The Garo anime based on the live action Japanese series of the same name features some great art mixing, a cool story, and some nice action. Mixing 2D and CGI animation in a rare instance where the blend works fairly well together, Garo season one is about a young son of a witch who looks to defeat the “horrors” with his Garo armor, and the aide of his father.

Garo: The Animation is an 2014 seinen anime series, it is produced by MAPPA, and licensed by Funimation. The series in currently available on DVD and Blu-Ray in English.

Main Character Leon Luis in the Garo armor.

For being an animated adaptation of a live action series, so far Garo really impresses. I’ve been judgmental of anime studios trying to blend 2D and CGI art styles for an anime in the past, but in Garo the occasional CGI really complements the entirety of the episode. Most the this is used for the true form of the horrors and the Garo armor, so it’s never just used mindlessly for the sake of using it. The story is pretty cool for season one, featuring the son of an executed witch who wants revenge, while still trying to get rid of the horrors. While a fairly mature series, Garo knows when to take the dark tones down a notch, which isn’t something you see very often in mature rated anime.

Leon Luis without the Garo.

THE GOOD: Garo is one of the more fun mature anime series out there, while the violence can get pretty gory, the other mature themes are somewhat light in comparison to other TV MA titles. There’s implied rape and sex, as well as nudity, but they’re never just flat out shown on screen. Another plus for Garo is the fact that the mixture of 2D animation and CGI isn’t an annoying eye sore, which is usually the case in most instances this occurs. The CGI is fairly limited and never thrown in your face for what feels like no reason. Garo features some pretty solid action sequences as well.

Prince Alfonso as he appears in the anime.

THE BAD: Nothing in particular.

Garo is an mature anime with a heart.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Garo: The Animation is an mature anime with a light hearted appealed for the most part. With a solid blend of 2D and CGI, a fun story, and great action, Garo: the Animation is one of the better animed/live-action remakes/spinoffs out of a huge bunch. Otaku Dome gives Garo: The Animation Season One, Part One an 87 out of 100.