English Title: Katanagatari: Sword Tale
Japanese Title: 刀語 — “Sword Tale”
Author: Nisio Isin
Illustrator: take
Translator: Sam Bett
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Martial Arts
Original Run: January 2007 – December 2007
English Run: November 2018 – August 2020
Japanese Publisher: Kodansha BOX (Kodansha)
English Publisher: Vertical
Volumes in Japanese: 12 (Completed)
Volumes in English: 4 omnibuses containing volumes 1-12 (Complete as of August 2020)
Average Price Per Volume: Hardcover — $30
Synopsis: From the pen of the author of the legendary MONOGATARI novels comes another unique offering, available in English for the first time! The basis of an animated series, KATANAGATARI brings to life a swordless “swordsman†and a self-described “schemer†who embark on a quest to obtain twelve peculiar masterpiece blades. Featuring a gatefold color insert, beautiful interior art, and copious bilingual footnotes, this hardcover edition is the first of a quartet scheduled to collect the entire original run. Brimming with action, romance, and unexpected wisdom, often as tongue-in-cheek as The Princess Bride, and shot through with ninjas, samurais, and secret moves, Sword Tale is Musashi for a new generation and a gift for any fan of adventure.
Omnibus 1 — (Volumes 1-3)
Amazon -- Barnes and Noble -- Book Depository -- RightStuf
Released November 27, 2018 — ISBN-13: 978-1947194328
Omnibus 2 — (Volumes 4-6)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf
Released June 18, 2019 — ISBN-13: 978-1947194564
Omnibus 3 — (Volumes 7-9)
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Released November 26, 2019 — ISBN-13: 978-1947194915
Omnibus 4 — (Volumes 10-12)
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Releasing August 25, 2020 -- ISBN-13: 978-1949980233
Reviews of Katanagatari: Sword Tale
- Justus R Stone: Vol 1
- Anime UK News: Vol 1 — Vol 2 — Vol 3 — Vol 4
- English Light Novels: Vol 1
- The Light Novel Podcast: Vol 1
- Manga Bookshelf: Vol 1
Illustrations Sampler
Anime Adaptation
MAL Entry — 12 episodes — Aired January 2010 – December 2010
Note: Adapted all 12 volumes of the light novel series
If you liked Katanagatari: Sword Tale, you might also want to try…
- Zaregoto -- also written by Nisio Isin, illustrated by take
- Monogatari -- also written by Nisio Isin, witty dialogue and quirky humor
- Spice and Wolf — historic drama, extensive conversations/banter between lead couple
- Blade of the Immortal: Legend of the Sword Demon — samurai era, supernatural threats
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