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So, this isn't a review, but it might end up as one.

My main source for anime info Anime-Source.com does a lot of this, so I figured I'd try it too. Basically I've just started watching a series called Katanagatari and I'll fill in a few of my first impressions here.

As far as I can tell, the opening premise to the story is the gathering of 12 legendary katana that were forged by some twisted psychopath of a blacksmith.

The main character is the son of a man who was banished to a deserted island, and the inheritor of his family's sword style. I'm not entirely sure why it's called a sword style, as it's an unarmed style used to attack people who are using swords. Basically an unarmed anti-sword martial art.

His father was exiled for his role in the a civil war, and raised his two children on the island with him. As a result his son spent 20 years without seeing any other people, and training all day long.

Eventually a cute self-proclaimed strategist shows up and gets his help to collect the 12 demon swords for....., whatever reason.

Anyway, a few things are keeping me interested so far:
- he can kick swords in half
- he is sometimes referred to as a bear, as he's never cold
- being so unused to people, he has a hard time telling people apart, this leads to hilariousness

Here's a quick example:
In the first episode a ninja uses a high level technique to look exactly like the secondary main character (a cute young woman). He plans to sneak up and attack the main character while he is off guard. So he (while disguised) runs up to the main guy, and bam, main guy practically kicks him in half. He explains to the mashed ninja that he couldn't tell the ninja's original form apart from the girl anyway, and was just kicking on instinct.

In the second episode they go to a town for the first time, and the main guy starts talking to some little girl who is confused... and clearly doesn't know him. Then the main girl is like "hey... I'm over here". He's surprised by this then gets frustrated because he was hoping he could have discerned her apart from the rest of the people by her height.

So, here's an update on Katanagatari.

A few things that I thought were annoying about it are getting more annoying.
Well, ok, only one thing.

The ninjas are retarded.

Basically in this series there is this ninja clan who is also trying to collect the swords, they only last like 8 seconds in any fight they're in, but they spend so much time talking it's insane.

Seriously, they stand there talking about nonsense for freaking ever. Once there was, I kid you not, a 15 minute conversation about nothing. Zero humor, just talk. Reminds me of Hack Sign it's so bad.

Having said that, I like everything else about the show, so I'll keep watching it. Hopefully they'll end up killing off all the ninjas sometime soon.

Hrm. I hate down played ninja.

Well, the ninja aren't all that down-played... they're just stupid.

For example, one of them was demanding that the main character listen to a proposal he had, and he said "If I tear off my left arm will you listen to me? Yes? Good!" then he cuts his arm off, and goes on talking.

But the talking is seriously so annoying and takes so long it's retarded.

Gah. I thought ninja were supposed to be silent and deadly.

I know... it's really bugging me.

Luckily the main character is cool, inhuman, and rock solid, and the main girl is non-annoying.

Im really tempted to watch this.

Update:

Episodes Watched: 7

So, I've learned a few more things about this series, and will give a short update on how I think things are progressing.

There will be a total of 12 episodes, during each of which a legendary blade will be obtained. There is one full hour episode per month, it began this January.... which is why I've seen 7 so far.

Anyway, the series is keeping up with its duty as far as my opinion goes. There is no room to slack off with a single episode for each legendary blade. Another interesting thing to note is that there are 12 ninja-clan leaders, but it's not like one dies per episode, so, there's nothing exactly linear about it.

The humor is all based on the main character being so inhuman and the secondary main character essentially being a frail exiled daughter of nobility. Most of the people they have to fight end up being very interesting... the most recently "enemy" was definitely unexpected.

The "ninja speeches" seem to be getting shorter, which is good, because that's the main negative point I have for it.

Anyway, stay tuned.

Final Update:

Katanagatari, after watching all 12 full hour (45min) episodes, did not disappoint.

Each episode featured a different "deviant blade" or super-sword of some type, each with a different master wielding them.

The story itself was a bit of a strain. The main characters are collecting these 12 swords for a reason that really doesn't make much sense, her rival/enemy/not really enemy is trying to ruin her for a reason that doesn't really make sense, and in the end, everyone's reason for doing anything really doesn't make sense.

It's the classic anime deal. There's some big important reason or greater purpose that, when looked at, really doesn't make much sense, but that's ok, we'll ignore that.

The series was done in a very distinct artistic style that seems pretty simple, but stunning at the same time. I can't really think of anything that I would say it looks similar to. People often say that "Bakemonogatari" is the same, but that's just people trying to force connections because they're both created by the same person. They're really so different that without the name, you wouldn't know they were related.

All in all it was good times, I really can't give it more than 7.2/10 because it really wasn't all that special.