A big anniversary for a long-running franchise is always a good excuse to look back on and celebrate where it all began, but what about going even further back to before the beginning? This is how the GARO franchise decided to celebrate its 20th anniversary, with the release of GARO: Taiga - a brand-new feature film starring a Taiga Saejima, father to Kouga (and grandfather to Raiga) whose time as the titular Golden Knight had previously only been seen through flashbacks. Series creator Keita Amemiya returned to write the film, as well as co-direct it alongside Masaki Suzumura who handles the action sequences. Shoichiro Kitada takes over as a younger Taiga, with the character having been played by Hiroyuki Watanabe in previous appearances.
Still fresh into his tenure as the Golden Knight, Taiga is tasked with recovering a stolen compass that houses the souls of four Sacred Beasts. Though their souls are bound to talisman within the compass, if they were first transferred to a human host then a Horror would be able to devour them. The mastermind behind the scheme is Jado, a powerful snake Horror that feeds on the memories and abilities of others to make itself stronger. Though Taiga is successful in defeating Jado and retrieving the compass, one of the Sacred Beasts, Byakko, is missing.
As Taiga and Fuki, a Makai Guide sent to assist him, search for Byakko, he's revealed to be a familiar face from Taiga's past. On top of that, Byakko reveals another reason why he does not wish to be sealed away just yet. As the pair try to navigate Byakko's wishes, Jado returns once more to enact its plan.
GARO: Taiga takes GARO fans further back than they've ever been before, and in doing so Amemiya also creates an ideal jumping on point for new fans. Though much of the Makai lore surrounding it may have been established in previous incarnations, the film keeps things relatively straightforward as far as story goes - greatly expanding on the spiritual side of things with its introduction of the Sacred Beasts. As far as the conflict with the Horrors goes it's your classic tale of good vs evil, so newcomers should have no issue being dropped in at the deep end with Taiga on the hunt for prowling Horrors. Its this focus on the spiritual side that owes to the unique feel of Taiga - standing out from other entries in the franchise without stripping away the fundamentals. With the original "Saejima-verse" side of GARO having been away from the franchise since 2019's Moonbow Traveler, veteran fans will be ecstatic to see staple elements like the armour's 99.9 second timer return once more. Whereas Moonbow Traveler felt very much "for the fans" in the way it brought three generations of the Saejima lineage together to celebrate the 15th anniversary, Taiga instead takes us to a place previously unexplored in the timeline - something equally as rewarding for fans, but far more approachable for those less versed in the world of GARO as well.
Much of that fact comes from the way the audience is thrust into the life of Taiga Saejima. Whilst his introductory fight with fire Horror Candolier may not have any real bearing on the actual story, it's serves as the perfect opener to the film - establishing his role as Garo whilst also giving off a good sense of his personality. Kitada just a fantastic job in his portrayal of this younger Taiga, providing a more youthful take on the character but with the essence of Watanabe's version still intact. Again, Taiga works though because it makes a point of not being based on legacy - the film doesn't go out of its way to explain how Taiga would eventually go on to father the show's flagship character nor does is the rest of its cast all related to the original series' cast one way or another. In fact, short of a very quick context-based scene at the end of the film there aren't any really any direct links here. The one constant here is Madou Ring Zaruba just as he is in every iteration of GARO, who's always on hand to help move the story along and give a snarky remark or two. The focus is instead on making Taiga a extremely likable character, one who takes his job as a Makai Knight seriously but also sees the joy in life. In one particular scene where Fuki remarks on his fatherly nature, it feels just as much a summation of what we see in the film as well a not-so-subtle nod at what the future has in store for him.
The title of the film all but confirms that Taiga is the focus here, but that doesn't stop it from also having a strong supporting cast as well. Though her introduction and initial role in the film might not suggest it, Fuki (played by Rika Kashima) is great support to Taiga and a character that only gets more interesting as the real story begins to develop. Her strict, straightforward nature eases up over time, with her past an interesting counterpoint to Byakko's as a well as being important in shaping her. Though not the usual kind of Makai Priest we tend to see in a GARO production, Fuki still proves to be a competent fighter with a strong sense of duty. Meanwhile Sacred Beast Byakko is similarly fascinating - a divine spirit who might actually feel the most human out of the whole cast. The way in which Byakko takes joy in the simplest of human pleasures such as eating and drinking brings a warmness to the film, but his is a story that's also filled with sorrow that feels equally human despite his supernatural nature. Family, fatherhood and the pain of separation form the core of Taiga, exploring the guilt Byakko feels for not being there for the child he fathered 80 years ago but also not wholly ignoring what it must be like for children who grow up without parental figures. Kazuki Namioka put out as equally standout performance as Kitada, seamlessly switching between Byakko as a carefree spirit and a man desperate to see his family once more.
Comparatively the film's villain seems a lot more straightforward, at least at first anyway. But the fact that the all-powerful Horror is seemingly defeated in the first act is a tell-tale sign that all is not what it seems, with Jado far more intertwined into the story as it progresses. Although the second act's switch in focus doesn't leave much room for a more nuanced villain, Jado still makes a strong impression and a worthy foe to Taiga. Toshiki Seto (best known to tokusatsu fans as Hiiro Kagami/Kamen Rider Brave in Kamen Rider Ex-Aid) delivers a suitably sinister performance, oozing with charisma as he emphasises the Horror's calm and calculating nature. Visually Jado is a sight to behold as well, the scaly black and red costume the perfect visual foil to the white and gold of Taiga (or rather the Saejima family)'s trademark white coat. While it may have been nice to see the last minute revelations concerning the character explored in greater detail, it still works well within the constraints of the story's format and running time.
The film's plot is relatively straightforward, but succeeds through its great use of the three-act structure. The first act is very much akin to an average GARO episode, and after introducing Taiga sets out the story succinctly before rounding it off with a suitably impressive fight scene. Following this the more conventional elements of the franchise take a bit of a breather, with the threat of Jado returns in the third act to again provide an explosive climax. Make no mistake Taiga's opening and closing acts are equally strong parts of the film, but in being the most representative of GARO they'll also be the most familiar to existing fans. It's the middle act that's in fact the most noteworthy, putting aside the "good vs evil" aspect aside for a moment to explore a far more introspective side. We truly see Byakko celebrating what it means to be human as he walks through a market and stops to drink with a group of complete strangers. To be truly human is to experience sorrow as well as joy though, and its through his backstory that we see those deeper themes surrounding fatherhood develop. This is also intertwined with some much needed backstory for Taiga, who at this age in his story is effectively a blank slate. The flashback scenes where Byakko trains a child Taiga aren't just effective in giving the pair a shared history, it also feels reflective of the people that they go on to become. It's a more slow-paced middle than viewers might expect, but it allows the film to fully indulge in its storyline and feel all the richer for it.
Its rich story and lore is only one side of GARO's charm though, and as a 20th anniversary celebration Taiga is also sure to kick the visuals up a notch as well. Over the years the franchise has become a lot more reliant on CGI for some of its more fantastical elements, and although it's arguably pulled some of that practical charm back in some of the more recent instalments it still doesn't feel quite as impactful as those early series did. With Amemiya back at the helm though there feels like there's more focus on the practical side than ever, with Taiga the most polished version of that original vision. The visuals of seeing that iconic gold suit of armour summoned down as a practical suit is just as exhilarating now as it was two decades ago, and it's fair to say that it's never looked better. While a suit that ornate naturally has its limitations, CGI feels like it's used to enhance and never replace. Similarly the Horrors are all realised as practical suits, making their nightmarish nature feel all the more real. But as it has become abundantly clear over the years, while the armour may be the showstopper but its the out of suit fight choreography where GARO truly leaves its mark. The fight scenes are just as fantastic as ever, showing off impressive feats of swordplay and stunt work from the very beginning.
However it isn't in just the fight scenes that Taiga shows off its visual prowess either, as even the quieter scenes display a new level of cinematography for the franchise. Though its distinct calligraphy-like animation is something of a staple by this point, here it works beautifully to help punctuate the more fantastical elements of the story. Taiga also stands out from many other GARO instalments as being an extremely colourful film - with scenes of bright blue skies and vibrant scenery quite the contrast to the usual (albeit equally stylish) scenes of night time urban fantasy. Even simple moments like Byakko and Taiga looking on at a town in the distance feel cinematic, highlighting how not a single shot feels wasted.
GARO: Taiga celebrates GARO's 20th anniversary in style, not just standing out as the best piece of GARO media in years but also working brilliantly as a standalone piece of fantasy tokusatsu action that newcomers can enjoy just the same without the two decades of history behind it. Amemiya fires on all cylinders as he delivers a film that's every bit as action-packed as fans have come to expect from the franchise, but beyond the spectacle there's a whole lot of heart to it as well. A must-see not just for GARO fans, but for anyone with even a passing interest in tokusatsu.
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