During the period of the Owari Shogunate, the military 'stategian' is sent out on a mission to collect 12 powerful blades created by the legendary swordmaster, Shikizaki Kiki. However, she is quite frail. In order to accomplish her task, she gets the aid of a man who has lived for 20+ years in seclusion on an island with only his sister to keep him company. This man holds the power of Kyotouryuu, a sword style that uses no swords. Together they set off on a journey to collect the 12 deviant blades by fighting and winning battles against the men and women who own the swords.
Now from what I just described, the story seems like a typical fetch-quest scenario. Find sword, beat owner, collect sword, repeat. What I enjoy about this story is not so much the plot itself, but how the plot is laid out. There are 12 episodes, each lasting about 50 minutes (though I believe there was a 2013 version with double the episodes, but each one was standard length; same story, different format). Anyway, this number 12 is very significant to the show and pops up over and over again. The journey Shichika and Togame take is 12 months. There are 12 deviant blades. There are 12 members of the rival ninja corps who are also seeking the blades. This setup is really well done because it leaves you with what you'd expect. Each episode is dedicated to finding and getting 1 sword, killing 1 member of the Ninja corps (with some exceptions), and when the show aired originally, it literally aired one episode a month. The fact that each episode is the length of 2 standard anime episodes also means there is enough time for each event and explanations to be given. Very well done.
Characters are probably what this show does best, thought the other things are quite amazing as well. Shichika is the powerful, yet slightly thick-headed one that does the fighting, Togame is the weak, but smart counter to Shichika's incompetence, and all the Ninja corps members and Swordmasters feel unique and interesting, ranging from a forsaken heir to a temple to the leader of a dojo to a little girl with the strength of an elephant. They make a lot of these side characters who only have 1 episode of screen time memorable and that's something lots of shows need to strive towards doing.
Animation is also really quite good. The characters have this weird style about them with really round eyes and really sleek, straight figures, but it looks good. Fight scenes are often a joy to watch, as they should be, given the plot. The backgrounds are actually something I found really cool because they look like Japanese paintings, which really set the tone.
Sound is better than lots of shows, yet also not. It's better because I am left after I've finished this show with some of these songs in my head, but some of them aren't great songs as they are, simply memorable. It's also such and eclectic mix. It ranges from techno pop to, I kid you not, a song that sounds like a woman is 'doing something' in the background. Still good enough though.
This show was so close. SO close to being near perfect. But the ending did something. The ending wasn't bad by any means, but what it did was change the show itself. All of Katangatari is fun, vivid, bright, and humorous. However, there are some tragic events for Togame and Shichika that lead to an ending that is dark and sad and brutal. It doesn't belong with the show it's in, so even though it's a good ending, that doesn't excuse how so out of place it feels.
Positives:
+Good opening and ending themes
+Stunning animation and relatively nice sound
+Amazing characters that are interesting and memorable; even some side-characters are well-developed
+Great mix of humor, romance, and action
+Small thing: A character gets a catchphrase, and unlike lots of other shows, THIS ONE ACTUALLY USES IT CONSISTENTLY
+Ending itself was good, all things considered, it just really doesn't fit the show well at all
Negatives:
-...like it REALLY does not fit at all. Ugh
-The tragic circumstances that lead up to the ending, while nice and all for plot development and character growth, feel kinda shoehorned in to the point where I don't think it was all that necessary
-Episode 7 had a weird animation style, and while it wasn't bad at all, this is the only episode with a different animation style and it's a very slight change, but it's weird and I don't know why that is.
I really, really, REALLY wanted to say this show was near perfection. The ending just completely prevents me from saying that. However, I still highly recommend this show regardless of the ending. For one, you may find the ending to be good; everyone has different opinions after all. Also, the 11 episodes before the ending are amazing to watch and very enjoyable for any anime fan. I wish I could say it was near flawless, but it just isn't...for me at least.
And that's why Katanagatari gets an 8/10 (really wish it could've been at least 9)
