KATANAGATARI 4: Sword Tale

Katanagatari #4

by NisiOisiN, Ｔａｋｅ (Illustrator), Sam Bett (Translator)

Basis of the hit anime, KATANAGATARI (Sword Tale) is Musashi for the new generation!

Swordless “swordsman” Shichika and self-described “schemer” Togame are on a quest to obtain twelve peculiar masterpiece blades. Unveiling the truth about the legendary katanas and their creator as part of a gorgeous tapestry of fates that vie to upend history itself, this hardcover edition, featuring a gatefold color insert, beautiful interior art, and copious bilingual footnotes, is the last of a quartet collecting a best-selling series from the former homeland of samurais and ninjas.

Genres: Light Novel, Fantasy, Fiction, Manga, Young Adult

335 pages, Hardcover

Published August 25, 2020

About the author

Nisio 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.

Reviews

[Ricardo Matos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t spoil anything, so I’ll just say the ending was nothing like I expected it would be and it was awesome! That is the end of Katanagatari and it’s got my thumbs up!

[Roxanne Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good finale for this series. Shichika's growth really shows in these last three parts. I cried at the beginning of Book 12. I'd like more, but it had to end (at Owari).

[Tyas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that I have finished reading the whole series.... Phew, what a journey it has been. Sometimes it stumbled, sometimes it got too weird, but it all culminated in a rather unexpected yet (to me) satisfying way. How did NisiOisiN plan and design the whole story?

[Aaron McAdam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good ending to a fun series

[Kayleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

All 4 collections were absolutely stunning books with astounding artwork. The story is magnificent and the ending perfect.
Highly recommended

[Mirageee · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHEERIO-O-OO-OOO

[Mega · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shichika and Togame have but three swords left in their hunt, but they will need to stay ahead of a wise hermit and the remaining Maniwa bosses to succeed - yet the looming end of their journey shall reveal both ancient truths and push them to their limits as the fate of Japan is set in motion. NisiOisiN and Take will stun readers with this exceptionally twisting and sharp-witted finale, an emotional yet humourous punch deserving the title of classic. What happens when those Togame and her sword have thus outwitted start to see through her schemes?

[Reeve]

😭😭

[Rea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series will always be an all time favorite. Forever crying over the ending