List of Garo: The Animation characters

This is a list of the characters from the anime series Garo: The Animation.

Zaruba

Voiced by: Hironobu Kageyama (Japanese); Barry Yandell (English)^[1]

Zaruba (ザルバ), is a "Madō Ring", a Madō Tool containing a Horror that holds no enmity against humanity, who has served the bearers of the Garo title for generations, giving advice, detecting Horrors, and devising combat strategies. Forging a pact with the holder of the Garo title, Zaruba takes a day of life from the contract holder once a month during every new moon. This places the Knight in a deep sleep for that day when his consciousness is brought to a realm outside of time, giving rise to the notion of the Golden Knight would disappear during the new moon.

In Guren no Tsuki, Zaruba is in the possession of Raikou, seemingly the key to summoning the Garo armor. He is under the effects of a magical seal Seimei placed on him and is usually in a petrified state, only becoming active when she releases the seal and allows Raikou to summon the Garo armor. After Raikou permanently breaks the seal, Zaruba remains active, albeit with dulled Horror-detecting senses.

In Honō no Kokuin, Zaruba previously belonged to León's grandfather, who passed him down to Anna. At some point in the past, Zaruba was broken, releasing the spirit sealed within. Germán gave Zaruba to a Makai Alchemist named Gael to repair sixteen years before the present day, as Zaruba would be necessary for León's proper growth into the Golden Knight. The repairs were extremely time-consuming, evidenced by Gael only just finishing repairs when the Luises arrive to retrieve Zaruba in the present day. Zaruba shows the ability to suppress León's flames in his armored form, allowing him to fight without going berserk. Zaruba's ring form is notably gagged with a small piece resembling a gag bit, meaning his only means of sporadic communication with León is through his spiritual realm where Zaruba's face hangs in the sky like a large moon. Zaruba is overwhelmed by the immense flames produced by León's Lost Soul Beast form, breaking his gag and thereby his suppressing seal. Germán confiscates Zaruba from León after the battle with Mendoza. Zaruba later ends up in Alfonso's possession, continuing his role as the Golden Knight's advisor and partner. Zaruba is later returned to León, considering him finally worthy of the title of the Golden Knight.

Garo: The Carved Seal of Flames

Main characters

León Luis (レオン・ルイス Reon Ruisu)

Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa (Japanese); Ricco Fajardo (English)^[1]

Seventeen-year-old León Luis is the holder of the title of Garo the Golden Knight (黄金騎士・牙狼（ガロ） Ōgon Kishi Garo). León is the son of the Makai Knight Germán Luis and the Makai Alchemist Anna, born as his mother was burning at the stake for witchcraft. Though saved by his father, who took him out of Valiante, León is haunted by visions of Anna's death and grew into a bitter and emotionally deadpan young man. León is quick to anger, highly distrustful of others, and largely naive about the world, making social interaction incredibly awkward at best for him. While a kind-hearted soul, León is initially apathetic about his duties as a Makai Knight and sees the Garo armor as both a simple heirloom and a means to avenge his mother's death rather than a symbol of a protector of humanity. Furthermore, León is also still under the protection of the magic that his mother used to protect him from the flames that claimed her life. This manifests in the burn-like markings that appear whenever he is distressed. The magic is fueled by negative emotions and causes León great pain if he is not calmed. If left alone for too long, the spell triggers the automatic donning of the Garo armor, sending León into a berserker rage where he will lash out at friend and foe alike.

During the battle with Mendoza, León loses himself in implanted visions of his mother's death, warping his armor with rage as he becomes the mindless Lost Soul Beast Garo (心滅獣身牙狼 Shinmetsu Jūshin Garo) whose raging Madō Fire explodes in an inferno that incinerates the town of Santa Bard within moments and endangers many innocent humans. After being taken down and stripped of his title by Alfonso, León loses his purpose in life. After a failed suicide attempt, León finds himself taken in by a farming family living somewhere downriver from Santa Bard and begins working as a farmhand while befriending Lara. Though León resolves to remain a farmhand after making amends with Alfonso, his peaceful days tragically end when a massive Horror slaughters Lara and her family. After burying Lara and contemplating his path, León vows to protect others so they would not have to suffer what he had and regains the Garo armor from Alfonso. Soon after, León has a one-night stand with Ema. Following Medoza's defeat, León becomes a mentor to his half-brother Roberto, training him in the Makai arts so he may one day become a Makai Knight and inherit the Zoro armor.

Originally, due to León's bitter and angry nature, the Garo armor was warped into a a slender and angular appearance, featuring long scarves ending in heavy rings, which can be used to snare opponents. In addition, the armor, when donned, cracks dramatically down the left side. Intense flames continually flow from the cracks, only being calmed after León forms a contract with Zaruba. Once León overcomes his inner demons and accepts his role as a protector, the Garo armor takes on its natural appearance. Both forms have red eyes. León exhibits far more control over the armor in its true state, as it does not crack or emit flames, nor does it carry the risk of the original form's berserker state, though it is able to project an aura of emerald-colored Madō Fire to strengthen attacks.

During the final battle with Mendoza, León uses both his sword and his father's weapons to combine the Garo and Zoro armors into Double Extreme Fusion Garo (双烈融身牙狼 Sōretsu Yūshin Garo). This composite armor possesses emerald-colored Madō Fire wings, León's original Garo armor's scarves, and Zoro's chain reels and is capable of flight. During the events of Garo: Divine Flame, León displays the ability to summon the golden-armored Madō Horse known as Gōten (ゴウテン), the traditional steed of the Golden Knight. During the final battle with the Horror Sir Venus, León becomes Heavenly Sword Glitter Garo (天剣煌身牙狼 Tenken Kōshin Garo).

Germán Luis (ヘルマン・ルイス Heruman Ruisu)

Voiced by: Kenyu Horiuchi (Japanese); David Wald (English)^[1]

Germán Luis is León Luis's father and a Makai Knight who holds the title of Zoro the Shadow Cutting Knight (絶影騎士・ゾロ Zetsuei Kishi Zoro). Germán had once called himself "Roberto" (ロベルト Roberuto). Before León was born, Germán and his wife Anna were imprisoned and tried for witchcraft in a campaign to hunt down Makai practitioners in the Valiante Kingdom. Germán escaped from his cell too late to save Anna, only arriving in time to save their son as he was protected by Anna's magic. Germán raised the boy outside the kingdom, hunting Horrors and avoiding Valiante's military.

Germán displays an easy-going, somewhat cocky, suave personality, and is a womanizer. However, he is also something of a deadbeat, once begging his son to lend him money (or, as he words it, "love") to pay for a prostitute who turned out to be the Horror they were tracking down. He regularly sleeps around with prostitutes and attempts to seduce women, defending the behavior by claiming he needs another son to one day inherit the Zoro title and armor as León inherited the Garo armor from his mother. Despite his annoying antics and playboy mannerisms, he is actually very perceptive and bold, and will turn serious and properly get work done when the situation demands it. While he finds his son's bitter disposition irritating, often suffering physical abuse from the boy when his behavior as perceived as adding further insult to Anna's memory, he nonetheless tolerates it all out of love for León. Germán is later severely injured during the battle against Mendoza, but he is taken in by innkeeper Ximena Coronado, who tends to his wounds and offers a bed. Germán is soon forced to leave Ximena when the Watchdog Garm orders him to start working with a previously thought dead Mendoza. It was only after Mendoza's true intentions are revealed that he aids his son in stopping him. Germán is eventually slain by a horde of Horrors and his soul is added to the crystal used to revive Anima. The only thing León is able to recover from his father is a single knife. After the final battle with Mendoza, it is revealed that Ximena is pregnant with Germán's child Roberto who León trains to one day inherit the Zoro title. Germán is revived during the events of Garo: Divine Flame.

In battle, Germán wields two knives that transform into curved short swords with hand guards in his armored form. These blades are attached to Zoro's arms with chains wound around reels on his wrists and can be extended and retracted. The swords can also either be combined into a large spade-like blade, or detached from the chains and combined at the hilts into a boomerang-like form. His armor is silver in color, and features an asymmetrical design and a tattered cape. Germán is partnered with a similarly silver-armored Madō Horse known as Getsuei (ゲツエイ), which he can summon as Zoro. The Zoro armor also displays the ability to surround itself with an aura of blue Madō Fire, strengthening Germán's attacks.

Alfonso San Valiante (アルフォンソ・サン・ヴァリアンテ Arufonso San Variante)

Voiced by: Katsuhito Nomura (Japanese); Justin Briner (English)^[1]

Alfonso San Valiante is the crown prince of the Valiante Kingdom, a noble and courageous young man who is willing to go to any length to protect his kingdom and people. On his twentieth birthday, Alfonso received a golden pendant that his mother, Queen Esmeralda, owned throughout her life. Embedded in the pendant is the symbol of Garo, a red gem in the shape of a triangle contained within a golden circle. Alfonso is noted to have been a fairly frail and sickly child, however, he managed to grow up as a strong, healthy, and formidable swordsman. When his father's adviser, Mendoza, usurps the crown, Alfonso is forced to become a fugitive to seek out the "Knight of Light" (光の騎士 Hikari no Kishi) to correct the wrongs. In his travels, Alfonso finds a mentor in the Makai Knight Rafael Banderas, who explains that his mother belongs to the lineage of the Golden Knight, Garo. Following Rafael's death at the hands of the Horror Anfel, Alfonso succeeds his master as Gaia the Knight of Defense (堅陣騎士・ガイア Kenjin Kishi Gaia)^{[lower-alpha 1]} and slays the Horror. During the battle against Mendoza, seeing his cousin unworthy to be the Golden Knight, Alfonso takes the title of Garo. Balancing his duties as both acting ruler of the kingdom and as the Golden Knight is stressful and tiring for the young prince, but he still manages to garner respect and adoration from everyone he meets. After recognizing León as the true bearer of the Garo armor, Alfonso takes up the title of Gaia once more. Alfonso's Gaia armor and sword shatter in his attempt to halt the Watchdog Center's advance on Santa Bard.

As Gaia, Alfonso dons a heavy suit of red-violet and gold armor with a cape and wields a massive great sword. His armor's design is mostly identical to Rafael's, save for a slimmer physique and blue eyes instead of orange. He is able to project blue Madō Fire, which he can use to propel himself at great speeds and strike with unrelenting force. Despite the armor being broken during the final battle of the series, Alfonso is still able to summon it during the time of the movie, replacing the tattered cape with long scarves and displaying the ability to summon a red-violet-armored Madō Horse known as Tenjin (テンジン). As Garo, Alfonso's armor more closely resembles the suit worn by his and León's grandfather, featuring the same cape and eye color as his Gaia armor. His Garo pendant is also prominently displayed, embedded in the armor's breastplate.

Ema Guzmán (エマ・グスマン Ema Gusuman)

Voiced by: Romi Park (Japanese); Monica Rial (English)^[1]

Ema Guzmán is a Makai Alchemist who acts alone. She is a smart and bold person, gladly embracing the term "witch" and allowing herself to be beaten and captured solely to get into an enemy lair. She is also rather brash, as despite her harsh predicament at the hands of her captors, she remains calm and never stops mouthing off.

She wields a retractable monomolecular wire contained in a gun-shaped spindle, both a weapon in physical combat as well as a magic focus. Her normal weapon is a small pistol-like tool, though she also possesses a staff-like weapon that can convert into a scoped rifle form, which allows her to release several threads at once for tracking or trapping purposes. She also displays the ability to use her hair as a weapon, turning her ponytail into a prehensile spear, though this requires her to actually remove said hair from her scalp. Despite being a Makai Alchemist, she is shown to be very adept at physical combat. She also shows some recognition of León's markings and their meaning. Ema adopts a playful and teasing, yet concerned attitude towards the boy, deeply shocked and apologetic when she causes him to reveal he is still a virgin. Ema was once married to another Makai Alchemist named Luciano, who was eventually possessed by the Horror Arabel, making Ema vow to be the one to slay him. Ema exhibits some distaste towards Makai Knights in general, finding them arrogant for thinking she, as a Makai Alchemist and a woman, would not be strong enough to fight Horrors on her own. Nevertheless, she comes to the aid of León's company time and again, and is on good terms with them. After slaying Arabel so Luciano can finally rest, Ema and León engage in a one-night stand. After the final battle with Mendoza, Ema parts ways with León and Alfonso, intending to return to her hometown.

Jiruba (ジルバ)

Voiced by: Aya Endō (Japanese); Jennifer Seman (English)

Jiruba is the bracelet-type Madō Tool partnered to Germán. She has a personality like a young woman and has a curt, serious demeanor, never speaking unless absolutely necessary. According to Germán, Jiruba had not spoken in several years before she briefly chastises him as he leaves Ximena's inn. Jiruba's distaste with speech extends to her Horror-detecting abilities, where she will instead rattle and vibrate to alert her holder rather than vocally warn them. Jiruba is later given to a pregnant Ximena as a protective charm and will one day be given to Roberto.

Supporting characters

Fernando San Valiante (フェルナンド・サン・ヴァリアンテ Ferunando San Variante)

Voiced by: Kōsuke Gotō (Japanese); Ben Phillips (English)^[1]

Fernando San Valiante is the king of the Valiante Kingdom. He personally attends the execution of Anna, and the alleged curse she put on him has left him wheelchair-bound, which was an excuse Mendoza used to stage his anti-Makai campaign. The king employed Mendoza as an advisor when the former Alchemist managed to allegedly cure a plague spreading fast in the city, and trusted Mendoza more and more for his exemplary services, never realizing that Mendoza had staged everything in order to gain his current position.

Esmeralda (エスメラルダ Esumeraruda)

Voiced by: Natsumi Tada (Japanese); Dawn M. Bennett (English)^[1]

Esmeralda is the queen of the Valiante Kingdom. Throughout her life, she carried a pendant featuring Garo's emblem, which she treats as a protective charm. She presents it to her son, Alfonso, on his twentieth birthday, which alerted Mendoza to her and her son's bloodline. When her husband, the king, is poisoned, she is accused of treason and is arrested. Rafael later reveals to Alfonso that Esmeralda is Anna's younger sister who was adopted into a noble family at a very young age, though she is unaware of this fact. Esmeralda is later found by Alfonso having committed suicide when she heard from the guards that her son returned to Santa Bard to prevent Mendoza from using her as a hostage against Alfonso. Alfonso, in turn, while mourning his mother's death, is left wondering if he would have been able to chastise León as he did had Mendoza actually used his mother as a hostage.

Garcia (ガルシア Garushia)

Voiced by: Katsuhisa Hōki (Japanese); Jeremy Inman (English)

Garcia serves as one of Alfonso's vassals.

Ximena Coronado (ヒメナ・コロナード Himena Koronādo)

Voiced by: Yumi Sudō (Japanese); Jād Saxton (English)^[1]

Ximena co-owns an inn with her father in the Valiante Kingdom capital city, Santa Bard. She initially meets Germán when he is left naked and without his equipment and gives him a sheet to protect his dignity. She later nurses Germán back to health when he is critically injured during the battles against Mendoza and León in his Lost Soul Beast form. Germán and Ximena briefly bond during his stay at her inn. As such, she is one of the few women he treats with any sort of actual respect and compassion. Ximena shows some medical knowledge, as she is able to treat Germán's severe wounds without any apparent side-effects. Ximena is later revealed to be pregnant with Germán's child, revealed in Divine Flame to be a son named Roberto, who is destined to become the next Zoro.

Roberto Luis (ロベルト・ルイス Roberuto Ruisu)

Voiced by: Miyu Tomita

Ximena and Germán's son and León's paternal half brother, named after his father. He is four years old by the time of Garo: Divine Flame. León has already begun training the boy as a Makai Knight, intending to make him the successor of the Zoro title and armor.

Antagonists

Mendoza (メンドーサ Mendōsa)

Voiced by: Takaya Hashi (Japanese); Vic Mignogna (English)^[1]

Mendoza is a close advisor to King Fernando San Valiante, a former Makai Alchemist who believed he and others in the Makai Order to be superior to humans. He served the Senate, but was excommunicated for creating Zirkel's Circle, a powerful Madō Tool that uses human blood to allow one to control Horrors, claiming the Tool would give the Makai order unlimited power. For using the Madō Tool and showing utter lack of repentance for sacrificing normal humans, Mendoza was branded with glowing red marks all over his body with his descendants cursed so his line would forever be banished from the Makai order. Though Mendoza manages to suppress the markings as he became advisor to Fernando, he is forced to slaughter his family after witnessing his newborn child bearing the marks. This act fuels Mendoza's desire for revenge on the Makai people ever further as he uses his position to spearhead a witch hunt to torture and execute hundreds of Makai practitioners in Valiante.

Years later, after learning Alfonso is of the Garo lineage, Mendoza stages a coup d'état by poisoning the king and framing Queen Esmeralda for treason. He later acquires Zirkel's Circle and uses it to infest Valiante with Horrors. Mendoza is unceremoniously and abruptly devoured by the powerful Horror Blood Moon, initially summoned to combat Alfonso, who had claimed the Garo armor just moments before. It is later revealed that Mendoza is still alive, now with a severely aged appearance, resuming the final stage of his plans deep within the catacombs of Castle Santa Bard as Garm orders Germán to assist him. Mendoza soon reveals to Germán that his true intention is obtain immortality by reviving the ancient Horror Anima with a crystal containing the souls of the Makai practitioners that were slaughtered during the witch hunts. It was only after learning Mendoza's true goal that Germán rebels and joins his son and nephew in stopping him. Mendoza is mortally wounded by León mere moments before Anima is revived, but absorbs Anima to gain almost limitless power. He is finally defeated when León forces him into the Makai and Anna's spirit, through León's protective seals, engulfs him in eternal flame.

Octavia (オクタビア Okutabia)

Voiced by: Mari Doi (Japanese); Colleen Clinkenbeard (English)^[1]

Octavia is a woman serving Mendoza who knows the truth behind his witch hunt against the Makai Knights and Alchemists. She pledged her loyalty to Mendoza after losing faith in God for failing to save her parents and sister from a wolf pack and witnessing firsthand the power the "devil" wields, claiming that Mendoza's power is more substantial and thus worthy of worship and servitude. She becomes his servant under the condition that she is never to touch him. Even after Mendoza's assumed death, Octavia continues to serve at the palace as no one is aware of her involvement with her master's plans. When placed in a situation were her association with Mendoza would be exposed, cursing being left with no alternative, Octavia is forced to sacrifice her right leg to the summoned Horror Resume to avoid being discovered by Alfonso, Ema, and León. Later, fueled by her hatred of Makai Knights, Octavia uses the power of Mendoza's staff to become a Horror-like armored being called Demon Beast Armored Octavia (魔獣装甲オクタビア Majū Sōkō Okutabia), willingly sacrificing her humanity for her master, as the Demon Beast Armor is powered by her hate and slowly eats away her life force. She is eventually killed by Ema after inflicting a wound on her.

Bernardo Dion (ベルナルド・ディオン Berunarudo Dion)

Voiced by: Hiroshi Yanaka (Japanese); Ivan Jasso (English)^[1]

Bernardo is a fallen Makai Knight serving Mendoza, holding the title of Zex the Darkness Knight (暗黒騎士・ゼクス Ankoku Kishi Zekusu), though it is unknown if this is his original title or one given to him upon defecting. Once a dedicated, by-the-book Makai Knight, Bernado was a friend of Germán and Anna, though he is envious towards the former for his carefree attitude and relationship with the latter. Though he uses sparring matches as a means to vent his frustration with Germán, he is unable to fight him seriously due to the Makai Order forbidding Makai Knights from fighting to the death. Bernado loses his faith in humanity when Germán and Anna are captured during the witch hunts. In anger, he breaks the Makai order's most sacred law, forbidding them from ever raising arms against humans, and cuts down several soldiers before being mortally wounded and losing his left hand. Near death, Bernardo is found by Mendoza, who offers him a chance at life and revenge against the people who harmed his friends. Bernado eagerly accepts the man's offer for new life in return for his servitude, realizing it would allow him to seriously fight Germán as an enemy. Mendoza turns Bernardo into a Horror-like being with a prosthetic gauntlet covering a blade embedded in his left forearm. Bernado oversees the Black Knights (黒の騎士団 Kuro no Kishidan), Horror-possessed soldiers who begin to replace Valiante's capitol guard, while training to finally settle things with Germán. When Germán, León, and Alfonso make their way through Valiante's castle to face Mendoza, Bernado finally has his duel with Germán. The battle ends with Bernardo being fatally injured. He briefly returns to his old self, seemingly with no memory of the last seventeen years, and asks his former friend to find an heir to his Knight title before he perishes and his body dissolves. His sword similarly dissolves, implying that his armor and title are indefinitely lost with their owner's death.

As Zex, Bernardo, appropriately, dons black armor. He wields a short sword and targe in battle, which become a longsword and large shield when armored. Bernardo has a black-armored Madō Horse as his steed, which he can summon in battle as Zex. His sword, shield and horse can be combined into a drill weapon. He is incredibly powerful, able to swat aside other armored Makai Knights with ease.

Dario Montoya (ダリオ・モントーヤ Dario Montōya)

Voiced by: Masato Hagiwara

Also known as Zem the Obsidian Knight (黒曜騎士ゼム Kokuyō Kishi Zemu), Dario is a blind Makai Knight who had been missing for some time until suddenly reappearing during the events of Garo: Divine Flame. As Zem, Dario dons dark blue armor and wields a spear with a cross on one end. Dario also has access to a similarly colored Madō Horse known as Raimei (ライメイ).

Other characters

Rafael Banderas (ラファエロ・バンデラス Rafaero Banderasu)

Voiced by: Hidetaka Tenjin (Japanese); Ben Bryant (English)^[1]

Rafael is a Makai Knight who holds the title of Gaia the Knight of Defense (堅陣騎士・ガイア Kenjin Kishi Gaia) and was closely acquainted with the previous Garo, León Luis' grandfather. Being an adequately sociable person despite his appearance and personality, Rafael was responsible for his friend's younger daughter, Esmeralda, being adopted into a noble family. Rafael's son was killed by a Horror at some point in the past, leaving Rafael without a successor. To compound the issue, he is also stricken with an unspecified terminal illness, periodically coughing up blood. Rafael encounters the fleeing prince Alfonso by chance, revealing to him the truth of his mother being part of Garo's bloodline while agreeing to train Alfonso as his successor after seeing the boy's courage and determination. With his illness worsening, Rafael decides to complete Alfonso's training early by sending the young man after the Horror Anfel. Sacrificing himself to protect Alfonso, Rafael bestows upon him Gaia's sword and title before being devoured by the Horror. He visits Alfonso in a vision one last time before passing on to the afterlife, giving the young prince his blessing.

As Gaia, Rafael dons heavy red-violet and gold armor and transforms the longsword he wields in battle into a massive great sword. He possesses the ability to set his blade aflame by scraping it in a circle the ground, covering it in green Madō Fire, and is capable of slaying Horrors several times his size in one swing. The sheer force created by donning his armor often damages the environment around him.

Garm (ガルム Garumu)

Voiced by: Mayu Udono (Japanese); Tia Ballard (English)^[1]

Garm is a Watchdog stationed somewhere in Valiante who appears in the form of a diminutive, young, white-haired human woman. However, she is far older than she looks and her true form is implied to be fairly horrifying. Garm displays a lazy, bored personality, often seen lounging on a mass of cushions while indulging herself in sweets or taking part in other leisurely activities. Despite being all-knowing of events in Valiante, Garm has a habit of giving half-truths and ignoring or changing the subject entirely when questioned, with Zaruba explaining this habit as simply Garm saying what she wants. This trait shows itself in ways such as mockingly referring to Mendoza as "Mendooza" (メンデューサ Mendyūsa) or allowing him to continue his actions while apathetic to the death toll as she plans to send the remaining Makai Knights and Alchemists to Santa Bard via the Watchdog Center to thin out the Horrors' numbers.

This character shares a name with a character known as "Gulm" in the original television series, but it is not known if they are the same entity within the Garo universe.

Anna Luis (アンナ・ルイス Anna Ruisu)

Voiced by: Eri Ōzeki (Japanese); Anastasia Muñoz (English)^[1]

Anna is Germán's wife and León's mother, who was burned at the stake 17 years before the present day in the witch hunt inquisition. She is also Esmeralda's older sister, having remained in the Makai Order while her sister is adopted into a noble family so she can pass on the Garo title. Eventually, after Anna marries Germán and bears his son, she is framed by Mendoza for causing the illness afflicting King Fernando. In her final act, Anna uses her magic to create the burn-like seal markings that protect the newborn León from the flames that consumed her as Germán saves their child. Anna's magic continues to protect León from any form of danger after her death. Her spirit protects León one final time during his final battle with Mendoza, engulfing the corrupted Makai Alchemist-turned-Horror in eternal, searing flames before guiding León out of the Makai.

Gael (ガエル Gaeru)

Voiced by: Chafurin (Japanese); R Bruce Elliott (English)

Gael is a Makai Alchemist who once fought together with León Luis's maternal grandfather, the previous Garo, in his younger days. When León was a year old, Germán gave a broken Zaruba to Gael to repair, a endeavor which took 16 years. When the Luises return in the present day to retrieve the completed Zaruba, they end up having to fight a Horror that had influenced and later possessed a young Makai Knight named Marcello, who had been serving as Gael's apprentice and assistant, into killing the elderly Makai Alchemist and stealing Zaruba.

The previous Golden Knight (先代黄金騎士 Sendai Ōgon Kishi)

Voiced by: Kazuhiro Yamaji

The previous holder of the title of Garo, grandfather to León and Alfonso through their mothers Anna and Esmeralda. He is deceased in the present day, but his spirit visits León in a realm outside of time while the latter is unconscious and fulfilling his contract with Zaruba, telling the boy not to fear his flames. He also appears to Rafael Banderas, his lifelong friend, when he is near death, silently offering to escort him to the afterlife, but Rafael refuses and declares he still has work to be done. Rafael once mentioned that while the previous Garo was a force to reckon with in battle, he had poor social skills. Notably, his armor is identical in shape to the armor worn by the Garo title holders in the live action entries of the series.

Lara (ララ Rara)

Voiced by: Madoka Aiba (Japanese); Brina Palencia (English)

Lara is a girl in a farm village. Her family finds León after his failed suicide attempt and takes him in, offering him food and a bed in exchange for his help around the farm. Lara becomes attached to León despite his reluctance to open up, but her family's welcoming warmth and her cheerful optimism manage to help him start breaking out of his loner attitude. She and her entire family are later killed in a Horror attack, Lara herself dying in León's arms. León buries her on a hill near the farm where she claimed white chamomile flowers would bloom in the spring.

Horrors

Demon Beasts Horrors (魔獣ホラー Majū Horā) are demons that originate from the Demon World (魔界 Makai). The usual variety of Horrors, called "Inga Horrors" (陰我ホラー Inga Horā, "Yin-Self Horrors") are grotesque black-winged skeletal demons that enter the human world, drawn by their primary "food" of human malice and darkness. They use Inga Gates, objects tainted by darkness, to transverse to the human world, usually taking the first human with inner darkness they come across as a host. From there, either taking over the host or forming a symbiosis, the Horror "evolves" into a unique form based on the Gate they emerged from with personal tastes and feeding habits.

With most summoned and controlled by Zirkel's Circle, the Horrors thrive in the Valiante Kingdom due mainly to the scarcity of Makai practitioners resulting from the Makai witch hunts. Once Alfonso takes the throne, he begins a systematic extermination of the numerous Horrors that continue to terrorize his kingdom after Mendoza's assumed death.

Hanamushi (ハナムシ)

A Horror that possesses the body of a harlot that feeds on her host's clients before being slain by Germán.

Metaclim (メタクリム Metakurimu)

A dinosaur-like Horror in stocks that possesses the corpse of Guillermo (ギレルモ Girerumo), a Makai Knight who was executed in Mendoza's arranged witch hunt. Metaclim serves Mendoza by posing as the captain of a squad the advisor sends out of Valiante to assassinate Germán and León, only to end up being slain by the latter.

Ezol (エゾル Ezoru)

A blade-armed Horror that possesses the body of Father Nicholas (神父ニコラス Shinpu Nikorasu). Slain by Ema.

Onbla (オンブラ Onbura)

A Horror with a lance on his left arm that possesses the body of Marcelo (マルセロ Marusero), an apprentice Makai Knight who was an apprentice to the Makai Alchemist Gael. Slain by León after he make contract with Zaruba.

Banbora (バンボーラ Banbōra)

A wooden Horror that uses bladed arms as weapons and projects images to lower its opponents' guard. Possessing a woodcutter's doll that belongs to an outcast boy named Alois, Banbora takes advantage of the boy's grudge against the people of his village for murdering his father when he attempted to expose their village's dark secret of performing human sacrifices for good fortune. But Banbora's feedings convince the villagers that Alois's mother, an outsider named Auriela, is a witch and needs to be sacrificed. Once the Makai Knights learn of its existence, Banbora attempts to devour the mob sent to prepare Auriela for sacrifice before being slain by León.

Jemitre (ジェミトレ Jemitore)

A caterpillar-like Horror that possesses the body of Count Romero (ロメロ伯 Romero-haku).

Almar (アルマー Arumā)

A Horror that possesses the body of Jordi (ジョルディ Jorudi), Santa Bard's resident blacksmith. Almar's left shoulder is a self-contained hammer, anvil and forge, with which it can temper and strengthen its sword on the fly. Slain by Germán.

Despera (デスペラ Desupera)

A Horror that possesses the body of Pepe (ペペ). Slain by León.

Moneta (モネータ Monēta)

A treasure chest like Horror that possesses the body of Donato (ドナート Donāto), a thief who helped Irene steal Germán's clothing and money. After possessing Donato's body, Moneta kills the other two thieves before going after Irene and running into Germán as he manages to slay the Horror.

Anfel (アンフェル Anferu)

A massive and powerful gate-like Horror that came to be known as the Chimera of Orvien (オルビエンのキマイラ Orubien no Kimaira). The older Makai Knight deciding to use it as a final test his apprentice, Anfel managed to kill Rafael before being slain by Alfonso when he inherit his mentor's Makai Knight armor and title.

Blood Moon (ブラッドムーン Buraddo Mūn)

A massive and powerful Horror that is also known as the Apostle of Dawn Moon (暁月の使徒 Gyōgetsu no Shito). Blood Moon is summoned forcibly by Mendoza from Zirkel's Circle. Blood Moon unceremoniously devours Mendoza mere seconds before he can battle Alfonso, who had just taken up Garo's sword.

Aboradura (アボラデュラ)

An armored skeletal Horror that possesses the body of Lord Rolando (ロランド卿 Rorando-kyō). Slain by Germán.

Convexo (コンベクスォ Konbekuswo)

A Horror that possesses the body of Count Albar Juste (アルバール・ジャステ伯 Arubāru Jasute-haku). Slain by Alfonso.

Medicruz (メディクルス Medikurusu)

A Horror that possesses the body of Michael (ミケル Mikeru) who idolized a wandering masked physician named Fabian. Possessed by the Horror, Michael assumed his idol's identity while presenting himself in Santa Bard as a miracle physician. In Horror form, Michael has the ability to heal and augment himself using a variety of surgical tools in the drawers on his chest. While Michael nearly killed Germán, his insatiable need to heal and mend led to his downfall when the Makai Knight cuts Michael down while he was tending to his severe wounds.

Grand Magus (グランドマグス Gurando Magusu)

A massive and incredibly dangerous serpentine Horror that burrows underground. Grand Magus destroys Lara's family's farmstead and slaughters the entire family before being cut down by Alfonso.

Mandura (マンドゥーラ Mandūra)

A plant Demon Echo Horror (魔響ホラー Makyō Horā) and one of Apostle Horrors (使徒ホラー Shito Horā) that constantly wails and moans while using its vines to ensnare and whip victims. Mandura is cut down with the combined efforts of Alfonso as Gaia and León, who had just recently reclaimed Garo.

Arabel (アラベル Araberu)

A raven-like Horror that can transform into a high-speed aircraft-like form armed with guns and missiles. Years prior, Arabel possessed the body of Luciano Guzmán (ルシアーノ・グスマン Rushiāno Gusuman), Ema Guzmán's husband and a Makai Alchemist, by playing on the man's desire to learn how to save Horror-possessed individuals rather than slay them. From there, Arabel runs rampant for years, killing countless Makai Knights and innocent humans. Ema eventually tracks Arabel down and slays him on her own at her insistence, finally putting her husband to rest.

Resume (レジューム Rejūmu)

A twin-headed Horror that was sealed in an egg-shaped Madō Tool by Mendoza for his use. Resume can be controlled by whoever releases it.

Gemellus (ゲメルス Gemerusu)

A Horror that can create clones of itself.

Anima (アニマ)

Anima is an ancient giant Horror of great power, resembling a headless human female with shiny blue skin and mouths on the palm of her hands. As Anima was sealed beneath the Valiante Kingdom by the Makai Order, Mendoza schemed to revive the Horror to obtain immortality. This plot involved Mendoza engineering his conquest of Valiante and creating a crucifix-shaped crystal composed of the souls of countless Makai practitioners that were killed in his witch hunt. The Watchdog Garm intends to allow Mendoza to carry out his plan, sending the remaining Makai Knights and Alchemists to Santa Bard via the Watchdog Center to thin out the Horrors' numbers despite the inevitable total destruction of Santa Bard and countless human deaths that would result from such a plan. Anima is eventually revived with the crucifix-shaped crystal embedded through her torso. Anima is absorbed by Mendoza, who becomes a god-like being before being ultimately subjected to the flames from Anna's protection spell transferred from León.

Nigra Venus (ニグラ・ヴェヌス Nigura Venusu)

Voiced by: Arisa Komiya

The antagonist of Garo: Divine Flame, Nigra Venus is a Horror known as the most beautiful Horror and possesses the body of Sara (サラ), the princess of the neighboring kingdom of Vazelia. Nigra Venus later becomes Sir Venus (サー・ヴェヌス Sā Venusu).

Crimson Moon

Main characters

Raikou (雷吼 Raikō)

Voiced by: Masei Nakayama, Megumi Han (child)

Raikou is the wielder of the Garo armor during the Heian period in Japan. He was discovered by Seimei as a young teenager already in possession of the Garo armor, blindly wandering through a forest as a Lost Soul Beast covered in Horrors for reasons yet unknown. Seimei manages to release him from the armor and puts a seal on Zaruba, preventing Raikou from summoning his armor without her permission. Raikou is shown to normally be somewhat impulsive and naive, though he is deeply devoted to his duty as a Makai Knight to slay Horrors and protect people and becomes very serious when Horrors are involved. His real name is Minamoto no Yorimitsu (源 頼光); "Raikou" is simply a nickname given to him by his family's retainers. Raikou was exiled from his home at a young age in a bid to have the Garo armor pass to his paternal half-brother, Minamoto no Yorinobu, thereby putting the Golden Knight in the hands of the corrupt aristocrats, and wandered alone for some time before being discovered by Seimei. Raikou realizes he cares deeply for Seimei after she leaves him behind, falling into a depression. After Seimei becomes Rudra's vessel, Raikou nearly slays her until Kaguya intervenes. After the battle, Raikou notes that he feels Seimei's true self fighting against the darkness that has consumed her. He vows to save her, bringing himself into conflict with Inari and Yasusuke, who believe Seimei is lost forever and must be slain before Rudra can fully awaken. Later, through a ritual performed by Haruaki, Raikou enters Seimei's spirit and frees her from Rudra's control.

As Garo the Golden Knight, Raikou's armor features blue eyes and a somewhat dulled appearance. Using the armor is incredibly taxing on Raikou's body and quickly wears down his stamina. Eventually, learning the reasons behind the seal and vowing to protect Seimei in return, Raikou permanently breaks the seal on his own, allowing him to summon the Garo armor at will. In addition, the armor assumes a more powerful form known as Garo Battle Formation (牙狼陣 Garo Jin), featuring a design reminiscent of traditional Japanese armor. The Battle Formation state is capable of freely emitting emerald-colored Madō Fire, incinerating lesser Horrors effortlessly. Kintoki refers to the Battle Formation state as Raikou's "true form". During the final battle with Rudra, Seimei's barrier, which separates the battle from normal time, is cracked and Raikou unwittingly exceeds the time limit on his armor, becoming Lost Soul Beast Garo once more. However, due to already having assumed and overcome the form in the past, he is able to regain control of himself. Seimei then grants him the power of Winged Garo (翼人牙狼 Tsubasabito Garo), allowing the Garo Battle Formation state to take flight with a pair of ornate golden wings, featuring a bow of red rope that can be used for offensive and defensive purposes.

Kintoki (金時)

Voiced by: Akiko Yajima, Mamoru Miyano (Tokiwaka)

Kintoki is a young boy who idolizes Raikou and aspires to be his apprentice, but he is considered to be too young despite often being more down to earth, mature, and responsible than his senior. The metal rods he carries, when slammed together, produce sparks that can be used to sense if someone has been possessed by a Horror. Raikou and Yasusuke also display the ability to set their blades aflame in their armored forms by drawing them across Kintoki's clubs. Kintoki is hinted to be much older than he seems, apparently always having the appearance of a child. It is revealed in an extra episode that Kintoki's real name is Tokiwaka (常若), a Makai Knight who was once a young adult, but whose armor had the unexplained side-effect of making him younger and erasing his memories with each use. Additionally, the armor's side-effect prevents him from aging naturally. As a result, Tokiwaka gained a reputation as a Makai Knight who never used his armor. Tokiwaka met Raikou's mother Tamagushi (玉櫛) years ago and vowed to protect her, sacrificing his memories and adult body to protect her and her unborn son from a group of Horrors one night. A year later, having taken the form of Kintoki and now employed as the Minamoto clan's retainer, Tamagushi entrusts him with the protection of the infant Raikou despite not remembering the promise he made to her as Tokiwaka. As Tokiwaka, he wields dual axes that can be combined into a dual-headed form and his armor is apparently green in color.

Seimei (星明)

Voiced by: Romi Park, Madoka Aiba (child)

Seimei is a Makai Alchemist and onmyōji who acts as Raikou's "handler", having discovered him as a Lost Soul Beast in the past and put a seal on the Garo armor that prevents him from using it on his own. She believes beauty is important, and will often remark upon it when she sees it. Seimei normally shows a playful, easygoing, immature personality, having an affinity for sweets and rare treasures, but will quickly become serious when the situation demands it. She often poses as a courtesan to lure men in for her own interests. She also has an unexplained hatred for butterflies and is noted to be a frequent liar. She seems to enjoy having Raikou under her thumb, intentionally causing frustration for him and adamantly refusing to release the seal on his armor for any longer than absolutely necessary. Raikou recognizes that the seal is only in place so Seimei can control him and frequently demands she release it permanently, but she always either ignores him or changes the subject, claiming that he would be consumed by the armor's power again. It is later revealed that Seimei created the seal specifically to keep Raikou safe and close to her, having fallen in love with him at some point after they met. It is also revealed later that the seal requires constant maintenance, which continuously drains away at Seimei's own life force. She maintains the seal out of fear that Raikou's incredible devotion to his duty might eventually lead to him senselessly throwing his life away to save people.

It is later revealed that her real name is Kiyome (きよめ), a daughter of the Abe clan and Abe no Haruaki's granddaughter. However, she relinquished her name and birthright to become a Makai Alchemist in order to avenge the deaths of her parents, who sacrificed themselves to seal numerous Horrors. She found a mentor in Priest Douma, who gave her the name "Seimei", meaning dark and light, and encouraged her to embrace her inner darkness, a notion Seimei found disagreeable enough to part ways with Douma. She often comes into conflict with the nobility and onmyōji of Heian-kyō because of her history. After Raikou manages to break the seal on the Garo armor on his own, Seimei parts ways with him and Kintoki, deeply shaken by how close she had come to falling to darkness with them. She is later found wandering alone, struck with a curse placed on her by Priest Douma, which she once used to drain away darkness latched onto the Garo armor. The curse slowly uses her inner darkness to transform her body into a vessel for the powerful Horror known as Rudra.

Aside from her ability to control the seal on the Garo armor, Seimei also displays the ability to create a spiritual barrier to prevent Horrors from escaping battles with Garo. She later binds the Horror that was once her mother Katsurako to a large chariot-like Madō Tool, giving her the ability to take a more active role in combat.

Once she fully becomes Rudra's vessel, Seimei's appearance changes. Her hair and eyes darken and she begins wearing a dark-colored outfit with a prominent crescent moon tattoo. Rudra's personality overshadows hers, making it seem as if she has no recollection of Raikou and Kintoki. She now utilizes dark magic and displays the ability to dissolve into a swarm of dark butterflies to distract or elude an opponent. She appears to be immortal, as she comes back to life when Yasusuke manages to slay her, although she is visibly drained when she does come back. However, her powers are no match for Kaguya's, as she becomes useless once Kaguya begins chanting a sealing spell. Later, during a ritual performed by her grandfather, Abe no Haruaki, allowing Raikou to enter Seimei's spirit and release her in exchange for Haruaki himself becoming Rudra's vessel. After returning to her true self, Seimei keeps the oversized Madō Brush her possessed form carried, able to use it to launch powerful attacks. Seimei, being of the Abe clan, is the only person able to unleash Kaguya's true power, assisting her in sealing Rudra once and for all.

Fujiwara no Yasusuke (藤原 保輔)

Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa

Yasusuke is a member of the Heian-kyō police magistrate, a member of the Fujiwara clan despite having never felt like a noble. Overcome with the pressures of his noble obligations and frustrated with the aristocracy's neglect of common citizens, Yasusuke relinquishes his title and name and becomes a thief who steals from aristocrats, taking on the name Hakamadare (袴垂). He is later shown to have formed a gang of thieves that steal from aristocrats and give to the poor, vowing never to take a life unless absolutely necessary. By twist of fate, Yasusuke eventually receives his family's armor, thought to be long lost, through a distant relative and becomes a Makai Knight, taking on the title of Zanga the Silver Knight (白蓮騎士・斬牙（ザンガ） Byakuren Kishi Zanga).^{[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3]} As an aristocrat, he is a firm and honorable character who has a soft spot for the common people and never looks down on people who are of lower social status. After he becomes the thief Hakamadare, he adopts a brash and aggressive personality, and is now openly disdainful of the aristocracy, making scornful remarks at them whenever a chance to do so presents itself. Yasusuke comes into conflict with Raikou once his brother Fujiwara no Yasumasa is killed by Seimei, insisting that she must be slain and can not be saved despite Raikou's beliefs to the contrary. After a duel, Yasusuke agrees to not kill Seimei, but warns Raikou to not allow any more lives to be lost. After Seimei is freed, Yasusuke rejoins the group in order to slay Rudra once and for all, giving Kaguya the magic book that kept the protective seal on the Light Palace so she can remember the sealing incantation.

As Zanga, Yasusuke dons ornate white armor with gold, silver and blue accents and wields a large scimitar. Unlike other Makai Knights, who draw one or two separate circles with their blades to summon their armor, Yasusuke traces an infinity symbol (∞). He is able to "walk on air" by stepping off magical ripples he forms under his feet. Yasusuke is later given an orb containing blue Madō Fire by Inari. Drawing his blade across the orb allows the Zanga armor to be engulfed in a light blue fiery aura, increasing his strength such that he can break one of the possessed Seimei's dark magic circles. He is also able to set his blade aflame by drawing it across one of Kintoki's clubs.

Goruba (ゴルバ)

Voiced by: Chō

Goruba is a Madō Tool shaped like a bracelet in Fujiwara no Yasusuke's possession. He originally belonged to the previous Silver Knight and boss of a gang of robbers known as Tenkaimaru (天戒丸) , once Fujiwara no Tokitada (藤原 時定) and a distant relative of Yasusuke's, and was given to Yasusuke to facilitate his Makai Knight training in his predecessor's steed. Goruba possesses a personality much like an old man.

Fujiwara no Michinaga (藤原 道長)

Voiced by: Kenyu Horiuchi

Fujiwara no Michinaga is the head of Heian-kyō's aristocratic class. He wishes to simply live as a noble, but must supervise the city. He is enamored with Seimei, but she always gives him the slip. He wishes to have a powerful Makai Knight, preferably the Golden Knight, under his exclusive command to enforce his influence over the region. It is later revealed that the current Ashiya Douman is his brother, cast away as an infant for reasons unknown. Michinaga extends a hand to his brother to join him, but Douman refuses out of spite. Michinaga displays incredible emotional control, staying calm during the attack on the palace and the emergence of the Crimson Moon, and vows that he will never become a Horror. Michinaga seems to be delighted with Raikou's argument about him and Ashiya Douman being the same. However, he also states that Raikou and Ashiya Douman are also the same, much like the philosophy of yin and yang. During Rudra's awakening, Michinaga refuses commoner entry to the Light Palace and lies to the populace, finally losing his cool when his magic book, which keeps the protective barrier around the Light Palace in place, is stolen. He mistakenly blames Yorinobu, who had butted heads with him only moments prior, and demands his execution. Michinaga's ultimate fate after Rudra's attack on the capital is unknown.

Inari (稲荷・三狐神)

Voiced by: Sayaka Sasaki, Mayu Udono, Eriko Satō

Inari are three doll-like women who together serve as the Eastern Watchdog. Like other Watchdogs seen in the series, they have a habit of giving vague half-truths and non-answers when questioned, especially regarding the mysterious lack of Makai Knights in Heian-kyō aside from Raikou and later Yasusuke. It is later revealed that Heian-kyō's Makai practitioners have been spread thin searching for the "key" to the Crimson Moon, a magical seal keeping the Horror known as Rudra at bay, and that Inari's habit of dodging questions about the situation is because of orders from their superiors. The primary member of the trio, the one who sits highest and typically the only one who faces whoever they are addressing, has made it clear more than once that they do not trust Raikou and are annoyed by Yasusuke's brash, disrespectful attitude, although they later begrudgingly praise his thieving skills when he delivers Michinaga's magic book to Kaguya. Collectively, they also seem to enjoy teasing Kintoki, calling him a "bean" despite his protests. Inari do not concern themselves with emotional attachment, sternly ordering both Raikou and Yasusuke to slay Seimei, now the vessel for Rudra, despite their history with her and reminding the Knights that their duty comes first. Inari are able to appear in the mortal realm and hold significant power, able to summon a fox deity to attack foes.

Supporting characters

Shijō Kintō (四条公任)

Voiced by: Nozomu Sasaki

Shijō Kintō is the head of the Heian-kyō police magistrate who serves Michinaga. He shown to be devoutly loyal to Michinaga, though this is eventually revealed to be a front, as Kintō is secretly working towards claiming Michinaga's position as head of the aristocracy. Kintō is also discovered to have been hiding evidence of Fujiwara clan members' disappearances, both from his own murders and from Yasusuke cutting down Horrors, in the police magistrate office. Kintō reveals himself as a Horror after Yasumasa presents the discovered evidence to Michinaga and is quickly cut down by Yasusuke, allowing Yorinobu to become the new head of the police magistrate.

Kamo no Yasunori (賀茂 保憲)

Voiced by: Masao Komaya

Kamo no Yasunori is an onmyōji and the head of the Kamo family who serves Michinaga. He possesses great hatred and jealousy for Abe no Haruaki, which eventually leads to him being swayed by Ashiya Douman's dark power and possessed by a Horror. He is cut down by both Raikou and Yasusuke.

Abe no Haruaki (安武 晴明)

Voiced by: Hidetaka Tenjin

Seimei's paternal grandfather and a man said to be the most powerful onmyōji in Heian-kyō. He is closest to Michinaga. He taught Seimei several Makai Alchemist skills and is the only other known person who can release the seal on the Garo armor. He eventually reveals to Seimei that the Abe clan are the longtime caretakers of the Crimson Moon, a powerful magical seal designed to keep the ancient Horror known as Rudra at bay. However, when Seimei becomes a vessel of Rudra, Haruaki cannot seal the darkness within her. He is also familiar with Kaguya and has begun assisting both Raikou and Kintoki to get Seimei back. He, along with Kaguya and Raikou, performs a ritual to free Seimei from Rudra's control at the cost of becoming the Horror's vessel himself. However, the group does not manage to cut him down in time and Rudra awakens.

Fujiwara no Yasumasa (藤原 保昌)

Voiced by: Takanori Hoshino

Fujiwara no Yasumasa is Yasusuke's older brother who is one of Michinaga's Four Heavenly Kings. He is deeply devoted to justice and is a skilled swordsman, though Yasusuke briefly notes that his brother's personality used to be different. He is aware of Yasusuke being Hakamadare and is dedicated to capturing him, but also seems impressed by his brother's willpower. Yasumasa is unceremoniously slain by Seimei under the control of Rudra, causing Yasusuke to vow revenge, bringing both the Golden and Silver Knights into conflict.

Minamoto no Yorinobu (源 頼信)

Voiced by: Katsuhito Nomura

Minamoto no Yorinobu is an expert swordsman who is another of Michinaga's Four Heavenly Kings. He is also Raikou's younger paternal half-brother, a fact he is completely unaware of until Raikou slays a Horror that possesses one of his retainers. Despite not being a Makai Knight like his half-brother, Yorinobu quickly dedicates himself to taking care of the people in his own way, starting with going to poor districts and running a meal line with Suetsumuhana. Yorinobu displays a preference for two-handed swords in battle and is a competent soldier, but is often completely outclassed by Horrors whenever he engages them in combat. After Kintō's demise, he is promoted to the new head of the Heian-kyō police magistrate by Michinaga. Yorinobu, against Michinaga's orders, allows common people to take shelter in the Light Palace during Rudra's reawakening. This, along with the mistaken belief that Yorinobu stole the book keeping the palace's barrier in place, causes Michinaga to order Yorinobu's execution, revealing Michinaga's true colors. Yorinobu's fate after this is unknown.

Izumi Shikibu (和泉式部)

Voiced by: Noriko Hidaka

Izumi Shikibu is an informant who Raikou, Seimei, and Kintoki regularly go to for advice. Despite being older than her regular clients and in a position of status, she insists on being addressed as "Izumi-chan." Izumi's favorite saying is "life is fleeting," a belief she shows through a relatively easygoing, flirtatious attitude.

Tada no Shinbachi (多田新発意)

Voiced by: Shinpachi Tsuji, Masanori Takeda (Mitsunaka)

Tada no Shinbochi is Yorinobu's and Raikou's father, who remains a powerful Buddhist priest in Heian-kyō. He was a powerful military aristocrat named Minamoto no Mitsunaka (源 満仲) before becoming a Buddhist priest. He is killed by a Horror while protecting Yorinobu's mother, having been chronically ill for some time.

Kaguya (赫夜)

Voiced by: Ayaka Ōhashi

Kaguya is a princess who was raised by an elderly couple, apparently found by her foster father as an infant in a bamboo stalk and was born from the moon. She possesses mysterious abilities, including the power to heal wounds with a light touch. Kaguya had many suitors, but they were all slaughtered and it was believed she was a Horror. In truth, Kaguya's foster parents ended up becoming hosts for Horrors due to their greed, demanding expensive and rare treasures as gifts from suitors in Kaguya's name. Once Raikou slays the Horrors, Kaguya decides to return to the moon, having lost the only two people who compelled her to remain on Earth. Kaguya is for unexplained reasons on Earth once more once the moon turns crimson due to Ashiya Douman and Priest Douma's schemes.

Upon reuniting with Raikou, it is revealed that Kaguya is a human-shaped Madō Tool, created by an ancestor of the Abe clan to seal Rudra. She has forgotten the full extent of her power, but is slowly remembering her abilities piece by piece. She displays her aforementioned healing abilities and the power to create a magical barrier, though Haruaki mentions she has the potential to be far more powerful. She's shown to recover almost all of her power during a ritual performed by Abe no Haruaki. Later, after receiving Michinaga's magic book, she is able to remember all 12 lines of Rudra's sealing incantation. After Rudra is sealed, Kaguya returns to the moon once more, promising to watch over her friends and observe humanity's progress.

Tachibana Masamune (橘 正宗)

Voiced by: Kōsuke Gotō

Tachibana Masamune is a womanizing aristocrat who is a henpecked husband, called "the most worthless aristocrat in the capital." He is seemingly unable to learn from his mistakes and do away with his lecherous ways, as he is quick to celebrate his wife's death (having been consumed by a Horror and slain by Raikou) and his newfound "freedom" to continue lusting after beautiful women.

Suetsumuhana (末摘花)

Voiced by: Kimiko Saitō

Suetsumuhana is an aristocrat, known by other high-class people as the "tragic princess" because of her unfeminine behavior and boisterous attitude, making her undesirable to aristocratic men. She, along with Yorinobu, often visits the poorer districts of Heian-kyō and helps feed the common populace despite her family's protests. She has some skill with a naginata. Suetsumuhana notes that Yorinobu is the first man who has ever seriously called her beautiful.

Antagonists

Ashiya Douman (蘆屋 道満 Ashiya Dōman)

Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki

Ashiya Douman is an onmyōji who appears to have some control over the Horrors. His name actually a title he inherited from his mentor Priest Douma. He has significant power, able to produce thorny vines to snare opponents or use his heavily scarred face as an Inga Gate to "infect" others with Horror possession. Douman is obsessed with darkness, willing to go to any lengths to spread evil throughout the land through Rudra's power. It is later revealed that Douman is Fujiwara no Michinaga's long-lost brother, having been scarred and cast out of the clan as an infant. When his identity as a Fujiwara clansman is revealed, Douman refuses Michinaga's offer of an alliance, as their goals are too different despite having similar paths. His power, however, is still no match for the Watchdog Inari. Douman allows Rudra to consume him upon its revival, his body emerging from the Horror's primary face. When Raikou enter's Rudra's inner darkness to cut down Douman, he notes that Douman still clings to some small amount of light, otherwise he would have lost his will and been completely absorbed by the Horror. Once Rudra is sealed, Douman challenges Raikou to one final duel, despite Raikou's protests, and is swiftly defeated. In his final moments, Douman accepts the light, his facial scars fading before his body dissolves in Seimei's arms.

Priest Douma (道摩法師 Dōma Hōshi)

Voiced by: Takaya Hashi

Douma is Douman's mentor who was the previous "Ashiya Douman" and knows about Raikou's past, calling him a cursed child. He trained Seimei in the Makai arts and notes that she will forever struggle with the balance of light and darkness within her, constantly taunting her from the shadows. He later places a curse on Seimei, manifesting as dark symbols down her body, slowly transforming her into a vessel for the Horror Rudra. Priest Douma is killed when Ashiya Douman turns on him.

Horrors

The Horrors (火羅（ホラー） Horā) that manifest in Heian period Japan served as the inspiration of the myths of the Preta through appearing from the Demon World. The spiritually unaware simply call them "evil spirits" (もののけ mononoke).

Engou (閻剛 Engō)

A Nio-like Horror that possesses the body of Junkei (順慶), a busshi who killed beautiful women to use them as models for Bodhisattva statues. Junkei ended up becoming Engou's host when the Horror emerged from a small Bodhisattva statue he created that was placed inside a Nio statue controlled by Douman. Engou acts on Junkei's obsession to kidnap beautiful women to turn them into a Bodhisattva statue until Seimei manages to lure him so Raikou can slay the Horror.

Gaira (骸羅)

Horrors that possess the bodies of imperial envoys.

Dogura (怒蜘羅)

A tsuchigumo Horror. When a Makai Knight named Katsuragi no Chiharu (葛城 千晴) was surrounded by Horrors including Gaira, Dogura manifests upon sensing the fear-induced inner darkness of the Chiharu's apprentice son Katsuragi no Hisayori (葛城 久頼) and possesses the young Hisayori's body before devouring his host's father. The Horror could control any sword, claiming that the sword chose its own master. Dogura is defeated by Raikou, and Hisayori returns to normal and lasts long enough to hold his father's skull before vanishing.

Tengu (天愚)

Horrors that possess the bodies of unlawful onmyou users. The Horrors initially appear in armor, and have the ability to fly and have a fan-like blade to slay humans. Later, one of the Horrors' armor is broken, revealing the second face on its chest. All of them are slain by Raikou.

Kamaitachi & Yamanba (鎌鼬&山姥)

A pair of amphibian-like Horrors that possess the bodies of Sanuki no Miyatsukomaro (讃岐 造麿) and his wife, Kaguya's adoptive parents, as a consequence of the couple being consumed by greed over suitors offering their child treasure. The two Horrors act on their hosts' desires, using Kaguya to lure in her suitors so they can devour them devoured them afterwards. When exposed, the two Horrors combine into the fiery porcupine-like Horror Yamaoroshi (山颪)) before being destroyed by Raikou, leaving Kaguya with no reason to remain on Earth anymore.

Kosode No Te (小袖の手)

A kimono specter-like Horror that possesses Kosode (小袖) due to her anger at the inequality of the caste system after she was beaten senseless after being falsely accused of theft for having picked up a bolt of expensive silk dropped by a noble woman. This Horror, as the name suggests, can shoot countless kimono to catch its prey. The Horror can also wrap anything with silk to consume them. Slain by Raikou.

Itsumaden (以津真天)

A fire-breathing winged-serpent Horror that first appeared during a plague, spreading mass destruction when it first appeared in the southern capital many years ago. Itsumaden possesses the body of a desperate person who refused to accept death and uses the host to cause an epidemic before being slain by Raikou.

Raijū (雷獣)

A golden lion Horror that was originally Seimei's mother Katsurakohime (葛子姫) who sacrifice her humanity by sealing countless Horrors inside her body when she and her husband Yasutake no Shidamaru (安武 信太丸) protected their daughter. Instead of being destroyed, Raijū is later sealed by Seimei within a large chariot-like Madō Tool.

Te No Me (手ノ目)

A Horror that appeared as a women with very long arms and legs covered in tiny demonic eyes who attacked Watanabe no Tsuna (渡辺 綱) on a bridge. Later, using its severed arm, the Horror possessed Tsuna by using his guilt of having to abandon Raikou and his mother to death. Slain by Raikou.

Andon (闇呑)

A formless Horror that appear as a mass of blackness that sucked away light in its surroundings. Seems to be defeated by Raikou, but the Horror still alive and turn Raikou into mindless beast, until Seimei managed to seal the Horror within herself to regain the armor colour back, using the cursed seal that Douma places within her. Because of the seal's strength, not even Haruaki even is able to release it, leading Seimei to slowly become Rudra's vessel. The horror later took form of Dark Seimei, and slain by Raikou.

Sōgoku (葬獄)

A hammer wielding oni-like Horror that possesses the body of Jihō (慈法), a Buddhist monk who feels the Michinaga clan's dependence on onmyōji is a vice against the true dharma of Buddhism. As a Horror, he can use his hammer to shrink anything it hits. Slain by Raikou when Sōgoku swallow tiny sized Raikou, before the latter transform into Garo inside it's belly.

Kappa (喝破)

A Horror that possesses the body of Fujiwara no Narimichi (藤原 成通). This Horror uses a kemari ball to consume its victim. Slain by Yasusuke.

Butterfly Horror

A Horror that possesses the body of Kamo no Yasunori. This Horror is able to fly, shoot a fireball from its mouth, use the proboscis in its forehead like a blade and spread pollen that is able to consume humans. Slain by both Yasusuke and Raikou.

Mask Horror

A Horror that possesses the body of Minamoto no Tōru (源 融). This Horror (in human form) consumes good-looking humans by kissing them, maintaining its youthful appearance. In Horror form, it is able to use countless mask projections to fire an energy beam. It could transform his arm into single blade to attack. Slain by Raikou.

One-Eyed Horror

A Horror that possesses the body of Tachibana Masamune's wife through her anger at her husband's constant infidelity. It is able to sprout a fleshy bud that can mimic the face and voice of a woman in a man's heart, for example, Seimei to Raikou. Slain by Raikou.

Dual-Bladed Horror

A Horror that possesses the body of Shijō Kintō through his ambition to protect the Light Palace, later to kill Michinaga and claim the palace by himself. It is relatively strong, even able to regenerate its limbs once slashed by Yasusuke (due to the Crimson Moon), although the latter finally manages to slay him.

Whip Horror

A Horror that possesses the body of an aristocrat. At it name suggest, it could use several whips to attack the enemy. Slain by Raikou after it manages to battle with Seimei for a short period.

Rudra (嶐鑼 Rudora)

An ancient giant Horror with great power that was sealed by the Makai Order ages ago with the Crimson Moon. After Priest Douma is betrayed by Ashiya Douman, Rudra takes control of its vessel, Seimei, as it slowly awakens and starts breaking the Crimson Moon's seal. Rudra awakens fully after a botched attempt to transfer its vessel from Seimei to Haruaki. It takes the form of a gigantic Horror with three faces on its head and 12 in its hands. It is immensely powerful, able to cast various forms of red-colored energy to kill humans. It is also able to draw others into its inner darkness by surrounding itself in a giant lotus. Rudra is defeated after Raikou assumes the Winged Garo state, weakening it to allow Kaguya and Seimei to seal it within the moon once more.

Shuten-dōji (酒呑童子)

Horrors that possess the bodies of abandoned children of the village at the foot of Mount Ooe. These Horrors consume pregnant women. Slain by Tokiwaka.

Notes

1. The word "Kenjin" (堅陣) literally translates to "stronghold."
2. The word "Byakuren" (白蓮) literally translates to "white lotus."
3. The kanji that make up the name "Zanga" (斬牙) are literally translated as "Slashing Fang".

References

1. "GARO THE ANIMATION – English Voice Cast Announcement!". Funimation. February 27, 2016.

External links

• Characters on the official Honō no Kokuin website
• Characters on the official Guren no Tsuki website