Review of Katanagatari

Katanagatari is the best of both worlds. It executes the "search the items" trope very well, while at the same time subverts it in interesting ways. The swords that must be found not only possessed interesting designs, but there's a reason why they looked the way they are. They're "deviants" for a reason. The show's greatest strength is its characters. The two leads have good chemistry and their conversations are the centerpiece with the swords coming second. They are not only three dimensional, but their growth as people is addressed with nuance. Even the journey has some weight, with each episode being set one month beforeand after each other. The other characters are also interesting. The adversaries are more than just obstacles and everyone's fates can take unexpected turns.

Katanagatari's artwork is the most unique I've ever seen. It's not only stylish, but also creates great animation for the battles. Sometimes the show wouldn't hesitate to alter its style to convey a certain mood and story. The music is also great!

Here's to keep in mind. The show is great, but not binge-able. Each episode is approximately 45 minutes long which is most likely due to its unique broadcasting of showing up once a month. If you are not game with watching two characters talk about stuff for most of the runtime, this show might not be for you though still give it a chance. It's really satisfying from beginning to end.

Overall, I recommend Katanagatari!