Usuzumizakura -GARO-

Usuzumizakura -GARO- was released in 2018 as part of the long-running Garo tokusatsu franchise, which originated in 2005. Produced by Studio VOLN, the film served as a prequel to the Garo: Vanishing Line television series. It explores the origins of the character Raiga Saejima, set against the backdrop of the Heian period in Kyoto, blending the series' characteristic dark fantasy themes with historical folklore elements.

The film's visual direction was overseen by director Satoshi Nishimura, who sought to translate the high-octane, armor-clad combat of the live-action series into a distinct animated aesthetic. The character designs were handled by the renowned manga artist Masakazu Katsura, whose signature style provided a unique fluidity to the supernatural battles. Upon its debut, the film was noted by critics for its ambitious transition of the Garo mythology into a feature-length cinematic format, though it remained largely targeted at the established fanbase of the franchise.