Katanagatari
There are some series that are truly specific in every respect, and because of that draw you into their world.
One such series is “Katanagatari” (or in translation “Sword Story” or “Tale of Swords”).
Meet an unusual duo wandering Japan somewhere during the Edo period (1603-1868). Togame is a self-proclaimed “Strategist,” one eccentric and cunning girl who’s constantly making some schemes and calculations and is searching for the legendary “12 Deviant Blades,” which will enable her an audience with the emperor (for her hidden motives). Yasuri Shichika is the son of an exiled war hero from the previous revolution, and heir to a unique sword fighting style (Kyotouryuu school of fighting) which doesn’t use swords at all, but is literally a bare-handed fighting style. And he follows Togame because… well, he himself isn’t sure at first why he’s following her, only both are aware that, since he’s in a way a “sword” himself (in the sense, a weapon serving Togame), he’ll be immune to the 12 legendary swords, for which there are beliefs they “poison” (corrupt) their masters and develop in them an obsession with the sword they hold and won’t give it up at the cost of their life.
And so these two wander Japan and collect dragons… I mean, swords.
Does “Katanagatari” sound boring to you? Of course when I’ve been such “meh” all day and that’s how inspiration came to me that even the Apocalypse would sound dull if I described it today.
But believe me, it’s much more interesting than it looks from the intro (the series, not the Apocalypse).
What makes “Katanagatari” specific?
For starters, the visual style. The drawings quite differ from traditional anime style, and resemble some unusual blend of East and West by drawing style. Though this could turn you off at first glance, as soon as you get through the first episode, you’ll realize you couldn’t imagine the heroes in classic Japanese animation style. Simply, the colors are somehow very nicely composed and the series pleases the eye, and especially the beauty of this style comes to expression during action scenes (which aren’t overly frequent, but when they happen, are truly dynamic and exciting).
The main heroes and their relationship is hilarious, as are they themselves.
Togame, though seeming confident in communication, is quite distrustful of people, because she’s always experienced betrayals from others (which she sometimes mentions somewhat proudly… yes, you read that correctly). Because of this she ordered Shichika to fall in love with her so he wouldn’t betray her (yes, you read that correctly too). She’s constantly strategizing something and preparing schemes and alternatives if diplomatic approaches fail (which almost always happens). However, beneath that combination of shrewdness and silliness, hides a lonely girl who experienced severe trauma as a child (her hair isn’t white for no reason). And for some reason, she’s quite frail (and often proudly points out the wind could literally break her… and you read this correctly too). Besides that, her catchphrase is “Cheerio!” Don’t ask…
Shichika is… well, like a sword… which on one hand is extremely dull, and on the other extremely sharp. Just that straightforward character. Though perhaps this shouldn’t be attributed so much to his character as to the way he was raised. Raised on a lonely island by his father and sister, isolated from the rest of the world, he has no experience in relationships with people. Noise bothers him, he can’t distinguish people, and has a big problem expressing emotions and empathy in general. He literally experiences himself as a sword, a weapon Togame can use as she wishes. And, by God, as a sword he’s very sharp and with his unique (bare-handed) fighting style, rarely can anyone match him. However, as time passes, Shichika, meeting people and talking with them (who are, what’s more interesting, primarily enemies), starts to question a bit his absence of emotions and gradually changes and develops emotion and softness… but does that, as he is, make him stronger or perhaps weaker?
And as I mentioned, the relationship between these two is very unusual. An unusual connection exists between them, and whether that’s love or something more (or something less), I’ll leave to you to discover. But that there’s something interesting and unusual “that” something between them, there is.
And the very rhythm of the series differs from standard anime titles. Episodes last on average fifty minutes (and each carries the name of one “deviant sword”), have their “moderately dynamic” rhythm, and are quite independent from the previous one (with just mild influx of reminders of what happened earlier), so each episode resembles a mini-film. “Katanagatari” in this format resembles brilliant BBC’s series “Sherlock,” which can only be a plus.
The series even deviates from the famous classic anime element regarding the age of main heroes… because main anime heroes don’t always have to be 13-16 years old and experience experiences and traumas that would “break” people even in their thirties… (“Someone said ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion?'” – note from subconscious). So Togame and Shichika at the moment of starting their adventure are about 23-24 years old, which is also refreshing to see in an anime series.
Of course, all these elements wouldn’t be enough to give the series a high rating if the characters our unusual duo meets along the way weren’t there. Owners of cursed swords (with whom Shichika almost always must fight to death in the end) have their motives for which they’re not willing to give them up (some have selfish, and some noble motives), the ninja clan that betrayed Togame (Maniwa Corps) also wants to get the swords, and the clan’s leaders are specific and twisted (and each symbolizes some animal), and there’s also Princess Hitei for whom until the series’ end you’re not sure whether her goal is to help or hinder Togame and Shichika in finding the “deviant blades,” as well as her servant-ninja Emonzaemon, who masochistically patiently tolerates Hitei’s insulting comments while she orders him what all he must do for her.
As I mentioned, the heroes of the series “Katanagatari” are searching for “12 deviant blades.” However this “blades” should be taken with reservation, because several of these weapons have specific appearance and properties, and rumors circulate that their eccentric creator made them with help of alchemy, occult and other supernatural methods that weren’t known in that period in Japan (Edo period), which opens some more questions about in what (or what kind of) period the series is set…
And what is, then, at the end “Katanagatari”? It’s a story about a journey, and not necessarily one with a happy ending. The series is a mix of action and comedy (there really are hilarious scenes and outbursts) with small doses of drama. But you can’t shake the impression that over these two heroes “hovers” some sad element, which seems to announce a very uncertain finale and a lump in the throat.
And that it’s an uncertain finale, it is, because the series made nice tempo with each episode, to gradually increase (to use an archaic word, “build”) tension and uncertainty and lead to a somewhat (un)expected resolution, with one element that reminded me of Bruce Lee’s film “Game of Death.” And if you’ve watched that film and “Katanagatari,” it’ll be clear to you what I’m talking about.
Summa summarum, “Katanagatari” is quite unique and specific series, and because of that deserves your time.
Cheerio!
And you, dear reader, when did you last watch some unusual series? 🙂
Trailer | Imdb | AniList | My Anime List
Release Date: 2010 | Format: Series | Number of Seasons: 1 (12 episodes) | Average Episode Duration: 50 minutes
