Maser Patrol podcast episode 21: The Garo Franchise

Podcast – Maser Patrol

In this episode, our longest single recording so far: Kevin, Andy, and Alan shoot the breeze about the long-running Garo franchise, which turns 10 this year. We like this series a lot, so we talk in sort of broad strokes about aspects of the various seasons in juxtaposition with one another. Also, there may be a rant about the ending of Battlestar Galactica in there somewhere. Enjoy!

https://maserpatrol.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/maser_patrol_podcast_21_-_the_garo_franchise.mp3

Direct download

An overview (mostly in the form of damned-cool MVs found on youtube) after the jump:

• The original Garo TV series from 2005 (AKA Chapter of the Black Wolf) features a Makai Knight named Kouga Saejima, who hunts demonic horrors by night, each battle ending with him transforming into the golden Garo armor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvblvDciGyo

• The 2011 second season, Makai Senki, is a direct follow-up to the first season, reuniting the cast of the first season, the two-part TV special, and the theatrical film.

• The third season, Yami wo Terasu Mono/The One Who Shines in Darkness is a radical departure from the formula, taking place in the far future (?) and features a new cast. Ryuga Dogai is now Garo, trying to restore the armor to its previous shine/power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edA3ii3jmDI

• Black Blood is a miniseries about Kouga’s rival-turned-pal Rei, the knight titled Zero.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ED4buMxHSM

• Makai no Hana/Flower of Makai is the fourth season, starring Raiga Saejima, Kouga’s son, as the title Garo. He’s “the strongest knight ever” according to the creators of the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygbgPkQ3JqM

• Set in medieval Europe, Honoh no Kokuin/The Carved Seal of Flames/Garo the Animation is actually available streaming legally. You should be watching. This Garo is Leon Luis, and his father is the show’s Zero (or “Zoro”).

• Gold Storm, the latest movie and 6th/current season, returns to Ryuga as the hero. So far it’s been good, but dang it, all of Garo is good!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4yyIjByB38