Garo (TV series)

GARO

Title screen.
Genre Tokusatsu
Horror
Drama
Created by Keita Amemiya
Written by
Directed by
Starring Hiroki Konishi
Mika Hijii
Ray Fujita
Masaki Kyomoto
Composer(s) Shinji Kinoshita
Kōichi Ōta
Country of origin Japan
Original language(s) Japanese
No. of episodes 25 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Minoru Kubo
Kiyotaka Ninomiya
Makoto Shiraishi
Producer(s) Kōichi Ishida
Hiroyuki Hattori
Junpei Nakagawa
Running time 24-25 minutes (per episode)
Broadcast
Original channel TV Tokyo
Original run October 7, 2005 – March 31, 2006
Chronology
Followed by Garo Special: Byakuya no Maju

Garo (牙狼〈GARO〉(ガロ), literally "Fanged Wolf" in English), sometimes referred to as Golden Knight Garo (黄金騎士ガロ Ōgon Kishi Garo), 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). Since 2007, the show has also been aired in other countries like Italy (on MTV), Malaysia (on 8TV), and Spain (on Canal Buzz). It is the first installment of the "GARO" franchise, composed of several live action television series, films, specials and an anime series as well.

Production

The series was created and chief directed by Keita Amemiya (Kamen Rider ZO, Zeiram). It is directed by Makoto Yokoyama (Power Rangers) and Kengo Kaji (Uzumaki). The creature designer is Yasushi Nirasawa, well known later as the designer of the Imagin for Kamen Rider Den-O, also designing the monsters of Kamen Rider Blade and Kamen Rider Kabuto.

Plot

Garo focuses on the life of Kouga Saejima, who has assumed the title of Makai Knight to protect humanity against dark demonic manifestations called "Horrors". In his quest to purge them, he encounters a young girl named Kaoru whom he saves from a Horror, but learns that she is stained with its demonic blood. As a rule, those that have been stained by the blood of a Horror shall be cut down, or else they will die painfully in approximately 100 days. Kouga spares Kaoru and 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 in accordance with the wishes of his father, the previous Garo. In the process, encountering another Makai Knight named Rei Suzumura who eventually becomes his ally, Kouga confronts his father's former disciple who is also the cause of a recent string of Horror attacks in preparation of a more sinister advent of the Horrors' originator, Messiah.

Horrors

Main article: Horror (Garo)

The main antagonistic form in the series, Horrors are demons that reside in a netherworld realm and thrive on the darkness of humanity. The Horrors that enter the human world through everyday objects that became Inga Gates through amass darkness, also known as Inga Horrors, possess the body of first human with inner darkness they come across. As the Horrors feed on humans, preying on them on a nightly basis, it is a Makai Knight's duty to hunt and slay the demons. Later entries in the series reveal more types of Horrors.

Video game

Main article: Golden Knight Garo

A video game based on the series was produced by Bandai for the PlayStation 2, under the name Golden Knight Garo. Two versions were 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.

Episodes

Main article: List of Garo episodes
# Title Writer Original airdate
1 "Picture Book"
"Ehon" (絵本) 
Kengo Kaji
Yuji Kobayashi
October 7, 2005
2 "Yin Self"
"Inga" (陰我) 
Kengo Kaji
Yuji Kobayashi
October 14, 2005
3 "Clock"
"Tokei" (時計) 
Kengo Kaji
Yuji Kobayashi
October 21, 2005
4 "Dinner"
"Bansan" (晩餐) 
Kengo Kaji
Yuji Kobayashi
October 28, 2005
5 "Moonlight"
"Gekkō" (月光) 
Kengo Kaji
Yuji Kobayashi
November 4, 2005
6 "Beauty"
"Bibō" (美貌) 
Kengo Kaji
Sotaro Hayashi
November 11, 2005
7 "Silver Fang"
"Ginga" (銀牙) 
Kengo Kaji
Keita Amemiya
November 18, 2005
8 "Ring"
"Yubiwa" (指輪) 
Kengo Kaji
Yuji Kobayashi
November 25, 2005
9 "Ordeal"
"Shiren" (試練) 
Kengo Kaji
Yuji Kobayashi
Keita Amemiya
December 2, 2005
10 "Puppet"
"Ningyō" (人形) 
Yuji Kobayashi
Kengo Kaji
December 9, 2005
11 "Game"
"Yūgi" (遊戯) 
Sotaro Hayashi
Kengo Kaji
December 16, 2005
12 "Taiga"
"Taiga" (大河) 
Kengo Kaji
Keita Amemiya
December 23, 2005
13 "Promise"
"Yakusoku" (約束) 
Kei TaguchiJanuary 6, 2006
14 "Nightmare"
"Akumu" (悪夢) 
Yuji Kobayashi
Kengo Kaji
January 13, 2006
15 "Statue"
"Gūzō" (偶像) 
Yuji Kobayashi
Kengo Kaji
January 20, 2006
16 "Red Sake"
"Akazake" (赤酒) 
Yuji Kobayashi
Keita Amemiya
January 27, 2006
17 "Aquarium"
"Suisō" (水槽) 
Yuji Kobayashi
Kengo Kaji
February 3, 2006
18 "World Charm"
"Kaifu" (界符) 
Yuji Kobayashi
Sotaro Hayashi
Kengo Kaji
February 10, 2006
19 "Black Flame"
"Kokuen" (黒炎) 
Yuji Kobayashi
Sotaro Hayashi
Kengo Kaji
February 17, 2006
20 "Life"
"Inochi" (生命) 
Yuji Kobayashi
Sotaro Hayashi
Kengo Kaji
February 24, 2006
21 "Magic Bullet"
"Madan" (魔弾) 
Yuji KobayashiMarch 3, 2006
22 "Engraving"
"Kokuin" (刻印) 
Yuji KobayashiMarch 10, 2006
23 "Heart Destruction"
"Shinmetsu" (心滅) 
Yuji Kobayashi
Keita Amemiya
March 17, 2006
24 "Girl"
"Shōjo" (少女) 
Yuji Kobayashi
Kengo Kaji
Keita Amemiya
March 24, 2006
25 "Heroic Spirits"
"Eirei" (英霊) 
Yuji Kobayashi
Keita Amemiya
March 31, 2006
Ex "Garo Side Story: Smile"
"Garo Gaiden: Egao" (GARO 外伝 笑顔) 
Yuji Kobayashi
Kengo Kaji
October 7, 2006

Cast

Songs

Opening themes
Ending themes

Sequels and spin-offs

In all the sequels and spinoffs in the Garo series, Hironobu Kageyama continues to reprise his role as the voice of Zaruba in each entry.

Byakuya no Maju

Garo Special: Byakuya no Maju (牙狼<GARO>スペシャル 白夜の魔獣 GARO Spesharu: Byakuya no Majū, subtitle literally "Demon Beast of the White Night") is a two-part mini-series that premiered at the end of 2006.

Red Requiem

Main article: Garo: Red Requiem

In July 2009, Tohokushinsha Film announced that a GARO feature film will be released in the fall of 2010. Garo: Red Requiem (牙狼〈GARO〉 ~RED REQUIEM~) was theatrically released on October 30, 2010. The story is a sequel to the original TV series, with Keita Amemiya directing once again. Ryosei Konishi and Hironobu Kageyama reprise their roles as Kouga/Garo and voice of Zaruba. Red Requiem will use 3D image technology developed by the Tohokushinsha group company Omnibus Japan. Makoto Yokoyama will also be returning to choreograph the action sequences.

Kiba

Main article: Kiba Gaiden

Kiba Gaiden (呀<KIBA> ~暗黒騎士鎧伝~ KIBA: Ankoku Kishi Gaiden, lit. "Kiba: Dark Knight Side Story") is a spin-off V-Cinema featuring the story of Barago and Kiba the Dark Knight, released on September 7, 2011.

Makai Senki

Main article: Garo: Makai Senki

Garo: Makai Senki (牙狼〈GARO〉~MAKAISENKI~) is a second season of the Garo television series that premiered in select theaters on September 24, 2011, before beginning broadcast in syndication on October 6, 2011.

Soukoku no Maryu

Garo: Soukoku no Maryu (牙狼〈GARO〉~蒼哭ノ魔竜~ Garo ~Sōkoku no Maryū~, subtitle literally "Demon Dragon of the Blue Cries") was released in theaters on February 23, 2013, serving as an epilogue to Makai Senki, depicting Kouga Saezima's journey to the Promised Ground to retrieve Gajari's body. Ryosei Konishi was initially the only confirmed member of the cast,[1] but Ray Fujita, Shouma Yamamoto, Ozuno Nakamura, Yukijirō Hotaru, Hironobu Kageyama, and Hiroyuki Watanabe have also been confirmed to appear in the film.[2] The guest stars in the film are Yuki Kubota as Kakashi, Anna Aoi as Meru, Tetsuya Yanagihara as Esaruto, and Keiko Matsuzaka as Judam.

Yami o Terasu Mono

A third TV series titled Garo: Yami o Terasu Mono (牙狼〈GARO〉~闇を照らす者~, lit. "The One Who Shines in the Darkness") was broadcast on April 5, 2013. The series is set in the near future and features an entire new story with a new Garo named Ryūga Dōgai venturing into the Horror-plagued Vol City. The series also presents a brand new main cast that includes Wataru Kuriyama, Tsunenori Aoki, Junya Ikeda and fashion model Miki Nanri.[3]

Tougen no Fue

In March 2013, the Garo team announced a new film titled Garo Gaiden: Tougen no Fue (牙狼外伝 桃幻の笛 Garo Gaiden Tōgen no Fue, lit. "Garo Side Story: The Whistle of the Phantom Peach"), released on July 20 of that year. Set during the time of Soukoku no Maryu, Tougen no Fue follows Makai Priestesses Jabi and Rekka as they travel to the northern forests to protect the mystical and titular whistle. Yasue Sato, Mary Matsuyama, Masahiro Kuranuki, and Kanji Tsuda reprise their roles from the franchise as Makai Priestess Jabi, Makai Priestess Rekka, Makai Priest Shiguto, and Makai Knight Kengi, respectively, and also stated to appear in the film are Kumi Takiuchi and Miku Oono.[4]

Zero: Black Blood

Main article: Zero: Black Blood

Zero: Black Blood (絶狼<ZERO>-BLACK BLOOD- Zero -Burakku Buraddo-) is a spin-off six-episode miniseries starring Ray Fujita as his character Rei Suzumura from the original TV series. Rounding out the cast are Riria as Yuna, Naoki Takeshi as Kain, and Thane Camus as Ring. Keita Amemiya serves as executive director, with Ryu Kaneda directing and Yasuko Kobayashi writing. It will begin broadcast in the beginning of March 2014 and will also be shown in theaters in a limited release. JAM Project performs the opening theme "ZERO-BLACK BLOOD-" and Fujita's band Dustz performs the ending "S#0 (Scene Number Zero)" (S#0(シーンナンバーゼロ) Shīn Nanbā Zero).[5][6][7][8]

Makai no Hana

Main article: Garo: Makai no Hana

A fourth Garo television series titled Garo: Makai no Hana (牙狼〈GARO〉-魔戒ノ花-, lit. "The Makai Flower"), which was broadcast in April 2014, takes place between Makai Senki and Yami o Terasu Mono. With the exception of Yukijiro Hotaru reprising his portrayal of Gonza, it features a new cast consisting of Masei Nakayama as Raiga Saezima, the son of Kouga and Kaoru who inherited his father's title as the Golden Knight Garo, Atomu Mizuishi as Crow the Phantom Knight, and Natsumi Ishibashi as Mayuri, a mysterious tool with mystical powers that takes the form of a young woman.[9][10]

Anime Series

Main article: Garo: The Animation

An anime adaptation of Garo was released on October 2014, titled in Japan as Garo: Honō no Kokuin (牙狼〈GARO〉-炎の刻印-, lit. "The Carved Seal of Flames"). It is produced by Studio MAPPA and directed by Yūichirō Hayashi. Taking place in the fictional country of Valiante in the middle ages, head writer Yasuko Kobayashi explained that, with the exception of Zaruba, it is unrelated to any characters or stories in the rest of the Garo continuity.[10][11] The series has been licensed by Funimation as Garo: The Animation, making it the first Garo installment to see a North American release.[12] A second season of the series as well as a film were announced to be released in 2015 to coincide with the Garo tenth anniversary.[13]

Gold Storm Sho

Garo: Gold Storm Sho (牙狼〈GARO〉-GOLDSTORM-翔 Garo -GOLDSTORM- Shō) will be both a film and a television series that serve as sequels to Yami o Terasu Mono. Wataru Kuriyama and Miki Nanri reprise their roles and are joined by new cast members (among them is Masahiro Inoue as the series antagonist Jinga). The film adaptation was released in theaters on March 28, 2015, while the television series began broadcast on April 3, 2015.[11][13]

Biku: Yamigirinochi

Biku: Yamigirinochi (媚空 ヤミギリノチ Bikū: Yamigirinochi) will be a film starring Sayaka Akimoto reprising her role as Biku from Makai no Hana. It is scheduled for October 2015 theatrical release.[13]

Raiga film project

A currently untitled film is in production to star Masei Nakayama (Raiga Saezima) to serve as a sequel to the Makai no Hana television series. As of 24 November 2014, there is no planned release date.[13]

References

  1. "人気特撮シリーズ劇場版最新作「牙狼 GARO 蒼哭ノ魔竜」製作決定にファン歓喜!". Eiga.com. March 25, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  2. "【速報】「牙狼<GARO>~蒼哭ノ魔竜~」出演者追加情報!!". GARO-Project. June 2, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  3. "GARO TV3 COMING SOON". GARO-Project. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  4. "劇場版「牙狼外伝 桃幻の笛」2013年7月ロードショー". Garo-project.jp. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  5. "絶狼<ZERO>-bLACK BLOOD-". Garo-project.jp. Retrieved 2013-11-25.
  6. トピックス (2013-11-25). "「牙狼」新シリーズに劇場版、そしてアニメ!新作ラインナップが連続発表!- 最新ニュース|MSN トピックス". Topics.jp.msn.com. Retrieved 2013-11-25.
  7. "“銀牙騎士・ゼロ”が主人公の「牙狼」新シリーズ、来年3月劇場公開! - シネマトゥデイ". Cinematoday.jp. 2013-10-25. Retrieved 2013-11-25.
  8. "「牙狼」新シリーズに劇場版、そしてアニメ!新作ラインナップが連続発表! - シネマトゥデイ". Cinematoday.jp. 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2013-11-25.
  9. "「牙狼〈GARO〉-魔戒ノ花-」2014年4月 放送スタート". Garo-project.jp. Retrieved 2013-11-25.
  10. 10.0 10.1 "「牙狼<GARO>」アニメ化決定 劇場映画、TVシリーズなど新作企画続々発表 | アニメ!アニメ!". Animeanime.jp. 2013-11-24. Retrieved 2013-11-25.
  11. 11.0 11.1 "人気特撮シリーズ『牙狼<GARO>』2014年以降の新ラインアップ発表! - CNET Japan". Japan.cnet.com. 013-11-25. Retrieved 2013-11-25. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. "Funimation Streams Gonna be the Twin-Tails!!, Ushinawareta Mirai o Motomete, Daitoshokan no Hitsujikai, Garo, Bahamut, Donten ni Warau, Lord Marksman & Vanadis". Anime News Network. 2014-10-17.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "Garo Gets 3 New Live-Action Films & Show, New TV Anime & Film, Stage Musical". Anime News Network. 2014-11-23.

External links