Hitagi Crab, Mayoi Snail, Suruga Monkey, Nadeko Snake, and Tsubasa Cat. These are the five arcs that make up the series Bakemonogatari. Each one is so distinct and mind-blowing, and Bake never fails to deliver a great story. It is the tale of a quasi-vampire name Araragi, and he goes on a journey of self-discovery and sometimes heartbreak with a group of girls. They all have a supernatural connection somehow. Bakemonogatari is just the beginning of a the masterpiece Monogatari, which is one of the greatest animes of all time!
17 Reviews
A monster story with a difference
Tweekums3 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This series follows Koyomi Araragi, a high school student who isn't quite human; he survived a vampire attack and as a result is slightly vampiric; this doesn't appear to affect him much but he does seem to attract those who have somehow been affected by encounters with monsters. The series is divided into five chapters each dealing with such an encounter. The first such encounter is with Hitagi Senjogahara; he catches her when she falls down a stairwell and is shocked that she is almost weightless. Afterwards she warns him to stay away from her but he continues to try to find out what happened to her; eventually she tells him that her weight was taken by a Crab God. With the help of Meme Oshino, an expert in apparitions, he manages to restore her weight and they become friends. Each chapter follows a similar course but the characters are quite different, but all female, and in each case a different solution is required.
'Bakemonogatari' is a portmanteau word combining the words 'Bakemon' (Monster) and 'Monogatari' (Story) so one might expect this to be full of action and danger it isn't. It is possibly the most talky anime series I've seen so unless you speak fluent Japanese (which I don't) you will have a lot of reading to do. The animation is best described as 'experimental' for the most part it is conventional but there are also flash frames of text, creepy black and white live action footage and moments where the animation style changes completely. This effectively adds a degree of creepiness to the story. With so much going on I feel that this is a series that will only get better with repeat viewings as one can't hope to pick up everything the first time. The individual chapters are enjoyable and the characters each introduces are distinctive and interesting. Overall I'd definitely recommend watching this series; just don't expect anything conventional.
These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles; as far as I am aware there isn't an English dub the UK DVD is certainly sub only.
'Bakemonogatari' is a portmanteau word combining the words 'Bakemon' (Monster) and 'Monogatari' (Story) so one might expect this to be full of action and danger it isn't. It is possibly the most talky anime series I've seen so unless you speak fluent Japanese (which I don't) you will have a lot of reading to do. The animation is best described as 'experimental' for the most part it is conventional but there are also flash frames of text, creepy black and white live action footage and moments where the animation style changes completely. This effectively adds a degree of creepiness to the story. With so much going on I feel that this is a series that will only get better with repeat viewings as one can't hope to pick up everything the first time. The individual chapters are enjoyable and the characters each introduces are distinctive and interesting. Overall I'd definitely recommend watching this series; just don't expect anything conventional.
These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles; as far as I am aware there isn't an English dub the UK DVD is certainly sub only.
Best anime series of the year
ethSin16 July 2010
Warning: Spoilers
"To be blunt, I just enjoy talking to you... so I want to talk with you some more." "If our opinions clash, let's talk it over."
'Bakemonogatari' is about five not-so-normal girls that Araragi Koyomi, a vampire himself, encounters and attempt to save them from abnormalities that's been troubling them.
The main characters of 'Bakemonogatari' are among the most unique and complex I have yet to encounter.
Heroine Senjougahara Hitagi is a tsundere like half of all modern heroines in anime, but she is also 「ドS」, a sadist to an extreme degree, which is more common for side characters and rare for heroines. Our protagonist, as expected, is rather on the masochist side who takes on constant verbal abuse from Senjougahara.
What makes the couple extraordinary, is that Senjougahara is often boke while Araragi is tsukkomi. Traditional Japanese stand-up comedy consists of a duo: One takes the boke role who says something stupid while the tsukommi role points out how boke is ridiculous, often with a violent slap in the head.
The leading couple in this series, on the other hand, take turns with roles. It is particularly interesting when the sadist and intelligent Senjougahara purposefully take on boke role and overwhelms the tsukkomi. Such as making insulting statements that sound flawed, but when Araragi tries to make a comeback, he realizes what she said was true. Or Senjougahara makes a blatantly flawed statement just to hurt Araragi. And of course, plenty of intentional boke or tease spoken with so much authority that Araragi just gives up and let it slide.
The unlikely toggling of comedy roles were executed extremely well, and this back and forth interaction between the leading couple is a key part of this show's appeal.
There are 6 main characters in this series, and total of only 5 side/peripheral characters (Meme, Shinobu, Sisters, and Senjougahara's father) in the whole series. The limited character headcount made thorough character development possible despite being an arc-based series.
Simply put, half the show is about the romantic relationship between the Senjougahara and Araragi. The other half is about a constant argument between two values: The rational vs the idealistic, with Araragi as Mr. Nice Guy seeking happy end for everyone. Solution of supernatural abnormalities as the topic of the argument.
While the pacing of the show is extremely fast with approximately 3 times as many dialogs per episode, they stick to one subject long enough for each argument to sink in.
Each arc is an incident focused on a different girl, but the five arcs combine to show a whole picture of Araragi and Senjougahara closing their personal distances. The TV broadcast ended abruptly, but the final three episodes over the web distribution were essential in developing their relationship. In the end, Araragi escaped the indecisive protagonist tendencies that many harem series are plagued with, through confrontation with Senjougahara's primary rival in romance.
"Bakemonogatari" is a verbal performance with visual support. Story is driven by back and forth debate on various issues.
With verbal performance playing such a big role in this show, voice acting is done on a whole new level in this series. Every characters' voices fit perfectly, and not only that, distinct tones and nuance of speech establishes the personal image for every single character. I don't think it's an exaggeration to describe voice acting in this series as epic.
Music scores in 'Bakemonogatari' have generally consistent ambient feel to it, and has a nice flow. Other than intense music for action scenes, they don't particularly set the mood or enhance drama as what I usually consider to be strong BGM for anime, BUT the usually upbeat sound in the background sets the quick pace for dialogs, and makes the conversations all the more engaging, which worked very well for a series like this.
OP song "Staple Stable" was possibly the best anime opening theme song by a seiyuu, ever. Really memorable tune accompanied by great vocal and lyric by meg rock was simply amazing.
Animation in 'Bakemonogatari' mainly serve as a visual aid to the verbal performance, and it was done extremely well.
Visuals for the anime got somewhat of an "art house film" treatment. There were many abstract and surreal scenes, unconventional cuts, and intriguing camera angles that made the viewing experience very pleasant.
Character design was attractive, the main characters showed a wide range of emotion that further portrays the character's state of mind.
The only complaint I have with the animation is the use of photographs/videos of real-life imagery. At the risk of sounding like a super-otaku, I would say 3D images do not belong in the world of 2D.
'Bakemonogatari' is a true masterpiece with experimental production that actually worked. Attention was paid to the tiniest details, and a story well-told through series of verbal performances. Wonderful direction by Shinbou Akiyuki left us with so many memorable scenes, and this will definitely be a series to be remembered.
Re-watch value is insanely high. In fact, I have watched the first 12 episodes at least 5 times while waiting for the web broadcasts. There's so much going on the screen during conversations, that you'll discover something new every single time.
The 8-month wait for the final three episodes was excruciating, but the ending wrapped everything up well enough that it was almost worth the absurd wait. Given the commercial success 'Bakemonogatari' has achieved, I will be hoping the remaining novels of the series to be animated. A prequel 'Kizumonogatari' OVA/film and possibly 'Nisemonogatari' as a sequel season would be great.
To be blunt, I just enjoyed listening to them... so I want to listen to them some more.
'Bakemonogatari' is about five not-so-normal girls that Araragi Koyomi, a vampire himself, encounters and attempt to save them from abnormalities that's been troubling them.
The main characters of 'Bakemonogatari' are among the most unique and complex I have yet to encounter.
Heroine Senjougahara Hitagi is a tsundere like half of all modern heroines in anime, but she is also 「ドS」, a sadist to an extreme degree, which is more common for side characters and rare for heroines. Our protagonist, as expected, is rather on the masochist side who takes on constant verbal abuse from Senjougahara.
What makes the couple extraordinary, is that Senjougahara is often boke while Araragi is tsukkomi. Traditional Japanese stand-up comedy consists of a duo: One takes the boke role who says something stupid while the tsukommi role points out how boke is ridiculous, often with a violent slap in the head.
The leading couple in this series, on the other hand, take turns with roles. It is particularly interesting when the sadist and intelligent Senjougahara purposefully take on boke role and overwhelms the tsukkomi. Such as making insulting statements that sound flawed, but when Araragi tries to make a comeback, he realizes what she said was true. Or Senjougahara makes a blatantly flawed statement just to hurt Araragi. And of course, plenty of intentional boke or tease spoken with so much authority that Araragi just gives up and let it slide.
The unlikely toggling of comedy roles were executed extremely well, and this back and forth interaction between the leading couple is a key part of this show's appeal.
There are 6 main characters in this series, and total of only 5 side/peripheral characters (Meme, Shinobu, Sisters, and Senjougahara's father) in the whole series. The limited character headcount made thorough character development possible despite being an arc-based series.
Simply put, half the show is about the romantic relationship between the Senjougahara and Araragi. The other half is about a constant argument between two values: The rational vs the idealistic, with Araragi as Mr. Nice Guy seeking happy end for everyone. Solution of supernatural abnormalities as the topic of the argument.
While the pacing of the show is extremely fast with approximately 3 times as many dialogs per episode, they stick to one subject long enough for each argument to sink in.
Each arc is an incident focused on a different girl, but the five arcs combine to show a whole picture of Araragi and Senjougahara closing their personal distances. The TV broadcast ended abruptly, but the final three episodes over the web distribution were essential in developing their relationship. In the end, Araragi escaped the indecisive protagonist tendencies that many harem series are plagued with, through confrontation with Senjougahara's primary rival in romance.
"Bakemonogatari" is a verbal performance with visual support. Story is driven by back and forth debate on various issues.
With verbal performance playing such a big role in this show, voice acting is done on a whole new level in this series. Every characters' voices fit perfectly, and not only that, distinct tones and nuance of speech establishes the personal image for every single character. I don't think it's an exaggeration to describe voice acting in this series as epic.
Music scores in 'Bakemonogatari' have generally consistent ambient feel to it, and has a nice flow. Other than intense music for action scenes, they don't particularly set the mood or enhance drama as what I usually consider to be strong BGM for anime, BUT the usually upbeat sound in the background sets the quick pace for dialogs, and makes the conversations all the more engaging, which worked very well for a series like this.
OP song "Staple Stable" was possibly the best anime opening theme song by a seiyuu, ever. Really memorable tune accompanied by great vocal and lyric by meg rock was simply amazing.
Animation in 'Bakemonogatari' mainly serve as a visual aid to the verbal performance, and it was done extremely well.
Visuals for the anime got somewhat of an "art house film" treatment. There were many abstract and surreal scenes, unconventional cuts, and intriguing camera angles that made the viewing experience very pleasant.
Character design was attractive, the main characters showed a wide range of emotion that further portrays the character's state of mind.
The only complaint I have with the animation is the use of photographs/videos of real-life imagery. At the risk of sounding like a super-otaku, I would say 3D images do not belong in the world of 2D.
'Bakemonogatari' is a true masterpiece with experimental production that actually worked. Attention was paid to the tiniest details, and a story well-told through series of verbal performances. Wonderful direction by Shinbou Akiyuki left us with so many memorable scenes, and this will definitely be a series to be remembered.
Re-watch value is insanely high. In fact, I have watched the first 12 episodes at least 5 times while waiting for the web broadcasts. There's so much going on the screen during conversations, that you'll discover something new every single time.
The 8-month wait for the final three episodes was excruciating, but the ending wrapped everything up well enough that it was almost worth the absurd wait. Given the commercial success 'Bakemonogatari' has achieved, I will be hoping the remaining novels of the series to be animated. A prequel 'Kizumonogatari' OVA/film and possibly 'Nisemonogatari' as a sequel season would be great.
To be blunt, I just enjoyed listening to them... so I want to listen to them some more.
Better the second time around
dameon_green13 April 2020
I vaguely remembered watching this nearly a decade ago, enjoyed it, and when I stumbled upon it again, figured it was worth a rewatch..
Have to say this is one of the few times something was better the second time around. With a older eye and a deeper understanding I could see so many small things, from how the "camera" is used to focus on the female form is all used to tell the story. Nothing seems to be done just for the sake of fan service or fitting inside a genre, but to tell the tale from the perspective of the protagonist and how he'd see, even the silliest moment serves a purpose..
Maybe I've giving it too much credit, but I'd add this to any must watch list, and keep an open mind when viewing it.
Have to say this is one of the few times something was better the second time around. With a older eye and a deeper understanding I could see so many small things, from how the "camera" is used to focus on the female form is all used to tell the story. Nothing seems to be done just for the sake of fan service or fitting inside a genre, but to tell the tale from the perspective of the protagonist and how he'd see, even the silliest moment serves a purpose..
Maybe I've giving it too much credit, but I'd add this to any must watch list, and keep an open mind when viewing it.
It literally means ghost-story
SaberaSurovy13 March 2021
Bakemonogatari had been on my 'want to watch' list for quite a long time. And then I decided to watch it for the bingo challenge: Fall 2019 and also there is a badge for finishing this anime( I thought I had to finish all the Motogatari titles to earn the badge. Phew!)
How do I feel about Bakemonogatari? In a sentence it's different, beautiful and I found it unique. Now let's talk in details about it. Shall we?
Story:
At first( I mean for the first episode) everything seemed really confusing. But with time things started to settle in a pattern. Araragi Koyomi is a highschool boy who is a post-vampire( I mean, he was a vampire for some time. Now he is not). He can recognise or sense aberration very naturally and that's how he was familiarised with Senjougahara Hitagi. Koyomi knows a guy named Oshino Meme( Yes, his name is Meme. And I like him) who knows how to deal with these aberrations. Soon Koyomi meets more characters like Hitagi who are suffering from supernatural situations and that is how the story flows.
Animation:
Graphically Bakemonogatari has a different type of animation than other anime clearly. It was different and I loved it. I think this type of art is exactly what this anime needed. The background, the characters, the surroundings, I loved everything.
Sound:
I want to talk about the background music that is played where a bunch of scene is shown with just a bunch of line. The suspense that held that music is praisable.
Character:
Araragi: Or Koyomi, it's his first name. Most the characters are female but the main protagonist is a male. He has an ahoge on his head that moves a lot( I mean a lot a lot). He was once a vampire for sometimes but he is recovered from that. He still has some superpowers though. I liked Araragi more that I thought I would. He is kind of a pervert( the kind a typical teenager is). But doesn't like to admit though. Yes, he is all about saving people and friends but not in the typical way we see in the shounen anime( like screaming how he will definitely save all his loved ones by beating the crap out of the enemy). He just wants to help despite anything. He cares. That's what makes him so great.
Senjougahara: She is my most favourite female character by far. As a woman myself I am always kind of disappointed by the female characters in anime about their character developments being not so great. But I am really happy to find that Senjougahara Hitagi is a really well written character. She is violent, shows almost no emotion on her face and brutally honest. She is the ultimate example of Tsundra( Yes, it's tsundra not Tsundere). The way she confessed was mild blowing. I love her. Chiwa Saito's voice acting added a new dimension to her chilliness.
Hanekawa: She is like the total encyclopedia. She knows everything. But still you will hear her say It's not like I know a lot. I just know what I know. She is a kind character with a pathetic family story.
Hachikuji: A middle schooler hanging around with her schoolbag. Araragi likes to tease and harass her. And she alway mispronounces his intentionally and says she is sorry that she stuttered. I also loved her voice.
Kanbaru: I thought I wouldn't like her. But she came out to be great. And also Miyuki Sawashiro did a really great job.
Oshino Meme: Yes. You are not wrong. HIS NAME IS MEME AND HE IS THE MY MOST FAVOURITE CHARACTER IN THE ANIME(I wrote it in both bold and capital. You better know how musch I admire him). He is kind of an exorcist who has a vast knowledge about spirits, demons and gods. He did mention supernaturality or something was his subject in college. He has a mind blowing confidence and an aura around him which is hard to ignore. He is a laid back, homeless person. He is the one who revived Araragi.
Overall?
I loved this anime and I will definitely finish the whole Monogatari series. I also highly recommend this anime.
Happy watching
How do I feel about Bakemonogatari? In a sentence it's different, beautiful and I found it unique. Now let's talk in details about it. Shall we?
Story:
At first( I mean for the first episode) everything seemed really confusing. But with time things started to settle in a pattern. Araragi Koyomi is a highschool boy who is a post-vampire( I mean, he was a vampire for some time. Now he is not). He can recognise or sense aberration very naturally and that's how he was familiarised with Senjougahara Hitagi. Koyomi knows a guy named Oshino Meme( Yes, his name is Meme. And I like him) who knows how to deal with these aberrations. Soon Koyomi meets more characters like Hitagi who are suffering from supernatural situations and that is how the story flows.
Animation:
Graphically Bakemonogatari has a different type of animation than other anime clearly. It was different and I loved it. I think this type of art is exactly what this anime needed. The background, the characters, the surroundings, I loved everything.
Sound:
I want to talk about the background music that is played where a bunch of scene is shown with just a bunch of line. The suspense that held that music is praisable.
Character:
Araragi: Or Koyomi, it's his first name. Most the characters are female but the main protagonist is a male. He has an ahoge on his head that moves a lot( I mean a lot a lot). He was once a vampire for sometimes but he is recovered from that. He still has some superpowers though. I liked Araragi more that I thought I would. He is kind of a pervert( the kind a typical teenager is). But doesn't like to admit though. Yes, he is all about saving people and friends but not in the typical way we see in the shounen anime( like screaming how he will definitely save all his loved ones by beating the crap out of the enemy). He just wants to help despite anything. He cares. That's what makes him so great.
Senjougahara: She is my most favourite female character by far. As a woman myself I am always kind of disappointed by the female characters in anime about their character developments being not so great. But I am really happy to find that Senjougahara Hitagi is a really well written character. She is violent, shows almost no emotion on her face and brutally honest. She is the ultimate example of Tsundra( Yes, it's tsundra not Tsundere). The way she confessed was mild blowing. I love her. Chiwa Saito's voice acting added a new dimension to her chilliness.
Hanekawa: She is like the total encyclopedia. She knows everything. But still you will hear her say It's not like I know a lot. I just know what I know. She is a kind character with a pathetic family story.
Hachikuji: A middle schooler hanging around with her schoolbag. Araragi likes to tease and harass her. And she alway mispronounces his intentionally and says she is sorry that she stuttered. I also loved her voice.
Kanbaru: I thought I wouldn't like her. But she came out to be great. And also Miyuki Sawashiro did a really great job.
Oshino Meme: Yes. You are not wrong. HIS NAME IS MEME AND HE IS THE MY MOST FAVOURITE CHARACTER IN THE ANIME(I wrote it in both bold and capital. You better know how musch I admire him). He is kind of an exorcist who has a vast knowledge about spirits, demons and gods. He did mention supernaturality or something was his subject in college. He has a mind blowing confidence and an aura around him which is hard to ignore. He is a laid back, homeless person. He is the one who revived Araragi.
Overall?
I loved this anime and I will definitely finish the whole Monogatari series. I also highly recommend this anime.
Happy watching
Great show with striking animation
wellendorfmatthew17 May 2017
Bakemonogatari is an anime for those interested in the unconventional and are looking for something unique. The show focuses on the supernatural affecting the characters lives and how the apparitions(spirits) they are bound by result from the unique struggles each character possesses. This is used to convey the shows idea of the mysteriousness of the supernatural and the human tendency to find answers and remedies through it once the suffering of the real world proves too harsh for some to deal with. Character development comes primarily through each characters personal conflict with the supernatural through the arcs which focus mainly on a specific character, allowing you to gain insight into the character and how the supernatural reveals certain truths to each character that they either sought to repress or did not understand about themselves, providing the viewer empathy to the character and personal attachment towards them. The animation through the vibrant colors and focus on light makes the physical features of the characters very striking and interesting to look at helping to capture the emotional moments of each character.
Really Good
Seras1112316 August 2021
Bakemonogatori is trashy, lowbrow comedy, partly deeply philosophical. A good drama to boot. Harem has a reputation for being dreck, but this is one of the best shows of its generation. To start Araragi is an MC with a personality! A rarity. He is rational, and in command. An all around "nice guy" but with oversights and flaws that make him human. This depth of writing does extend to each girl and the only other male character, Oshino (a Supernatural consultant).
Stylistically flawless. A surrealist veneer of visuals and audio to keep it interesting. Camera shots swivel instantaneously, and the eye to detail breathes the show to life in contrast to its overtly simplistic setting with nonexistent cars or humans. This is done to strengthen a core storytelling mode of this show. The main mode of story is longwinded conservations. There is action, but it's placed carefully. This sounds boring but it's the opposite. Dialogue is a mile a minute, be alert with your subs.
Each section of Bakemonogatari is dedicated to a different supernatural case. In this, we progress the story and introduce new characters. The show never overwhelms you and absorbs you in its dense universe. Conversations are highly lucid, and contain wisdom. Bakemonogatori has a playful, reference laden side, but a foothold in life's realities as well. These characters have endured hardships and many moments of hopelessness. So don't watch if you expected something idyllic. This is pretty dark at times. Not too R-rated, but an adult bent for sure.
Anyways, my only complaint would be some fairly regrettable fanservice elements but you can always skip past that and that comes standard with most harems anyway. Rewatching after 2 years only confirmed how well this has aged since 2009. It will continue being just as good 10 years on.
Stylistically flawless. A surrealist veneer of visuals and audio to keep it interesting. Camera shots swivel instantaneously, and the eye to detail breathes the show to life in contrast to its overtly simplistic setting with nonexistent cars or humans. This is done to strengthen a core storytelling mode of this show. The main mode of story is longwinded conservations. There is action, but it's placed carefully. This sounds boring but it's the opposite. Dialogue is a mile a minute, be alert with your subs.
Each section of Bakemonogatari is dedicated to a different supernatural case. In this, we progress the story and introduce new characters. The show never overwhelms you and absorbs you in its dense universe. Conversations are highly lucid, and contain wisdom. Bakemonogatori has a playful, reference laden side, but a foothold in life's realities as well. These characters have endured hardships and many moments of hopelessness. So don't watch if you expected something idyllic. This is pretty dark at times. Not too R-rated, but an adult bent for sure.
Anyways, my only complaint would be some fairly regrettable fanservice elements but you can always skip past that and that comes standard with most harems anyway. Rewatching after 2 years only confirmed how well this has aged since 2009. It will continue being just as good 10 years on.
Once you get used to it, an entertaining ride awaits
martin_merelesc16 February 2022
Bakemonogatari has a lot of entertainment value, and all the elements combined make it a perfect supernatural-romance-comedy. Each arc is enjoyable, and has a good amount of fan service for those who enjoy it. The romance was also done very well, which leaves the view with a warm feeling at the end. It took some time to get used to the weird flashing words in the beginning, but once you get used to it, you'll be in for an entertaining ride.
Good Overall, the Dialogue is Fresh and Entertaining
ACollegeStudent11 April 2021
Rating: 7.8
Favorite Episode: Tsubasa kyatto sono ni
Good overall. It's witty entertaining dialogue with interesting characters. Almost like an anime Twilight Zone. It can be formulaic sometimes, but every arc brought something new to the table and it never got stale. The fanservice in the last openings was strange but didn't detract from anything.
Senjougahara is the highlight of this whole thing.
Favorite Episode: Tsubasa kyatto sono ni
Good overall. It's witty entertaining dialogue with interesting characters. Almost like an anime Twilight Zone. It can be formulaic sometimes, but every arc brought something new to the table and it never got stale. The fanservice in the last openings was strange but didn't detract from anything.
Senjougahara is the highlight of this whole thing.
Bakemongatri
jasoncrespo-5627627 November 2023
A very loose and carefree plot, witty dialogue, and striking animation. Bakemongatri is an iconic piece of fiction. A ton of surrealism, a slice of life with its surrealism maxed out. Very expressive, very colorful, mainly for comedic effect but also for "plot". Something unique about this show is that it has 15 episodes which can be divided into subsections for each girl whom has the main focus.
You don't have to pay attention to understand, but when you do really digest Bakemongatri, it makes it all the more enjoyable to watch. This is a series I've always been interested in purely because of the famous scenes to come out of this series. Definitely is decent anime to just chill and watch by yourself.
Beware fan service. (Hard to watch in public)
You don't have to pay attention to understand, but when you do really digest Bakemongatri, it makes it all the more enjoyable to watch. This is a series I've always been interested in purely because of the famous scenes to come out of this series. Definitely is decent anime to just chill and watch by yourself.
Beware fan service. (Hard to watch in public)
Very interesting first season
rachaelperson25 December 2021
This is the start of the Monogatari anime series, and if the goal was to make audiences want to know what happens next, they succeeded. The story here isn't all that different from most paranormal high school anime series-it's the execution that sets it apart. The majority of each episode is dialogue. Characters are quick-witted and sharp-tongued, so even less interesting characters are still fun to watch. And then, you have to consider that I'm watching the English sub. The original material in Japanese is apparently chock full of wordplay and manipulation of language, so there's a whole extra layer English speakers won't fully be able to grasp.
As far as negatives, there are a few. Some of the "fan service" is unwarranted and simply doesn't belong. Action scenes in this series are few and far between, but one in particular seemed to be added in as an afterthought, just in case the audience started getting bored (which I wasn't, because action isn't what the show is loved for in the first place). Then, on the other end of the spectrum, some conversations, though entertaining to follow, add little to nothing to character or story development, and therefore seem like filler.
Taking this as a whole, it's worth watching. Again, as a first season, it has definitely piqued my interest, and it's an approach to this genre of anime that I haven't really seen before.
(Also: the music for this season is pretty great.)
As far as negatives, there are a few. Some of the "fan service" is unwarranted and simply doesn't belong. Action scenes in this series are few and far between, but one in particular seemed to be added in as an afterthought, just in case the audience started getting bored (which I wasn't, because action isn't what the show is loved for in the first place). Then, on the other end of the spectrum, some conversations, though entertaining to follow, add little to nothing to character or story development, and therefore seem like filler.
Taking this as a whole, it's worth watching. Again, as a first season, it has definitely piqued my interest, and it's an approach to this genre of anime that I haven't really seen before.
(Also: the music for this season is pretty great.)
What on earth?
cherold18 November 2022
According to the reviews this is some sort of supernatural monster thing, and yes, I guess, but mainly it's disjointed and dadaist. I was vaguely intrigued by its weirdness for a couple of episodes, but by the third episode, which is mainly just a long, wandering conversation (this is a very talky series), I couldn't take it anymore.
The series is less like a supernatural adventure and more like Waiting for Godot. Reading the reviews it's hard to believe this is even the same series they are talking about. I actually checked the plot descriptions and screenshots to make sure I had watched the same thing the other reviewers had.
The series is less like a supernatural adventure and more like Waiting for Godot. Reading the reviews it's hard to believe this is even the same series they are talking about. I actually checked the plot descriptions and screenshots to make sure I had watched the same thing the other reviewers had.
Synopsis:
shuyamato14 June 2020
You don't have to be a member of the anime community for long to know that the Monogatari series is very, very highly praised. Inevitably, I gave into the hype and tried it out for myself. The result? Well... I walked away entertained, but FAR from impressed. Yes the characters are amusing, yes the dialogue is witty, and yes the visuals are beautiful, but make no mistake: Bakemonogatari is just a harem. It exists only for comedic gags and fanservice. The characters are shallow and have little to offer beyond their archetypes and their dialogue, not to mention that the "plot" is loose and unimpressive to say the least. I guess I have very mixed feelings about this anime; I'm happy I watched it, but the people hailing it as a masterpiece need to check themselves.
It's weird af I LOVE IT
DMMMUFFIN10 August 2021
Characters are really Good , the designs are really varied and distinguishable, the best way to see monogatari is without knowing what are you about to see
The visuals are great and am excited to continue the franchise because this first part was really Good and the messages between all the crazy stuff are so damn great.
The visuals are great and am excited to continue the franchise because this first part was really Good and the messages between all the crazy stuff are so damn great.
Beautifully unique/distinctive style, memorable characters and an interesting story with A LOT of dialogue
Kysugo17 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The style of this anime is out of this world. It's god-tier. I've never seen anything quite like it. It's very unique and distinctive. It's definitely bizarre and unusual at first, but you get used to it very quickly as it's all done beautifully and brilliantly. It definitely piqued my interest in the first couple of minutes. The music also really caught my attention, it was during the moment when Senjougahara was threatening Araragi with the boxcutter and stapler. The soundtrack definitely stands out, it compliments every scene wonderfully. I think I fell in love with the art style when they showed the different scenery shots with the sun setting in the background. All the different hues of orange combined with the contrasting whites, blacks and grays was breathtaking. It felt so fresh and foreign, yet nostalgic at the same time. The whole aesthetic of the world was very fantasy-like and surreal, kind of like a dream. It's an amazing work of art. I was constantly pausing the show just so I could admire everything on screen. It's all beautifully, meticulously and creatively conceptualized. It reminded me of the way they use color in the game Mirror's Edge. I love how self-aware the show is. They use words like tsundere, moe and loli to describe themselves or other characters. The random at times, playful nature of the show reminded me of FLCL. Similar to FLCL, this show also has themes pertaining to adolescence that make you feel like a kid again, like you're back in high school. What a crazy coincidence - the third episode starts out with mentioning that it's Mother's Day, and as I'm writing this, tomorrow is actually Mother's Day. Even crazier is that in the show it falls on a Sunday, and tomorrow's Mother's Day actually falls on a Sunday.
The characters and story in this anime are the reason why you become invested and stay watching it. The dynamic/relationship between Senjougahara and Araragi was very entertaining to experience. Watching them become closer to one another was something I always looked forward to. Their interactions were very funny at times. Senjougahara's spicy and somewhat odd personality definitely has an attractive quality to it. At times it feels like she's an alien just by the way she communicates with Araragi. She's a pretty complex girl, and kind of psycho to be honest lol. The ritual scene where Senjougahara was coming to terms with the Weight Crab, was a beautiful metaphor for repressed memories. Unfortunately, the show starts to drag around the 4th episode when they were helping Mayoi find the address. It got boring, nothing was really happening and the story wasn't progressing. It also didn't help that Mayoi was kind of an annoying character. I dropped it, I literally dropped the show during the middle of the 5th episode. I felt so disappointed. The anime started out amazing and then it just turned into pointless redundant dialogue. Ok, so the show picks up after it was revealed that Mayoi was actually a snail ghost who was impeding Araragi from going home. That was an interesting little twist. That fight between Kanbaru, the monkey arm, and Araragi was sick. The animations were insane! I felt so bad for the snake girl, Sengoku. Thankfully Araragi was able to save her from the curse. Apparently all the girls in this anime have personal problems they're dealing with and Araragi is basically there to help them. I liked the scene where Araragi and Senjou were lying under the stars, that was cozy. Hanekawa's cat personality was really cute. That was a pretty cool concept how Shinobu submerged herself into Araragi's shadow.
I think the problem I have with this anime is that it felt like a chore at times. It is extremely dialogue-heavy and there's a lot of reading. If I wanted to read, then I'd go for the book. I mean that's why I'm watching the anime, because it's more visual. Yet still, the anime bombards you with text and dialogue. It just feels like there's a lot of needless and redundant dialogue that goes on and it takes me out of the show. One second the pacing is perfect and the next, two characters will be having a conversation that lasts 5-7 minutes where they segue way into a rant about a topic that has nothing to do with the story. It's pretty frustrating and annoying to say the least. But the good thing is that it doesn't happen too frequently. I also can't help but feel that because I can't read kanji and don't understand Japanese, I'm really at a disadvantage watching this show - I can't really enjoy it to it's fullest. It's definitely not a show for everyone in this regard. If it wasn't for the amazing style of the art/animations and the interesting ghost story arcs and seeing the evolution of Araragi and Senjou's relationship, I would've completely dropped this anime during the 5th episode and never would've looked back. Also, the female characters in this show are really cute and have interesting and complex personalities. I also really liked how they changed the opening for each new arc.
Bakemonogatari is a beautifully unique anime that immersed me in it's world, its characters and its story. The pros: Amazing art style and animations that are unique and distinctive from any other anime; interesting and complex characters that develop wonderfully throughout the show; a beautifully and cleverly crafted story that puts an interesting spin on ghost stories and is a refreshing take on typical romance tropes. The cons: you're going to have to read a lot lol. And it will feel like a chore at times, and you will get annoyed and frustrated and might want to drop it. But you know what, it's worth it. It definitely piqued my interest in the rest of the Monogatari series. It's not anime for everyone, but for those interested, you'll be treated to something special.
The characters and story in this anime are the reason why you become invested and stay watching it. The dynamic/relationship between Senjougahara and Araragi was very entertaining to experience. Watching them become closer to one another was something I always looked forward to. Their interactions were very funny at times. Senjougahara's spicy and somewhat odd personality definitely has an attractive quality to it. At times it feels like she's an alien just by the way she communicates with Araragi. She's a pretty complex girl, and kind of psycho to be honest lol. The ritual scene where Senjougahara was coming to terms with the Weight Crab, was a beautiful metaphor for repressed memories. Unfortunately, the show starts to drag around the 4th episode when they were helping Mayoi find the address. It got boring, nothing was really happening and the story wasn't progressing. It also didn't help that Mayoi was kind of an annoying character. I dropped it, I literally dropped the show during the middle of the 5th episode. I felt so disappointed. The anime started out amazing and then it just turned into pointless redundant dialogue. Ok, so the show picks up after it was revealed that Mayoi was actually a snail ghost who was impeding Araragi from going home. That was an interesting little twist. That fight between Kanbaru, the monkey arm, and Araragi was sick. The animations were insane! I felt so bad for the snake girl, Sengoku. Thankfully Araragi was able to save her from the curse. Apparently all the girls in this anime have personal problems they're dealing with and Araragi is basically there to help them. I liked the scene where Araragi and Senjou were lying under the stars, that was cozy. Hanekawa's cat personality was really cute. That was a pretty cool concept how Shinobu submerged herself into Araragi's shadow.
I think the problem I have with this anime is that it felt like a chore at times. It is extremely dialogue-heavy and there's a lot of reading. If I wanted to read, then I'd go for the book. I mean that's why I'm watching the anime, because it's more visual. Yet still, the anime bombards you with text and dialogue. It just feels like there's a lot of needless and redundant dialogue that goes on and it takes me out of the show. One second the pacing is perfect and the next, two characters will be having a conversation that lasts 5-7 minutes where they segue way into a rant about a topic that has nothing to do with the story. It's pretty frustrating and annoying to say the least. But the good thing is that it doesn't happen too frequently. I also can't help but feel that because I can't read kanji and don't understand Japanese, I'm really at a disadvantage watching this show - I can't really enjoy it to it's fullest. It's definitely not a show for everyone in this regard. If it wasn't for the amazing style of the art/animations and the interesting ghost story arcs and seeing the evolution of Araragi and Senjou's relationship, I would've completely dropped this anime during the 5th episode and never would've looked back. Also, the female characters in this show are really cute and have interesting and complex personalities. I also really liked how they changed the opening for each new arc.
Bakemonogatari is a beautifully unique anime that immersed me in it's world, its characters and its story. The pros: Amazing art style and animations that are unique and distinctive from any other anime; interesting and complex characters that develop wonderfully throughout the show; a beautifully and cleverly crafted story that puts an interesting spin on ghost stories and is a refreshing take on typical romance tropes. The cons: you're going to have to read a lot lol. And it will feel like a chore at times, and you will get annoyed and frustrated and might want to drop it. But you know what, it's worth it. It definitely piqued my interest in the rest of the Monogatari series. It's not anime for everyone, but for those interested, you'll be treated to something special.
Supernatural Anime Blends Trippy Visuals with Heavy Chatter
aidaneccleston3 February 2024
It's one of the more unique anime series I've dived into. The whole setup with Araragi dealing with various supernatural beings is pretty dope, and the way the show mixes in Japanese folklore with modern-day high school life is definitely interesting. The animation style is another level, with some really trippy visuals and a use of colors that just pops. It's not your standard anime look, and that creativity in the visuals alone kept me hooked.
But, man, the dialogues are something else. They're super dense and philosophical, which is cool and all for adding depth, but there were times I just wanted things to move along. It felt like the show was trying to be a bit too clever for its own good, making some episodes a slog to get through. Don't get me wrong, the interactions between characters are one of the highlights, especially with the quirky humor and the developing relationships, but the balance between action and conversation leans way too heavy on the latter.
Overall, I'm giving 'Bakemonogatari' a solid 7/10. It's got a lot going for it with the unique art style and the interesting blend of supernatural elements in a school setting. The character designs are cool, and when it gets into the action, it's pretty awesome. However, the heavy dialogues and slow pace in parts make it a bit of a mixed bag. It's worth checking out for the visuals and the concept, but be prepared for a lot of talking and some complex themes that might not be everyone's cup of tea.
But, man, the dialogues are something else. They're super dense and philosophical, which is cool and all for adding depth, but there were times I just wanted things to move along. It felt like the show was trying to be a bit too clever for its own good, making some episodes a slog to get through. Don't get me wrong, the interactions between characters are one of the highlights, especially with the quirky humor and the developing relationships, but the balance between action and conversation leans way too heavy on the latter.
Overall, I'm giving 'Bakemonogatari' a solid 7/10. It's got a lot going for it with the unique art style and the interesting blend of supernatural elements in a school setting. The character designs are cool, and when it gets into the action, it's pretty awesome. However, the heavy dialogues and slow pace in parts make it a bit of a mixed bag. It's worth checking out for the visuals and the concept, but be prepared for a lot of talking and some complex themes that might not be everyone's cup of tea.
What is this seriously
snorkyfab28 December 2021
I've read so good reviews and it's one of the worst anime I've ever seen.
The music is just awful, the same audio samples non stop, sometimes for 3min it's just a poor 3notes piano loop, that drives me crazy.
The story is very slow, annoying characters, you don't even remember their names, and we don't care what happens to them. The editing and animation also is not helping.
So many better animes out there compared to this...
The music is just awful, the same audio samples non stop, sometimes for 3min it's just a poor 3notes piano loop, that drives me crazy.
The story is very slow, annoying characters, you don't even remember their names, and we don't care what happens to them. The editing and animation also is not helping.
So many better animes out there compared to this...
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