Catch the Legendary Tokusatsu Series Garo on Youtube

Japanese tokusatsu shows just got a tiny bit more accessible, as Garo Project has opened up for global, localized streaming via Youtube. The announcement was made on the official website on December 25th, 2020. It revealed that to celebrate the franchise’s 15th anniversary, the first Garo TV series, which originally aired in 2005, would be made available in an HD remastered format on the official Youtube Channel. Further, the channel would have localized subtitles in English, Thai, and Chinese. Currently the first two episodes are available. [Thanks, ANN!]

Created by Kamen Rider character designer Keita Amemiya and helmed by tokusatsu veterans like Makoto Yokoyama and Kengo Kaji, Garo centers around the concept of “Inga,” a dark energy created by mankind’s malice. Inga is consumed by demonic entities called Horrors, which cross over from the Makai World into the human world to devour people, the source of Inga. Protecting humanity from the Horrors are the knights and fighters of the Makai Order, a secret society. Koga Saejima (played by Hiroki Konishi) is a high-ranking Makai Knight. He bears the golden armor of Garo, a symbol of his position in the order. He encounters a painter, Kaoru Mitsuki (played by Mika Hijii). She encounters a Horror and, during the battle between it and Koga, is exposed to its blood, making her a target of further Horror attacks.

Compared to more well-known tokusatsu brands like Super Sentai/Power Rangers and Kamen Rider, Garo is relatively obscure. In fact, most overseas people who aren’t tokusatsu fans may know Garo best from various collaborations with games. Garo collaboration content has made its way into games like Monster Hunter Generations and Final Fantasy XIV. The addition of the original series to Youtube could be a sign that Garo is aiming to expand its reach more globally. Appetite for tokusatsu content overseas has grown in recent years, and their handlers in Japan are responding (if somewhat slowly). Toei has begun putting out classic tokusatsu shows via the Toei Tokusatsu World Youtube channel, and companies like Amazon and Netflix have commissioned exclusive work like Kamen Rider Amazons and Ultraman for their streaming services.

Check out the first episode of Garo here (Subtitles can be accessed via the Closed Captions option):

And here’s the second episode:

Garo is available for streaming on the GARO Project Youtube channel. North American fans can also stream the show via HIDIVE or acquire blu-rays from Section23 Films. The animated spin-offs Garo the Animation, Garo: Crimson Moon, and Garo – Vanishing Line – are available across Funimationa nd Crunchyroll in various regions.