Katanagatari. Wow.
If you'd like just stop here. You should really watch this show. I'm a little fan boy. Everything is pretty damn good.
However the determined/stubborn/time wasting reader may have proceeded further into this review and for those rare people I now review and stop wasting your time.
Katanagatari is a unique show written by Nisio Isin, one of my favorite writers, famous for shows such as the mess that is the Bakemonogatari franchise and the Medaka Box. If you've seen/read either of these works then you know what to expect, fascinating characters mixed in with an interesting plot and with healthy doses of comedy.
Story-10
My poor knowledge
...
of the Japanese language (mostly based off ramen and noodles) says that Katanagatari literally translates as "sword" and "story".
This is in short a story about collecting 12 magical swords forged by the great sword smith Shikizaki Kiki. The two leads Yasuri Shichika and Togame the Strategian must work to traverse Edo-era Japan to collect the swords on their way defeating traitorous ninjas, ex-bandits and the shades of their past (literally).
However this description does not truly do the show justice. On the surface the series appears as a fairly typical shounen-esque romp through a famous period in Japanese history. But the true meanings about legacy and duty are something that requires a good deal more thought and introspection.
Luckily the viewer will definitely have time for this as the 50 minute long episodes are extremely dialogue heavy (as expected from a show by the same writer as Bakemonogatari).
Without spoiling the show hits hard and is very, very clever.
Art-9
The art style for the show is once again fairly unique being relatively simplistic but with a lot of attention to detail. Personally it is beautiful. Elements such as the symbolism in the clothes that each character wears, to the variation and scope of the background scenes as the characters travel the land, really brought me into the world they were depicting. The fight scenes are also for the most part fantastically choreographed and animated, which means the show still gets by as an action show to a degree.
My only criticisms would be episode 7 which animated in an entirely different (and personally much lower quality) style which did make a low point of an episode which would of otherwise have been the high point of the show.
Also the fight scenes do disappoint towards the end either due to lack of budget(?) or just as an attempt to how show increasing power. A little bit sad but not breaking in any way.
Sound-9
Once again they hit home and do it hard.
The OP and ED are both acceptable but after the first repetition I did just skip them as neither competed in any way to the glory that is the show. Shame.
However the music throughout the show is fantastic with the highlight being “Bahasa Palus” which I may have been playing on loop constantly while writing this. Music fits the tone of the scene perfectly in all scenes ranging between the epic fight scenes to the casual comedy. What more can you ask for?
Voice acting is also superb (from the point of view of someone who speaks no Japanese). Special props go to Yoshimasa Hosoya for his role is Shichika and my personal favourite Yukari Tamura as Togame who carries out the role of a fantastic character amazingly (also appears as Remon from Ano Natsu, Rika from Higurashi and Seppuku bunny from Kampfer (for you true artisans of taste)).
Character-10
Where the show truly shines.
All of the leads are interesting, well developed characters, with driving motives behind their actions and decisions.
Our lead is Yasuri Shichika the orphaned son of the Kyoto Ryu family and current head. The strength in his character comes from his isolation from early childhood which leaves him with a unique world view and value system which places him many rungs above the shallow character he may initially appear as.
Next is Togame the self-appointed Strategian of the Shogunate who seeks the swords for her own goals and desire for power for reasons not entirely made clear *hint hint*. Togame plays the dual role of the fragile genius and the source of a good deal of the feels in this show, and my, there are a lot of feels.
The rest of the cast is extensive with a number of other main roles along with a large cast newly introduced each week in a cowboy beepbop-esque manner (Phrase stolen from a certain Demodeezy). New characters are seen each week and often discarded immediately afterwards but each is developed to an extent that few shows can match, and that in such a way that their effects on the characters are seen long afterwards. It is done extremely well with each one used to convey a small part of the overall message of the show.
Enjoyment-10
Very much so.
In case my gushing has not conveyed this I really quite liked this show. It is filled with deep meaning, symbolism and thoughts that pull together to make a true gem of an experience.
The show does something which I always feel the best anime’s do and that is be fluid in how they present their world encompassing many emotions into each episode with action, comedy, romance and sadness all shown in equal measures. (though some hurt more). The 50 minute run time for each episode can make it daunting and less casual. The lack of a dub is also significant with the sheer volume of words often thrown at the screen being overwhelming at times. However the show is a true treat.
Overall-10
Watch it.
You won’t regret it.
Unless you get emotionally scarred easily.
Or if you have human emotions.
It’s sad okay!
Sep 23, 2014
Katanagatari
(Anime)
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Katanagatari. Wow.
If you'd like just stop here. You should really watch this show. I'm a little fan boy. Everything is pretty damn good. However the determined/stubborn/time wasting reader may have proceeded further into this review and for those rare people I now review and stop wasting your time. Katanagatari is a unique show written by Nisio Isin, one of my favorite writers, famous for shows such as the mess that is the Bakemonogatari franchise and the Medaka Box. If you've seen/read either of these works then you know what to expect, fascinating characters mixed in with an interesting plot and with healthy doses of comedy. Story-10 My poor knowledge ... 
Jul 14, 2014
Ahhhh Nisekoi.
I first heard of Nisekoi via its popular and very long running manga (130 chapters so far), which when it heard it was being adapted and by Shaft no less (madoka and the monogatari series) I was very excited. Was I looking forward to the strong romance? The emotional situations? The satisfying ending? Nope. Because Nisekoi has none of this. Do not come here looking for a plot as this show has practically nothing to offer in that regard! Speaking of plot... Story-5 Giving the story of Nisekoi a score of 5 is probably a bit too generous. The show is practically the gold standard of what ... 
Jul 13, 2014
Black Bullet
(Anime)
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Right!
This is my first review here so please spare me internet while I add to the huge ocean of random stuff! Black Bullet was a show that I picked up after watching Guilty Crown and its fair to say if you liked that you'll like this. I hasten to add I would never claim Guilty Crown is good, but it is fun, and we all like to have fun do we not? So was Black Bullet fun or a disaster? Lets see! Story-3 My impression of Black Bullets story was of a director trying too hard. Calling someone a Try-hard should not be taken as an insult however. ... |
