ともあれ

ともあれ is used to set aside previous discussion and move on to the main point or a more important topic. It means 'anyway,' 'in any case,' or 'be that as it may.'

Common patterns

• ともあれ、〜 (at sentence start: 'anyway, ...')
• Xはともあれ (setting X aside: 'whatever X may be, ...')
• 何(なに)はともあれ (whatever happens, first of all — a common set phrase)

Similar words

• とにかく: anyway (more casual, emphatic, very common)
• いずれにせよ: in any case (more formal)
• それはさておき: setting that aside (conversational)
• ともかく: anyway (similar to ともあれ, slightly more casual)

Register

Slightly formal. Common in both written and spoken Japanese, but とにかく is far more frequent in casual speech.