Garôden: La voie du loup solitaire

It occurred to me to watch this really unpretentious series.

From the same school as Kengan Ashura and Baki and all of them recognized (or not) daughters of Street Fighter and other older series.

The premise is very basic, but something that caught my attention in the trailers were the fight scenes...and what a great surprise it really was.

Not to be confused, it is a rather bad/generic series with a main character who is not the same as the manga or games and who has rather poor development.

The fights and how the plot develops don't make much sense, but the fundamental point that I have been saying about the fights is what stands out for it, above all. The movements are very real, I don't know if they are made with real models, but it does seem like it. At times with very good animation and fluidity, at others, not so much.

It has blood, it has violence (not very justified at times) and unmemorable characters.

It entertained me, but I guess it's just a niche series and only those interested will watch it.

I love the simplicity of this anime. The opening to each episode and the song made me feel like I was listening to survivor eye of the tiger from Rocky 4. I've been giving this anime a wide berth for a while now because of some of the poor reviews. I am so glad that I ignored those poor reviews and watched this anime for myself. Some of the reviews are correct that this anime is very simple and the plot is very simple, but that's what I loved about it. While watching this anime I felt like I was watching an old school UFC fight from when the UFC first started and anything could happen in the ring. I loved the fact that this anime seemed to take itself very seriously and left out the comedy which most anime resort to for cheap laughs. I watched all eight episodes in a single night and every time a new episode would start that music would make me so excited to watch the episode.

I recently stumbled upon "Garouden: The Way of the Lone Wolf" on Netflix and found it to be an exceptional experience. Despite its low reviews on IMDb, I believe this anime is a hidden gem that deserves more appreciation. Here's why:

**Storyline:** "Garouden: The Way of the Lone Wolf" follows the journey of a lone martial artist navigating through a world of intense and brutal underground fighting. The story is gripping, filled with suspense, and showcases the protagonist's relentless pursuit of strength and mastery. Each episode kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating the next challenge and the growth of the characters.

**Characters:** The character development in this anime is commendable. The protagonist is not just a typical fighter; he is complex, with a deep backstory that gradually unfolds. The supporting characters are also well-crafted, each adding depth and diversity to the narrative. Their interactions and conflicts enrich the story, making it more engaging and emotionally resonant.

**Realistic Fighting:** One of the standout aspects of this anime is its dedication to realism. There are no superpowers, magic, fireballs, angels, or demons. The fighting is raw and authentic, allowing viewers to feel every hit. This grounded approach is particularly captivating, providing a refreshing break from the more fantastical elements common in other anime. The final knee kick by Juzo Fujimaki, in particular, is a highlight that exemplifies the sheer intensity and realism of the combat scenes.

**Animation and Art Style:** The animation quality is top-notch, with fluid fight sequences that are both visually stunning and realistic. The art style perfectly complements the gritty and raw nature of the underground fighting world. The attention to detail in the character designs and fight choreography is particularly impressive, making each battle a visual treat.

**Soundtrack:** The soundtrack enhances the overall atmosphere of the anime. The intense and adrenaline-pumping music perfectly matches the high-stakes fights, while the more subdued tracks add emotional depth to the quieter, more reflective moments. The voice acting is also superb, with each actor bringing their character to life convincingly.

**Themes:** "Garouden: The Way of the Lone Wolf" explores themes of perseverance, the pursuit of excellence, and the complexity of human nature. It delves into the psychological aspects of martial arts, the sacrifices made for greatness, and the personal demons each character faces. These themes add layers of meaning to the action-packed narrative.

**Conclusion:** In conclusion, "Garouden: The Way of the Lone Wolf" is an underrated masterpiece that deserves more recognition. It combines a compelling storyline, well-developed characters, stunning animation, and a powerful soundtrack to create an unforgettable viewing experience. While it may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer lighter or more mainstream anime, it is a must-watch for fans of intense, character-driven stories and martial arts.

Give it a chance, and you might find yourself as captivated by it as I was. This anime has earned a solid 9 out of 10 in my book, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a deep and thrilling anime experience.

Starting with the pro's - art style, voice acting, sound production.

Now the Cons, storyline and characters, very odd and just no build up or character building, I can only remember Fujimaki (main character) the rest were small foot notes, the storyline itself is weak, never really heading anywhere at all, occasionally mentioning a couple of tournaments but they draw in excitement but then let you down as it is just a drab affair, it never really draws in any excitement when they start.

Finally the animation, while some parts are brilliant, gorgeous to look at, the fighting animation is beyond poor, it reminded me of something I couldn't quite put my finger on...then it came to me - Prince of Persia on the Amiga, sounds odd but it's clunky, slow and turns off the polish that the rest of the show had, a couple of close up shots look fantastic but it follows a poor animation punch that looks like a slow and weak attack to the cut scene that ripples the opponents face, it just doesn't make sense between the two animations.

Overall the series is forgettable, a great premise to give Baki, Kengan & even Record of Ragnorok a run for it's money, but it falls so short off the mark that it can't even be classed in the same genre, won't be disappointed if season 2 is scrapped.

I binged this and enjoyed it. It is another martial arts tournament anime in the vein of Baki and Kengan Ashura, although I appreciate both of those more in the end, as they employ a preternatural style (ie bordering supernatural) that I can't get enough of. In those shows, most people are normal and have normal limits, but there are some who can exceed those limits, bearing god-like power. This show however stays firmly grounded in the human realm with no hint of supernaturality (I made that word up). It seems rushed at times, it is only 8 episodes and forced them to jump around and skip over what would've been fascinating fights to see (KODOKU was only 2 episodes!?. Kengan Ashura has spent its entire show on its illegal underground tournament...). The fights also could've and should've been varied more, with differents styles and moves, many fights weren't all that different from each other? Good show, I'd watch more, but the pacing was off for sure and the desire to keep it "real" doesn't mean it can't surprise you and wow you.