Video Backlog: "Katanagatari"

Publisher: NIS America (USA)
Format: Region 1 DVD, NTSC, Japanese Dialogue with optional English Subtitles. Region A Blu-ray, NTSC, Japanese Dialogue with optional English Subtitles.
Length: 12 episodes x 50 minutes
Production Date: 2010
Currently in Print (as of writing): Yes

It is the Edo era. Many years prior, a rebellion took place where the leader of that rebellion, Takahito Hida, was killed by a man named Mutsue Yasuri. For this crime, Mutsue and his family were exiled to the island of Tamba. Many years later only his son, Shichika Yasuri, and his daughter, Nanami Yasuri survive on the island. Both have been trained in the art of Kyotoryu school of martial arts, though Shichika was chosen by his father as the head of this school. The Kyotoryu style is not exactly your typical martial art. Shichika is a swordsman, but has no sword. The martial art is designed so he performs as a sword. Shichika and Nanami live pretty much in blissful ignorance of the world outside their little island. That is until a young white haired woman named Togame, a strategist who claims to be under orders from the Shogun, arrives and asks for Mutsue’s help to recover twelve extraordinary swords collectively known as the "Deviant Blades" swords forged by a sword smith named Kiki Shikizaki. The brother and sister explain that their father is dead, but Togame insists that Shichika be his replacement and help her retrieve the swords.

However the Maniwa Ninja Clan are also looking for these swords and have send one member, Maniwa Koumori, to stop Togame’s search. He kidnaps Togame in an effort to dissuade Shikizaki from journeying with her. Shikizaki soon finds himself in his first real battle and in the process discovers that his father killed Togame’s father. Knowing that Togama him to travel with her despite what his father did to hers, Shichika makes the decision to leave his island home and accompany her in her journey. Over the course of the next several months they challenge the current owners of the swords in an effort to collect all twelve. However the owners never give them up easily and quite often the Maniwa Ninja Clan will challenge them as well. There’s also a mysterious figure named Princess Denial lurking behind the shadows. Her link with Togame will soon be revealed.

This is yet another series based on a bunch of light novels. The author of the novels, NisiOisin, pumped out a light novel per month over a period of 12 months which is quite astonishing. Now in this adaptation, two things stick out like sore thumb; the highly stylised designs and the double length episodes. Both really help make the series stand out, but it’s the story which makes this show a winner. I’ve read where people suggest that the series is a satire on generic shonen fighting manga/anime, but I can’t see that at all. Certainly it does take tropes from chanbara cinema and similar sword/samurai epics and puts a twist on them or ends up taking the piss out of them. For instance the preview for episode four hypes up an upcoming fight. However the actual episode itself focuses on Nanami as two Maniwa Ninja attempt to kidnap her. The fight itself is only mentioned at the end by Shichika and Togame, but apart from the preview, none of the fight is actually shown.

There are a few problems I had with the show. Towards the end it delves into some surreal territory which I think wasn’t really needed. The ending was a bit of a surprise as was the whole explanation about the origin and purpose of the "Deviant Blades". It was a bit hard to swallow that explanation and I’m still a bit iffy on the ending to tell the truth. NIS America’s release is pretty damn good. It has the usual chipboard flat box and the hardcover booklet with a ton of artwork. In both books there’s about two and a half pages dedicated to a glossary of terms used in the show which is really helpful. However NIS still manages to not explain what the story is behind the cross that can sometimes be seen in Togame’s left eye. As I understand it, it has to do with some sort of pun on her name. Wrapping up, I think this is a really great show and was a bit surprised that there seems to be little fan buzz around it. It’s really quite unique in terms of presentation and the story is pretty damn good. I really wish anime studios would take more chances to make shows like this. 8 out of 10.

Remaining Backlog: 27 months (it's much easier this way than listing the number of discs).