Picture this, if you will ...

You, as a young lad or lass, are watching your favourite anime as a kid about a little samurai called Rurouni Kenshin[en.wikipedia.org] and, for the first time in your naive little life you see it.

The sword to end all swords.

The Katana

Your little mind is blow and you can never stop thinking about how it's the perfect sword; how it's so cool and elegant and graceful and stuff.

Well here, my little friends, is where I will briefly explain to you what a katana is.

Wikipedia defines a katana as:

Originally posted by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana:

a Japanese sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands.

and further elaborating that:

Originally posted by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana:

... it was used by samurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge facing upward.

Now it's important to mention before we proceed that although the term most commonly associated with the sword, at least where I'm from, is Katana, the correct terminology would be to refer to them as an 'Uchigatana'

Katana or Uchigatana differ from Tachi[en.wikipedia.org], another early feudal japan samurai sword, and can be differentiated by their length, curvature, how they were worn and how they were sheathed. The manner in which they were worn and / or sheathed was dependent on location of the mei / signature.

To ease your eyes and mind while reading I'll break this all down into smaller dot points. enjoy.

Enjoy my units of measurement. All actual units of measurement are rounded up or down depending on the first decimal point; if the first decimal point is equal-to or greater than 5, the number is rounded up to the nearest whole number otherwise it's rounded down to the nearest whole number.

For example:

49.4 == 49
49.5 == 50
49.6 == 50

With that in mind I hope you enjoy; if you'd like the numbers more accurate, to the exact decimal point, I'l happily include it.

• Typically a Katana will way approximately 1.1kg to 1.3kg (2.4lbs to 2.9lbs). This is the equivalent of a bottle of water or bag of rice.
  
• Blade length varies between 60cm to 73cm (24 inches to 29 inches). This is the equivalent of two hotdogs placed tip to tip length-ways or two $2 American Bills placed length-ways.
  
• Total length averages between 100cm to 110cm (39 inches to 43 inches). This is equivalent to the average acoustic guitar by length.

• The handle is complex made up of a variety of materials such as, but not limited to, ray skin, silk, copper, metal, and wood. This is done, from a design perspective, to maximise its power and absorb as much as possible the impact of strong blows.
  
• The Katana, unlike conventional western swords, was carried edge up allowing skilled swordsman to unsheathe and strike in a single, flowing movement.
  
• The Katana, fundamentally, is as sword intended to cut rather than stab due to it's curved shape.
  
• This curvature is a result of special salts used in the cooling process complimented by the cool water creating, as previously mentioned, a unique blade design.
  
• Despite it's length, which usually would be associated with a two-hand sword style, a well-smithed katana presented a great balance between blade and handle allowing the wielder, with training and experience, to maneuver and control the blade with ease.
  
• Additionally, by adding a bohi, a small groove carved into the side of the blade, the blades weight is reduced even greater and therefore, as a result, the wielder gains greater movement, stability and control

Below I will be including a few animes that include katanas along with a brief description, amount of episodes etc.


Episodes: 5
Average episode length: 27 minutes
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Ron Perlman
Genre: Action, Adventure
Log line: "A Black samurai goes on a mission to avenge the wrongful death of his father in a futuristic feudal Japan."
Review from honeysanime:

Originally posted by https://honeysanime.com/top-10-katana-anime-best-recommendations/:

In the world of Afro Samurai, the Number 1 headband will be worn by the best fighter. The only way to obtain the headband is to defeat the current wearer. However, only the Number 2 headband wearer can challenge the Number 1 headband wearer. On the other hand, anyone can challenge the Number 2 headband wearer. The story follows Afro, who seeks revenge after his father, who wore the Number 1 headband, was murdered by a villain named Justice who wore the Number 2 headband.

Afro Samurai is a very straightforward and action-packed anime. As there are only 5 episodes,not many details were explored in the series. It can be a good anime for one who only seeks to watch many katana fighting scenes and do not care much for plot. In this series, you can watch the main protagonist, Afro, go against fighters who are mostly non-humans, such as robots and humanoids! The katana fight scenes can be pretty gory, but that is to be expected from slicing people or other creatures up!

Episodes: 50
Average Episode Length: 24 minutes
Cast: Konishi Katsuyuki, Kitamura Eri, Yoshino Hiroyuki
Genre: Action, Drama, Horror, Supernatural
Synopsis:

Originally posted by https://myanimelist.net/anime/150/Blood_?q=blood%2B&cat=anime:

Saya Otonashi is a seemingly ordinary girl living a mundane life with her adoptive family in Okinawa City. In fact, her only peculiarities are suffering from anemia and being unable to remember any of her life beyond the previous year.

However, Saya's forgotten past quickly comes back to haunt her—one night, she is attacked at school by a creature that feeds on human blood. Just when all hope seems lost, a mysterious man named Haji appears and fends off the creature temporarily. But when her rescuer forces her to drink his blood, Saya suddenly enters a trance and slays the monster with ease, using her own blood as a catalyst.

Saya then learns of an organization named Red Shield, founded for the sole purpose of defeating the hellish beasts. Now Saya and Haji must work together with Red Shield to fight these fearsome monsters and unlock the secrets to the girl's past.

Review from honeysanime:

Originally posted by https://honeysanime.com/top-10-katana-anime-best-recommendations/:

Saya Otonashi is an anaemic amnesiac who lives a happy life with her family. However, one day, she is attacked by a Chiropteran which is a creature that feeds on the blood of the living. Saya learns that she is the only one who can defeat the blood-sucking Chiropterans as her blood causes the bodies of the creatures to crystallize and break into pieces. Thereafter, she embarks on a journey and wields a special katana to get rid of the Chiropterans.

This story is not about a world of samurai. It is about a highschool girl wielding a katana, defeating blood-sucking vampires! If you think an anime series featuring a cute female lead with a katana to be cool, then you are totally right. While the anime takes on a darker and more serious tone, it still has room for some comedy.

Episodes: 24
Average Episode Length: 23 minutes
Cast: Sora Amamiya, Yu Asakawa, Sôma Saitô
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Synopsis:

Originally posted by https://myanimelist.net/anime/22199/Akame_ga_Kill:

Night Raid is the covert assassination branch of the Revolutionary Army, an uprising assembled to overthrow Prime Minister Honest, whose avarice and greed for power has led him to take advantage of the child emperor's inexperience. Without a strong and benevolent leader, the rest of the nation is left to drown in poverty, strife, and ruin. Though the Night Raid members are all experienced killers, they understand that taking lives is far from commendable and that they will likely face retribution as they mercilessly eliminate anyone who stands in the revolution's way.

This merry band of assassins' newest member is Tatsumi, a naïve boy from a remote village who had embarked on a journey to help his impoverished hometown and was won over by not only Night Raid's ideals, but also their resolve. Akame ga Kill! follows Tatsumi as he fights the Empire and comes face-to-face with powerful weapons, enemy assassins, challenges to his own morals and values, and ultimately, what it truly means to be an assassin with a cause.

Review from honeysanime:

Originally posted by https://honeysanime.com/top-10-katana-anime-best-recommendations/:

Tatsumi is a naïve swordsman who travels to the capital to earn money so that he can help his poor village. Unfortunately, when he reaches the capital, he realizes how corrupted it is after he goes through a series of unfortunate events from meeting people with ill intentions. Through a series of twists, Tatsumi decides to join Night Raid, which is a group of assassins who intend to overthrow the government.

In Akame ga Kill, each member of the Night Raid carries different types of weapons which may not necessarily be a sword. However, rest assure that you will be seeing katanas being used a lot in this series, as katanas are the main weapon of choice for the protagonist, Tatsumi, and the deuteragonist, Akame. Thus, you will be seeing characters wielding katanas who fight against other characters using different forms of weapons!

Episodes: 1 (Movie)
Average Episode Length: 1 hour 43 minutes
Cast: Nagase Tomoya, Yamadera Kouichi, Chinen Yuuri
Genre: Action, Adventure
Synopsis:

Originally posted by https://myanimelist.net/anime/2418/Stranger__Mukou_Hadan:

In the Sengoku period of Japan, a young orphan named Kotarou and his dog Tobimaru steal from unsuspecting villagers in order to make ends meet. However, Kotarou is forced to remain on the run when he finds himself being hunted down by assassins sent by China's Ming Dynasty for mysterious reasons not involving his petty crimes.

Fortunately, the duo run into Nanashi, a ronin who has taken refuge in a small temple, when Kotarou is attacked and Tobimaru poisoned. Although the samurai saves the helpless pair from their pursuers, he feels that there is no need to help them further; but when offered a gem in exchange for his services as a bodyguard, he reluctantly accepts Kotarou's offer of employment—just until Tobimaru is healed and the two reach their destination. As the three set out on a perilous journey, it soon becomes evident that their path is riddled with danger, as the Ming Dynasty has now sent a terrifying swordsman after them to capture Kotarou and fulfill a certain prophecy.

Review from honeysanime:

Originally posted by https://honeysanime.com/top-10-katana-anime-best-recommendations/:

The story is set in the Sengoku period in Japan. Nanashi is a wandering samurai who saves a young boy, Kotarou, and his dog, Tobimaru. The young boy has no family and is pursued by an organization from China. One of the pursuers is a man named Rarou, who has blue eyes and blonde hair. Unlike the other pursuers, Rarou has different intentions in his pursuit, as he only aims to fight the strong.

This anime features beautifully fluid animation as the fight scenes are to die for. The fight choreography is well thought out instead of a typical “one-slash-and-die” style of fighting between samurai. Besides that, if you are a dog lover, there is a dog as a sidekick which may be a factor that entices you into watching this series!

Episodes: 12
Average Episode Length: 50 minutes
Cast: Kumai Motoko, Tamura Yukari
Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance
Synopsis:

Originally posted by https://myanimelist.net/anime/6594/Katanagatari:

In an Edo-era Japan lush with a variety of sword-fighting styles, Shichika Yasuri practices the most unique one: Kyotouryuu, a technique in which the user's own body is wielded as a blade. The enigmatic seventh head of the Kyotouryuu school, Shichika lives quietly in exile with his sister Nanami until one day—the wildly ambitious strategist Togame barges into their lives.

Togame brazenly requests that Shichika help in her mission to collect twelve unique swords, known as the "Deviant Blades," for the shogunate. Shichika accepts, interested in the girl herself rather than petty politics, and thus sets out on a journey. Standing in their way are the fierce wielders of these legendary weapons as well as other power-hungry entities who seek to thwart Togame's objective. In order to prevail against their enemies, the duo must become an unbreakable team as they forge ahead on a path of uncertainty and peril.

Review from honeysanime:

Originally posted by https://honeysanime.com/top-10-katana-anime-best-recommendations/:

Unlike other swordsmen, Yasuri Shichika fights without using a sword. He lives with his sister, Nanami, on an isolated island called Fushou Island. One day, he encounters the ambitious strategist, Togame, who aims to collect the 12 legendary swords created by the masterful swordsmith, Shikizaki Kiki. Togame enlists the help of Shichika, so they can go on a journey together to find the 12 swords.

The very definition of a swordsman is a man who fights with a sword, so how could it be possible that a swordsman fights without a sword? That is for you to find out in this series. Each of the 12 swords have their own unique abilities, thus the viewers anticipating what kind of power the next sword possesses!

Episodes: 26
Average Episode Length: 24 minutes
Cast: Nakai Kazuya, Sato Ginpei, Kawasumi Ayako
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Synopsis:

Originally posted by https://myanimelist.net/anime/205/Samurai_Champloo:

Fuu Kasumi is a young and clumsy waitress who spends her days peacefully working in a small teahouse. That is, until she accidentally spills a drink all over one of her customers! With a group of samurai now incessantly harassing her, Fuu desperately calls upon another samurai in the shop, Mugen, who quickly defeats them with his wild fighting technique, utilizing movements reminiscent to that of breakdancing. Unfortunately, Mugen decides to pick a fight with the unwilling ronin Jin, who wields a more precise and traditional style of swordfighting, and the latter proves to be a formidable opponent. The only problem is, they end up destroying the entire shop as well as accidentally killing the local magistrate's son.

For their crime, the two samurai are captured and set to be executed. However, they are rescued by Fuu, who hires the duo as her bodyguards. Though she no longer has a place to return to, the former waitress wishes to find a certain samurai who smells of sunflowers and enlists the help of the now exonerated pair to do so. Despite initially disapproving of this idea, the two eventually agree to assist the girl in her quest; thus, the trio embark upon an adventure to find this mysterious warrior—that is, if Fuu can keep Mugen and Jin from killing each other.

Set in an alternate Edo Period of Japan, Samurai Champloo follows the journey of these three eccentric individuals in an epic quest full of action, comedy, and dynamic sword fighting, all set to the beat of a unique hip-hop infused soundtrack.

Review from honeysanime:

Originally posted by https://honeysanime.com/top-10-katana-anime-best-recommendations/:

Fuu Kasumi is a waitress in a tea shop. When she accidentally spills a drink on a customer, she then experiences the receiving end of incessant harassment by a group of samurai. Mugen saves her with his fighting skills that resemble breakdancing. Unluckily, Mugen picks a fight with Jin, a samurai who uses a traditional style of swordfighting. During the fight, the local magistrate’s son is accidentally killed so the Mugen and Jin are set to be executed. Fortunately, Mugen and Jin are saved by Fuu, who then enlists their help to find a certain samurai who smells like sunflowers.

The word Champloo actually comes from the Okinawan word “chanpuru”, which means “blend”. In this anime, you can expect a mixture of themes, most notably, the combination of funky hip hop motifs with traditional swordfighting! Even the music features a blend of traditional and modern music, which gives a more stylistic feel to the fight scenes.

Episodes: 94
Average Episode Length: 25 minutes
Cast: Suzukaze Mayo, Ueda Yuuji, Fujitani Miki, Tominaga Miina
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance
Synopsis:

Originally posted by https://myanimelist.net/anime/45/Rurouni_Kenshin__Meiji_Kenkaku_Romantan:

In the final years of the Bakumatsu era lived a legendary assassin known as Hitokiri Battousai. Feared as a merciless killer, he was unmatched throughout the country, but mysteriously disappeared at the peak of the Japanese Revolution. It has been ten peaceful years since then, but the very mention of Battousai still strikes terror into the hearts of war veterans.

Unbeknownst to them, Battousai has abandoned his bloodstained lifestyle in an effort to repent for his sins, now living as Kenshin Himura, a wandering swordsman with a cheerful attitude and a strong will. Vowing never to kill again, Kenshin dedicates himself to protecting the weak. One day, he stumbles across Kaoru Kamiya at her kendo dojo, which is being threatened by an impostor claiming to be Battousai. After receiving help from Kenshin, Kaoru allows him to stay at the dojo, and so the former assassin temporarily ceases his travels.

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan tells the story of Kenshin as he strives to save those in need of saving. However, as enemies from both past and present begin to emerge, will the reformed killer be able to uphold his new ideals?

Review from honeysanime:

Originally posted by https://honeysanime.com/top-10-katana-anime-best-recommendations/:

It is the Meiji era which is a time of peace, and there are individuals who are not satisfied with the era changing and want to bring back violence and war. Himura Kenshin is a wandering swordsman who bears an X-shaped scar on his cheek. He has a gentle and meek personality now, but he used to be a pretty badass assassin known as Hitokiri Battousai. He vows not to kill another person again, so he now wields a sakabato which is a reverse-blade katana.

if Kenshin is really sincere in not killing anyone anymore, why doesn’t he just wield a katana that is blunt on both edges? That’s because he does need it for certain situations such as cutting cannonballs or pottery. Warning: The series may inspire you to imitate the power moves used by the swordsmen, which can be pretty embarrassing in real life.

Episodes: 51
Average Episode Length: 24 minutes
Cast: Sugita Tomokazu, Kugimiya Rie, Sakaguchi Daisuke
Genre: Action, Comedy, Sci-fi
Synopsis:

Originally posted by https://myanimelist.net/anime/9969/Gintama:

After a one-year hiatus, Shinpachi Shimura returns to Edo, only to stumble upon a shocking surprise: Gintoki and Kagura, his fellow Yorozuya members, have become completely different characters! Fleeing from the Yorozuya headquarters in confusion, Shinpachi finds that all the denizens of Edo have undergone impossibly extreme changes, in both appearance and personality. Most unbelievably, his sister Otae has married the Shinsengumi chief and shameless stalker Isao Kondou and is pregnant with their first child.

Bewildered, Shinpachi agrees to join the Shinsengumi at Otae and Kondou's request and finds even more startling transformations afoot both in and out of the ranks of the the organization. However, discovering that Vice Chief Toushirou Hijikata has remained unchanged, Shinpachi and his unlikely Shinsengumi ally set out to return the city of Edo to how they remember it.

With even more dirty jokes, tongue-in-cheek parodies, and shameless references, Gintama' follows the Yorozuya team through more of their misadventures in the vibrant, alien-filled world of Edo.

Review from honeysanime:

Originally posted by https://honeysanime.com/top-10-katana-anime-best-recommendations/:

Humanity has been attacked by aliens known as Amanto, and the samurai join the fight against the them. Upon realizing the aliens’ power, the Shogun betrays the samurai, which leads to the aliens taking over feudal Japan. Swords are also prohibited from being carried in public. The story focuses on Gintoki Sakata, an eccentric samurai with a penchant for swords. He takes on odd jobs in order to pay his rent and other needs.

This is a samurai series that is filled with creative parodies which include popular shonen series such as Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece. As katana are banned in the world of Gintama, Gintoki mainly uses a wooden katana known as bokuto. The fight scenes are still pretty exciting to watch, but the main appeal of Gintama lies in its comedy which does not cease in quality despite the many episodes.

Thanks to everyone who read through this little guide of mine; I hope you enjoyed and learned something new. Special thanks to all those who've provided me the necessary data to put this all together.

Below they have been included in no particular order:

Katanasforsale - The definitive guide to samurai swords[katanasforsale.com]

Wikipedia - Katana[en.wikipedia.org]

honeysanime top 10 animes with katanas[honeysanime.com]

myanimelist - for providing ep amount, duration, cast, synopsis etc.[myanimelist.net]


If you're interested in reading another niche info dump guide below I have included my other guide analysing smoking patterns in Yakuza 0 characters:

https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2646213242

If you're interested in other Katana Zero related guides I have included boss and secret boss guides below:

https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2376078655

https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2376213620