Summary

This review may contain spoilers.

The anime is a mix of Samurai Champloo and Kimetsu no Yaiba.

The first half of the series feels a bit slow and boring, but it gets interesting in the second half when the main character, Shichika, voices his opnions more and feels more like a human being instead of just a weapon.

The characters are okay and their design is unique.

The animation is good and sometimes does things you don't typically see in anime.

The sound is okay and has two soundtracks which stand out.

Story

Like

The goal in the anime is to gather 12 swords. Each of the 12 episodes concludes with the main characters, Shichika and Togame, getting the sword they were searching for and setting out for the next one, so it's easy for someone who doesn't binge the anime to remember what happened. Each episode is also around 48 minutes, so they have enough time to do the things they have to.

The narration in the beginning and end of the episode gives the feeling that we're listening to a story.

Not every sword owner is evil and therefore doesn't have to get killed.

Shichika continues Togame's dream to travel Japan and create a map of it.

The ending of the show is conclusive. There should be no second season and there are no hints to it being so.

Dislike

In the episode where Shichika 's sister fights some enemies, the Shichika's battle against the owner of a sword is skipped. Instead, Shichika and Togame talk about how good the fight went around a campfire.

The 'falsifying' history stuff at the end of the series was confusing and I still don't fully get it.

The battles where the fight ends after a single special move by Shichika are boring.

Characters

Like

The main character, Shichika, starts of as someone who's detached from the world, but as he travels with Togame he learns more about the world and different perspectives by the owners of the swords and starts being attached to it. In the end it feels like with each oponent he faces he is overcomming a weakness within himself.

Shichika starts of as someone who's strong, but not overpowered, and really has to listen to Togame's strategy to win.

Shichika and Togame have good synergy. Shichika is calm and collected and Togame is a cheeky brat who's sometimes overconfident which leads to comical moments. They complement each other.

The character designs were unique. I can look at the show and say: 'yes, that's a character from Katanagatari'. The eyes for each character were distinctively different too. Also, Togame was adorable with her hair short.

Dislike

The Maniwani corps felt like they were there just to get killed each episode.

Animation

Like

The art style and animation are good.

There are moments were characters are running, but the viewer gets a side-view of it, which reminds me of some areas in NieR: Automata.

The ending video changes each episode.

Dislike

None

Sound

Like

The ending song changes each episode.

Sometimes hip-hop is played softly. Often in moments where Shichika and Togame are chilling or at the end off an episode when they give their concluding thoughts about what happened in the adventure of that episode. It gives of Samurai Champloo vibes. Here's the soundtrack: https://youtu.be/wZ1UZf-aqc0

Sometimes during a fight, a vocal soundtrack is played, which fits the situation. It's clear Kimetsu no Yaiba got inspired by it and used something similar. Here the soundtrack: https://youtu.be/GNtzmOliIos

Dislike

None