Kraken Releasing and Section23 Films are teaming up to bring the live-action GARO series to the West. The companies plan to release the very first installment, GARO (Fanged Wolf), next year, with future installments planned to release later.
GARO began back in 2005. It is a tokusatsu series, a special effects, action show similar to Super Sentai and Kamen Rider. However, GARO stands apart from those series by having mature subject matter that is not appropriate for children. Funimation licensed GARO: The Animation and GARO: Crimson Moon, both anime, which is the only taste we’ve had of the franchise.
Section23 Films described GARO and the acquisition further in a press release.
October 10, 2016 – Speaking at the Monsterama fantasy and horror convention in Atlanta, Georgia, Kraken Releasing’s Matt Greenfield revealed that the company’s next major release will be the first installments in Japan’s dark horror/fantasy/martial arts live-action mega-franchise GARO. First launched on October 7, 2005, the original live action TV series, GARO (Fanged Wolf,) quickly set itself apart from other Japanese fantasy series with its darker themes, adult content and spectacular fight scenes, unleashing a non-stop stream of GARO television series, feature films, collectibles and videogames. Often described as the closest thing ever made to a live action anime, GARO has gone on to become a major force in the Japanese entertainment industry, and Kraken Releasing is very honored to be the first to bring the epic live action saga to North America, beginning with GARO (Fanged Wolf) in 2017.
Where there is light, shadows lurk and fear reigns
Yet by the Blade of Knights, Mankind was given Hope
For thousands of years, mankind has been under attack by an ancient race of demons, nightmarish creatures that feed off the darkness in men’s souls and enter our world seeking bodies to possess. Against these Horrors, the human race has just one hope: the enchanted weapons and armor of the Makai Knights, a secret legion of warriors, priests and magic users who stand as humanity’s last line of defense. Created by famed film and video game designer/director Keita Amemiya (Zeram, Onimusha 2, Kamen Rider Black) and directed by Amemiya and pantheon of Japan’s top action and horror directors including Makoto Yokoyama (Power Rangers,) Kengo Kaji (Tokyo Gore Police, Marvel’s Ironman-Rise Of The Technovore,) and Ryu Kaneda (Parasite Dr. Suzunne, Video Girl Ai,) GARO’s amazing battle sequences, stunning special effects and complex multi-character storyline make it an epic unlike anything you have seen before.
GARO (Fanged Wolf) will be released in 2017, with future installments in the GARO franchise to follow.
About Kraken Releasing:
KRAKEN RELEASING is a new international video distribution label specializing in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror genre entertainment for mainstream audiences. With releases such as The Return Of Godzilla® and Godzilla® Vs. Hedora™ , Kraken’s goal is to bring the best filmed entertainment from around the world to our customers.
About Section23 Films:
Section23 Films provides home video marketing and distribution services for a variety of companies, including Sentai Filmworks, Switchblade Pictures, Maiden Japan and AEsir Holdings. With its special focus on genre entertainment, Section23 Films distributes some of the very best anime, martial arts, and horror titles on the market today.
