Togame
Togame |
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| Kanji: | とがめ |
| Romaji | Togame |
| Statistics | |
| Age: | Unknown |
| Birthday: | Unknown |
| Height: | Unknown |
| Portrayed by: | |
| Japanese: | Yukari Tamura |
| English: | TBA |
Togame (とがめ), is the female protagonist of Katanagatari, a series set in a historical fantasy world filled with intrigue and swordsmanship. Known for her sharp intellect and unwavering ambition, Togame is a self-titled “strategist” who works for the shogunate. Her rapid rise through the government’s ranks is a testament to her cunning and drive, as she navigates the complex political and military landscape of her world.
Togame is tasked with an important mission collecting twelve legendary swords known as the “Deviant Blades,” each possessing unique and deadly powers. To accomplish this, she recruits the skilled swordsman, Shichika Yasuri, and embarks on a journey filled with both peril and profound personal growth. Despite her ambitious exterior, Togame’s journey reveals a more vulnerable side as she grapples with her goals, her past, and her relationships.
Background
Appearance in Anime
Togame’s background is marked by her ambition and her rise within the ranks of the shogunate, a feat she accomplishes through her brilliance and sheer willpower. Having grown up with a powerful desire to make a name for herself, Togame’s ascent within the political and military structures of the shogunate is as much about her strategic mind as it is about her ambition to outpace those around her. Her role as a strategist is a perfect fit for her, allowing her to wield influence without relying on physical combat, which is a contrast to the warriors she often interacts with.
Her work for the shogunate is centered on the collection of the Deviant Blades, a mission that is vital to the balance of power in her world. Togame’s goal is not just about gathering weapons; it’s about gaining ultimate power and ensuring that she remains indispensable in the political power plays of her time. However, her journey to collect these blades also forces her to confront her own emotions, past, and ideals.
Appearance
Togame is a striking figure, characterized by her long, flowing hair, which is often styled in a practical but elegant way, befitting her role as a strategist. Her eyes are sharp and calculating, conveying her intelligence and her ability to read situations with ease. Her features are often sharp and angular, matching her personality, which is just as focused and intense.
While Togame does not rely on physical combat, her presence is imposing, and her clothing reflects both her station and her personality. She often dresses in attire suitable for her role as a strategist in the shogunate, with elements that denote her status and intellect. Her appearance is one of both refinement and practicality, indicating her position in the military-political structure as well as her unyielding ambition.
Personality
Togame is ambitious, sharp-witted, and highly strategic, always thinking several steps ahead of those around her. Her ability to manipulate people and situations makes her an invaluable asset to the shogunate, though her manipulative tendencies sometimes come across as cold and calculating. She is fiercely independent, often relying on her intellect and cunning rather than physical prowess to navigate challenges.
Despite her calculating nature, Togame is not without vulnerability. Her journey in Katanagatari explores the complexities of her emotions, especially when it comes to her relationship with Shichika Yasuri. Togame’s interactions with Shichika evolve from that of a strategist using him as a tool to a more genuine connection, revealing a softer side to her character that contrasts with her earlier, more manipulative behavior.
Her relationship with power and control is central to her character arc, as she struggles with the consequences of her ambition and the impact it has on her personal relationships.
Role in the Story
The Sword Collection Mission: Togame’s main objective is to recover the twelve Deviant Blades, mystical weapons created by master swordsmith Kiki Shikizaki. Her previous partners, including a ninja and a swordsman, betrayed her for personal gain, so she seeks someone who would not be swayed by greed or ambition. She travels to Fushou Island and recruits Shichika Yasuri, the heir to the Kyotōryū school of swordless combat.
Traveling with Shichika: Despite their contrasting personalities, Togame and Shichika form a powerful duo. While Togame plots and schemes, Shichika fights and adapts. Over time, Togame becomes emotionally attached to Shichika, despite initially treating him as a pawn. Her ambition and emotions come into conflict, particularly as the nature of the Deviant Blades and her own past are slowly unveiled.
Tragic Climax: As Togame’s true identity and past are revealed, her mission’s deeper political implications come to light. Her complex motives including revenge, justice, and survival culminate in a tragic ending that forces Shichika to confront the cost of their journey and the consequences of falling in love with her.
Relationships
Shichika Yasuri: Togame’s partner and eventual love interest. Initially using him for his strength, Togame grows to trust and genuinely care for Shichika, who evolves from a naive swordsman into a man capable of understanding love and loss. Their relationship is central to the series’ emotional arc and ends in bittersweet tragedy.
Princess Hitei: A mysterious rival who shadows Togame’s journey and represents a contrasting form of cunning and manipulation. Hitei often mocks Togame but is also intrigued by her intelligence and persistence.
Shogunate: Though Togame works for the government, her loyalty is strategic rather than emotional. Her personal vendetta often overshadows her duties, and her final decisions reveal her true motivations were never purely about obedience or service.