GARO: Crimson Moon (牙狼 -紅蓮ノ月-, GARO -Guren no Tsuki-) is the second anime, but organized as the first story within the Anime Series. It was broadcasted from October 2015 to April 2016 on TV Tokyo and other TXN stations.
Story[]
Introduction[]
Set in Japan's Heian Period, the capital is a shining city, full of brilliant light and magnificent flowers every season. Yet as the light grows, so does the darkness. When night falls, mysterious Horror (火羅, Horā) monsters attack humans, preying on the helpless.
To combat these threats, Makai Priests (魔戒法師, Makai Hōshi) wield extraordinary magic, while Makai Knights (魔戒騎士, Makai Kishi) don powerful armor to fight Horrors. The people call these protectors collectively "guardians" (守りし者, Morishi-sha).
Story[]
Intro[]
Set in an alternate history of Japan, within the Heian Period, the capital is a shining city, full of brilliant light and magnificent flowers every season. Yet as the light grows, so does the darkness. When night falls, mysterious Horror (火羅, Horā) monsters attack humans, preying on the helpless. To combat these threats, Makai Priests (魔戒法師, Makai Hōshi) wield extraordinary magic, while Makai Knights (魔戒騎士, Makai Kishi) don powerful armor to fight Horrors. The people call these protectors collectively "guardians" (守りし者, Morishi-sha).
Main Story[]
The story follows Raikou, a young Makai Knight tasked with defending the capital from Horrors while uncovering a dark conspiracy. Alongside him are Seimei, a master Makai Priest skilled in onmyōdō and divination, and his apprentice Kintoki. Together, they confront Ashiya Dōma, an enigmatic and powerful priest who manipulates Horrors to destabilize the capital and achieve his own nefarious ends.
As Raikou defends the city from relentless Horror attacks, he begins to notice a pattern: certain attacks are targeting influential noble families, suggesting a larger, orchestrated scheme. He is haunted by visions of a past Garo Knight and the ominous appearance of a "Crimson Moon," signaling a looming catastrophe. Meanwhile, Dōma maneuvers behind the scenes, using both Horrors and unwitting humans to advance his ritual aimed at resurrecting an ancient Horror lord beneath the crimson-lit sky.
Raikou faces numerous challenges, from cursed nobles and rogue Makai Knights to Horrors capable of manipulating human emotions. Each encounter pushes him to the limits of his skill and resolve, while Seimei and Kintoki work tirelessly to decipher celestial omens and mystical artifacts, such as the Moon Mirror, which amplifies Horror powers during the Crimson Moon. The allies uncover that Dōma's ultimate goal is to merge the realms of the living and the demonic, threatening to plunge the capital into chaos.
As the Crimson Moon rises, the final confrontation begins. Raikou battles Dōma and the Horrors he has unleashed, while Seimei and Kintoki combine their magical prowess to disrupt the ritual and protect the city. Amid intense duels, spiritual confrontations, and the awakening of ancient Horrors, Raikou dons the full power of the Garo armor to face the most dangerous threats. In the end, Dōma's plan is thwarted, the Horrors are sealed away, and the city is saved, though shadows still linger, hinting at future threats. Raikou emerges as a true protector of the capital, Seimei solidifies his role as a Makai Priest, and Kintoki grows into a capable apprentice, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.
Specials[]
- **Kyokuen:** A side story exploring the relationship between Raikou and Seimei, highlighting Seimei’s mystical training and the origins of his rivalry with Dōma. It provides insight into Raikou’s growth as a Makai Knight and the political intricacies of the Heian Court.
Aftermath[]
With Dōma defeated and the Crimson Moon prophecy averted, Raikou continues his duties as Garo, protecting the capital from residual Horrors. Seimei solidifies his reputation as a Makai Priest, and Kintoki emerges as a skilled apprentice capable of leading future missions. The Heian Period city remains bathed in light, but shadows linger, hinting at future threats from beyond the mortal realm. The story continues in The Fleeting Cherry Blossom.
Characters[]
Makai Knights[]
Makai Priests[]
Episodes[]
- ONMYOU
- TIED SWORD
- CURSE
- KAGUYA
- HAKAMADARE
- LURKING DEMON
- MOTHER DAUGHTER
- BROTHERS
- SHINE AND RUIN
- 1/10TH
- ZANGA
- CONFLICT
- SEIMEI
- SOUL MOON
- WORST
- SINISTER EVIL
- EXTINGUISHED STAR
- FRENZY
- VESSEL
- DUEL
- RESONANCE
- RUDRA
- ASSAULT MOON
- IMPRINT BUTTERFLY
Specials[]
Cast[]
- Masei Nakayama as Raikou
- Romi Park as Seimei
- Akiko Yajima as Kintoki
- Daisuke Namikawa as Fujiwarano Yasusuke
- Kenyuu Horiuchi as Fujiwarano Michinaga
- Tomokazu Seiki as Ashiya Douman
Staff[]
- Keita Amemiya
- Director: Atsushi Wakabayashi
- Script supervisors: Shou Aikawa, Toshiki Inoue
- Screenplay: Takawo Yoshioka, Seishi Minakami, Masaki Wachi, Shinichi Inotsume, Shigeru Murakoshi
Music[]
Opening Theme[]
- "Guren no Tsuki ~Kakusareshi Yami Monogatari~" (紅蓮ノ月〜隠されし闇物語〜, Crimson Moon ~Hidden Dark Story~, Episode 1-14)
- Lyrics: Masami Okui
- Composition: Hironobu Kageyama
- Arrangement: Kenichi Sudo
- Artist: JAM Project
- Hironobu Kageyama (Episode 1 and 2)
- Hiroshi Kitadani (Episode 3 and 4)
- Masami Okui (Episode 5 and 6)
- Yoshiki Fukuyama (Episode 7 and 8)
- Masaaki Endo (Episode 9 and 10)
- JAM Project (Episode 11-Episode 14)
- "Gekka" (月華, Episode 15-24)
- Lyrics: Masami Okui
- Composition: Hironobu Kageyama
- Arrangement: Masaki Suzuki, Shiho Terada
- Artist: JAM Project
Ending Theme[]
- "Kamon" (花紋) (Episode 1-14)
- Lyrics: Sayaka Sasaki
- Music: Masami Okui
- Arrangement: Masaki Suzuki
- Artist: Sayaka Sasaki with Inari Bayashi (Mayu Udono, Eriko Sato)
- "Karen" (花蓮, Episode 15-24)
- Lyrics: Sayaka Sasaki
- Music: Masami Okui
- Arrangement: Endou (GEEKS)
- Artist: Inari Bayashi (Ayaka Ohashi, Sayaka Sasaki, Mayu Udono, Eriko Sato)
Trivia[]
- A majority of the characters are fictional portrayals of real-life figures in the Heian Era or early Japanese myths.
- Raiko's voice actor is Masei Nakayama. He previously played Raiga Saejima on Garo: Makai no Hana.
References[]