New Martial Arts Anime Breaks the Mold With Hero Who Defies Modern Convention

Summary Garouden offers a unique, battle-worn protagonist in an industry filled with athletic beauties.

The anime provides experienced-based battles, a refreshing change from young, energy-fueled protagonists.

NAZ's animation in the trailer promises visceral fight scenes, setting the stage for a potentially captivating martial arts story.

The new Netflix original anime, Garouden: The Way of the Lone Wolf is an oddity due to its older protagonist. Anime leads tend to never be visually older than their early twenties, but Garouden's Juzo Fujimaki is proudly aged, complete with his broad, bearded, and wizened features. This speaks of Garouden's unique potential, where viewers will get to see their protagonist overcome the odds with experience rather than raw potential.

Netflix released a trailer unveiling its newest anime, which is slated to premiere on May 23. Martial arts anime are commonplace in the industry, as are the designs of its protagonists. This adaptation of Baku Yumemakura's novels ought to draw attention for having a lead with truly battle-worn features instead of athletic beauty, which emphasizes the cutthroat nature of the tournament he finds himself in.

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For viewers wanting a unique compliment to other modern bare-knuckle brawls, Garouden may be welcome news.

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Garouden's Burly Protagonist Is a Refreshing Change of Pace

Original novels published in 1995. Anime produced by NAZ

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Netflix gives the following synopsis for Garouden:

On the run from his troubled past, Juzo is forced into competing in a deadly underground fighting tournament. Skilled in the respected martial art Takemiya-ryu, Juzo must navigate a path filled with formidable foes and his personal demons — all while dealing with a bounty of three million yen on his head and a detective on his trail.

Garouden is a bit of an anomaly for how it has avoided adaptation for over two decades, and for its aged protagonist. Unlike Baki Hanma or Ohma Tokita, with their chiseled, youthful physiques, Juzo is a bear of a man who dares lead the story with his thick beard. Furthermore, the story is all about Juzo trying to navigate and survive a bloodsport, rather than make his name like other young and upcoming martial arts protagonists; where they are characterized by their energy and untapped potential, Juzo brings finely honed techniques and experience to the matches, a rarity in anime.

NAZ's animation work seems to be up to snuff, given the trailer, with elaborately drawn physical exchanges and camera work adding an effective visceral element to the beatings Juzo will have to give out. While the studio is known more for support work, Netflix's sizable support and Atsushi Ikariya's experience in direction makes it seem as though Garouden will flow well. That's another advantage Juzo will need, since he'll be an odd duck in a sea of classically, conveniently handsome muscle-bound teenagers, for better – and for worse. Nonetheless, his features perfectly suit the gritty criminal underworld he's trapped in, and he looks capable.

Garouden Deserves Its Time in the Sun After Going Under the Radar

The intricate series of novels are finally getting the love they deserve

The era Garouden hails from had more variance in terms of protagonists, and seeing Juzo turn up in 2024 is a breath of fresh air. Juzo has a unique backstory, unique stakes, and a uniquely surgical, no-holds-barred approach to fighting. If NAZ can provide fight choreography worth of the story they're adapting, martial arts fans may be in for a treat in a matter of weeks. If nothing else, Garouden: The Way of the Lone Wolf ought to be a respected companion to the likes of Baki the Grappler or Kengan Ashura, providing grimmer, more grounded, but beautifully realized fights.