Series synopsis
Katsugeki: Touken Ranbu, also known as 活撃 刀剣乱舞 is a Japanese action & adventure animation sci-fi & fantasy television series that premiered on Tokyo MX on July 2, 2017. It ended on September 24, 2017. It stars Kento Hama, Takuma Nagatsuka, Seiichiro Yamashita and Toru Sakurai.
The year is 1863 as the tumultuous samurai era is coming to an end, Japan is split between the pro-shogunate and anti-shogunate factions. The fate of the world is threatened as an army of historical revisionists are sent from the future to alter the course of history. In order to bring these forces down and protect the real history, two sword warriors, spirits who are swords brought to life by Saniwa (sage), rush to Edo. The polite and thoughtful Horikawa Kunihiro and the short tempered yet skil ...
Premise
The year is 1863 as the tumultuous samurai era is coming to an end, Japan is split between the pro-shogunate and anti-shogunate factions. The fate of the world is threatened as an army of historical revisionists are sent from the future to alter the course of history. In order to bring these forces down and protect the real history, two sword warriors, spirits who are swords brought to life by Saniwa (sage), rush to Edo. The polite and thoughtful Horikawa Kunihiro and the short tempered yet skillful Izuminokami Kanesada, who served the same master, confront the invading army along with a lively gang of other warriors including Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki, Yagen Toushirou, Tombokiri, and Tsurumaru Kuninaga.
As the fate of history lies in these hero's hands, what meets the blade is yet to be uncovered...
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Kento Hama as Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki (voice)
- Takuma Nagatsuka as Konnsuke (voice)
- Seiichiro Yamashita as Yagen Toushirou (voice)
- Toru Sakurai as Tonbokiri (voice)
- Soma Saito as Tsurumaru Kuninaga (voice)
- Junko Minagawa as Saniwa (voice)
- Junya Enoki as Horikawa Kunihiro (voice)
- Ryohei Kimura as Izuminokami Kanesada (voice)
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 13 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 13 | July 2, 2017 | September 24, 2017 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
To the Frontlines In order to steal cargo from the Time Retrograde Army, Izuminokami Kanesada joins the rookie Horikawa Kunihiro at the end of the shogunate period. The two swords complete the mission through their valiant efforts, but what awaits them is a new directive: "At a certain castle town in 1863, the new Time Retrograde Army will appear." Izuminokami and Horikawa prepare to intercept the enemy with this limited information. However, the two swords are unable to fend off the overwhelming number enemies. In their time of crisis, their master "Saniwa" appears. |
July 2, 2017 |
| 2 |
Commander With the help of Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki, Yagen Toushirou, Tonbokiri, Izuminokami and Saniwa head to the castle in pursuit of the Time Retrograde Army. Leading the charge, Mutsunokami witnesses the slaughter of the castle samurai at the hands of the Retrograde Army. In order to find out the Time Retrograde Army's true purpose behind the castle attack, Izuminokami and company must stay in this era to continue their investigation. Saniwa names Izuminokami Kanesada, Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki, Horikawa Kunihiro, Yagen Toushirou, and Tonbokiri as the Second Unit, and charges Izuminokami with leadership of the unit. |
July 9, 2017 |
| 3 |
Master's Orders With the unexpected explosion of the steamship, the port is thrown into chaos. Despite Mutsunokami's best efforts to save the survivors on the ship, he vents out his anger and regret of not able to save everyone. As Mutsunokami is getting more emotional, Izuminokami is trying to convince him to listen to reason. The differences between the two Sword Warriors starts tearing the unit apart. Izuminokami splits up the unit to investigate the Roushi (Masterless Samurai) thinking the Time Retrograde Army will manipulate the Roushi and their anti-foreigner ideology for the Army's schemes. However, as Mutsunokami listens to the Roushi's wishes, he starts to worry about their safety. |
July 16, 2017 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Tokyo MX |
|---|---|
| First aired | July 2, 2017 |
| Last aired | September 24, 2017 |
| Runtime | 24 minutes |
| Status | ended |