Kintoki, also known as Sakata no Kintoki, is a central supporting character in the anime Garo: Crimson Moon. He appears as a young boy who serves as the loyal attendant and self-proclaimed apprentice to Raikou, the Golden Knight Garo. Despite his youthful and small stature, Kintoki possesses a surprisingly mature and responsible personality, often acting as the level-headed member of his group. This maturity stems from his extraordinary past, as he is not actually a child but a former Makai Knight whose body was cursed, causing him to grow younger over time while losing his memories.

In his previous life, Kintoki was a powerful Makai Knight known as Tokiwaka, who wielded twin axes and donned a unique suit of armor. This armor, however, bore a grave curse: each time it was used, the consumption of time would revert the user to a younger age, eventually stripping them of their memories and the ability to age naturally. Tokiwaka was active in the capital during the Heian Period, where he fought against the powerful Horror Shuten-douji. During a confrontation with this Horror, he saved the life of Minamoto no Mitsunaka, a fellow knight. Through Mitsunaka, he met Tamagushi, for whom he developed feelings, unaware that she was Mitsunaka's wife. When Shuten-douji targeted the pregnant Tamagushi, Tokiwaka knew that summoning his cursed armor one last time would reduce him to a child, making him unable to fight as a knight ever again. Nevertheless, he chose to protect Tamagushi and her unborn child, successfully driving the Horror away. A year later, having regressed to a childlike state and lost his memories, he appeared before Tamagushi and Mitsunaka, calling himself Kintoki and swearing to protect their son, Raikou, with his life.

This background deeply informs his motivations in the present. Kintoki’s primary drive is unwavering loyalty and a solemn duty to serve and protect Raikou, the son of the woman he once loved and the knight whose life he saved. He aspires to follow in Raikou’s footsteps and become a Makai Knight once more, despite his current limitations. His famous declaration, I will serve because I serve only one person, perfectly encapsulates his singular focus and devotion. Within the trio that includes Raikou and the Makai Priest Seimei, Kintoki often plays the role of the practical and grounded supporter. While Seimei provides magical and intellectual support and Raikou is the frontline fighter, Kintoki handles reconnaissance, monitoring, and other essential logistical tasks. He is often shown to be frugal and forward-thinking, saving money for emergencies and always considering the future, a trait that contrasts with his youthful appearance and highlights his inner maturity.

Kintoki’s key relationships are central to the story. His bond with Raikou is the most significant, built on a foundation of a sacred vow and years of companionship. He is fiercely protective of Raikou, not only as his lord and master but also as the child he was sworn to guard. His relationship with Seimei is that of a long-time ally and fellow retainer of Raikou. Although he respects her authority as a priest, he is not above expressing frustration when she assigns him mundane errands, and there is a familiar, bickering dynamic between them that forms much of the series’ lighter moments. A notable aspect of his character is his lack of romantic experience, which can lead to social awkwardness; his innocent comments are sometimes misinterpreted by Seimei as romantic advances, causing unintended misunderstandings.

The central arc of Kintoki’s development involves the gradual revelation of his hidden past as Tokiwaka. The series hints at his true nature before fully exploring the tragedy of his curse, which explains his inexplicable knowledge and his deep, almost paternal, commitment to Raikou. He does not undergo a dramatic personality change, as his maturity is already established from the beginning; instead, his development is one of unveiling, where the audience and other characters come to understand the profound history and sacrifice that define his present actions. He grows from simply being seen as Raikou's young sidekick to being recognized as a tragic former hero who gave up everything for the sake of others. This journey continues beyond the events of Crimson Moon into the subsequent film The Fleeting Cherry Blossom, where he remains a steadfast companion, fighting alongside Raikou and Seimei with dual swords against new Horror threats.

In terms of notable abilities, Kintoki wields a unique and practical set of tools. He carries a pair of black metal rods on his back. When these rods are slammed together, they produce sparks that serve as a reliable Horror detector, revealing the true identity of a possessed human. While he is no longer able to don his Makai Knight armor due to his curse, he retains formidable combat skills. In the film continuation, he is shown to be proficient in fighting with dual swords, actively engaging Horrors in battle. His true skill, however, lies in his accumulated wisdom and tactical thinking, remnants of his former life as a seasoned knight. This knowledge allows him to assess situations, identify Horrors, and support his allies in ways that go far beyond his deceptively small frame, making him an indispensable member of the team dedicated to protecting the capital from the darkness.