Review of Zoku Owarimonogatari

Zoku Owarimonogatari is an unseemingly fitting epilogue to Owarimonogatari Second Season. Whereas Owarimonogatari Second Season focused on wrapping up the plot of the Monogatari Series, Zoku Owarimonogatari focused on wrapping up the themes and feelings of the Monogatari Series. From a visual standpoint, do not expect Kizumonogatari visuals even though Zoku Owarimonogatari is a movie. Zoku Owarimonogatari looks and sounds just like a regular, high-quality Monogatari Series Arc. The notable thing missing is the sporadic flashing walls of text. I don’t know for sure if no other arc has completely taken them out like this, but this is the first time I’m noticing it. BeforeI get any angry comments about the flashing walls of text at the end, I wouldn’t count those. Fight me.

Zoku Owarimonogatari is a mystery arc much like the Sodachi Arc. Both arcs start with a hazy premise surrounded by mystery. This mystery then slowly and climactically resolves ending in an epiphany. Given, Zoku Owarimonogatari’s epiphany is actually wholesome, unlike the dark and gruesome Sodachi Arc epiphany. Surprisingly, both are a coming of age piece about coming to peace with the past but in completely different contexts.

Having said that, I believe Zoku Owarimonogatari is the first actual coming of age arc of the series. A few arcs feature a coming of age theme, but none are solely about it. This is a fitting theme to end the Monogatari Series on. Zoku Owarimonogatari, despite its name, is not a shallow sequel or cash grab. Zoku Owarimonogatari has as much of what I’d call plot and character orchestration and conviction as something like Owarimonogatari Second Season. Every part, every detail, every line is so well thought out and makes perfect sense not only within itself but within the entire Monogatari Series universe. This unique cohesiveness that is found in Kizumonogatari, Owarimonogatari Series Second Season, and now Zoku Owarimonogatari is truly the hallmark of the Monogatari Series. There’s an indistinguishable feeling of belonging and nostalgia the Monogatari Series provides that I value very highly. I can count on one hand the number of series I’ve enjoyed as much as the Monogatari Series.

Zoku Owarimonogatari is an absolute must-watch. It does a better job of giving us insight into the Monogatari Series world and characters than even Owarimonogatari Second Season. Zoku Owarimonogatari is the definitive epilogue we needed but did not deserve.

InB4: There’s actually more Monogatari. Bet.

A passing thought: I need to rewatch Hanamonogatari. Why is that the end and not this? It just spoils the ending to this telling us he did get accepted into the college. Tsk tsk. Much confused.

Ending thoughts: I will write these in my review of Bakemonogatari because that’s a more fitting place to attempt to encourage people to watch the series.