyuku] by 京本政樹 [Kyoumoto Masaki]
• ED2 - "僕はまだ恋をしてはいけない" [Boku wa Mada Koi wo Shite wa Ikenai] by 京本政樹 [Kyoumoto Masaki]
• Character "Image" Theme (not actually used in the show) - "Fencer of GOLD" by JAM Project

Notes

• In the finale, it hinted to a possible continuation stating "To be continued", Chapter of The Black Wolf (KIBA).
• Yasue Sato, who played the role of Jabi the Makai Priest, portrayed Nagi on Ultraman Nexus.
• Rei Fujita (ZERO/Ginga) was in Kamen Rider 555 as Lucky Clover member Kitazaki/Dragon Orphenoch, the wearer of the Delta gear from episodes 28 to 32.
• Murai Katsuyuki, who played Smart Brain President Kyoji Murakami on Kamen Rider 555 played Kaoru's father.
• Mika Hijii was in Kamen Rider Blade as Miyuki Yoshinga/Orchid Undead.
• Interesting to note that Fujita, Katsuyuki, and Hijii all portrayed villains in Kamen Rider, but in GARO, they are all good guys.
• A special 90-minute GARO sequel will be aired in two parts on December 15 and 22, 2006. This sequel is entitled "Demon Beast of the White Night" and will feature the third Makai Knight named Byakuya Kishi Dan (White Night Knight Dan), along with classic characters like Kouga, Rei, Kaoru, and Taiga.
• Rei Fujita has a band called DUSTZ
• Hiroki Konishi "Saejima Kouga", Mika Hijii "Mitsuki Kaoru", and Rei Fujita "Rei Suzumura" are working on an anime by Keita Amemiya called G-9.
• Kyomoto Masaki, who played Barago/Kiba, guest starred as Taki Ryusuke in episode 16 of the 1987 Kamen Rider Black.

External links

• TV-Tokyo's official GARO website
• Review of pilot episode
• GARO TV Special website
• GARO - Silver Glossary
• CROWD - Official Amemiya Site
• Amemiya Keita FAN site