Katanagatari

<i>Katanagatari</i>

Katanagatari

Japanese light novel series by Nisio Isin and Take

Katanagatari (Japanese: 刀語, "Sword Tale") is a Japanese light novel series written by Nisio Isin and illustrated by Take. The series is published by Kodansha under the Kodansha Box imprint. The story revolves around a katanagari, or "sword hunt" for 12 weapons that were created by a single swordsmith. An anime adaptation by White Fox began airing on January 26, 2010, and consisted of 12 episodes. A single episode of the series was aired each month. NIS America have licensed the series and released the first part on a Blu-ray/DVD combo set in July 2011.[2] Part two was released on September 20, 2011.[3] The anime series aired once more on Fuji TV's noitamina between April and November 2013 as the block's first rerun, with a new opening and a new ending song.

Quick Facts 刀語, Genre ...

Plot and setting

Main article: List of Katanagatari characters

Katanagatari is the story of Yasuri Shichika, a swordsman who fights without a sword, and Togame, an ambitious young strategist who seeks to collect 12 legendary swords for the shogunate. Shichika is the son of an exiled war hero and the seventh head of the Kyotouryuu school of fighting who lives on the isolated Fushou Island with his elder sister, Nanami. Togame seeks him out because his bare-handed fighting style means that he will not be corrupted by the power of the swords. Togame, who has been betrayed before, convinces Shichika to accompany her on a mission to locate the Deviant Blades. They embark on a journey together across Edo-era Japan to collect the Deviant Blades, all wielded by formidable opponents.

The Deviant Blades

The main focus of the story is the gathering of twelve distinct weapons that were crafted by Kiki Shikizaki, a reclusive swordsmith. His bladework had been widely popular during the last war, but now twelve of the one thousand swords he made have been named "Deviant" because they are rumored to have been specially crafted via alchemy, the occult, and other mystical means. Although they are supposedly "katana", not all of them are swords, but they do have a distinctive feature or ability and different forms, such as a suit of armor, a dagger, and a pair of guns. It is also rumored that the people wielding them are prone to their "poison" and will do anything to keep the weapon to themselves. Later it is revealed that Shikizaki was seeking to create the ultimate Deviant Blade which becomes in fact the Yasuri family's bare-handed Kyotōryū fighting style, and is fulfilled during Shichika's journey.
Kanna (絶刀「鉋」, Zettō Kanna, [Absolute sword, Plane])
The first blade retrieved by Shichika and Togame from Koumori Maniwa. The blade is straight unlike most katanas, and it is the hardest blade with the ability to never break or bend. The hilt is neatly decorated with plum flower designs. This blade is strongly based on the real life Dōtanuki.
Namakura (斬刀「鈍」, Zantō Namakura, [Beheading sword, Blunt])
The second blade recovered was in the possession of Ginkaku Uneri. It is the sharpest blade with the ability to cut through anything, in sharp contrast to its ironic name, meaning "blunt". It was also made specifically for unsheathing at incredible speeds. The katana has triangular patterns around its hilt guard and a black sheath.
Tsurugi (千刀「剣」, Sentō Tsurugi, [Thousand sword, Sword])
Considered to be one sword, it actually comprises 1000 swords, with the last 999 being copies of the first. All 1000 of them are in the possession of Meisai Tsuruga. It has the ability to overwhelm its enemy with its sheer numbers. What makes them stand out is their red sheaths. However, despite their identical appearances, Shichika is able to identify the original sword.
Hari (薄刀「針」, Hakutō Hari, [Thin sword, Needle])
An extremely thin blade as per its namesake, meaning "needle", it is in the possession of Hakuhei Sabi. It is the brittlest blade as the blade itself is made of glass, which gives it its light weight, and is rather fragile if used incorrectly. The sheath and hilt are white and decorated with floral patterns.
Yoroi (賊刀「鎧」, Zokutō Yoroi, [Bandit sword, Armor])
A massive full set of armor, it is in the possession of Kanara Azekure. It is the most defense-oriented blade with the ability to protect the user from any damage, especially against attacks that have armor-piercing properties. Its design was based on Western armor, and it has numerous blades around it. The armor is decorated with many references to the ocean, such as shells and a helmet that's based on a whale.
Kanazuchi (双刀「鎚」, Sōtō Kanazuchi, [Double sword, Hammer])
A large, blunt-looking, stone sword, it comes into the possession of Konayuki Itezora. It is extremely heavy, capable of leaving a crater even when it is simply dropped. Only Konayuki is capable of wielding it with extreme ease and it can crush the enemy with its weight. The sword can also be held by its tip, and used as a hammer instead, hence its "double" title.
Bita (悪刀「鐚」, Akutō Bita, [Evil sword, Worthless])
A small yellow kunai-like weapon, it comes into the possession of Nanami Yasuri. It holds electricity within it and was designed with the appearance of a lightning bolt. It is the most evil blade with the ability to rejuvenate the user's body.
Kanzashi (微刀「簪」, Bitō Kanzashi, [Delicate sword, Hairpin])
A four-armed, four-legged, solar powered clockwork mechanical doll that seems to function on its own. It has the ability to think by itself and adapt to any situation. It wears a kimono and tall black shoes. Each of its arms hold a sword, and an extra one is hidden in its mouth. Its appearance, made in the image of the woman its creator loved, changes according to the situation, becoming more menacing.
Nokogiri (王刀「鋸」, Ōtō Nokogiri, [King sword, Saw])
A wooden sword that sharply contrasts its title as "King of Swords", it is in the possession of Zanki Kiguchi. Unlike the other Deviant Blades, it doesn't have any of the poison found in Shikizaki's blades. It is the purest blade with the ability to cure the poison the other swords have on their owners. A small floral mark and yellowish streak on the sword identifies it as Nokogiri.
Hakari (誠刀「銓」, Seitō Hakari, [True sword, Scales])
A sword with no blade, it is in the possession of Rinne Higaki. The blade itself is not meant to "cut" anyone other than its owner. The hilt (tsuka) is black and decorated with orange floral patterns, and a wreath of flowers circle as the guard (tsuba). It is the most trustworthy blade with the ability to weigh the user's heart.
Mekki (毒刀「鍍」, Dokutō Mekki, [Poison sword, Gilded])
A black, jagged katana decorated with iridescent designs, obtained by Houou Maniwa. The blade also gives off a dark cloudy aura. This blade originally has no owner as it was found inside of a crystal-like spire in a cave, preserving it. It is the most poisonous blade with the ability to corrupt the user. The blade itself contains a part of the spirit of Shikizaki within it.
Jū (炎刀「銃」, Entō Jū, [Flame sword, Gun])
A pair of handguns, one a blue six-chambered revolver and the other a red semi-automatic that holds eleven bullets, both are in the possession of Princess Hitei and used by her retainer, Emonzaemon. Each is decorated with a long flowing mane with a bead on its end. The guns appear to fire an unlimited amount of ammunition, as Emonzaemon is not seen reloading them even after firing dozens of rounds.
Yasuri (虚刀「鑢」, Kyotō Yasuri, [Empty Sword, Rasp])
The Kyotōryu style itself, as a bare-handed style founded by Shichika's ancestor, Kazune Yasuri, along with Shikizaki. In contrast with the other twelve swords, which are labeled as "Perfected Deviant Blades," Kyotōryu is called by Shikizaki a "Completed Deviant Blade," as Shichika had "forged" it himself throughout his journeys, as was Shikizaki's intent with its creation. Due to the nature of Kyotōryu, this "sword" is by nature antithetical to the other twelve.

Media

Light novels

Katanagatari was released one volume a month throughout 2007. A spin-off novel, Maniwagatari, was released a year later.[4] During their panel at Anime Boston on March 30, 2018, English light novel publisher Vertical announced that they had licensed the series. They released it as four 3-in-1 omnibus volumes from November 2018 to August 2020.[5]

More information No., Title ...

Anime

The anime is composed of a dozen 50-minute episodes and follows the two main characters while they are searching for the katanas, except for one episode that is centered on Nanami Yasuri. In each episode, Shichika and Togame collect a katana or a new one will be introduced. The length of the episodes is unusual since most anime have 24-minute episodes and run weekly instead of monthly. A new episode would be released every month, beginning on January 26, 2010, and finishing on December 11, 2010. The series was re-aired on Fuji TV's noitamina from April 11 to June 27, 2013 as the block's first rerun.[23]

For the first half of the series (episodes 1–7), the opening theme is Meiya Kadenrō (冥夜花伝廊) by Minami Kuribayashi while the second half of the series (episode 8–12) is Katana to Saya (刀と鞘) by ALI PROJECT. However, the ending theme changes for each episode. For the noitamina rerun, the new opening theme song was Hakushukassai Utaawase by supercell, and Piko performed the new ending theme song Kotonoha.

More information No., Title ...

Drama CD

A Drama CD in twelve chapters, titled Episode 0: Kyotō Yasuri and written by Nisio Isin, was released with the DVD/BDs of the series. It is set during the rebellion twenty years before the events of the series. Each chapter has a character from the series narrating the episode.

Reception

In 2019, Polygon named Katanagatari as one of the best anime of the 2010s.[37]

References

  1. [1]
    "Katanagatari Vol. 1 & 2". NIS America. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  2. [2]
    "NIS America Adds Katanangatari, Arakawa Under The Bridge". Anime News Network. 2011-04-15.
  3. [3]
    "NIS America Announces Katanagatari Volume 2 for DVD/Blu-Ray". Inside AX- Anime Expo. 2011-08-18. Archived from the original on 2012-03-08.
  4. [4]
    Loo, Egan (November 29, 2018). "NisiOisin's Katanagatari Light Novels to Be Animated". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  5. [5]
    Ressler, Karen (March 30, 2018). "Vertical Licenses Katanagatari, Dark Maidens, Serial Killer Detective Novels". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  6. [6]
    刀語 第一話 絶刀・鉋. Kodansha (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  7. [7]
    "KATANAGATARI, 1". Penguin Random House. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  8. [8]
    刀語 第二話 斬刀・鈍. Kodansha (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  9. [9]
    刀語 第三話 千刀・ツルギ. Kodansha (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  10. [10]
    刀語 第四話 薄刀・針. Kodansha (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  11. [11]
    "KATANAGATARI, 2". Penguin Random House. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  12. [12]
    刀語 第五話 賊刀・鎧. Kodansha (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  13. [13]
    刀語 第六話 双刀・鎚. Kodansha (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  14. [14]
    刀語 第七話 悪刀・鐚. Kodansha (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  15. [15]
    "KATANAGATARI, 3". Penguin Random House. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  16. [16]
    刀語 第八話 微刀・釵. Kodansha (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  17. [17]
    刀語 第九話 王刀・鋸. Kodansha (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  18. [18]
    刀語 第十話 誠刀・銓. Kodansha (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  19. [19]
    "KATANAGATARI, 4". Penguin Random House. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  20. [20]
    刀語 第十一話 毒刀・鍍. Kodansha (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  21. [21]
    刀語 第十二話 炎刀・銃. Kodansha (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  22. [22]
    真庭語 初代真庭蝙蝠 初代真庭喰鮫 初代真庭蝶々 初代真庭白鷺. Kodansha (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  23. [23]
    "Katanagatari to Rerun in Noitamina Block in April". Anime News Network. 2012-11-21.
  24. [24]
    "Katanagatari: Kanna, the Cutting Sword". TV.com. Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
  25. [25]
    "刀語 第一巻 / 絶刀・鉋" [Katanagatari vol. 1 / Plane, the Absolute]. Aniplex (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  26. [26]
    "刀語 第二巻 / 斬刀・鈍" [Katanagatari Vol. 2 / Blunt, the Decapitator]. Aniplex (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  27. [27]
    "刀語 第三巻 / 千刀・ツルギ" [Katanagatari Vol. 3 / Blade, the Thousand]. Aniplex (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  28. [28]
    "刀語 第四巻 / 薄刀・針" [Katanagatari Vol. 4 / Needle, the Fine]. Aniplex (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  29. [29]
    "刀語 第五巻 / 賊刀・鎧" [Katanagatari Vol. 5 / Aegis, the Resentment]. Aniplex (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  30. [30]
    "刀語 第六巻 / 双刀・鎚" [Katanagatari Vol. 6 / Hammer, the Dual-Edge]. Aniplex (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  31. [31]
    "刀語 第七巻 / 悪刀・鐚" [The Sword Story Vol. 7 / Destitute, the Vile]. Aniplex (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  32. [32]
    "刀語 第八巻 / 微刀・釵" [SAI-word Vol. 8 / Sai, the Minute]. Aniplex (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  33. [33]
    "刀語 第九巻 / 王刀・鋸" [The Story of the Sword Volume 9 / Saw, the Imperator]. Aniplex (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  34. [34]
    "刀語 第十巻 / 誠刀・銓" [Katanagatari Vol. 10 / Scales, the Sincere]. Aniplex (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  35. [35]
    "刀語 第十一巻 / 毒刀・鍍" [The Story of the Sword Vol. 11 / Gilt, the Venomous]. Aniplex (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  36. [36]
    "刀語 第十二巻 / 炎刀・銃" [Katanagatari Vol. 12 / Gun, the Firearm]. Aniplex (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  37. [37]
    "The best anime of the decade". Polygon. November 6, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Katanagatari, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.