KATANAGATARI

KATANAGATARI

Katanagatari

NOVELFinished
ActionAdventureRomance
SwordplayMale ProtagonistSlapstickSurreal ComedyAnachronismPhilosophyTragedyParody
Staff: NISIOISIN (Writer), Take (Illustrator)

Overview

A swordless “swordsman” and a self-described “schemer” who embark on a quest to obtain twelve peculiar masterpiece blades. Featuring a gatefold color insert, beautiful interior art, and copious bilingual footnotes, this hardcover edition is the first of a quartet scheduled to collect the entire original run. Brimming with action, romance, and unexpected wisdom, often as tongue-in-cheek as The Princess Bride, and shot through with ninjas, samurais, and secret moves, Sword Tale is Musashi for a new generation and a gift for any fan of adventure. (Source: Kodansha USA)

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Episodes · 12

Kanna, the Cutting Sword
1

Kanna, the Cutting Sword

絶刀・鉋

2010-01-2650m

Togame, a female samurai general, travels to the Fushou island to asks Shichika for help in collecting the 12 legendary swords.

Namakura, the Decapitation Sword
2

Namakura, the Decapitation Sword

斬刀・鈍

2010-02-0950m

It has been one month since Shichika left his island home and began his journey with Togame. Together they have journeyed across Japan to Inaba where they hope to retrieve the Namakura Sword. However, the swords current master, Ginkaku Uneri is far more skilled than anyone Shichika has ever faced before. Shichika must then use all of his skills in order to defeat Ginkaku and protect both the sword and Togame.

Tsurugi, the Sword of Thousand
3

Tsurugi, the Sword of Thousand

千刀・鎩

2010-03-0950m

Shichika and Togame are three months into their search for the 12 Deviant Swords and this time they have arrived at the Sanzu Shrine in order to retrieve the Tsurugi sword. However, in order to obtain it not only must Togame find the original Tsurugi from one thousand identical blades but Shichika must defeat it's master Meisai Tsuruga in a one-on-one duel. To make matters even worse Kuizame Maniwa is also after the Tsurugi sword and soon makes his way to the Shrine.

Hari, the Slender Sword
4

Hari, the Slender Sword

薄刀・針

2010-04-1750m

Hakuhei Sabi challenges Shichika to a duel for possession of the Hari Sword and the rest of Shikizaki Kiki's Blades. Meanwhile, the Maniwa Ninja's Insect Squad attempt to kidnap Nanami and use her as a hostage against her brother. However, the Insect Squad soon discover that although Shichika is the head of the No Sword School, Nanami is far superior to her brother in combat and it doesn't take her long to kill all three of the Ninja sent after her.

Yoroi, the Rebel Sword
5

Yoroi, the Rebel Sword

賊刀・鎧

2010-05-2150m

Shichika and Togame are now five months into their quest and have just arrived in Satsuma where they hope to retrieve the Yoroi Sword. However, both the sword (which takes the form of a Western-style suit of armour) and its owner, legendary pirate Kanara Azekura (an expert in defensive combat) will pose a difficult problem for Shichika. Things then become even more complicated than usual when Azekura declares his love for Togame and the fight quickly becomes about much more than simply collecting another Deviant Sword.

Kanazuchi, the Twin Sword
6

Kanazuchi, the Twin Sword

双刀・鎚

2010-06-0450m

Shichika and Togame find themselves in the harsh Ezo region in search of the enigmatic Itezora clan. Unfortunately they soon discover that the Itezora's village has been destroyed and the only survivor is an incredibly lonely and immensely powerful 11 year old girl who now possesses the Kanazuchi sword they are seeking. Things then take a dangerous turn when Kyouken Maniwa arrives to claim the Kanazuchi sword and get revenge for her fallen comrades' forcing an already injured Shichika to engage in his most dangerous battle yet.

Bita, the Evil Sword
7

Bita, the Evil Sword

悪刀・鐚

2010-07-0950m

Having become annoyed with her brother's slow progress Nanami has decided to leave the island and collect the 'Deviant Swords' herself. However, her methods are far more ruthless than those of Shichika and Togame, and it isn't long before she acquires the Bita sword bringing the two sides into direct competition. As such the siblings are pitted against each other in combat but can the current head of the No Sword School really hope to defeat his vicious and gifted little sister; the 'true' heir to the title.

Kanzashi, the Sword of Precision
8

Kanzashi, the Sword of Precision

微刀・釵

2010-08-1350m

Having returned to Owari, Togame's home, Togame and Shichika meet with Princess Hitei who tells them about the location of Shikizaki Kiki's workshop and the possible sword hidden there. Following the lead, although distrusting of it, the two go to the location, Lake Fuyou accompanied by Emonzaemon. Upon their arrival, Emonzaemon departs and leaves Togame and Shichika to deal with Bito Kanzashi. While away, Emonzaemon tracks down Umigame Maniwa and reveals that he is the sole remaining heir of the Aioi Corps, a village of ninjas that were wiped out by the Maniwa Corps 170 years ago. Having told him this, he engages Umigame in battle and defeats him completely and effortlessly using Aioi Kenpo.

Nokogiri, the Sword of Kings
9

Nokogiri, the Sword of Kings

王刀・鋸

2010-09-1150m

Togame and Shichika travel to the Shinou Issou School to take on its master, Zanki Kiguchi, for possession of Outou Nokogiri. Being a sword instructor, Zanki is bothered by Shichika's style and refuses to fight him until he receives training at swordsmanship. She offers to instruct him and the two begin a ten day training regimen, much to Togame's chagrin. Meanwhile, the Maniwa Corps are able to retrieve the most poisonous blade of all, Dokutou Mekki. Before they can leave with the sword, Emonzaemon arrives with the intention of assassinating Houou. Penguin and Houou flee while Oshidori stays behind, only to be gunned down with Entou Jyuu after putting on an impressive battle.

Hakari, the Sword of Truth
10

Hakari, the Sword of Truth

誠刀・銓

2010-10-1650m

Shichika and Togame travel to Togame's childhood home in search of Rinne Higaki, a holy man in possession of Seito Hakari. When they find him they discover that Rinne has no physical form; when someone looks at him, they project an image from their memories on to him and he takes that appearance irregardless of his own will. This causes emotional strain for the duo as they both see people related to painful memories that they would rather forget. Meanwhile, Houou and Penguin continue on with their plans while Princess Hitei sends Emonzaemon out to spy on Togame and Shichika. After Togame and Shichika retrieve Seito Hakari, Rinne informs them that he was a personal friend of Shikizaki Kiki and reveals that the Kyotouryuu fighting style is actually Kiki's thirteenth and final perfected blade. As the episode closes and our duo heads off to their next location, they stumble across Penguin Maniwa who is lying the middle of road, gravely injured and begging for someone to save Houou.

Mekki, the Poison Sword
11

Mekki, the Poison Sword

毒刀・鍍

2010-11-1250m

The episode begins with a flashback detailing how Shikizaki Kiki first met Kazune Yasuri, the man who would one day become the first head of the Kyotouryuu style. Jumping back to the future, Emonzaemon and Houou Maniwa face off in the duel that left Penguin Maniwa injured at the end of the previous episode. Emonzaemon gains an advantage over Houou but is sliced down when Panguin hands him Dokutou Mekki. However, Houou loses his mind in the process and wounds Penguin as well.

Juu, the Flame Sword
12

Juu, the Flame Sword

炎刀・銃

2010-12-1150m

As Togame lays dying in Shichika's arms, she tells him that all of this was a part of her plan and that had she not died, she intended on killing him after he retrieved all twelve blades. Having manipulated everything, including her heart, into her plan, she says that her feelings were real and dies asking Shichika if it's ok for her to fall for him.

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🎬 Trailer

Characters & Voice Actors

Togame

Togame

MAIN

Shichika Yasuri

Shichika Yasuri

MAIN

Takahito Hida

Takahito Hida

SUPPORTING

Shirasagi Maniwa

Shirasagi Maniwa

SUPPORTING

Koumori Maniwa

Koumori Maniwa

SUPPORTING

Meisai Tsuruga

Meisai Tsuruga

SUPPORTING

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