Katanagatari

"Katanagatari," another promising contender in our list of the best animes by White Fox Studio, is set against the backdrop of Edo-era Japan - a landscape teeming with a myriad of distinct sword-fighting techniques. Our protagonist, Shichika Yasuri, practices a martial art unlike any other: Kyotouryuu, a singular style that harnesses the human body itself as the instrument of combat.

Shichika, the seventh head of the Kyotouryuu lineage, resides in reclusive tranquility alongside his sister Nanami. However, their secluded existence is disrupted when an audacious and driven strategist by the name of Togame forcefully intrudes into their world.Togame, with unbridled determination, presents Shichika with a proposal: to assist her in the undertaking of amassing twelve distinctive swords, collectively known as the "Deviant Blades," on behalf of the shogunate.

While Shichika agrees to the endeavor, his motivation is rooted more in his fascination with Togame herself than in the realm of political intrigue. With this, they embark on a perilous quest, a journey riddled with adversaries who guard the legendary blades and others driven by greedy ambitions, all conspiring to thwart Togame's mission.

To overcome these obstacles, the unlikely duo must evolve into an indomitable partnership, forging ahead on a path marked by uncertainty and danger. Their journey in "Katanagatari" is one fraught with treacherous trials and unforeseen challenges, as they navigate a world where the line between ally and adversary is often blurred.

Release: 2010

MyAnime List Score: 8.31/10