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Katanagatari #2
KATANAGATARI 2: Sword Tale
Swordless “swordsman” Shichika and self-described “schemer” Togame are on a quest to obtain twelve peculiar masterpiece blades. Introducing narrative curveballs that break up the structure and modulate the tempo, this hardcover edition, featuring a gatefold color insert, beautiful interior art, and copious bilingual footnotes, is the second of a quartet collecting a best-selling series from the former homeland of samurais and ninjas.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published June 18, 2019
11 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
NisiOisiN
289 books981 followersNisio Isin (西尾維新 Nishio Ishin), frequently written as NisiOisiN to emphasize that his pen name is a palindrome, is a Japanese novelist and manga writer. He attended and left Ritsumeikan University without graduating. In 2002, he debuted with the novel Kubikiri Cycle, which earned him the 23rd Mephisto Award at twenty years of age.
He currently works with Kodansha on Pandora, the Kodansha Box magazine, and Faust, a literary magazine containing the works of other young authors who similarly take influence from light novels and otaku culture. He was also publishing a twelve volume series over twelve months for the Kodansha Box line; Ryusui Seiryoin was matching this output, and the Kodansha Box website stated that this is the first time in the world two authors have done twelve volume monthly novel series simultaneously from the same publisher.
In February, 2008, his novel Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases was released in English by Viz Media. Del Rey Manga has already released the first volume in his Zaregoto series. His Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Katanagatari novels have been adapted into anime series. Nekomonogatari (Kuro) has been adapted into an anime TV movie, and Kizumonogatari will be release in theaters this year. Monogatari Series: Second Season, adapted from 6 books in Monogatari Series will air in July 2013. Another of his works, Medaka Box (manga), has been adapted into a two-season anime series.
He currently works with Kodansha on Pandora, the Kodansha Box magazine, and Faust, a literary magazine containing the works of other young authors who similarly take influence from light novels and otaku culture. He was also publishing a twelve volume series over twelve months for the Kodansha Box line; Ryusui Seiryoin was matching this output, and the Kodansha Box website stated that this is the first time in the world two authors have done twelve volume monthly novel series simultaneously from the same publisher.
In February, 2008, his novel Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases was released in English by Viz Media. Del Rey Manga has already released the first volume in his Zaregoto series. His Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Katanagatari novels have been adapted into anime series. Nekomonogatari (Kuro) has been adapted into an anime TV movie, and Kizumonogatari will be release in theaters this year. Monogatari Series: Second Season, adapted from 6 books in Monogatari Series will air in July 2013. Another of his works, Medaka Box (manga), has been adapted into a two-season anime series.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 14, 2019
Book 2 of Vertical's KATANAGATARI collection covers volume 4 - 6 of the original work, which is wonderfully laid out in hardback of the same quality as the first volume.
Vol 4 covers an unexpected angle, with Shichika's sister taking the spotlight. You have to leave it to Nisioisin to pull this off, with that masterful bait and switch.
Vol 5 and 6 returns back to normal programming instead, with our leads heading to Kyushu and Hokkaido respectively. The main focus of both books is not just on the swords itself, but also developing Shichika as a character himself.
While each volume is not exactly long, Nisioisin manages to stuff each volume with meaningful developments and action to feel cohesive. Rather, as the original pitch for this work called for the release of a volume each month, it's impressive at how he manages to convey so many different settings and characters that are unique enough to stand on their own.
Translation quality wise, you can tell a lot of effort has been put in. Nisio is well known for his wordplays and puns, a large majority of them unique to Japanese, and this volume continues on the decision to include extensive translator notes to explain them, while attempting to localize as much wordplay as possible in to English equivalents. It is common to see this falling flat or losing the flavour and tone of the original text, but the notes thankfully convey when significant departures from the Japanese wordplay happen and explain lightly the reasons why.
This book is not just any light novel, the love and care put in to the design and text is well evident and I cannot recommend this book highly enough to connoisseurs of the medium. Please do give this book a place in your shelf!
Vol 4 covers an unexpected angle, with Shichika's sister taking the spotlight. You have to leave it to Nisioisin to pull this off, with that masterful bait and switch.
Vol 5 and 6 returns back to normal programming instead, with our leads heading to Kyushu and Hokkaido respectively. The main focus of both books is not just on the swords itself, but also developing Shichika as a character himself.
While each volume is not exactly long, Nisioisin manages to stuff each volume with meaningful developments and action to feel cohesive. Rather, as the original pitch for this work called for the release of a volume each month, it's impressive at how he manages to convey so many different settings and characters that are unique enough to stand on their own.
Translation quality wise, you can tell a lot of effort has been put in. Nisio is well known for his wordplays and puns, a large majority of them unique to Japanese, and this volume continues on the decision to include extensive translator notes to explain them, while attempting to localize as much wordplay as possible in to English equivalents. It is common to see this falling flat or losing the flavour and tone of the original text, but the notes thankfully convey when significant departures from the Japanese wordplay happen and explain lightly the reasons why.
This book is not just any light novel, the love and care put in to the design and text is well evident and I cannot recommend this book highly enough to connoisseurs of the medium. Please do give this book a place in your shelf!
August 12, 2019
I love these translations. The footnotes are fantastic, and I'm really grateful for the commentary on puns.
Nisioisin still knows how to make me laugh (the first chapter of this book especially), and I continue to find the concepts that he's playing with (katanas that exemplify idealized traits, power as a poison that chooses its owner, what it would mean for a person to be a weapon) fascinating. Togame remains the best, and I'm looking forward to finding out about the negative princess. None of the enemies captured my heart this time quite like Tsuruga from the first book, but she's a hard character to beat.
Nisioisin still knows how to make me laugh (the first chapter of this book especially), and I continue to find the concepts that he's playing with (katanas that exemplify idealized traits, power as a poison that chooses its owner, what it would mean for a person to be a weapon) fascinating. Togame remains the best, and I'm looking forward to finding out about the negative princess. None of the enemies captured my heart this time quite like Tsuruga from the first book, but she's a hard character to beat.
September 13, 2019
The quest to collect the 12 demon swords continues! I absolutely loved the 4th volume (this book contains volumes 4 to 6). The other 2 were also great, and there was a lot of character development. It's really hard to put down! The edition is an excellent hardcover with loads of footnotes to better understand the translation, all the original illustrations are accounted for, just absolutely brilliant.
I'm actually liking this series more than Monogatari!
I'm actually liking this series more than Monogatari!
October 12, 2019
3.5 stars.
July 27, 2022
Another enjoyable book, good fun!
May 4, 2025
I love the bug boys.
May 1, 2025
7.5/10
November 26, 2025
Togame the Schemer has successfully utilized Shichika's swordless swordsmanship to gather three of the greatest blades in Japan, but their opponents are growing in skill and strength - and it may take a shaky alliance with the Maniwa to complete their quest with as little bloodshed as possible. NisiOisiN and Take will keep fans thoroughly captivated with another volume of brilliant prose and shocking revelations, a stunning adventure that continues to never let up. Who shall Shichika face - and perhaps even kill - to ensure Togame succeeds?
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews