Bakemonogatari

Koyomi Araragi, a third-year high school student, manages to survive a vampire attack with the help of Meme Oshino, a strange man residing in an abandoned building. Though being saved from vampirism and now a human again, several side effects such as superhuman healing abilities and enhanced vision still remain. Regardless, Araragi tries to live the life of a normal student, with the help of his friend and the class president, Tsubasa Hanekawa.

When fellow classmate Hitagi Senjougahara falls down the stairs and is caught by Araragi, the boy realizes that the girl is unnaturally weightless. Despite Senjougahara's protests, Araragi insists he help her, deciding to enlist the aid of Oshino, the very man who had once helped him with his own predicament.

Through several tales involving demons and gods, Bakemonogatari follows Araragi as he attempts to help those who suffer from supernatural maladies.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Senjougahara, Hitagi Main

Saitou, Chiwa Japanese

Araragi, Koyomi Main

Kamiya, Hiroshi Japanese

Hanekawa, Tsubasa Main

Horie, Yui Japanese

Hachikuji, Mayoi Main

Katou, Emiri Japanese

Kanbaru, Suruga Main

Sawashiro, Miyuki Japanese

Sengoku, Nadeko Main

Hanazawa, Kana Japanese

Oshino, Shinobu Supporting

Oshino, Meme Supporting

Sakurai, Takahiro Japanese

Araragi, Karen Supporting

Kitamura, Eri Japanese

Araragi, Tsukihi Supporting

Iguchi, Yuka Japanese

Iwakami, Atsuhiro Producer

Kubota, Mitsutoshi Producer

Hariu, Masayuki Producer

Ooshima, Miku Assistant Producer

Reviews

Apr 25, 2026

anonyymio

Recommended

This is review of the Monogatari series as a whole.

Venturing deep into Egyptian deserts in the 4th and 5th Century you will find monks such as John Cassian battling with vices, emotions and passions, which are in turn identified as spiritual creatures: demons, or spirits. The monks engage in conversations with them and try to identify the deep psychological causes and mechanisms causing them. Many of them are sexual passions. A type of psychotherapy, early pastoral care and spiritual guidance is born.

Japanese spirit(ual) psychology is fascinating, because it identifies a parallel word. Psychological malaises or untreated wants and desires manifest as spiritual creatures, bakemonos. There ... is a way of dealing with them spiritually, or they can be overcome psychologically. Identifying the creature and engaging in conversation with them gives hints on how the creature can be defeated, or sometimes it will be transformed and become your ally. Reminds of C.S. Lewis' take on sexuality in The Story of the Little Red Lizard.

Monogatari series is a deep exploration of human psyche, wants, and sexuality, or if one will, of the spiritual creatures that inhabit this area. I had many realizations during the watching of this series. It is not for those who flich at the first sight of fan service and panties or bras, but for those who recognize even loli Hachikuchi as a sexual creature herself. The persons in the series transform from puppets into actors, regaing their agency through series of trials that bring about self-recognition and self-knowledge. Extremely good series, if you can digest the dark stuff in it, although the quality of different side stories and arcs varies.

Overall: 9, different arcs: 7-10.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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May 6, 2026

Hiryuu_Ruka

Mixed Feelings

When I first watched this anime, I thought it was just another typical show. The dialogue felt strange, the pacing seemed random, and it honestly left me confused. But I was wrong. Upon rewatching it, everything felt different. From the start, Bakemonogatari isn't an anime that relies on action or a fast-paced plot instead, it thrives on sharp dialogue, heavy symbolism, and the psychological exploration of its characters. The storytelling is non-linear, filled with eccentric scene cuts, and can feel visually "noisy" but that’s exactly where its charm lies.

​I’ll be honest: I’ve never been someone interested in philosophy. However, somehow, this anime sparked that interest ... in me. Its delivery doesn't feel "preachy" it’s more like an invitation to reflect slowly. I began to realize that even the smallest conversations between characters hold incredibly deep meanings.

"To the person who recommended this to me honestly, screw you. I asked for a chill, healing anime, and you gave me a philosophical fever dream with dialogue so dense I need a PhD to keep up. But... somehow, I'm glad you did."

​The story follows Koyomi Araragi, a high school student who becomes involved in various supernatural phenomena linked to the traumas and personal struggles of those around him. Every case feels like a metaphor for internal conflict.


𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆
​The narrative doesn't focus on action but on the meaning behind every occurrence. Each arc serves as a representation of psychological issues:
​𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗶 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗯: About the weight of memories and past trauma.
​𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗶 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗶𝗹: A representation of losing one's way and family issues.
​𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘆: The duality of desire and internal resentment.
​𝗡𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗸𝗼 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗲: Social pressure and self-isolation.
​𝗧𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝘁: Perfectionism leading to severe stress and identity dissociation.
​This isn't a "get it instantly" type of story. It represents psychological burdens from the weight of the past to self-identity that leave you thinking long after the credits roll.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
​The characters are incredibly strong and possess immense depth:
​𝗞𝗼𝘆𝗼𝗺𝗶 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶: A complex protagonistprotagonist occasionally absurd but highly empathetic.
​𝗛𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗶 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮: Sharp and sarcastic, yet fragile.
​𝗧𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗸𝗮𝘄𝗮: Appears perfect but harbors deep internal conflict.
​𝗢𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗲: A "mentor" figure with a laid-back yet profound philosophy.
​The dialogue between them isn't just small talk it's more like a clash of mindsets.

𝗔𝗿𝘁
Produced by Studio Shaft, the visuals are distinctly unique and experimental, defined by unconventional camera angles such as Dutch tilts, overhead shots, and extreme close-ups on details like eyes or hands, alongside rapid text flashes that deliver novel quotes or production notes in quick succession. The series also embraces minimalist yet symbolic backgrounds, using geometric elements and negative space to shape its emotional atmosphere, while its quirky visual identity is further reinforced by touches like the iconic “Shaft head tilt.” Color is used deliberately as emotion, with red scenes conveying intensity or stress and black scenes marking transitions or moments of focus. It can feel strange at times, but that strangeness is precisely what defines its identity.

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
The production value extends to the ears. Each arc has its own OP sung by the respective heroine, perfectly capturing their vibe like Hachikuji’s energetic 「Kaerimichi」 The voice acting is top-tier Hiroshi Kamiya and Chiwa Saito deliver these monologues with such charisma that you’re glued to the screen even when "nothing is happening."


​Bakemonogatari isn't an anime you can just watch casually without thinking. It requires focus and patience due to its dense dialogue. However, if you enjoy something unique, philosophical, and full of meaningful conversation, this is definitely for you.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Oct 27, 2025

Shiota

Not Recommended

Funny

Well-written

Let's play a game. Imagine a show hailed as a modern classic: a surreal, dialogue-heavy “deconstruction” of the harem genre with unparalleled artistic direction. Sounds intriguing, right? Now, imagine that show is also a masterclass in padding, featuring a protagonist whose defining trait is being a passive creep, wrapped in an aesthetic that often feels like style for style's sake.

Welcome to Bakemonogatari, the anime that broke my brain not with its complexity, but with its relentless, self-satisfied tedium.

I didn't hate it. But after years of hearing it praised as a pinnacle of the medium, actually watching it felt like showing up to a legendary feast ... only to be served a beautifully plated, technically impressive, but ultimately flavorless meal. It's all technique, no soul.

The Structure: A Formula Wearing a Disguise

On the surface, the plot is simple and repetitive. Boy meets girl. Girl is afflicted by a supernatural "oddity." Boy gets the crap beaten out of him trying to help. A solution is found, often by someone else. The end.

This "Monster-of-the-Week" structure is a classic for a reason, but Bakemonogatari tries to hide its repetitive bones under layers of stylistic fat. Each arc is less about solving the mystery—the solutions are often abrupt and deus ex machina—and more about using the "oddity" as a heavy-handed metaphor for the girl's psychological trauma. The Crab represents weightlessness and isolation. The Snail represents being lost. The Monkey represents a suppressed rage.

It's a clever idea, but the execution is so on-the-nose that it loses its subtlety. The show is constantly winking at you, saying, "See? See how deep we are? This isn't just a show about a ghost; it's about the psychology of being haunted!" It's intellectualism for the sake of appearing intellectual, and the formula becomes transparent after the second or third iteration. You're not watching a story unfold; you're watching a statement be illustrated.

The Protagonist: Koyomi Araragi, The Beating Heart of the Problem

Koyomi Araragi is the centerpiece of the entire series, and he is, without a doubt, the most exhausting part. He's a self-proclaimed "loser" with a messiah complex, a guy who will throw himself into a fight he can't win to save a girl he just met, all while delivering a 5-minute monologue about the etymology of her name.

His self-deprecation isn't endearing; it's a defense mechanism. By constantly putting himself down, he preemptively deflects any real criticism. The narrative never truly punishes him for his hypocrisies—most notably, his creepy, persistent sexual harassment of a literal elementary school ghost, Mayoi Hachikuji. The show frames this as a "running gag," a quirky character trait. In reality, it's a jarring, uncomfortable flaw that the story seems to endorse, or at the very least, excuse.

Araragi doesn't feel like a person; he feels like a collection of writerly tics. He's a vessel for Nisio Isin's love of wordplay and a convenient plot device to make all the female characters orbit around him. His relationship with Senjougahara is the one element that feels grounded, but even that is born from a dynamic that would be toxic in any other context.

The "Shaft-iness": A Double-Edged Sword

There's no denying that the production, helmed by Studio Shaft, is unique. The show is a visual and auditory feast. But like a rich dessert, too much of it can make you sick.

The direction is relentlessly stylish. We get quick cuts to text cards, surreal background art, dramatic shifts in color palette, and characters staring directly into the camera. For the first few episodes, it's thrilling. But eventually, a sense of fatigue sets in. The style stops serving the story and starts overwhelming it. A simple conversation can't just be a conversation; it has to be a dizzying montage of head-tilts, screen wipes, and symbolic imagery.

It creates a barrier between you and the characters. Instead of feeling Senjougahara's pain during her confession, you're distracted by the fact that the entire scene is taking place on a spinning, abstract rendition of a playground. The artistry becomes a wall, not a window. It's as if the directors were afraid that if they let a scene breathe naturally, the audience would realize how thin the actual plot is.

The Verdict: A Worthy Slog, But a Slog Nonetheless

So, why does anyone, including myself in a strange way, have a begrudging respect for this series?

Because it tries. In an industry filled with safe, marketable tropes and isekai rehashes, Bakemonogatari is a bizarre, uncompromising vision. It's a show that demands your attention and refuses to dumb itself down. The dialogue, while exhausting, is genuinely clever. The character designs are iconic. The music by Satoru Kosaki is phenomenal. When the show does decide to have a genuine emotional moment, it lands with surprising force because you've had to work for it.

Watching Bakemonogatari is like visiting a modern art gallery. You'll walk past pieces that look like nonsense, you'll roll your eyes at the pretension, and you'll question what "art" even is. But then you'll stop in front of one painting—one perfect, understood-it-instantly painting—and in that moment, the entire frustrating experience feels worth it.

Is it a masterpiece? For some, undoubtedly. But for me personally, it's a beautiful, flawed, and profoundly exhausting experiment. It's a show I'm glad exists, but one I rarely feel the urge to revisit. It's less a story and more a spectacle; a brilliant and often irritating circus that you only need to see once.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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