Katanagatari

Legends speak of Kiki Shikizaki forging a thousand blades in his career. The more swords a country owns, the more likely it is to prevail in war. After the shogunate's victory, he gathers 988 blades that serve as practice pieces, while the final twelve stand as the true crown jewels of his craft. Each of those swords holds enough power to tilt the balance of battle on its own. Togame, the shogun's strategist, is charged with collecting them. She first hires a ninja, but the moment a sword falls into the clan's possession the whole clan goes rogue. She then seeks another warrior, yet he keeps the weapon. Her last hope is Shichika Yasuri, the seventh and last student of Kyotoryuu.

Created by NISIOISIN and Makoto Uezu, Katanagatari is a TV anime adaptation of Nisio Isin's light novels. It premiered in 2010 and is known for its unconventional storytelling and bold, minimalist visuals.

It stands out for its bold color design and stylized duel sequences, combining swordplay with dialogue heavy scenes that reflect the author's flair. Fans associate it with a distinctive approach to adapting literary material into animation, and its visual language uses extended action frames and stylized weapon designs.

Critics and fans mostly respond positively, rating the series at 7.3 out of 10 from 55 votes. The show explores power and duty, the price of mastery, and the tension between tradition and individual choice through its cool headed strategist and enigmatic swordsman, balancing weighty ideas with dry humor.