Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
Replicaseven
To this day, and still after 4 rewatches.... My favourite anime of all time.
Past the initial shock of the first experience, there's nothing of note to mention that doesn't make this entire show excellent.
It's a harder watch for those without patience, and I'll accept that as your excuse if you didn't manage- but for me it's got everything I want from a story, and what a story it is.
The characters are all incredible and memorable, each character has an infroduction, a backstory and a conclusion. Every episode has it's own contained tale, but the complete tale maanges to reach it apex by the 12th episode and neatly ties it all up in a bittersweet bow.
Read at the sourcefujiwaranovari
Katanagatari was a very confusing show and one I have very mixed feelings about. I decided to log back into MAL after a while to let off some steam because I just have a lot of things to say about this one.
My hopes for this one were quite high, I expected it to be a great experience. A reasonably short anime by NISIOISIN with incredible reviews? Just what I needed after putting off watching anime for months.
The show starts off strong, a bit too strong, things just sort of happen without any exposition. Shichika by this point is pretty much a non-character as he just sort of does whatever he's told and doesn't say much. Now to the show's credit the dialogue in these early episodes plays with the fourth wall and expresses the author's frustration through funny dialogue and character inte…
Read at the sourceCsiposfosas
Katanagatari is perhaps the first anime where I thought about not giving an actual numerical rating, not because of indecisiveness but because it leaves the person with varied feelings and questions.
Questions and feelings that contradict themselves or support each other in hopes of finding an answer, only for it settle with the realization that the "answer" is not more than having those very emotions and queries and that concept is hard to evaluate numerically.
Being one of Nisio Isin's work, the anime is highly dialogue driven and relies heavily on character dynamics and conflicts which is well balanced out with action, making this series extremely engaging.
Having a decent amount of "wind-down" scenes after fights and generally having a relaxed take on the action itself (for the most p…
Read at the sourceJastereich
Katanagatari is one of those shows that sticks with you long after you finish it. I went in expecting a cool, stylized sword fighting anime, and it delivers on that front, but it’s more thoughtful and character driven than I expected. Also, the art style is so distinct and unique that it adds to its charm.
However, some of the battles felt way too short. There were moments where I was hyped up for a big clash, and then it was over almost as soon as it started. At first that threw me off, but over time I kind of understood what the show was doing. It’s less about flashy, drawn out fights and more about the journey, the conversations, and what those confrontations mean for the characters. Still, part of me wanted just a little more action.
What really sold me was Shichika’s character devel…
Read at the sourcephiliwilly
This is one of the most unique anime out there in terms of its art, direction, and dialogue, so do yourself a favor and watch the show; you can tell some passion went into the project. One thing, just don't binge it; the 50 minute episodes are dialogue heavy and can feel long at times; critics seem to have been off-put by this. I mean this show aired monthly originally. Aside: I love the narrator announcing the closure of each episode, very nostalgic.
My attempt to write my thoughts out:
The plot is super linear which evokes a sort of fairytale like progression which seemingly existed solely to carry the characters along their path of development. Ultimately, this show is charater-driven, their progression and their dialogues are the real story. On that note, the main duo might be my fav…
Read at the sourceZSalieri
One of the most faithful adaptations of a book series I've ever seen. So glad they gave each episode an hour long time slot. Nisioisin's writing shines through any series even when it's not directed by Shaft it seems. The art style matches perfectly to the original book artwork all the way through and the music was a great diverse addition to the tone, adding to the polarity between drama and lighthearted absurdity so integral to the series. The first few episodes may take some people by surprise with the pacing, stylization, and lengthy dialogue, but each episode grows and expands the meaning like a staircase, climaxing with one of the most fulfilling and emotional conclusions of any single season series. When you finish, go listen to katanastep by sHimaU!
Read at the sourceMitsotakiShogun
tl;dr: It's a good show, but it shows its age.
Before reviewing it myself, let's do some "meta-reviewing" or "review statistics". If you look at the first page of reviews (newest 20), they are currently distributed like so:
* Positive: 12 (60%)
* Mixed: 2 (10%)
* Negative: 6 (30%)
Compare that to all-time reviews: * Positive: 155 (81%)
* Mixed: 20 (10%)
* Negative: 16 (8%)
I think it's because people can probably compare with more recent shows (which often have high budgets, more catchy stories, animators with more experience, etc), and see this with a more critical eye than what people did a decade ago. I would know because I'm one of those people too. Also note that this show has very few user votes, even fewer than first/second/third seasons of certain hit shows that aired <6 months…
Read at the sourceTreatise
Katanagatari brilliant and ambitious, at once a 12-episode pun in prose, a light parody of shounen anime, and a playground for NISIOISIN to showcase wacky, off-the-wall dialogue. All of those peripherals, however, are only as strong as the central core of the story- that of two characters, on a year-long journey, who each episode attempt to acquire a special sword. Fortunately, this core is so unique, compelling, and genuinely touching that all the craziness you'd expect from NISIOISIN can complement it without ever overwhelming the narrative.
Without exaggeration, the match of story and medium in Katanagatari (both novels, and the anime) is the best match I have ever seen in any media. Each double-length episode (49 minutes) features one self-contained story covering one month of adventu…
Read at the sourceCaptainSalty
"But by that point, you will already have been torn to pieces." -Shichika Yasuri
Katanagatari starts off immediately letting the viewer know that it's heavily stylized with visuals, very unique character designs, and fitting music (as always with Taku Iwasaki, bless your musical talent) but also feels hard to get into due to the lore dumping in episode 1 to get it mostly out of the way while having episodic premises. This strategy of world building isn't the most pleasing, but it definitely gives it so we don't constantly have to get the gist of the main characters do what they do or why they do it. The first episode is the biggest exposition dump I've seen of any other series but when you find yourself not needing almost any exposition for the rest of the series, it definitely feels muc…
Read at the sourceRamun_Flame
This is currently my favorite anime. I've rewatched it many times. The presentation, characters, and dialog are all amazing. Every character has unique motivations and realistic approaches. The dialog is very witty, and it has to be since that's most of the show.
Usually a format where they need to collect 12 swords and they collect one each episode would bring a show down, but this show is almost parodying the trope. The only thing that I could possibly mark it off for is the fights not having as much animation as one might like, but it only stood out to me after multiple watches.
The ending was perfect for me as well, even if some may not like it. The first episode is enough to know if you'll like the show or not.
Read at the sourceFairtale
First episode is good, the rest became a long drag of nothing ever happening and nothing leading anywhere.
On top of that, the storytelling is so weird, every episode it feels like parts of the story were just glossed over, add to that weird attempts at "start telling at the end" which often left me feeling like I missed an episode. The constand back-and-forth just felt weird and, at the end, unfulfulling.
The whole point of the anime was that there is no point, which left me askin "why did I watch this?"
- the story leads nowhere
- the misteries lead nowhere
- the romance leades nowhere
- the fights are boring and repetitive
- each and every character lacks depth, and changes their personalities or objectives on a whim.
Many good reviews about this, so maybe its a personal thing. But I…
Read at the sourceLogical_Leo
Very short review: Just read the first sentence.
Akame ga Kill but in the style of shows like Monogatari/Penguindrum; in other words everything is lengthy and drawn out. Characters were merely a medium for mainly bloviations. There is practically the bare minimum of character development throughout. Also it is slightly funny that characters just tell their opponents their abilities before or during the fight (which seems to be a parody, yet overdone and non-realistic, just another tool for blabbering). If you like dialogue-heavy you may enjoy this.
P.s yes I am dumb and realized after watching that it is by same studio (White Fox - AgK) then author (Nisio - Mono). CHEERIO!
Read at the sourcePoll1t0
Katanagatari's episodes, much like its dialogue, are unnecessarily drawn-out and tedious. Each one is 50 minutes long, but could easily be compressed to 25 or even 12 minutes without sacrificing much.
It introduces characters (or doesn't even bother introducing them) as quickly as it writes them off.
The soundtrack ranges from annoying to pretty good, though maybe you're more into rapanese than I am.
The fight scenes mostly consist of the same 4 frames repeated ad nauseam. There's more dynamic animation in literally every other part of the show.
Overall, Katanagatari felt like a chore to watch, and I don't recommend investing 10 hours of your time into watching it.
Read at the sourcexmrzS
Ka-ka-katanagari is mega cooool, but seriously, this anime is amazing. End of review. No, let me tell you something about it so you can see what's going on here. The main character Togame, on the orders of the shogun, is looking for a few legendary swords, unfortunately everyone she entrusts with this task fails, so with this problem she goes to the son of her father's killer who lives in exile on an almost deserted island with his sister, does it sound logical? this is just the beginning... , during negotiations to entrust this task to shichika (the son of her father's killer), she asks him to perform this task in exchange for money? recognition? fame? position? you are ridiculous, of course for love... and this is not about physical love, but romantic love, our hero is too stupid to come…
Read at the sourceNo-LifeKing_26
Katanagatari is a story that follows Togame, a 'strategemist' on a journey to collect 12 deviant blades scattered across the land of Japan, and Yasuri Shichika, inheritor of the sword art Kyoto Ryu who accompanies her on the journey.
Katanagatari is 12 episodes long and lasting about 45 minutes each so the episodes can be long winded, especially during the first few episodes. There is so much dialogue and information being presented in episodes 1 and 2, that it takes away from the enjoyment of truly appreciating the art and visuals of what Katanagatari possesses. Watching Katanagatari subbed, I was constantly reading so much that I had to pause a few times because the conversations between the characters were so quick and continuous and rarely held room for a pause. Happily, this improve…
Read at the sourcewhiteflame55
This series was evocative of a lot of personal favorites (Samurai X and Outlaw Star, in particular), though it carved itself a distinct place that, strangely, made me think of Trigun, a show I think it has very little in common with. The motivations for the actions of its characters remain largely shrouded in mystery or just confusion throughout much of the series, though near its midpoint and definitely towards the end, we see how those motivations are rebuked in a big way, challenging what most series do with these kinds of characters. It was a little slow to get there, but the payoff for this series is excellent and elevates it greatly.
Read at the sourceZakuro_Kusuo
(spoiler free) If you are bored of seeing the same show over and over this may be a breath of fresh air, though with twelve 48 minute episodes it can feel slow and fast paced at the same time. This show is very irregular in how it tells its story yet still follows an episodic formula, this is what kept me watching. Enjoyed the moral ambiguity. Though you root for them, the protagonists were not perfect enforcers of justice and the question of whether what their doing is right can be raised.
The character design and art style were unique and looked great. Some characters can be a bit silly however still have depth, but despite its more cartoonish visuals it caters more towards an older audience. Animation was good but didn't become great till the final episode. Strangely the narrator spoil…
Read at the sourceMarco_Yooo
THIS IS A SPOILER-FREE REVIEW
The "Monogatari Series" is in my opinion one of the greatest fictional works of all time, and a lot of that has got to do with it´s creators specific style. NisiOisin (The name is a palindrome btw :D), is by far the most unique writer in the Light Novel scene, and i have set myself the goal to watch/read all of his works after finishing Monogatari. So, the next point on my list is „Katanagatari“ or "A tale of swords".
Story - 7/10
On paper, the story already looks very straightforward. 12 Light Novels, 12 episodes á 45 minutes, 12 swords that need to be collected. This is the complete opposite of the story structure of monogatari, which relies heavily on time skips, unreliable narrators, time travel and all that other fun stuff. Katanagatari introduces the…
Read at the sourceXhionPime
imagine that someone recommend you go to a restaurant, they tell you about an incredible and novel experience, and although they don't want to spoil it, you know from their conversation that there is a surprise at the end.
And in fact once you arrived, you can't help but feel amazed by the attention to detail that you can observe, everything from the service, to the menu is beautifully crafted; maybe it's a little odd but in a good way.
When the first dish arrives it is indeed a novel experience, maybe a little heavy for your tastes, but man it's enjoyable; and the next one is as good if not better.
Reading the menu however, you can't help but see that the last dish is called "crash" but it can mean many things right? Probably it's called like that for its impactful flavors, there's no w…
Read at the sourceCreepyphasma101
I loved everything about Katanagatari.
The two things that stood out from me were the sound, art, and characters.
This anime reminded me of avatar the last air bender, as while the story was very basic. It was all about the journey. In the same sense, this is how Katanagatari was too. The show puts all its strength into the characters and puts realism into how they developed.
This anime knows how to actually flesh out a character right. Unlike some anime where the MC is complete and goes into complete chad mode. The MC in the end understands who he is and what he is which leads to an unexpected outcome in the end.
All in all, the fight scenes in this show while brief were fun, the music was memorable, and the characters were the highlight of the show.
Read at the source
