DESCRIPTION

CAST

ANIME ComedyNisemonogatari
NOVEL ComedyNekomonogatari: Shiro
ONA ComedyKoyomimonogatari
OVA ComedyKoyomi History
ANIME DramaOwarimonogatari
NOVEL ComedyKabukimonogatari
NOVEL ComedyOtorimonogatari
NOVEL ActionOnimonogatari
NOVEL ActionKoimonogatari

REVIEWS

• 

  RedComet

  100/100
  The greatest entry in the Monogatari franchise, and the fruition of protagonist Koyomi's growth into maturity.

  Here we are, my pick for the greatest entry in the Monogatari series. While Bakemonogatari and Nisemonogatari introduce each of the characters and gives viewers a charmingly bizarre introduction to Koyomi and his group of supernatural friends, Second Season pushes these previously established relationships to their emotional brink, digging into what makes each of the fascinating women in Koyomi’s life tick and analyzing what life would be like without some of them, all the while reiterating the magnitude of their impact on Koyomi’s personality and character growth.

  If Bakemonogatari is introducing Koyomi as the troubled young perverted protagonist we come to know and love, Second Season is about forcing him into adulthood. Koyomi’s existence as a half-vampire has given him a confidence he can utilize to erase any potentially problematic stakes when solving the woes of his friends in the past few series, but now the stakes are unavoidable. Major villains make themselves present in Second Season and unexpected allies rise up to assist Koyomi in his battles and endeavors. None of the stories go where you expect them to, and the production values are, like always, incredible.

  As far as individual story arcs are concerned, there are certainly those that are stronger than others here, but each arc is precariously placed to tell the overarching story of recurring antagonist Nadeko. Many future storylines are set up within Second Season, and each thread is carefully chosen to build towards the expansive future of the franchise. This series more than any other in my opinion fleshes out the supporting cast of the franchise, showcasing the wild characters who exist alongside our own Koyomi Araragi and demonstrating how they affect him and help him to become the person he ultimately needs to be to save the various girls who seek him out for help. My personal favorite arc in the franchise is the final one in this series, Hitagi End, and it cements both Senjougahara and Kaiki as some of the most well-crafted anime characters I've ever encountered.

  Simply put, Second Season is Monogatari at its very best. While Bakemonogatari and a few later entries come close, I still to this day hold Monogatari Second Season as the greatest set of stories the series has to offer.

  Score: 10/10

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• 

  Vollerei

  94/100
  A sequel to the events of Bakemonogatari with deep dialogue and an even deeper storyline that doesn’t disappoint fans

  “The fake is of far greater value. In its deliberate attempt to be real, it’s more real than the real thing.” -Daishu Kaiki

  From the very start of Monogatari: SS, we get hit with one of the more interesting arcs and arguably the most complex character, Hanekawa. She is one of the most complex and entertaining characters I’ve seen in anime due to masterful way in which her personality is executed. It was at this moment that I knew: This season wasn’t planning on messing around. The events to follow were nothing short of amazing. It may sound like I’m over exaggerating or I’m being COMPLETELY biased, but when looking at the facts and crunching some numbers, it would be SIGNIFICANTLY easier to point out the mistakes I saw instead of all the amazing parts. It managed to take all the strong points that made Bakemonogatari such a high quality anime, and capitalize on it. Each story had even more depth to it, the character interactions were far more complex in dialogue, and the art/soundtrack was just as good as the original. The only mistakes I were able to pick up through it all were some slightly lower quality character sketches during “zoomed out” shots or a few slip ups when it came to lip syncing. These mistakes though scarcely showed up and were even harder to notice unless you deliberately looked for them. I really couldn’t find anything that ruined the watching experience, as it all kept my undivided attention till the very end without hindrance. Enough of this summary though, let’s get on with the official review!

  Art and Animation: 9.4/10

  • As I’ve said before, this season had the same amazing quality as it’s original, if not better. They really calmed down on the aggressive camera angles, which made watching for extended amounts of time a lot less straining on the eyes. I noticed that they had given a lot more attention to detail when it came to the background settings, with these being more creative and unique in location. The new character designs gave a fresh feel that signified a new school year was beginning, the events of summer were over, and winter was approaching. Even in moments of dialogue, the use of inanimate objects to express a symbolic meaning was used very well countless times. This only further drove the point home and capitalized on the mood. Both in normal and comedic situations, the animation was fit for the tone of the story at hand. Camera angels were now being used in unique ways that gave more attention to the backdrop of the scene, which helped us to appreciate the effort that went into making them.

  Storyline and Character Progression: 9.7/10

  • Throughout the entire season, this anime had complete control over its pacing of the storyline. You never felt like you were getting rushed into an event, and cliffhangers were used appropriately to create just the right amount of mystery and suspense. With each storyline came a completely unique experience, and no two storylines felt even remotely similar in comparison. The character development that was to follow blew me away, especially when it came to Hanekawa. Her character had always been considered to be the most complex to me, but this took it to a whole new level. With the task of using emotions to create symbolic meaning in someone’s divided and conflicted personality, it wasn’t going to be easy. And yet, they NAILED it in such an unexpected way. Hanekawas emotions THEMSELVES started to run loose, all because she was pushing away and rejecting what it meant to be human. Everything that meant being human: joy, pain, love, loneliness, envy, regret. The symbolism used to express and develop Hanekawa was the most creative I’ve seen of any character, and it was a powerful moment to watch the last episode as you saw the buildup of her rejecting her own emotions. This is just one story of the 4 that you will encounter during this season, and each story carries a similar amount of depth to it. When it came to my personal favorite, Hachikujis story was as entertaining as ever. I was glad to see that she had received A LOT of development in an arc that featured both Shinobu and Hachikuji, and how the two were affected by the events surrounding them. This one definitely carried the most emotion out of all the arcs, and I was really satisfied with how things played out in the end. Another character worth mentioning is none other than Senjyougahara. I was quite surprised to see how much she had changed, and I’m not just talking about her hairstyle. Her interactions with people were still as entertaining as ever, but without spoiling to much, she was more considerate of the other persons feelings. I definitely enjoyed seeing how far Senjyougahara had progressed as a character, and just how much Araragi had impacted her entire life as a person. The events surrounding Sengoku had almost perfectly reflected her personality: cute, playful, and deceitful. The interesting perspectives during this arc were very enjoyable, especially with the introduction of a familiar face. This enabled us to really see what went on in their mind and their thought process as a character, which was nothing short of entertaining. I really enjoyed this season because of its use in different perspectives which helped us to really see what made each character unique in their own way. All of these elements made the storyline one of the best I’ve experienced in a long time, and one that has a lot of rewatch potential for sure. One of the only things I had against it was the complete absence of Kanbaru, but I think this is because she didn’t really fit anywhere in the events of Monogatari: SS. So I’m sure in the next installment, we’ll experience a more “Kanbaru-focused” storyline.

  Soundtrack and Audio: 9.1/10

  • The entertaining and creative OPs that we experienced in Bakemonogatari are back! From the animation and symbolic storytelling, to the foreshadowing lyrics, each OP accurately represented the events to occur in the coming arc. I especially appreciated the throwback art style of the final OP (even though it was my least favorite). It was awesome to see again the playful side of the Monogatari series take effect in this OP. When it came to audio, Monogatari: SS delivered in a way that far exceeded my expectations. The dialogue that took place between the characters had a measure of depth that couldn’t be easily anticipated. Scarce were the moments where I felt like I was just receiving some unnecessary rambling that hindered the progress of the storyline. It all had a connection somehow to the development of the storyline, and that isn’t an easy thing to do at all. When character dialogue was in effect, their conversations had a certain depth to them that I couldn’t even explain. I could normally tell without much difficulty where a conversation is heading in an anime, but this dialogue had me guessing the whole way through. To the very end, one of the strongest points of this season was the engaging dialogue.

  All in all, this season has easily become one of my highest rated anime, and for good reason. For its solid soundtrack, astounding dialogue, versatile and entertaining storyline, and near-perfect execution in character development, Monogatari: SS has earned a highly respectable score of 9.4/10. An abundance of entertaining content had made this season one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had in a while, and further increases my anticipation for the rest of the series. Much love to all of you who’ve read this far, your unwavering support is very much appreciated by me. As always, see you in the next one!

  Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll
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• 

  tomservo

  100/100
  A fantastic entry in the series. Nisio outdoes himself by utilizing First Season's foundations to their fullest.

  Spoilers ahead for all of Second Season

  A prime example of how imaginative and unique Nisio can really be with his writing. All the concepts and characters built up within the first season come to a head, each going some different, bizarre direction that the viewer may have never expected. A shift in perspective becomes a common aspect for the rest of the season - Koyomi's viewpoint is only used for two arcs, so he's hardly the focus, yet the effects of this season shape his attitude and personality just as much as everyone else's. The variety of narrators and almost absurd quality of the writing in Second Season is incredible; so much so that each arc within this season really deserves its own review. However, this review intends to keep things brief.

  Neko White starts everything off, and, although it re-treads a few things in a shorter manner, it focuses wholly on Tsubasa's perspective and thoughts. Hitagi is great in this arc as well, as the first episode focuses on the two main girls finally breaking the ice between them and befriending one another. Tsubasa’s efforts to reconcile with herself via Black Hanekawa and accept the imperfect, ugly parts of her personality bring a very satisfying, emotional end to one of the best girls in the cast. Kabuki allows more time for Shinobu to interact with Koyomi, strengthening and deepening the strange relationship between the two. The guilt Shinobu expresses for eradicating the world shows just how far she’s come from being an aloof, ancient being who couldn’t bother to learn Koyomi’s name. Not only this, but the alternate Kiss-Shot’s final scene gives us an insight into how early on Shinobu had developed an actual, emotional bond with the protagonist, giving further credence to the fact that what Kiss-Shot truly desired was a genuine human connection with someone after 400 years of isolation and regret. In conclusion, a very solid start to the season, but it suffers from the prior Tsubasa-focused arcs that have already presented us with what was essentially the entirety of Tsubasa’s character, whereas Kabuki expands on Shinobu's character dramatically.

  The middle of Second Season spikes dramatically in quality – though that isn’t to say the first two arcs are poorly written. Otori just happens to be one of my favorites. It gives a unique perspective on a character that was previously presented as a simple, cute girl. Conversely, Nadeko turns out to be anything but that, yet she isn’t written in a way that simply stops at subverting that adorable appearance. Instead, she's a girl who's wholly unstable in almost every aspect, hiding and shirking around the reality of who she is to just get by and live "normally" as best she can. The progression and inversion of Nadeko’s inward hatred for her outward self is very interesting to watch. The change from an internal monologue acknowledging her own faults and discontentment to outbursts of raw feelings and emotion towards her teacher and classmates showcases the contrasting sides of Nadeko’s rapidly deteriorating psyche. The final rejection of Koyomi’s pleading almost feels satisfying to watch, considering that, in truth, Nadeko is as much a victim as she is the perpetrator. Her insanity is made even more potent for the viewer when she breaks the fourth wall and offers her fantasized version of the final confrontation in the after-credits scene. Overall, the perspective shift to such a deranged, untrustworthy narrator is a very welcome, very fascinating one, easily cementing Otorimonogatari as one of the best arcs in the entire series.

  Moving on to the later arcs: Oni, although a weaker arc in comparison to everything else in SS, is more about building up some aspects of the world and the rules for apparitions and monstrosities for later stories. It falls short due to some lengthy portions of exposition dumping, which, obviously, are never pleasant for any viewer. Even more egregious is the fact that half of the information is prior knowledge. Still, the final episodes that focus more on Mayoi are very heartfelt and touching. Shinobu, although having a more minor role, lets more of her real personality spill out, although it’s nothing as significant as in Kabuki. Ultimately, it really doesn’t hold up to the rest of this season, but its brevity and finale keep it afloat among the other parts.

  Finally, Koimonogatari. Like all good sequels, Koi builds off everything set up in Otori. One completes the other, making a single, coherent story about a mentally unstable girl and an underhanded, yet caring, swindler. Kaiki's perspective is the most unique yet, offering insight into the inner workings of what was previously the only antagonist of the series. His methodology, half-truths, lies, excuses, and not-so-shady history with Hitagi are explored in full alongside his efforts to save his "hated rivals" from Nadeko. Kaiki goes from a previously minor, albeit rather foreboding, antagonist in Nise to a rich, fully realized character. Six episodes of characterization and development are enough to propel him to the very top of almost every tier list I have seen, a fact owed entirely to Nisio’s phenomenal writing within this arc. In fact, it’s safe to say every episode in this arc is practically perfect. Hitagi herself has some very genuine moments as she reconciles her past with Kaiki, entrusting everything she holds dear to the man she thought she hated, thus proving her affection and loyalty towards Koyomi. An overall excellent performance from most everyone involved in this portion.

  Overall, Second Season reiterates just how skilled Nisio is in writing exciting, intriguing characters and storylines. Bakemonogatari may have been slow for a first viewing, but the payoff in Second Season is so immense that it easily affects one’s opinion of the beginning. There is something within this section of Monogatari for everyone, regardless of whether you’re a fan of Tsubasa, Hitagi, Hachikuji, or otherwise. Characters that hardly seemed important are thrust forwards and given some of the best development seen yet, placing them easily among the likes of Tsubasa or Hitagi. Not only this, but these previously uninteresting individuals carry their respective arcs on their backs with their unique, unreliable take on the world and people around them. It’s safe to say that such a near-perfect season deserves all the acclaim and praise that it receives – and it definitely earns its spot among my favorites.

  Of course, the events of Second Season affect more than just those contained within it. Ougi is introduced abruptly and shown to be a very strange, mysterious actor within the story, seeding the minds of viewers with that uncomfortable feeling that something is off about her self-alleged role. Even more worrying, Ougi is revealed as the one who leaked the location of Kuchinawa’s body to Nadeko during Otorimonogatari, muddying her true goal even further and deepening the mystery surrounding her. Izuko is also given more screen time within Oni, showcasing her more serious, admittedly merciless side in her handling of the Mayoi situation. Neko White specifically foreshadows and hints at some particularly exciting situations that are revealed in Kabuki and, later, in Shinobu Mail. The finale of Koi even ends with the very first true death, creating an appropriately pathetic end for one of the best characters.

  But that might not be the whole truth.

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