GARO: Sentinel of the East (My Thoughts & Opinions)

I have been watching a lot of Tokusatsu alongside the wrestling entertainment industry in which I try to keep on with a lot of the time I get. I have been enjoying the time I take watching these shows. Whether that being Kamen Rider Fourze, Avataro Sentai Donbrothers or Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity, I have been having fun immersing myself in these shows.

Credit: GARO

There is one Tokusatsu that I have been diving into recently is GARO: Sentinel of the East. This show is the 23rd entry into the GARO franchise or more when counting the anime adaptions. I'll be honest when I say that I wouldn't be watching at all if it weren't for one specific person. 

Credit: Syuri on X/Twitter

I have been watching because one of my favourite wrestlers of all time is on screen even if it's for short time. That is the current IWGP Women's Champion Syuri. This blog is also a follow up blog to Syuri's IWGP Women's Title reign, which I mentioned a lot of tokusatsu there. 

I also should mention that this GARO season is a follow up in the fan term, the Ryuga-verse. This comes the show's primary protagonist, Ryuga Dogai as GARO has continuity unlike other shows like Kamen Rider, which has a few sequels, but majority are a self-contained story. GARO, on the other hand, isn't like that and you have to watch previous seasons before Sentinel of the East. 

Otherwise, you would end up like me when I was watching this show for the sake of Syuri being part of it. Very confused on the story beats because I didn't watch the previous seasons. Also this series is very accessible as it is all on their YouTube with most of them through YouTube membership. However, Sentinel of the East is completely free to watch and you have no excuses. Anyway, let's get into this.

GARO: Sentinel of the East

GARO: Sentinel of the East follows the events of the previous season, GARO: Heir to Steel Armor. The story centers on the collapse of the Eastern Region after the desert event. The focus would be in the Southern region, which is the struggling. This show follows our two main characters: Ryuga Dogai and Rian. 

The pilot episode, which is episode 0 explains the events of Ryuga's journey from last season and how him and Rian have been partners for quite a while with their own separate paths that cross each other. These two would help protect the Eastern Region from the HIRROR, which are what the demons or monster are called. 

The series has a focus on Ryuga and Rian's relationship besides that one time Rian wanted his kids, and yes, that was in the show. Rian especially since she has been chosen by the dying Ryume-Sama to be the new guardian dragon that separates the human world from the HIRROR world.

Ryuga is continuing his duty as a Makai Knight alongside this fucking priest, Lector. I don't actually hate him. He is quite a good character. His expressions make me so confused. It's like he's shitting in his pants while being angry at the same. I felt bad for the dude. Even though, he has admitted to not be the best guy. 

I'm not gonna do the entire thing, so you guys watch and actually do gain your opinion. However, I do like the theme of surviving together in tough times. This village is a struggle for survive and Monma (the Elder) is the embodiment of wanting to help the people even at the expense of himself. Which is why I like him and also Ayura was a fun character for that spot she was in.

Since I have spoken about the Elder, I have to speak about these three asshats and that's the best way to describe. Asaji, Hiruga (Syuri) and Kaname, which is probably wrong, but whatever. If I say Monma was the best physical embodiment of the people, these three were the opposite and it does fit with this whole survival of the fittest. But I feel bad for Monma. This man gets his ass beat and he is quite a soldier.

As much as I love Syuri as a pro wrestler, her TV character deserved more punishment than those three got later, so okay.

POST TIME!!!

This is probably the most unique tokusatsu show that I have had the privilege to watch. I want you to go watch this yourself and get your own opinion, which is why I barely touched the surface really. This is going to be the most unfinished thing that I have done in quite a while. I hope you all have a good day and I'll see you guys next time. GARO! 

Kind Regards,

ZERO (or Archer)