GARO (2005)

Sona Soraton (Koya Matsudai), a university student, and his best friend Shouri Hoshiai (Naoya Shimizu), a gamer, are leading an ordinary life. One day, they receive a rumoured VR game, and when they activate the VR glasses, the area is transformed into a giant game field, where 100 players have gathered. The guide, Shukai (Momotsuki Nashiko), tells us. The players are told to fight for the Garo armour that shines above their heads, and if they win, they can get whatever they want...

Ryosuke Amou (Yusho), who works in a bar, spends his time fighting in the name of helping people, as if to relieve his daily depression. Then a VR game arrives for him and he logs in. In the game, he finds Kanakaze Dai (Kadoshita Shutaro), with whom he has a history, and Yakuza leader Noubu (Matsuura Yuya), who knows of Tenba's strength and tries to use him. Meanwhile, Soraton (Matsudai Koya) finds an abandoned house in the field that is off-limits to horror, and brings in a group of wounded players. What will be given to the 50 survivors of the first round...

After winning the game, Taisuke Nagumo (Tokito) featured the game on his video channel and became a popular video creator. His employer, Yukiya Mizubei, forces him to participate in the next game as well and upload a video that can gain views. Another winner of the game, apparel shop employee Kozuki Takane (Toman), has also become a top model, appearing on the cover of a magazine after a certain photograph. After various successes, the players receive an invitation to the second round of the game. While some of them participate with doubts about the content of the game, Shukai (Momotsuki Nashiko) appears and...

The players are each looking for a way out of the dungeon. Kagetsu (Toman) meets UMI (Rui Kurihara), a model he admires, and they decide to work together at UMI's suggestion. Amou (Yusho) and Kanakaze (Kadoshita Shutaro) proceed to fight against players with weapons and increasing ferocity. The demonic hand of horror creeps up on Nagumo (Tokito), who continues to play the game together with Suibei (Minami Keisuke)... They find out that they need a certain 'key' to escape from the dungeon, but Soraton (Matsudai Koya) is unable to obtain the key and the end time of the game is approaching.

Players who lost the game are disappearing ... Nagumo (Tokito) starts his own investigation to find out what the strange feeling is. Out of fear of the game, Hoshiai (Shimizu Naoya) consults Soraton (Matsudai Koya) about abstaining from the next battle. Meanwhile, Kyado Azami (Kyoko Hinami) appears before Kagetsu (Toman), who is performing his work in a casual manner. Azami also makes contact with Soraton and Nagumo, and throws deceptive words at them. What is the purpose of these two people...? A new battle begins amidst the intermingling of various thoughts...

There were 18 participants in the third round. The players are seriously killing each other as soon as they start. Soraton (Matsudai Koya) cannot hide his agitation at the bizarre scene. Nagumo (Tokito), Kanakaze (Hidetaro Kadoshita) and Hyuga (Reiji) continue to battle using their own battle strategies. Kagetsu (Toman) shows his true colours and smiles as if he enjoys killing each other. Meanwhile, Tenba (Yusho) recklessly challenges Horror to a fight. Hoshiai (Shimizu Naoya) tells Soraton that there is nothing he wants even if it means taking someone's life, but after witnessing various betrayals, Soraton loses sight of what he should protect and what he believes in.

Soraton (Matsudai Koya) is tormented by remorse after the incident with Hoshiai (Shimizu Naoya), when Nagumo (Tokito) appears before him and the pair head for Tenba's (Yusho) bar, Meteor. Nagumo, who has been conducting his own investigation, makes a proposal to Soraton, Tenba and Kanakaze (Kadoshita Shutaro) in order to uncover the truth behind the game. Meanwhile, Kagetsu (Toman) is pushing forward to realise her own dream, despite being bashed by the public. Then Azami (Kyoko Hinami) appears before Soraton again. Soraton is confused and conflicted by Azami's words. The fourth round was held in the midst of all this. Amou and Kanakaze challenge the overwhelmingly strong Hinata (Reiji). The curtain is cut on a gruelling battle.

Eight players were gathered for the fourth round. The item "Demon Sword" provides powerful powers. However, those who hold on to it for more than 99.9 seconds will be turned into an "undead" puppet of the Demon Sword - a double-edged sword. In the midst of the players exploring the "Demon Sword" with their eyes on the other side, Tenba (Yusho) gives a thirst to Soraton (Koya Matsudai), who is still unable to fight. Nagumo (Tokito) and Kagetsu (Toman) fight to the death. In the face of the superhuman strength of Hyuga, Kanakaze (Kadoshita Shutaro) finally reaches for his magic sword in order to overcome the battle. Hagiri (Tomoki Maruyama) and Azami (Kyoko Hinami) look on in satisfaction. Kanakaze's fate with the magic sword in his hands...

Twenty years ago -. In the long absence of the Golden Knight Garo, the young Azami (Rin Marumoto) is brought by her foster mother, Houshi Kyado (Yuko Oya), to the Shidouin, a training centre for Marauder Knights and Marauder Houshi. There, under the guidance of Grand Master Sugou (Bob Suzuki), tests were being conducted to select new Garo fighters. The candidates "13" (Kyoya Honda) and "55" (Naoya Kitagawa), who had been recognised for their qualities, studied hard day by day in order to become the "Guardians". Finally, they face their final challenge.

The four winners of the game were Soraton (Koya Matsudai), Amou (Yusho), Nagumo (Tokito) and Kagetsu (Toman). Soraton, who is conflicted about fighting and killing each other, visits Kagetsu and Tenba respectively. Meanwhile, Nagumo visits a flower farm. The man (Kazuhiko Nishimura) who lives there with his family is the one who sent the message about Garo. At first, the man tries to turn Nagumo away, but Nagumo's swagger pushes him to open up gradually. Meanwhile, Soraton stands alone in the city at night, distressed. The organiser of the game, Hagiri (Tomoki Maruyama), appears there... Each of them faces their own feelings towards the final battle, and makes up their own minds...

'In this ugly world full of strife and evil thoughts, Garo is gone...' The final battle finally begins. Soraton (Matsudai Koya), Amou (Yusho), Nagumo (Tokito) and Kagetsu (Toman) stare at Garo's armour floating above their heads. Shuugi (Momotsuki Nashiko) tells them. READY FIGHT". It was Nagumo who started the battle. Nagumo has fought calmly in previous battles, but as soon as the battle starts, he attacks Soraton at once and unleashes a flurry of attacks. Confused by Nagumo's transformation, Soraton is unable to move while defending himself. In contrast, Amou and Kouzuki engage in a fierce battle. When you are the last one to defend, you will know the meaning...

Who will win... Soraton (Matsudai Koya) and Tenba (Yusho) are the last two men standing. After a fierce battle, Soraton points his sword at Tenba, while Hagiri (Tomoki Maruyama), who 20 years ago also pointed his sword at his comrade, finally reveals himself... Leaf Worm speaks of the ugliness of the world and confronts him with overwhelming power and despair. Azami (Kyoko Hinami) quietly watches on. For whom do they fight? Who are the protectors and Garo?