Katsugeki! Touken Ranbu

angelicafowl Sep 24, 2017

10

I want season 2! The characters are so interesting! And sorry, spoiler: Kanesada is such a righteous man, like seriously. To be able to separate your feelings and put saving history first before his previous master...He has such a strong will. Also, I think I like this one than Hanamaru. 

ChineseWick Feb 11, 2024

5

"Katsugeki! Touken Ranbu" embarks on a visually stunning journey through time, where historical swords transformed into warriors, known as Touken Danshi, battle to protect history from the Time Retrograde Army intent on altering it. This adaptation, focusing more on action and the historical aspects compared to its counterpart "Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru," aims to blend the rich tapestry of Japan's past with supernatural elements and high-stakes battles. While it boasts impressive visuals and dynamic action sequences, the series grapples with challenges that leave it striking a delicate balance between its aesthetic appeal and narrative depth. A Blade's Edge Visual Splendor: The animation in "Katsugeki! Touken Ranbu" is its strongest suit, with Ufotable’s signature fluid animation and eye-catching battle scenes bringing the historical and supernatural elements to life in a visually captivating manner. Historical Tapestry: The series delves into various periods of Japanese history, providing a backdrop that enriches the story with cultural and historical depth. This aspect can be a gateway for viewers to explore Japan's past in an engaging and accessible way. Blunted Points Narrative Fractures: Despite its stunning visuals, the series struggles with pacing and a cohesive narrative structure. The episodic approach to historical events sometimes feels disjointed, making it challenging for viewers to become fully invested in the overarching storyline or the characters’ deeper motivations. Character Conundrum: With a large cast of characters, the series faces the difficult task of giving each warrior enough screen time to develop fully. This often results in some characters feeling underexplored, leaving their potential growth and backstories on the cutting room floor. Unpolished Gems A Clash of Swords and Souls: The premise of swords-turned-warriors fighting to preserve history is a unique and intriguing concept. However, the series sometimes struggles to fully explore the emotional and philosophical implications of their existence, missing opportunities to delve deeper into themes of identity, duty, and the burden of history. Temporal Tangles: The time-travel element, while central to the plot, occasionally contributes to the narrative's complexity without offering sufficient explanation or exploration, potentially leaving viewers puzzled by the mechanics and stakes involved in the battle against the Time Retrograde Army. Conclusion "Katsugeki! Touken Ranbu" shines as a visually impressive portrayal of historical and supernatural warfare, marked by breathtaking animation and dynamic action. However, its beauty is somewhat marred by a fragmented narrative and underdeveloped characters, preventing the series from reaching its full potential. While it offers a fascinating glimpse into Japan's historical epochs and the allure of battling to protect history, the series ultimately feels like a journey that, while aesthetically pleasing, leaves the heart yearning for more substantial storytelling and character connections. For fans of the franchise and those drawn to samurai lore and time-travel narratives, "Katsugeki! Touken Ranbu" might still hold moments of enjoyment, but it stands as a testament to the challenges of balancing visual excellence with narrative depth.

Granreycero Apr 27, 2021

10

I just finished this anime today and I WAS BLOWN AWAY. I wish there were more episodes the characters are each very well designed and the story kept me on edge and wanting to binge it all just to see what happens next as soon as possible. The animation is amazing and I was shocked it wasn't made in 2020 or 2021 when I learned it was made in 2017. Absolutely love this show and definitely recommend it for all types of anime fans especially ones who prefer shorter animes.