Makai Alchemist are counterparts of Makai Priests in the animated universe of Garo.
Overview
Difference Between Priest & Alchemist
Makai Hoshi literally means Hell Priest and that description never changed in Japanese in every incarnation of Garo. However, when it was translated in English for the animated series, "priest" was redefined as "alchemist." The true Japanese word for Alchemist in Japanese is Renkinjutsu-shi, not "ho-shi"; it makes alchemists and priests one and the same. Both Priests and Alchemists share the same role as magical practitioners that serve the Makai Order and help fight against the dark. They can operate as solo operatives, lead missions or act as a support for the knights in battle. However, a major difference is their method of practicing magic.
Depending on the era and location, the alchemists practiced their arts with different styles and focus. In The Carved Seal of Flames, it's indicated the art of Alchemy to be essential in latter group's training and that at least mastering its fundamental techniques is a requirement for a Makai Alchemist trainee to become a full-fledged one befitting to their namesake just as Makai Knights with the mastery of Soul Metal, further setting it apart from the former. Another difference is magical abilities and skills Alchemists learned beside Alchemy being based on their respective homeland and time era as some regions rely more on magical tools and others on spell casting; Alchemists of the Order's Japanese Branch such as Seimei utilize onmyōdō whereas those from Western Branches such as Gina Evans, Lukather Harden, and Ema Guzmán Western mysticism instead of fantastic mythical aspects of Taoism.
Since the Alchemists are free to choose whichever supplementary magical arts that suit them, they have a wider array of Makai Equipment. Makai Alchemists from Japanese branch such as Seimei and Feilong utilize Madō Brush and Madō Bagua Tag magical instrument whereas those from Western Branch utilize other equipments which share similar functions such as Makai Gun.
The Carved Seal of Flames
In era of The Carved Seal of Flames, Alchemists are publicly labeled as witches. The order here is disorganized, weak, and hidden from the Kingdom of Valiante. Viewed as a threat to their kingdom, alchemists of this world do not identify themselves unless they are part of their order. While they are practitioners of magic and in lesser extent, alchemy, most alchemists utilize enhanced tools to help them fight and defeat Horrors. There are varying grades of magic users, with the weaker ones relying more on tools while the stronger ones often use summoning spells for combat.
Crimson Moon
The Alchemists of Crimson Moon era is set in ancient Japan. Most them are onmyōji, but they can utilize magical scrolls, tools, seals, and various magical arts to handle Horrors. A major difference though is that their society is disorganized and the government along with various civilians are aware of Makai Knights and Alchemists.
Vanishing Line
As the era of Vanishing Line set in modern times, Makai Alchemists heavily utilize technology along with their magic, having integrated modern technology into their community to better combat Horrors. Building from the priests of the Ryūga-verse, priests uses modern magical weaponry. In the past, priests had to use magical scrolls, tools, or alchemy to deliver magical attacks, now on-days alchemists use magically enhanced bullets to do their work. While magical seals and scrolls still hold their value in fending off Horrors, as shown with Meifang; brush magic doesn't seem to exist. It either never existed or have been phased out with guns. The Mad ō Firearms allow the alchemists to increase their combat potential and support range. In urban zones, they use long range sniper weapons to help protect civilians and help the knight take down difficult targets. They even use magical bullets to help erase the memories of the civilians when the fight gets too big and the makai world gets public exposure. A major difference though is that Madō Flames aren't used to identify Horrors—it is used as a energy source for their Madō Vehicles. Also, since they integrated modern tehnology into their world, Makai Alchemists of Vanishing Line-era has contributed in advancements of the Order's arsenal includes repurposing titled Makai Knights' mechanical steed into combat chassis for their Madō Motorcycle that summoned alongside their armors (which also upgraded) and variations of Madō firearms from Madō revolvers to destructive Madō miniguns. Despite all the advancements in magical technology, both alchemists and knights rely on coaxing the Horrors out and rely investigative evidence to hunt down Horrors.
Gallery
Trivia
| Terms & Definitions | |
|---|---|
| Makai Order | |
| The Senate • Makai Priest • Makai Knight • Makai Guides • Makai Path • Darkness Hunter • Makai Alchemist • Monastery | |
| Rituals | |
| Forced Repatriation • Moonlight Ceremony | |
| Techniques | |
| Soul Insertion Technique • Light Awakening Beast • Lost Soul Beast • Blazing Armament • Magic (Shooting Star of Light Arrow • Phoenix Flame Spell) • Qi • Sword Techniques (Flash Sword Dance • Dark Flash Sword Dance) • Alchemy • Madō Power | |
| Equipment | |
| Makai Armor • Madōgu • Magō • Gōryū • Soul Metal • Dark Metal • Madō Flames • Horror Blade • Tougen Flute • Orders Document • Horror's Claw | |
| Games | |
| Barchess | |
| Dark Forces | |
| Makai Realm • Inga • Inga Gates • Horrors • Apostle Horrors • Madō Horrors • Ady Slate Horrors • Horror Den • Dolce of Blood • Gate of Destruction • Parfum of Darkness | |
| Others | |
| Dragon Knight • Giryū • Mortal Realm | |