The pilot was tad confusing, but I don't mind as long they explain it in the next episode. It took me three episode to really get into Hono no Kokuin, and surprisingly it turn out to be one of the better Garo series we have recently. As for animation, there are minor hiccups here and there but for it's alright. Garo armor's texture for the most part no longer has that metallic CGI look, which while it was accurate to the live action, but it left regular anime viewers complaining that it looks like something Gonzo would do. The music seem to be pretty similar with Hono no Kokuin as the similar soundtrack playing during lighthearted downtime moments when Raikou and the kid are talking with other. Personally I enjoy the opening and ending more than Hono no Kokuin right now. I'm fan of Jam Project, but I didn't enjoy their music as much in Hono no Kokuin. It's mainly because those songs have obvious lyrics saying that it's Garo, which ironically I love in the first two season of the live action. But overtime it's going to get tiresome to have more reincarnation or sequels have those type of lyrics. It kinda like how I feel about Power Ranger Samarai opening. This opening I enjoy a lot more for being more original and at the same time had the upbeat energy that lures you into the show. The ending alone ranks up for me as the top ten song in Garo or maybe even five. The songs probably bummed the grade up for me which overall I give it 3.5. Even though, the first episode didn't have enough on the character and it plays out like it expect you to know some of the stuff already like with Gold Storm Sho and Makai no Hana, it's the production value that save it from being completely mediocre for me, and I'm happy that this is not sequel since the last two Garo live action sequel, the ones mention above, were disappointing.
Phoenix512 wrote: It was nice to see a Priest (not an Alchemist as Funimation has it) use a brush in the anime.
I still cringe on Funimation for doing that. Makai Hoshi/Priest has nothing to do alchemy and it just bring in stupid fan from their fanbase to criticize that it's ripping off Fullmetal Alchemist or something. Seriously they have better names to choose from like monk, exorcist, and even magicians works better. The only reason why they didn't translate it as "Priest" is because in the show there was a regular Priest and they was differentiate by translating as some other name.