List of GARO characters
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This is a list of the various characters throughout the Japanese tokusatsu series GARO. These characters play a major role within the series and often influence many key events. The characters within the series are split into six groups; Makai Knights, Makai Priests, Madougu, protagonist side, antagonist side, and Makai entities.
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[edit] Makai Knights
[edit] Kouga Saejima/GARO the Golden Knight
Kouga Saejima (冴島鋼牙 Saejima Kōga?, Kouga's first name translates as "Steel Fang")/GARO the Golden Knight (黄金騎士・牙狼 Ōgon Kishi・GARO?, "GARO" literally means "Fanged Wolf" or Kiba Ōkami) is the Golden Makai Knight of the East. Kouga is a young man who apparently thinks 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 Taiga Saejima (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 GARO and a Horror. Kouga came out of hiding and was attacked by the figure, but Taiga took the fatal blow. Zaruba helped Taiga convey his final thoughts to Kouga: 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 over 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 sociable person, and he 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-second time limit. The Sword of GARO is a powerful weapon that can cut down almost anything and only a rare few Horrors are strong enough to resist its force. Kouga is able to use a technique called "Blazing Armament" (Rekka-Ensou). 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 some episodes, 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 KEN, "Wolf Slashing Horse Sword." 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 to avenge his father in the name of their family legacy, but it was discovered his father's killer was actually 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 true murderer, 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. While in darkness, his armor surpassed the timelimit 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 the quest to save Kaoru, they found each other in the underworld realm and Kouga went 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. Though still not powerful as Meisha, Kouga managed to kill the overconfident Horror. After she fell, a spiritual black hole appeared. It was sucking everything and Kouga tried to escape into the human realm, but KIBA reappeared and tried to bring Kouga down with him. Kaoru came through the barrier and pulled Kouga back to the human realm.
KIBA returned to the human realm and fought GARO for the last time. Rei and Kouga couldn't summon their armors due to KIBA's influence, so Zaruba had Kouga throw him into the mystical tear to try to summon his armor. After an intense fight from the building tower to the docks, Kouga was finally able to summon his armor. KIBA was doubtful GARO could defeat him, but GARO killed him as they exchanged blows, because Zaruba used his power to combine the strength of all the past GARO knights into Kouga's armor. Zaruba used all his energy to help Kouga summon his armor, and he faded away after the fight.
Some time later, Kouga is bidding an emotional farewell to Kaoru, as she's heading to Italy to study art more intensely. She gave him the final product of her father's book, and Rei handed Kouga a restored Zaruba. Zaruba was reforged by the Watchdog as a gift, but he bears no past memories of his time with Taiga and Kouga.
Kouga was reassigned to the northern district and was last seen there. Zaruba detected a Horror behind him, he reacted, and the "Chapter of the Dark Knight" ends there.
In GARO special "Demon Beast of the White Night", Kouga was approached by Rin Yamagatana to help deliver a message from Priest Amon to him. Kouga didn't believe her at first, but her mentioning their unfinished bar chess game convinced him to take her seriously. Amon would return as a spirit to ask for his help to save Jabi's body. Her spirit is still linked to the living as her body is sleeping inside the Makai Beast Miki. He promises Amon to enter the Makai Forest to save Jabi.
On his way he defended himself against Tsubasa's disciples guarding the Makai Forest. Tsubasa engaged Kouga to ask why he's entering the Makai Forest, but Kouga gave no straight answer. Their fight ended when Priestess Garai allowed Kouga to complete his mission to rescue Jabi. After a tough battle against Makai Beast Miki and reviving Jabi, Kouga receives new orders to contain the Legules threat. Priestess provided historical information about Legules to know their enemy better. They prepared battle over night and Rin stayed by Kouga's side until the Karakuri attacked.
While fighting Legules, Kouga was asked to join the Legules family. Kouga refused and continued fighting against the Karakuri. Eventually as GARO he temporarily defeated Legules on his first attempt on the Phosphorus Arrow. Legules appeared a second time and took the arrow along with Rin. They fought through the Naraku Forest and fought Legules in his powered Horror form. Legules was too powerful and Kouga couldn't slay him.
After a tough fight, Kouga was pinned under some boulders while Rin was about to be sacrificed. Kouga managed to free himself to rescue Rin just in time and summon GARO's armor by his own will, without the need of his sword. While fighting Legules, GARO decapitated him again. Legules used his tongue to pierce GARO to infect him with something that caused insect leg to grow out of his back. Kouga jabbed the Arrow into his armor to cure his condition, and took a new GARO form. The Arrow became a spear and GARO used it to pierce Legules and the barrier. Both were destroyed, and after the fight Kouga was able to meet his parents once again. Their spiritual forms appeared proud and happy for Kouga, and he had time to bow to them before they vanished.
In the aftermath of the Legules, Kouga returned home to find Kaoru painting in the backyard. They welcomed each other, clasped hands and walked back home. That was the end of Kouga's story.
[edit] Rei Suzumura/ZERO the Silver Fanged Knight
Rei Suzumura (涼邑零 Suzumura Rei?, Rei's first name translates as the numeral "zero")/ZERO the Silver Fanged Knight (銀牙騎士・絶狼 Ginga Kishi・ZERO?, "ZERO" literally means "Cutting Wolf" or Ze Ōkami), once known as Ginga Suzumura, aka ZERO, is the Silver Makai Knight of the West. (Note: his new name Rei means zero.) 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, training him to inherit the 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, however, his lover Shizuka and his father were killed by a warrior who suspiciously resembled GARO. So he renamed himself ZERO and has had a vengeful spirit to get back the Makai Knight that took his loved ones away ever since.
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. In their normal form, these are straight and resemble shorter versions of Kouga's sword, but when ZERO dons his armor, the swords become curved like scimitars. They can merge together to form a curved, bladed staff which can also be thrown as a boomerang. 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 East try to frame Kouga for his family's death; ZERO would later discover the true killer was Barago and ally himself with GARO. As the truths of matters unfold he became a caring friend for Kouga because their object of vengeance is Barago.
Rei and Kouga later visited the Western Watchdog where they reported and were ordered to assassinate Barago and GULM. Because of ZERO's tall list of violations he wasn't allowed to participate in Kouga's mission, but Kouga argued on his behalf, needing his power. Rei's suspension was relinquished and he joined Kouga in dealing with Barago and GULM. During Kouga's dark transformation it was ZERO who helped Kouga snap out of his darkness. GULM 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 the real 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 GULM, he took the opportunity of her overconfident victory and killed her. After KIBA's defeat, Rei presented Kouga with a reforged Zaruba as proof of their friendship and remained in the Eastern district to protect it while Kouga went northward.
In GARO special show "Demon Beast of the White Night", Rei was assigned to help guard the upcoming Kantai ceremony from Horrors' attack. He saved Akatsuki and Hyuga (Tsubasa's disciples) from Karakuri Horrors. After aiding Kouga and Tsubasa in their fight against Legules, he returns back to his district.
[edit] Tsubasa Yamagatana/DAN the Knight of the White Night
Tsubasa Yamagatana (山刀翼 Yamagatana Tsubasa?)/DAN the Knight of the White Night (白夜騎士・ダン Byakuya Kishi・DAN?) is the White Makai Knight of Kantai. Tsubasa is the older brother to young Priestess Rin and the very descendant of the Makai Knight that defeated Legules 1000 years ago. He is a strict and "by the book" type of guy. He wields a Bo/spear as his weapon and a Madou Bracelet named Goruba. The spearhead tip can extend in and out from its rod by the touch of a switch. When he transorms into DAN, the spearhead rod is also transformed into a doublehead spear weapon. He appears on GARO special show "Demon Beast of the White Night". Tsubasa watches over the spiritual district of Kantai and has two disciples, Akatsuki and Hyuga. Upon his arrival to Kantai, Kouga defended himself against these two disciples because his appearance in Kantai was not expected. Tsubasa came to defend his disciples and became frustrated with no answers from Kouga. They fought and Tsubasa was able to display his fighting abilities are on par with Kouga and even able to use magic by using his special earring. Priestess Garai intervened in the fight and asked Tsubasa to allow Kouga to pass to save Jabi. Tsubasa insisted that this mission should be his as he's the Makai Knight of Kantai, but Garai didn't allow him as its Priest Amon's will. Tsubasa was furious but he couldn't do anything about it. He warned Kouga that he never sanctioned this and then walked away with his disciples.
Tsubasa finally realised that his toughts of discarding his feelings to become a better warrior was wrong after Rin poisoned by Legules' shrapnel while trying to protect him. Fortunately, Jabi managed to save Rin in time. Tsubasa apologized to Jabi for his rudeness towards her. He then joined Kouga and Rei to defeat Legules in Naraku Forest. After Legules' defeat, Tsubasa told Rin that she's his pride and finally showed his smile when Rin performed magic to create butterflies.
As a Makai Knight, Tsubasa possesses a great fighting skills and amazing speed, as seen when he fought Karakuri Horrors trying to pass the entrance of Kantai. The energy coming from his armor during his transformation into Knight of The White Night DAN could disintegrate the Horror.
[edit] Taiga Saejima
Taiga Saejima (冴島大河 Saejima Taiga?) 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. At times Taiga would mention things regarding his wife to his son, hoping Kouga would have some recollection of his mother.
Taiga originally had a student, Barago, 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. As he was dying though, he had Zaruba promised to not mention about Barago to Kouga. Zaruba later broke this promise when Barago returned to harm Kouga and Kaoru.
[edit] Hyuga
He's one of the disciples of Tsubasa of Kantai. He wears a blue uniform and wields a soul metal sword. He's the calmer one compared to Akatsuki. His skills are weak compared to real Makai Knights, but brave in battle.
[edit] Akatsuki
He's the second disciple to Tsubasa. Just like Hyuga, he wears a blue uniform and has a sword. He comes off the must nervous amongst the two and often feels shamed when unable to fight well in battle; he and Hyuga will always face danger even if they are afraid. He's taken a liking towards Rei and wanted to be his apprentice, but Rei felt he was better off alone with Silva.
[edit] Madougu
Madougu are sentient items that serve Makai Knights with advice and magical powers.
[edit] Zaruba
Voiced by: Hironobu Kageyama
Madou Ring Zaruba (魔導輪ザルバ Madōwa Zaruba?) is the Madou Ring for Kouga's duties as a Makai Knight. Zaruba originally belonged to Taiga Saejima. 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; throughout the series he's able to help dispel confusion, detect various spiritual energies, summon GAROKEN, speak for the dead, temporary flight, breathes Madou Fire (in the Forest of Glen), detect Horrors, 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, signfying that this was a different, more powerful summon of the armor. The armor was slightly different this time, and included a cape unlike previous transformations. Zaruba apparently used all of his energy to merge the power of all the past garo knights into the armor temporarly and 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 new East Watchdog, but he did not have any of his previous memories and didn't like his name.
Zaruba would return as Kouga's Madou Ring in the GARO special. He didn't display any of his additional capabilities besides detecting Horrors. Zaruba seemed dislike "old man" Goruba. Legules tried to convert him into the Legules family, but he resisted. Zaruba is seen with Kouga in happier times as they are with Kaoru.
[edit] Silva
Voice by: Ai Orikasa
Madou Necklace Silva (魔導具シルヴァ Madōgu Shiruva?) is the Madou Necklace of ZERO. 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.
In "GARO Beast of the White Night", Silva is no longer a necklace. Her head has been pinned to Rei's wrist. Towards the end of "Beast of White Knight" she suggested Rei to take Akatsuki as his student, but Rei said Silva's company is enough.
[edit] Goruba
Voice by: Ogata Kenichi
Madou Bracelet Goruba (魔導具ゴルバ Madōgu Goruba?) is the Madou Bracelet of Tsubasa. Similar to Zaruba and Silva, Goruba also serves as Horror detector. From Zaruba's comment, it's suggested Goruba to be very old. In Legules night attack, he tried to covert or possess anyone of Makai to join his family and Goruba was possessed. After Legules kidnapped Rin and taken the Phosphorus Spear, Goruba was awakened (without side effects) and revealed Legules intentions to sacrifice Rin upon the prayer stones to summon his dark forces.
[edit] Makai Priests
[edit] Amon
Amon (阿門 Amon?) is a Buddhist priest who helped 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 bar chess, wagering 10 years of life to the winner of the game. Amon never completed his game with 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 Makai Knight, likely Barago. He contacted Rin to help him deliver a message to Kouga relating to Jabi.
[edit] Jabi
Jabi (邪美 Jabi?) was student under Makai Priest Amon and was a former childhood playmate with Kouga. She and Kouga trained together, but went their separate ways during their teenage years. By the time the two crossed paths, Jabi was framed with the murder of her mentor and had stolen the purified Horror blades due to be forced repatriated. Though Kouga believed she wasn't responsible for the murder, Jabi was unable to trust him because Amon's murderer was a Makai Knight. Jabi also distrusted the Eastern Watchdogs, which Kouga agreed with. But eventually, Jabi began to trust Kouga again. Jabi made obvious signals 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. When she and Kouga attempted to perform the Force Repatriation on their own, Jabi was seemingly killed by a surprise attack from Kodama, vaporized with only her Makai brush remaining.
In the GARO Special it's revealed Jabi's body wasn't destroyed as presumed, but was recovered and incubating inside the Makai Beast Miki, stuck between life/death. Her body was still alive, but her spirit clings on between the living and spirit world. Amon discovered the complication and dispatched Rin to help him inform Kouga that only a person with a strong bond with her can awaken her and bring her back to the living. Amon told Kouga that Jabi isn't a phantasm, but a real living body held hostage by Miki. With the help of Rin, he was able to enter the Makai Forest and fought his way to free Jabi.
Jabi has since taken a liking to Rin and assisted Rin in her Makai training. Tsubasa didn't acknowledge Jabi as a real person at first and being the un-shy girl that she is she made Tsubasa feel her breast for a heartbeat and the breath from her lips. Garai took Jabi to examine the Phosphorus Arrow and realized it's weakened. While the Makai Knights guarded the outside premises, Jabi would restore the powers of the arrow with her powers. During Legules' night attack on Kantai, the Makai Knights were able to stall Legules enough for Jabi to restore the arrow and use it against Legules in combat. Legules' dark magic was too strong and Kouga jumped in to save Jabi.
Rin was poisoned by a shrapnel from Legules. Jabi decided to perform a Makai version of blood transfusion to dilute the poison within her because there wasn't enough time to use the Barankas fruit. The process was painful, but both survived the procedure. Tsubasa thanked Jabi for saving his little sister's life while still holding the Phosphorus Arrow. Legules took advantage of the moment and came out of Goruba to steal the arrow and kidnap Rin for his dark ceremony. Jabi and the knights entered the Naraku Forest and fought their way to save Rin. Jabi provided a great deal of support for Kouga, but eventually pinned down by the Karakuri. When Kouga defeated Legules and destroyed the barrier, the Karakuri disappeared and Jabi lives another day. After the ordeal, Kouga wondered what Jabi’s plans are and she intends to stay at Kantai. She finally found someone she feels strongly to protect, Rin.
[edit] Rin Yamagatana
Rin Yamagatana (山刀鈴 Yamagatana Rin?) appears on GARO special show "Demon Beast of the White Night" as a messenger of Makai Priest Amon. Rin is a young 11 year old Makai Priestess in training and little sister to Tsubasa (DAN, Knight of The White Night) from Kantai. She somehow managed to communicate with Amon and was given the mission to find Kouga. Amon instructed Rin to use horror blood to bait herself towards Horrors in hopes to find Kouga in his district. Rin's "fishing" found herself to Kouga and was taken into the Saejima household. Rin would use a special spirit summoning technique to communicate with Amon. Even though Kantai is Rin's home, it's a place filled with danger and spooks as various parts of Kantai are literal death traps. Rin knew enough to perform a special ceremony to open a gateway to help Kouga enter the Makai forest to help save Jabi. She was named after Kouga's mother Rin and Priestess Garai believe there's something remarkable that Rin was chosen for Kouga to help him.
It's revealed that she became a priestess to help bring back her brother's smile again. After Jabi was saved, Rin was poisoned by a piece of shrapnel from Legules during a night attack. Jabi performs a risky move in which she dilutes her blood with Rin using Madou Flames as a medium (Makai version of blood transfusion). The process made her experience great pain, but she survived the process and went to see Tsubasa. While having a moment with Tsubasa, Legules appeared out of Goruba and kidnapped Rin to the Naraku Forest. Legules had the Karakuri tie her down for a sacrificial ceremony. Kouga saved Rin and since have the love of Jabi as her protector.
[edit] Garai
Priestess Garai (我雷法師 Garai Hōshi?) is the priestess of Kantai and the very master that trained Saejima Rin (Kouga's mom). She's more of a teacher than a Makai Priest in her advance age. However her knowledge, experience and wisdom are great and her students reflect that level of respect for her.
[edit] Rin Saejima
Rin Saejima (冴島 りん Saejima Rin?) is the wife of Taiga and mother to Kouga. She was trained as a Makai Priestess under Priestess Garai. She would eventually meet and marry Taiga and give birth to Kouga. Her life with Kouga was short when she died of illness. Kouga barely remembers her, but is reminded by Taiga of their time together as a family. In a flashback it's revealed her martial arts skills are on par with Taiga and always had baby Kouga close to her.
[edit] Protagonist Side
[edit] Kaoru Mitsuki
Kaoru Mitsuki (御月カオル Mitsuki Kaoru?) is a twenty-two year-old aspiring artist who's always having trouble making money. Kouga spared her life after she was splashed with Angry's blood, claiming he did so to use her as bait. He secretly tries to find a way to cure her, rather than killing her. Because of the Horror blood that stained her, she attracts Horrors constantly; she doesn't know she's being pursued half the time because Kouga does his best to withhold the truth and quietly deal with the Horrors that approach her. Kaoru eventually was evicted from her house and temporarily freeloaded at Asami's place. After Kaoru's bad cooking gave Asami food poisoning, she 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 became ill.
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 until the occasion where she found it out. 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, though she forced Zaruba to take it back when the truth came out. Eventually, Kouga managed to save Kaoru's life with the Barankas fruit.
Later it is revealed Kaoru and her father have been involved with Horrors and GARO since her childhood. Her father, Yuuji Mitsuki, was a famous artist who created a children's picture book, in which the hero is a golden knight that reflects his experience when he was saved by Taiga, but the last page was left blank. Kaoru herself was chosen out of six girls by Barago as the medium to summon Meshia and serve as her host in the human world.
[edit] Gonza
Gonza Kurahashi (倉橋ゴンザ Kurahashi Gonza?) the butler of the Saejima household and the only family Kouga had after his parents died. Gonza does all butler related activities and also advises Kouga on certain matters. 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 being a butler. He considers his relationship with Kouga and Kaoru closer than family. He was featured in GARO Gaiden as "God of Pictures", but the sequence was part of Kaoru's dream. Gonza was featured in GARO Special: Beast of White Night as his usual self looking after the household.
[edit] 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. Asami eventually was phased out of the story line and only appeared once in a while to show she's still in contact with Kaoru. She returned as the "God of Painting" in GARO Gaiden, but not in the special.
[edit] 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 unexplained reason she was killed by Barago. It was Shizuka's death that drove Rei to a path of vengeance.
[edit] Antagonist Side
[edit] Barago the Black Fang
Barago (バラゴ Barago?) was once a talented Makai disciple of Taiga Saejima. Barago lost his loved ones to the Horrors and relied heavily on the powers of the Makai for revenge. But refused the right to become the next GARO, Barago's desperation for power grew and KIBA 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 to KIBA for vengeance. Upon reciting the incantations, the dark powers of the Madou Book flooded from the book and transferred into Barago.
The Madou taught Barago various skills, such as how to extend the Soul Armor's 99.9 seconds time limit and how to assimilate the attributes of Horrors through absorption; however, this came at the cost of his own humanity. Subsequent usage of the Madou's forbidden magics tainted the Soul Armor and reconfigured its form with more Horror-like features. He reckless use of the Madou twisted Barago's soul to evil, since then donning a black cloak. It was then that Taiga was forced to take action against him. Taiga -at the time the Golden Knight Garo- pursued his corrupt disciple and engaged him and combat. Their battle, however, would end in Taiga's death, but not before Taiga branded Barago with the "Mark of Death", believing it would kill him in a few days. But the Horrors dwelling inside Barago's body enabled him to elude death, though his face became horribly deformed. Barago is the only Makai Knight who transforms without a Soul Metal weapon, but instead a Madou necklace, blowing on it to activate it, then swinging it to become the Dark Knight.
Barago soon began to devise a plan to plant dark Yīn essence into objects to attract Horrors so he could personally absorb them and amplify his own power. Because of his amplified strength over years of absorbing Horrors, he's grown stronger than any Makai Knight. 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 a thousand 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 twelve Horrors) using the AN-GA (Darkness Fang) Axe given to him by the Watchdogs, who address him as KIBA, yet those who see him always address him as Barago.
Barago used a potion he stole from Rei's family to change his face, disguising himself as Karune Ryuuzaki (龍崎駈音 Ryūzaki Karune?), who is also Kaoru's personal psychiatrist and counselor. This was only a means for Barago to oversee Kaoru's wellbeing. His intentions and interest in Kaoru were revealed after analyzing the situation carefully amongst ZERO, Kouga, Kaoru, and Gonza. Over a decade ago he selected six girls as living gateways to help summon Meshia, and Kaoru was one of them. The Watchdogs allied themselves with Barago to help bring forth Meshia. 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.
[edit] The Dark Armor of KIBA/KIBA the Dark Knight
The spirit of KIBA the Dark Knight (暗黒魔戒騎士・呀 Ankoku Kishi・KIBA?) influenced everything since the beginning. Though he called himself a Makai Knight, KIBA was no different to a Horror. 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 his armor and power to do just that. As Barago absorbed Horror after Horror, KIBA eventually deformed into an organically pure black armor with a cape. Though Barago was devoured by Meshia, KIBA assumed full control over his host upon Meisha's defeat by Kouga. However, KIBA was nothing more than a Horror as of that moment. Returning to the real world, KIBA challenged GARO and ZERO, only to be destroyed by GARO in a one-on-one swordfight.
[edit] The Eastern Watchdogs/GULM
The Eastern Watchdogs (三神官 San Shinkan?) are three ancient priestesses of the Eastern Watchdog Castle, they assumed the forms of three little girls in white angelic clothing. Their names starting from oldest to youngest (left to right) are Keiru (ケイル Keiru?), Beru (ベル Beru?), and Rosu (ローズ Rōzu?) (A pun on Cerberus). Their thoughts are so unified that they sometimes complete each other's sentences in conversations. Centuries ago they were chosen to be the link between Makai and the human world and, in order to work as such, given eternal youth. In a conversation between Jabi and Kouga it's revealed they used to be a single human being, but she split herself into three forms.
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 recently dead female human body to serve as a host for the Watchdogs' spirits. The Watchdogs revealed their true forms as three old women as they melded into the host body. The host, named GULM (ガルム Garumu?) (a pun on Garm), enabled the spirits within her to leave their place in order to help Barago with his plan. Although GULM 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, GULM showed concern over his demise, and hatred when she was fighting ZERO.
GULM is able to summon her own Cerberus-style 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. GULM overwhelmed ZERO and was overconfident of the situation, leaving herself open to be impaled by Rei. After the fall of GULM, a new watchdog was assigned to the eastern district to direct ZERO on Makai missions.
[edit] Kodama
Kodama (コダマ Kodama?) is the "butler" of the Watchdogs, Eurasian in appearance, and his relationship with them is that he is their son. Kodama's position has him serve the Watchdogs, carrying out their orders and protecting 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.
Though apparently unable to talk, Kodama can 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 was easily killed by Kouga once he is possessed by his armor. His name is derived from the Japanese word meaning "echo." In the Garo Gaiden, you finally see him speak; unfortunately, he talks extremely loud and fast in English, which Kaoru mistakes for a Kansai-ben.
[edit] Makai Entities
[edit] Old Woman Tamu
She's a living Makai gateway. Though humanoid, various parts of her body is composed of wood and branches. Between her "thighs" is the entrance to the Forrest of Glen. Without permission from Tamu, no one can enter. She had a friendly relationship with Makai Priest Amon and enjoys sharing a cup of red sake with him.
[edit] The Grou Dragon
The Grou Dragon (グラウ竜 Gurau Ryū?) is the guardian of the Barankas fruit. Grou is a sentient mechanical dragon created by the Makai that resides inside the Glen Forest and hunts the Horrors there. 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. Two sides of his body have a white naked woman statue, the front side a white gothic skull of a creature, and the back 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 (save Kaoru) and offered him the Barankas Fruit as a victory prize if Kouga could defeat him with all his strength. 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 if Rei lend his power to Kouga, that's also part of his power. Grou then vanished and Silva remarked that Grou was never alive and that the power of the Makai will eventually recreate him.
[edit] Makai Beast Miki
She's a tree-like creature that resides in the Makai Forest. She kept Jabi within her stomach. Inside her stomach, Miki's a round squid-like creature with multiple eyes. She has many tentacles and can shoot spears out of her "body" to defend herself. She's not a malicious creature; she kept Jabi sleeping inside her stomach for a 200 year incubation. She claimed that Jabi wasn't ready to reincarnate (hinting Miki had plans for Jabi) when Kouga came to save her.
Kouga at first had to fight off Miki's illusionary attacks. Miki has the ability to take on the forms of people within the memories of Kouga. For Kouga it as easy when Barago, Kodama, and Rei appeared, but the most difficult was when Kaoru and Saejima Taiga's form was taken. Eventually Kouga learned to suppress his feelings just long enough to defeat Miki on the first round. During the second round Kouga had Gouten increase GARO-ZAN-BA (his sword) twice its size and surfed the sword into Miki's stomach. Miki's stomach exploded and Jabi was saved. Jabi was spirited back to the living. Miki was only defeated, not destroyed.
