Katanagatori

KATANAGATORI

A story about an alternate feudal Japan, taken from the light novel of the same name written by Nisio Isin of Bakemonogatori fame. 

OVERVIEW -Set in about the 1800's in a Japan who's history differs from the real one, The series follows the journey of Togame, a self-titled strategist working for the shogunate and Shichika Yasuri, The 7th generation head of a sword-fighting school that uses no swords, known as Kyotoryu, as they travel around japan seeking to gather up 12 "swords" created 300 years previous by a legendary swordsmith, these swords being known as "the deviant blades" for being impressively unique. It is said that one who posseses all 12 could rule the world. As the story moves on the truth about the blades, Togame's past and the reason for the existance of Kyotoryu is revealed. A "journey"/"Fighting" anime, it also weaves in aspects similar to a "coming of age" as well as a romance. 

REVIEW -The anime has a very unique style, and its characters are very stylised, and in a very "modern cartoon" style too. In some ways it reminds me of a less blockly version of Genndy Tartakovsky's style seen in "Samurai Jack" or the better known "Star Wars - Clone Wars" cartoons produced in America. It also has a very tounge-in-cheek approach to itself, with a narator often referancing things to come and ending each show with a comment that affirms its existance as a story. 

Its characters are quite fun, with a lot of the enemies being over the top, the ninja's they battle being as un-ninja like as possible, in gaudy colours and plain silly outfits. In many ways I think they may have been done like that as a subtle dig at Naruto and other "ninja" manga/anime that show ninja's in a similar manner. The story clips along well too, with each episode being set roughly a month apart from each other and culminating in the pair gaining one of the deviant blades. 

Togame is shown to be ruthless, calculating and not above using cheap or unfair methods to achieve her goal of collecting the swords, but lacking in any kind of physical strength she needs someone to do the actual work for her. later revealed to be the daughter of the head of a rebellion 20 years ago, her father was killed before her by the 6th head of kyotoryu, Shichika's father. Betrayed by those who work for money (the ninja's) and those who work for honour (the holder of the 4th blade) she decides to have Shichika work for her out of love, and demands that he "fall for her". Along their journey she grows close to Shichika and there are a few tender moments between them. 

Shichika is shown as a simple man, having grown up on an isolated island with only his father and sister, his father being exiled at the end of the rebellion 20 years previous, he knows nothing of the outside world. His encounter with Togame being the first time in his life seeing someone who wasnt his family. Trained since childhood in the kyotoryu school, he sees his own existance as that of a sword. highly skilled and almost superhumanly strong yet completely naivé he agree's to be Togame's sword after finding out the connection between their fathers. Following Togame's orders without question, he acts without feeling or care to begin with, but in time begins to learn more about his own feelings, and his reason for fighting. 

For the most part, this anime is about the fighting, showcasing the fictional kyotoryu style and the increasingly odd deviant swords, along with Shichika's ability to overcome the strange advantages the swords provide their owners. As it progresses the truth behind it all is revealed, and it is shown that the swordsmith who made the weapons (as honestly weapons is a better description for the items rather than swords) came from a long line of "soothsayers", basically people who could see into the future. The family had become aware hundreds of years before of a time when Japan would be destroyed by foreign nations (possibly talking about WWII) and had decided to create a new history that stopped that from happening. The deviant swords were created to this end, all by taking construction techniques from the future, which is why they appeared magical and gave such distinct advantages to their owners. It is also revealed that the final, completed deviant sword was in fact the kyotoryu school. 

tucked in to all of this is the odd relationship shared by Togame and Shichika, the horrific secret of Shichika's sister, the tragic story of the ninja corps and their reasons for betraying Togame, the political manipulations of Togame's "arch rival" and of course, the overall scheme to alter history. A lot of people die in the course of the story, but its not until the end of the 11th episode/start of the 12th that any of them convey any emotion across to the audience, although some do hold an emotional effect on the characters. In fact, i would say the final episode makes the entire series worth watching, as it not only manages to reveal all the truths hidden and hinted at in the series but also some of the best fighting scenes and hardest hitting emotional points. 

Another feature of the series, while not as pronounced as it is in the more famous "Bakemonogatori" series, is the writers ability to play on words and pun in a very subtle yet humourous way. While some of this this lost in translation or requires a "translator's note" to explain it, other parts just convey regardless of language. The most prominent example of this would be Togame's "Cheerio!" catchphrase, caused by her misunderstanding of a custom in which one would playfully punch another saying "Chest" (pronouced "chest-u" in japanese in a manner similar to cheerio). Togame also prompts a lot of the over-the-top behaviour due to her wanting her reports to be interesting, such as forcing Shichika into using a catchphrase, something he eventually carries on, with the very ending line uttered by him being "However, by that time you may have been torn to pieces". 

An enjoyable anime, with a strong story, amazing production and a nice mix of action, humour, romance and drama, at 12 episodes of approximately 50 minutes long its a nice warm-up for launching into the huge beast that is the author's Bakemonogatori series. 

SUMMARY -

Story - A well written piece, it introduces mysteries, intrigue and concepts then slowly deconstructs them, with the characters discoveries also serving to enlighten the audience. Clever dialogue, developed characters (even the bit-part ones) and a good few shocks, twists and turns. While not world-shattering or epic its still one of the better anime stories out there, with no real plot holes, deus ex machina moments or unresolved aspects. 8/10

 

Production -Very well done on this front, stunning backdrops, fluid animation even within fight scenes, and making use of various different techniques and styles on occasion, with examples such as the "omake cut-outs" used for some of the "plan explaination" scenes, or the mock computer game moments, appearing like a top-down beat-em-up or a old RPG conversation scene. The story allows for a degree of self-mockery which is carried off superbly by the methods used. 9/10

 

Music -Sadly, all i can say to this is "uurrgh". It has two opening themes, the first one being an awful run-of-the-mill J-pop piece that bears no relevance to the anime or its mood and setting, the second one sounds like a bad attempt at giving an "Indian" feel to a J-pop number, again in contrast to the rest of the anime. Most episodes have their own unique ending theme, but again, most are jarringly at odds with the anime itself. The Score used during the show is a hit-or-miss affair, with some pieces used well and fittingly, others being at odds with the whole feel, such as the awful "rap" piece used way too often, or the "portishead"-esque piece used with almost every appearance of Togame's political rival. 3/10

 

Accessability -Set in feudal Japan, the series makes full use of that setting, and has a lot of referances to old japanese culture. I would say it would probably be quite confusing to someone who hasnt seen any anime or films set in old japan before, so scores fairly lowly in this area. 4/10

 

Overall Impression -A good, fun, visually impressive piece of work, let down by a musical score that seems more about marketing than fitting in with the show. With its strong character development and a plot so well developed its a shame that its setting will make it tricky for many to fully get into. Best for experienced anime fans. 8/10

Final Score - 32/50