by gorv on Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:03 pm
Katanagatari (Sword Story) was a very good show. It isn't anything you haven't seen before, but the show is aware of that. The reason it is very good, is that it isn't trying to be a badass action show. It was released once every month in 2010, each episode detailing their adventure for that month. Most of the 1-hour episodes are talking, and character development. Its a nice touch, because every character is quirky and interesting it its own way, and each one contributes to the development of the main characters, Shichika and Togame.
The basic plot is that Togame the Strategian hires Shichika, the 7th head of the Kyotyoryuu school of swordfighting (Swordless style) to travel with her, and gather the 12 perfected deviant swords made by swordsmith Shikizaki Kiki. However, Togame had also hired the Maniwa ninja clan to find the swords, before they turned against her and started to gather them for their own power. There may also be others searching for the blades, and the owners of the blades often do not want to give them up.
The music is good and supports the scene, but there are very few songs that will stick with you after watching. The visuals, though, are truly outstanding. The show is beautiful, and each episode has its own flavor in animation and style, while still staying true to the overall show style. White Fox, the producers, are also professional trolls, the cliffhangers being incredibly well done, and previews often intentionally misleading, if not downright lies.
Overall, Katanagatari is the talkiest show about swords you'll ever see. And that is a good thing. What action scenes there are are beautifully animated. White Fox has made efforts to keep the tone playful but not jarringly so, even though the actual story is rather dark. It is a really neat show, and I really recommend it to just about anyone.
