Garo: Honoo no Kokuin

I will refrain from spoilers in this review Garo, has turned into one of my favorite anime at the moment. The story follows a young Makai Knight named Leon, and his father German who is also a Makai Knight. Makai Knights have a job to play and that is to kill the "Horrors", which are people who have been possessed by dark spirits, that threaten the every day lives of humans. Leon, the Main Character of the series, is a Makai Knight who still hasn't fully matured. He is learning what it means to truly be a Makai knight, with his father as his teacher. Atthe same time there is a prince named Alfonso who has been betrayed by someone within his own castle and forced to leave in to avoid death. The castle is then overtaken and so is the kingdom by a man named Mendoza. Alfonso must then search for the legendary Golden Makai Knight who is destined to save the kingdom, this Knight so happens to be Leon. Thus starts the adventures of Leon and Alfonso in their attempt to retake the kingdom from the hands of Mendoza. This anime is astounding in the pacing it takes to tell the story of these characters. It never moves too slow or too fast it takes its time to tell the story they way they truly want you to experience and to watch the show as it slowly grows into an anime worth watching. The art in this series is great, I love the approach they take. The characters look rather simple in details, but not simple in a bad way but simple in a pleasant way that makes you admire it for a bit. They also use CG for the armor of the Makai Knights which is great in showing the contrast between humans and Makai Knights, giving them a shine to them and it makes them stand out. The sound was fine, it wasn't unpleasant or overwhelmingly great. It did it's job in creating the perfect atmosphere for the right times. I believe the characters in the series is what makes this anime so easy to watch for me. You have young, fierce, and naive Leon. The upright and strong Alfonso. The silly and playboy father. The beautiful and independent Ema and many more characters that make this show great. Even minor characters play heavy roles in this anime, some effect characters for the rest of the series and some play towards a role much bigger than you expected. Each character is there for a reason whether they show up one episode and leave, die in the next episode, or stand with the story the entire way. You will enjoy every character in some way. In terms of enjoyment, this gets an easy 10 in my book. The series started off kind of slow, I wasn't sure if the anime would turn out to be any good but once I got to episodes 7-12 the plot picks up quickly and you see that the first 6 episodes weren't wasted to fill up the time the show has for 24 episodes. This show developed beautifully, over the course of these 24 episodes. Overall I give the show a 10 (Outstanding/Masterpiece). Garo stayed true to the story they had worked to build over 24 episodes, and they really have you get attached to the Main Character, Leon, seeing what he goes through and his duty in the end. This show doesn't pull any stupid strings to give a happy ending, what happened happened and Leona and his allies have to deal with it. Garo is an idependent story, meaning it didn't come from another source such as Manga/VN/LN, seeing as to how there was a Second Seasons and a Movie planned when this series was at a mere 6 episodes shows that the creator has planned everything well in advance and it looks promising that the second season won't disappoint us at all. Thanks for your time.

If you're talking about the season's most under-appreciated, you're sure to have mentioned Garo somewhere in your conversation. No one expected an anime series that could hold itself together, much less walk on its own legs. The series does not aspire to be more than what it is nor does it condemn itself to its own confines. That is exactly what Garo does - and it does so beautifully. Essentially, Garo is a story about good versus evil. There is nothing special nor wholly new about it, but that is where the show keeps it tight. The series takes us to a fantastical but horrific worldof plagues and demons and the protectors who fight against them. We follow Leon, a young Makai Knight, struggling to discern between two ethos: a desire for revenge or the duty to protect. Its narrative may be sorely lacking and at times questionable but it does have an ample amount of intrigue and cleverness. All in all, Garo unfolds a pretty decent and solid story - a tale of discovering one's duty and purpose. One of the more striking things about Garo is that it handles the ideals it holds impressively. While they are thriftily given, the ideals never stray too far. Instead of being pretentious and overzealous, they are humble and, more importantly, relevant to the story, something not all anime series can easily grapple with. In the event of introspection, realization, and declaration, the characters never spew out random, nonsensical lines just to sound cool. They say the just right thing at just the right moment while placing importance in saying with simplicity. The character development during the most part of the series is focused on Leon. His wasn't a grand, 180 degree turn. It was rather kept simple. The rest have their fair share but it would take only one or two episodes for their development to be completed. At the very least, these characters weren't used for unwarranted fan service. Though archetypal, each of them remain distinct and memorable. The art in Garo does well in portraying the setting. The Knights are ornate and flashy but not overbearing; the Horrors are terribly grotesque. I would say it's all fitting. The music does a superb job in keeping the scenes exciting. The animation especially in the fight scenes are an outstanding feat. The choreography is neat and elegant, fluid and energetic - something one would not totally expect if they're only seeing Garo at surface level. To sum it all up, Garo comes as a surprise. It may lack the intricacies and refinement that adorn the bigger anime shows but behind all that it is one daring and remarkable effort.

You know there's a sort of irony to the fact that my favorite anime of the past two seasons happens to be the one that nobody likes all that much. Actually, scratch that, they didn't pay attention to it at all when it aired, which I find kind of weird. I know Rage of Bahamut looked prettier and had the more bombastic start guys, but that doesn't mean you should just flat-out ignore Mappa's other fantasy show because it had sex, theatrical drama, and CG fights that look too busy at times but were otherwise well-choreographed and...no seriously, why did people ignore this show? Areanime fans just so used to the medium having to be "kawaii moe uguu" or "porn-star level flamboyant" that the mere notion of "cool" gives them hives? Do we accept that every cartoon from Japan trying to recapture the essence of Tenchi Muyo is the rule now? I thought there was a reason the noitamina timeslot was so loved by a fair amount of people. Well whatever. It's not like I expected much from Garo when I first read about it other than "it's a Mappa show not directed by Watanabe, so I'm hoping it to be good and establish Mappa as an animation studio I can trust". And like most people going into this, I never watched the original live-action stuff. I did know it had a lot of sex and violence for a tokusatsu series - sometimes to the realm of the absurd - but that's about it. Plus, I read beforehand that the anime would be different from the live-action stuff, which did not sit well with the hardcore tokusatsu fans apparently, but let's not dwell on that. So I went into the show expecting a solid series and lo and behold, I got what is possibly the "coolest" anime I have ever seen in the medium. It's kind of weird to praise an anime for being "cool" considering how subjective the term can be. I mean when you get down to it, isn't Jojo cool? Isn't Rage of Bahamut cool? Isn't Gurren Lagann cool? Well you can argue that, but the coolness in this show stands out to me all the more because it has none of the flamboyancies and anime-isms that make up a good chunk of those shows. Make no mistake, whilst there are some stereotypes like the male tsundere and the aloof-but-well meaning father, this is an anime for people who have hobbies outside of being otaku. It does have its share of light-hearted moments to prevent itself from becoming as impenetrable as Mamoru Oshii when he makes something after reading emo poetry, but you're not going to see people screaming their attack names like a teenager with the mind of a ten-year-old or spouting one-liners that James Bond would find embarrassing. You're going to see these characters take the silliness of the their CG outfits 100% seriously whilst taking part in battles that are guaranteed to end in blood. But what good is coolness without substance? Well the anime takes place in a fantasy world where a group of demonic beings called Horrors exist and the only people who can stop them are a group of armor/magic-users called Makai Knights/Alchemists. However, seventeen years ago, said group of people were given the Order 66 treatment by the king of Valiante due to manipulation by his treacherous advisor, and now the few that remain are scattered throughout the world, continuing to protect the people whilst trying to avoid getting killed by them. The series is centered on an angsty kid named Leon, a Makai Knight-in-training who has a hard time living up to the requirements of protecting the people due to his recklessness and his constant anger at his father being a deadbeat. This causes him problems when he ends up getting roped into the events started by said Order 66 conspiracy, and in order to fight it, he must learn how to fully harness his powers with the aid of the Valiante prince named Alfonso, a Makai Alchemist named Ema, and his father/teacher named Hermann. It's pretty much your typical underdog/dark fantasy story with all the "unexpected for anime, but expected for the genre" twists and turns, so there's not much I can really say about it without spoiling plot points. So why exactly do I like this anime so much if the story is kinda predictable? Is coolness really enough to elevate the material? Well, according to you Rage of Bahamut fans, yes it is. But what is it about Garo's coolness that I personally find appealing? Well, I've mentioned how I like the execution of its serious tone before, and there's not really much else I can say besides how much I like the Horror designs and how I orgasmed over the fact that one of the villains has a gun for a leg. The show just fulfills what I want from anime in general in terms of tone, episodic-storytelling, character interactions, good action, and high drama, and that's not something I can really rationalize on paper. It's obviously not perfect - the villains aren't that great, one or two of the episodic stories are kind of phoned in, and the animation can be really crappy at times. I know Bahamut needed the budget more since its writing is more simplistic and the episodes when said production took a dive were kind of a chore to sit through, but I'm still going to complain about the characters' faces looking like they got pressed with a sledgehammer when I see it. But those are niggling doubts in terms of everything else this show gets right. It's just really great epic drama about heroes and the sacrifices they must make in terms of their occupation. I like the way it's paced in terms of its usage of the monster-of-the-week format to established plot points. I like the way it's told without ever getting too corny with its cliches. I even like when the atmosphere gets a little metal - and I usually point my shotgun at that genre when it so much as breathe the same air I do. But most of all, I just like how it's so fucking cool in a way Jojo can only dream of being. In a medium burdened with anime-isms ruining what could have been decent stories, Garo came out of nowhere and surprised me more than the news that Jon Stewart was retiring from the Daily Show, and that is no small feat given how shocking said news was to me when I saw that episode. Garo is obviously not for everyone - I mean people wouldn't have ignored it like they have if it was. However, I had a lot of fun watching this show, I am convinced that it is the best show of its season (shut up *you know what anime I'm referring to* fans) and I am eagerly looking forward to the sequel series and movie...whenever those come out. Hopefully it's soon. I mean I'm in no hurry, but given how sequels that take a long to come out usually turn out (looking at you, Durarara!!x2), I think I'd like more Garo sooner rather than later.

There’s a lot of words to describe Garo. For starters, “impact” is one of them. That’s because the first episode makes a big impact when we see the brutality of the show along with the mature setting and its characters. Taken for granted, Garo is one of those shows where you must be prepared for what’s to come. The first few episodes sets up everything well in the fantasy world of Valiante Kingdom. The catch is how the show develops from there the main character Leon is born. If magic and fantasy isn’t part of your vocabulary, then you won’t last long. Based off the Garotokusatsu drama series, Garo: Honoo no Kokuin (or in English: The Carved Seal of Flames) is a series of triumph. The main characters Leon Luis and his father Herman Luis both holds titles “Garo the Golden Knight” and “Zoro the Shadow Cutting Knight” respectively. And as dominant as that sounds, their relationship is rocky; the typical son-father relationship as you may call it. Nonetheless, the show establishes a grim premise without the super Sentai generics. It’s structured in a way that is more fitting more a mature audience although there are still plenty of moments for comedy. Also do take note that the show is a standalone besides some mechanics. In other words, you don’t need to dig through the drama or other related series from the franchise to get this baby started. To take into perspective, the show launches itself with the idea of a hero emerging from the past in order to change the future. Events from the first episode suggests a theme of destiny as we witness the birth of Leon. It’s not a pretty sight considering the birth takes place inside of hellfire and brimstone as his mother is burned alive for being accused of witchcraft. That’s right. The show creates the atmosphere that Leon will one day become a legend to fulfill his role as Garo the Golden Knight. It also develops an idea of Makai Knights and Makai Priests. From the beginning, it shows that they are designated as harbingers of destruction by people of the Church. In the present timeline, there are apparently very few remaining. Yet the ones that are standing wields extraordinary power to fight off Horrors, the abominable antagonists of the series. Crafting all this together requires precision and detailed structure. Luckily, this show does a well job doing that with adequate transition and timing. Every episode brings something new to the table while characterizing the characters, developing the story, and staying true to its ideas. The series writer Yasuko Kobayashi (well known for his previously work on Shingeki no Kyojin) crafts his ideas with great promise. A part that makes the show shine in its own way is the characters. It’s very interesting to see how Leon grows up to be a man or rather a warrior now that adapts with his life and those around him. However, there’s a sharp contrast between him and his father. While his father is socially outgoing and often finds his way with others (especially women), Leon is stoic and often depicted as the lonewolf type of guy. He isn’t cold or cruel though as we see many times that his actions speaks louder than words. It is through events throughout the series that we can label him as more of a vengeful hero. This is because he still treasures and respects his mother. Some episode shows Leon as being the type of guy who tries to get a job done no matter what the cost. Mercy is sometimes not on his mind and often or not, Leon isn’t afraid to take risks. Speaking of which, the show isn’t shy to take risk either. This includes the introduction of other main characters such as Alfonso San Valiante, the crown prince of the kingdom of Valiante. We find out more about his purpose in the series through flashbacks and his present self. Here, the show adds this character for a balance between himself, Leon, and Herman. The way each character is depicted attracts interest for their roles in the story. I dare say that the show pulls off its risks quite well with other additions to the series including Emma Guzman, a Makai Priestess who stands firm in contrast with most of the main characters. Collectively, all the main characters are like pieces to a puzzle tied together to craft this show’s visage. Individually, we get to see each of the main characters’ potential, their growth, and how they deal with interpersonal conflicts. Despite the show designed to fit like an episodic structure, each of them fit with the overall premise and development of its main story. This is primarily focused on Leon as we see his various view on characters he meets throughout the show. It shows how he behaves around others where conflict and past events influences his decisions. Furthermore, his interpersonal conflicts can be seen quite clearly when he associates with women because of his outlook on them. But despite all the serious nature of the show, Garo also play itself for fun. One particular episode includes a nearly full nude Herman who has a ton of fun himself. Furthermore, the show is notorious for both its fan service and disservice. The amount of sex jokes often used shows the more lighthearted nature of the show while the Horrors shows the more malevolent side. Case closed, this series is met to be taken both seriously and for fun at the same time. It’s not just a quite adventure about revenge but a journey of discovery. You, the viewers, will be part of that ride if you stay with the momentum. One of the weaker technical components of the show is the artwork. If you’re new to CGI, then this show’s character designs may not be suitable for you. With that being said, it will take time to get used to the CGI in particular with the transformation scenes. Once you get past that, the reward to be reaped would be the intense action. The Makai Knights are decorated with extravagant features that makes them stand out above others. And although not on the same level, character designs for our main characters do stand out especially with their expressions. The other prominent characteristic of the show is the Horrors. They are truly designed with traits that will make you feel disgust by their monstrosity. Their lack of personality makes them suitable for being called monsters. And furthermore, we also get to see their various abilities that makes them know why they are called Horrors. On a lesser note, background and landscape are moderate with nothing outstanding in particular. I do give some praise to the world fiction though. Apparently, it takes place in a medieval era and most of the structures and kingdoms is convincing enough. Soundtrack plays some key roles throughout the series. Starting with the OP and ED song, there’s a uniqueness in the design of its choreography and symbolism. And fitting with the show’s themes, the OST is decorated with an intense atmosphere especially with its action and transformation sequences. Emotional tunes are also not forgotten for crucial moments when characters deals with their interpersonal conflicts. Finally, character voice mannerisms can be considered above average with how they fit with their personalities. For as much as I can remember, this show is about both fun and development with its story. We get the main characters, the setting, and the premise that ties it all together. Then, there’s the characterization of the main cast that makes it all worthwhile to remember when we see how much influence they can have with others. Comedy is present despite the grim nature of the show’s premise. And story wise, content stays true with its premise without derailing itself. There are times when you may find this show uncomfortable to watch; whether it’s the sexual jokes, gore, awkward dialogues, or the animation quality. Still, I would highly suggest giving Garo a try as this is one of those shows where you have to see it to believe it.

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