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Katanagatari #1
KATANAGATARI 1 (paperback): Sword Tale
"If you’re a fan of the author’s (NISIOISIN) work then you’ll certainly want this whole series in your collection!" - Anime UK News
From the pen of the author of the legendary MONOGATARI novels comes another unique offering. KATANAGATARI brings to life a swordless “swordsman” and a self-described “schemer” who embark on a quest to obtain twelve peculiar masterpiece blades. Featuring beautiful interior art and copious bilingual footnotes, this paperback edition is the first of a quartet brimming with action, romance, and unexpected wisdom.
From the pen of the author of the legendary MONOGATARI novels comes another unique offering. KATANAGATARI brings to life a swordless “swordsman” and a self-described “schemer” who embark on a quest to obtain twelve peculiar masterpiece blades. Featuring beautiful interior art and copious bilingual footnotes, this paperback edition is the first of a quartet brimming with action, romance, and unexpected wisdom.
322 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 2018
59 people are currently reading
718 people want to read
About the author
NisiOisiN
288 books966 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 15, 2019
In this novel, the simple entertainment of an adventure story is occasionally undercut by overpowering self-consciousness in its narration, and it's so shy about making a real point that emotional or thematic effect is flattened. That seems to be NisiOisiN's thing, though, so you kind of have to roll with it.
Longer review to come. (below!)
I was first introduced to the Katanagatari (a.k.a. "Sword Tale") series when I saw the first volume on display at a Japanese bookstore. The beautiful cover art with its old-style calligraphy and anime-like characters drew my attention, but I didn't buy it since I don't know the language. A couple of years later, the anime based on the novel series was released in English, and I eagerly sought out a copy. The animators used the novels' illustrations as a visual basis for a colorfully stylish and surreal show. (I believe the illustration above is a promotional picture from the animation studio.)
And now the first three novels--at 100 pages or so apiece, more like novellas--have been published in English in a single volume.
I've read another translated novel of Nisioisin's, DECAPITATION: Kubikiri Cycle, and the narrative stance is all but identical between the two. It's way too invested in being disaffected, but would never go so far as to admit it was invested in anything... including its disaffectedness. It pulls the rug out from under you anytime there's even the vaguest hint that sentiment or meaning might come into play.
Enough of these janky turnarounds, enough incidences of the author smirking at me from behind the curtain, and I start feeling like the whole thing's just an elaborate troll. I'm reading a book, so I know it has an author. Just tell the darn story, already!
With that, it seems appropriate to say something about the story. Togame, a schemer nominally in service of the bakufu (Shogunate), is gathering twelve masterwork swords forged over 100 years ago from all over Japan. Since she has no martial skills, she takes on a "swordless swordsman"--a man whose body is his weapon--named Shichika to do the dirty work of killing the current holders of the swords so Togame can send them back to the Shogun. There are schemes beneath this rather straightforward and brutal quest, of course, and a connection between our two leads that goes beyond employer and employee, or strategist and assassin...
The translation feels very much like a translation, for lack of a better way to say it. At times it was hard to tell if the original text itself was hard to follow, or if the translator hadn't conveyed the author's meaning very well. The footnotes demonstrate a good understanding of Nisioisin's Japanese wordplay, but are probably too esoteric for most readers (including myself).
*
There's a whole rank of Japanese creators after the "lost generation" whose works have a nihilistic gloss to them. (The ones for a male YA audience that have been translated, more specifically.) On a certain level they can feel like a call for help, or assertion of individuality, from people who've thrown themselves into the jaws of capitalism and can only hope something of themselves remains after they've been digested.
After 300 pages of try-hard indifference, I kind of feel like I've been ground up, too. Nisiosin's writing is something that I can handle in small doses now and then, and although the next three-in-one volume of this comes out in a couple of months, it's going to take longer than that before I'm ready for it.
Katanagatari's illustrations get three or four stars easily, the text grudgingly. This is one of the rare occasions where I enjoy the anime adaptation better than the original.
Longer review to come. (below!)
I was first introduced to the Katanagatari (a.k.a. "Sword Tale") series when I saw the first volume on display at a Japanese bookstore. The beautiful cover art with its old-style calligraphy and anime-like characters drew my attention, but I didn't buy it since I don't know the language. A couple of years later, the anime based on the novel series was released in English, and I eagerly sought out a copy. The animators used the novels' illustrations as a visual basis for a colorfully stylish and surreal show. (I believe the illustration above is a promotional picture from the animation studio.)
And now the first three novels--at 100 pages or so apiece, more like novellas--have been published in English in a single volume.
I've read another translated novel of Nisioisin's, DECAPITATION: Kubikiri Cycle, and the narrative stance is all but identical between the two. It's way too invested in being disaffected, but would never go so far as to admit it was invested in anything... including its disaffectedness. It pulls the rug out from under you anytime there's even the vaguest hint that sentiment or meaning might come into play.
Enough of these janky turnarounds, enough incidences of the author smirking at me from behind the curtain, and I start feeling like the whole thing's just an elaborate troll. I'm reading a book, so I know it has an author. Just tell the darn story, already!
With that, it seems appropriate to say something about the story. Togame, a schemer nominally in service of the bakufu (Shogunate), is gathering twelve masterwork swords forged over 100 years ago from all over Japan. Since she has no martial skills, she takes on a "swordless swordsman"--a man whose body is his weapon--named Shichika to do the dirty work of killing the current holders of the swords so Togame can send them back to the Shogun. There are schemes beneath this rather straightforward and brutal quest, of course, and a connection between our two leads that goes beyond employer and employee, or strategist and assassin...
The translation feels very much like a translation, for lack of a better way to say it. At times it was hard to tell if the original text itself was hard to follow, or if the translator hadn't conveyed the author's meaning very well. The footnotes demonstrate a good understanding of Nisioisin's Japanese wordplay, but are probably too esoteric for most readers (including myself).
*
There's a whole rank of Japanese creators after the "lost generation" whose works have a nihilistic gloss to them. (The ones for a male YA audience that have been translated, more specifically.) On a certain level they can feel like a call for help, or assertion of individuality, from people who've thrown themselves into the jaws of capitalism and can only hope something of themselves remains after they've been digested.
After 300 pages of try-hard indifference, I kind of feel like I've been ground up, too. Nisiosin's writing is something that I can handle in small doses now and then, and although the next three-in-one volume of this comes out in a couple of months, it's going to take longer than that before I'm ready for it.
Katanagatari's illustrations get three or four stars easily, the text grudgingly. This is one of the rare occasions where I enjoy the anime adaptation better than the original.
January 6, 2019
I loved the anime adaptation of this series, so I was very happy to find out that Vertical managed to get the license and publish this in English.
Being published in 4 omnibus hardcover volumes, collecting 3 of the original works in one may ruffle some feathers but the final work exceeded my expectations with how great the book's printing quality is. As some volumes are actually pretty short due to how the original work was published, the decision to publish in omnibus volumes actually does make more sense for the english version.
The translation quality is amazing and I love the gratuitous use of footnotes in the book to explain the wordplays that NisiOisiN is well-known for that are almost impossible to translate to English. Still, you can tell the translator, Sam Bett tried his darnedest at some of them and I really liked the final version.
Definitely a book worth buying and collecting.
Being published in 4 omnibus hardcover volumes, collecting 3 of the original works in one may ruffle some feathers but the final work exceeded my expectations with how great the book's printing quality is. As some volumes are actually pretty short due to how the original work was published, the decision to publish in omnibus volumes actually does make more sense for the english version.
The translation quality is amazing and I love the gratuitous use of footnotes in the book to explain the wordplays that NisiOisiN is well-known for that are almost impossible to translate to English. Still, you can tell the translator, Sam Bett tried his darnedest at some of them and I really liked the final version.
Definitely a book worth buying and collecting.
April 15, 2019
NISIOISIN continues to impress. The way this book is written at time, I'm sure some find off putting. Hell at one point you're reading backwards. Characters are great and the sword fights are interesting. Had a lot of fun with this one.
November 11, 2019
The story was gorgeous, I love the concept but the writing was incredibly difficult and trying. It’s partially why it took me close to a year to finish reading (the started 21st of June is a lie lol). I’ve never read anything else by Nisioisin but he seemed to get caught up in his own narration, writings for writings sake almost. Take’s illustrations for the series were a delight though, beautifully stylised drawings that really give Katanagatari it’s own flavour! Overall it was a good story but I think it’ll be a while before I pick up the next book in the series.
July 16, 2023
This is a really strange book. But that makes it very refreshing.
December 13, 2018
Wonderful book, gorgeous translation, I'm so glad they made this one in English, and so well. I can't wait for more!
Want to read
April 14, 2018Can't believe they finally decided to translate this one.
December 30, 2018
(I was given a copy from the publisher, but my thoughts are my own).
A tale of Katanas and... Well, no katana. This is a sword tale... where the hero has no sword. An intriguing setup, and the execution is pretty solid. Justus, me, and a few of the other guys did a podcast on this one recently, and you can listen to it at the link below.
https://youtu.be/5LLFJXD3pQE
So I went in to this one almost completely blind. I wasn't sure what the setting was, but it's basically reality and a historic setting... but, it's got elements of the mystical when it comes to the swords, their creation, and a few of the Ninja techniques (particularly the face changing / body altering Ninpo of the first Ninja encountered in the story). I did briefly see a mention of romance on the back, which I think will be developed over time. This Omnibus volume features Shichika occasionally mumbling desires to love a particular character, but he's kind of hard to read, as is she. It could be a jokey pretense (in fact, there's one point in Book 2 where Shichika ).
I think the draw is more the preparation for the battles and the dialogue than it is the actual swordplay. I mean, Shichika doesn't use a sword, so he kind of needs to end these battles quickly so he doesn't lose an arm or a leg before he can land a blow. His opponents are varying degrees of prepared, and many are more than willing to basically lay it all on the line to defeat him. Some of these enemies are human in characterization, so it's not exactly easy as a reader to have to see them die in bloody combat always. I don't come out of these novels feeling great, so come prepared for that.
One thing Nisiosin is known for are his unique quirks in terms of word choice, plot ordering, and foreshadowing. The last of these elements was particularly interesting, at times him blatantly just saying outright "you'll see this in volume #" concerning plot points that have yet to pass. Sometimes this is for comedy's sake, but other times it seems to serve to undercut the plot a bit, giving some piece of info that either ups the tension for you, takes away the suspense element, or makes the whole plot you read before seem meaningless when you know the effort doesn't pay off fully and that the same problem will be revisited.
Ultimately, it was a refreshing tale. We've been getting Isekai + straight fantasy tales a lot lately, so it's nice to dive into something that while fantastical a bit is based in actual history. Nisiosin includes some more modern pop culture references, which, combined with the setting, reminded me of Samurai Champloo. Much like Champloo, this also involves a girl getting a Samurai / swordsman to go with her on a journey. But it is it's own beast, again, because of Nisiosin's wordplay and presentation.
Speaking of presentation, I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about the packaging for this book, a matte cover emblazoned with beautiful art and two inserts in a pullout poster on the inside that represent the original covers for two of the three stories included in this collection. When all is said and done, there will be twelve tales, so 4 novel collections of 3 books each. Another thing that has to be mentioned is the footnote usage, which we talk about more in depth in the podcast; basically, the translator included footnotes that expand on the meaning of a term or seemingly back up his translation choices. It's an interesting element that I'd love to see in more light novels. Thumbs up for this one.
A tale of Katanas and... Well, no katana. This is a sword tale... where the hero has no sword. An intriguing setup, and the execution is pretty solid. Justus, me, and a few of the other guys did a podcast on this one recently, and you can listen to it at the link below.
https://youtu.be/5LLFJXD3pQE
So I went in to this one almost completely blind. I wasn't sure what the setting was, but it's basically reality and a historic setting... but, it's got elements of the mystical when it comes to the swords, their creation, and a few of the Ninja techniques (particularly the face changing / body altering Ninpo of the first Ninja encountered in the story). I did briefly see a mention of romance on the back, which I think will be developed over time. This Omnibus volume features Shichika occasionally mumbling desires to love a particular character, but he's kind of hard to read, as is she. It could be a jokey pretense (in fact, there's one point in Book 2 where Shichika ).
I think the draw is more the preparation for the battles and the dialogue than it is the actual swordplay. I mean, Shichika doesn't use a sword, so he kind of needs to end these battles quickly so he doesn't lose an arm or a leg before he can land a blow. His opponents are varying degrees of prepared, and many are more than willing to basically lay it all on the line to defeat him. Some of these enemies are human in characterization, so it's not exactly easy as a reader to have to see them die in bloody combat always. I don't come out of these novels feeling great, so come prepared for that.
One thing Nisiosin is known for are his unique quirks in terms of word choice, plot ordering, and foreshadowing. The last of these elements was particularly interesting, at times him blatantly just saying outright "you'll see this in volume #" concerning plot points that have yet to pass. Sometimes this is for comedy's sake, but other times it seems to serve to undercut the plot a bit, giving some piece of info that either ups the tension for you, takes away the suspense element, or makes the whole plot you read before seem meaningless when you know the effort doesn't pay off fully and that the same problem will be revisited.
Ultimately, it was a refreshing tale. We've been getting Isekai + straight fantasy tales a lot lately, so it's nice to dive into something that while fantastical a bit is based in actual history. Nisiosin includes some more modern pop culture references, which, combined with the setting, reminded me of Samurai Champloo. Much like Champloo, this also involves a girl getting a Samurai / swordsman to go with her on a journey. But it is it's own beast, again, because of Nisiosin's wordplay and presentation.
Speaking of presentation, I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about the packaging for this book, a matte cover emblazoned with beautiful art and two inserts in a pullout poster on the inside that represent the original covers for two of the three stories included in this collection. When all is said and done, there will be twelve tales, so 4 novel collections of 3 books each. Another thing that has to be mentioned is the footnote usage, which we talk about more in depth in the podcast; basically, the translator included footnotes that expand on the meaning of a term or seemingly back up his translation choices. It's an interesting element that I'd love to see in more light novels. Thumbs up for this one.
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November 23, 2020Có hơn 200 trang nên đọc 1 tí là hết. Ban đầu thấy dịch mấy câu hơi dài dòng quá đọc không ưng lắm mà càng về sau càng thấy ưng quá trời, dịch siêu có tâm, chú thích đầy đủ hết.
Câu chuyện kể về hành trình thu thập 12 thanh tuyệt đao tồn tại hàng trăm năm của một thanh niên làm chủ môn phái không xài đao =))). Mỗi tập sẽ thu thập 1 thanh đao, 12 tập thu thập đủ 12 thanh là hết truyện (đấy là tác giả bảo vậy ở lời bạt tập 1 chứ mình cũng chưa đi check lại). Nói chung thuộc dạng đọc okela, đủ khiến mình đọc 1 mạch nhưng không đủ để mình quá ume nên sẽ không rate ẻm. Minh hoạ nét quen thuộc vì cùng người minh hoạ với "lời nói đùa". Xây dựng tính cách, đặc điểm nhân vật cũng vẫn dị dị như cái chất của tác giả vậy, cái này thì mình thích.
NN làm kèm box bên ngoài nhưng thực ra cũng chả khác gì bìa trong truyện cả, bên trong có trang gập màu đôi hình y như bìa truyện luôn. Bookmark in hình nhân vật, mua giá bìa thì công nhận ẻm chát thật. Mua sale thì okela đáng tiền phết 🤣
Câu chuyện kể về hành trình thu thập 12 thanh tuyệt đao tồn tại hàng trăm năm của một thanh niên làm chủ môn phái không xài đao =))). Mỗi tập sẽ thu thập 1 thanh đao, 12 tập thu thập đủ 12 thanh là hết truyện (đấy là tác giả bảo vậy ở lời bạt tập 1 chứ mình cũng chưa đi check lại). Nói chung thuộc dạng đọc okela, đủ khiến mình đọc 1 mạch nhưng không đủ để mình quá ume nên sẽ không rate ẻm. Minh hoạ nét quen thuộc vì cùng người minh hoạ với "lời nói đùa". Xây dựng tính cách, đặc điểm nhân vật cũng vẫn dị dị như cái chất của tác giả vậy, cái này thì mình thích.
NN làm kèm box bên ngoài nhưng thực ra cũng chả khác gì bìa trong truyện cả, bên trong có trang gập màu đôi hình y như bìa truyện luôn. Bookmark in hình nhân vật, mua giá bìa thì công nhận ẻm chát thật. Mua sale thì okela đáng tiền phết 🤣
July 22, 2021
After finishing the Monogatari series and seeing this advertised in the back of nearly all the books I decided to give it a shot. I enjoyed it, I both loved and hated Togame and I adored Shichika as the two main characters. That being said it took me five hours to read a 300 page book, I really struggled with this one. I'm not sure if it was the translation or the fact that I struggle with non modern day settings.
I pushed through though because as hard as I found it to read the story was too great to put down. I will definitely read the other three volumes and set aside fifteen hours for them. While I found it hard to read I still highly recommend because the story makes it worth reading in my opinion.
I pushed through though because as hard as I found it to read the story was too great to put down. I will definitely read the other three volumes and set aside fifteen hours for them. While I found it hard to read I still highly recommend because the story makes it worth reading in my opinion.
September 9, 2022
đao ngữ nói về kiếm sĩ không dùng đao kiếm Yasuri Shichika và kì mưu sĩ Togame cùng nhau chinh phục hành trình thu thập 12 thanh đao của thợ rèn đao truyền thuyết Shikizaki Kiki gồm:
Tuyệt đao - Kanna Trảm đao - Namakura
Thiên đao - Tsurugi Bạc đao - Hari
Tặc đao - Yoroi Song đao - Kanazuchi
Ác đao - Bita Vi đao - Kanzashi
Vương đao - Nokogiri Thành đao - Hakari
Độc đao - Mekki Viêm đao - Juu
tập 1 nói về cuộc gặp gỡ của Togame và Shichika, cùng với đối thủ đầu tiên là một trong mười hai đầu lĩnh của quân đoàn nhẫn giả Maniwa, Maniwa Koumori.
Tuyệt đao - Kanna Trảm đao - Namakura
Thiên đao - Tsurugi Bạc đao - Hari
Tặc đao - Yoroi Song đao - Kanazuchi
Ác đao - Bita Vi đao - Kanzashi
Vương đao - Nokogiri Thành đao - Hakari
Độc đao - Mekki Viêm đao - Juu
tập 1 nói về cuộc gặp gỡ của Togame và Shichika, cùng với đối thủ đầu tiên là một trong mười hai đầu lĩnh của quân đoàn nhẫn giả Maniwa, Maniwa Koumori.
September 8, 2023
The anime is one of my favourites and was my introduction to Nisioisin many years ago. A translation I never thought would happen, his love of word games must make it a difficult process to put in English. One of the joys of the anime is less the action & more the flow of conversation. In this way I’ve always put Nisioisin in the same element of enjoyment as Tarantino. You would probably call his movies action movies but 90% of them are generally just back & forth conversations. Their flair for doing this is similar. The hardcover is lovely. The illustrations, like the anime are striking & unique. I also enjoy the translation notes as footnotes that give you an insight into the original Japanese.
January 20, 2019
Really enjoyed this NisiOisin novel (or trio of novels). This book must have been a pain to translate, as it is set in old Japan and the author goes the extra mile to try and mix this story with events that actually happened in History. The translator added a bunch of footnotes that really help.
The main characters are Togame (the Strategist) and Shichika (the 7th master of Kyotōryū, the sword school of the swordless swordsmen). Their quest, to collect 12 cursed blades across Japan.
Story telling is top notch, dialogues are quite funny. Really happy that NisiOisin doesn't go on his crazy pervy rants. Looking forward to the next 3 volumes!
The main characters are Togame (the Strategist) and Shichika (the 7th master of Kyotōryū, the sword school of the swordless swordsmen). Their quest, to collect 12 cursed blades across Japan.
Story telling is top notch, dialogues are quite funny. Really happy that NisiOisin doesn't go on his crazy pervy rants. Looking forward to the next 3 volumes!
April 30, 2020
There is some great art in this, but I could not help but skim thru much of the excessive dialogue and descriptions.
I would recomend barowing this first book from a library before buying any of them. Or wait for it to be adapted into an anime, if it hasn't already.
I would recomend barowing this first book from a library before buying any of them. Or wait for it to be adapted into an anime, if it hasn't already.
March 11, 2021
Fantastic.....utterly fantastic
January 2, 2022
I loved this book. The story and characters are entertaining, and the translation notes are interesting.
July 11, 2022
The sense of humour accidentally coincides with mine.
August 15, 2022
Truyện cứ chậm chạp theo một phong cách rất Nhật
October 16, 2022
legion x1000
October 23, 2022
Nisioisin at his finest
October 8, 2023
I lied I watched it
I'm just trying to wrap my head around Nisio's writing, will probabyl come back to this but man all the characters i like die I need to watch something a little more positive
I'm just trying to wrap my head around Nisio's writing, will probabyl come back to this but man all the characters i like die I need to watch something a little more positive
January 4, 2024
Tưởng kiếm hiệp hoá ra ngôn tình 🤣🤣🤣
April 26, 2025
We stan a man so stupid even the text calls him out on it. Multiple times.
September 21, 2025
this was really fun and cool
i like nisoisin's style
i like nisoisin's style
May 1, 2025
7/10
May 20, 2025
The sense of playfulness in the language seems to be lost... Nisio loves wordplay, when you read his sentences you can sense the playfulness (most apparent during the banters) or meaningfulness. You read Bakemonogatari you may get some chuckles out of meta jokes, you read Zaregoto you may sense a lot of meaningfulness (or pretentiousness) out of the sentences. This time reading Katanagatari, I got nothing, exhibited by how I skimmed through the book way too much. I don't think any of what he writes in this novel is really deep or meaningful, nor are there anything really intriguing about the characters' back stories. I can't even figure out the core idea of the novel, even if vaguely, that makes it more notable than any other book, aside being the work of the famed Nisio himself. Just a guy travels with a girl who has connections to him to help her retrieve the swords? I don't see any reason why I should read the books over watching the anime, compared to other novels of Nisio that I very much prefer, or wished I could have read the original novels instead. I guess at least this light novel series is still decent enough compare to the mass majority of mediocre light novels out there. Once I got the chance to read in the original language I will have my final judgment.
The writing style is hilariously cliche for a writer who was supposed to be more than that. All that meticulous details for the characters, Japanese light novel style, for naught! Unless the sister character is gonna have some crucial role in later books. You have to wonder what's the point of reading such characterization that don't make the characters any less monotone in their personality, or their soul, no more than just seeing them in the anime.
The part when the main girl says she allows the protagonist to love her is cute, best thing out of the entire novel. I don't have as much care for other scenes like the combat ones. I suspect the portions when they talk about the swords might have been lost somehow in translation, but only a suspicion, swords have kanji names after all.
The writing style is hilariously cliche for a writer who was supposed to be more than that. All that meticulous details for the characters, Japanese light novel style, for naught! Unless the sister character is gonna have some crucial role in later books. You have to wonder what's the point of reading such characterization that don't make the characters any less monotone in their personality, or their soul, no more than just seeing them in the anime.
The part when the main girl says she allows the protagonist to love her is cute, best thing out of the entire novel. I don't have as much care for other scenes like the combat ones. I suspect the portions when they talk about the swords might have been lost somehow in translation, but only a suspicion, swords have kanji names after all.
November 26, 2025
In the midst of ancient Japan, Shichika Yasuri is called on by the ambitious Togame the Schemer to aid in her gathering of twelve legendary blades - but can his unique swordsmanship and lack of much personality stand against the likes of ninja, samurai, and the charms of his new wielder? NisiOisiN and Take set the stage for a tremendously entertaining journey, an overflow of charismatic presence and wit visually and prose-wise to keep readers enthralled by every word and twist. Can Shichika's brawns and Togame's brains blend into an undefeatable force for their mission?
Want to read
June 6, 2018I cannot believe this!!! Please, please!!!!be quick about this translation. Translate them all, immediately! *With best wishes*
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