Review of Arakawa Under the Bridge
Did you watch the monogatari series and think 'damn, I really want to watch something just like that!' and then you go about your life for years on end, always reminiscing about that series thinking 'damn, there is just nothing quite like it.' Well, Arakawa is here to indulge us monogatari fans. With a lot of shared art, sound, music, and va, it is the perfect continuation. This show is so reminiscent of monogatari it even has mundane repetitive elevator music in the background of all the dialoge with the characteristic monogatari head turn around look and the same outrageous character reactions and disagreements. You couldeven imagine that they are in the same universe, just in different parts of it with how similar things are. There is a reason Ko is called 'the arakawa araragi'.
The only thing I would mention is that you should watch the parts after the ending credits. They are adorable.
That is it for this review really. Bellow you will find a more detailed breakdown with some spoilers.
1) The story is a 9/10 for me because it really doesn't have that depth monogatari had. Its a very shallow, and borderline meaningless world, and what keeps it afloat is the main duo's development. The rest of the characters are adamant about not changing and developing, seeing themselves as "their final forms". The story is really just a big middle finger to society and how it dictates what is normal and what isn't normal, what is success, happiness, love, etc. Its a great moral story with a lot less depth. The gold is in HOW the story is told, and not what is being told. We have heard this same moral since childhood in hundreds if not thousands of shows, movies, cartoons, etc, all the way from the micky mouse day's. But Arakawa does it in a very unique and very "studio shaft" way.
2) The art is...7/10. (5 being 'minimal effort used to not hurt your eyes with no real issues). Its got that signature shaft/monogatari art. I dig it, the contrast and the selective coloring makes things interesting. Shaft definitely has a unique way of keeping the 2D world uniquely 2D. Its almost like every anime they make is an art study in how to portray lighting in a true 2D way.
3) Sound is 8/10. The Voice actors are straight out of monogatari, so is the elevator music. But the music isn't as hand picked for every scene. I felt in monogatari the looped sound tracks were always representative of a certain feeling or scene, and they were hand crafted to really make certain emotions and/or feelings stand out during certain conversations or events. Yet here, it feels a bit more watered down. If it wasn't for the superb VA and the sound quality, it would be a 6/10 at best. There isn't a whole lot to write home about other than it scratches the monogatari itch but still feels second hand in comparison.
4) Characters are 10/10. This is why this show exists. Its a signature shaft style to strip the sound and art down to its bare bones. To only make you see and hear the bare minimum to tell the story, because the main focus is always on the characters. They are unique to say the least. Each is perfectly crafted in a way that makes you both confused, and forcefully accepting. The most relatable character, Ko, is quite literally the one character that changes, while the rest are like immovable objects while Nino is the unstoppable force, and Ko is just helpless, bound by his own rules to continue to change and develop. Who knew that being so stubborn and adamant would actually make you a better person. Its also nice that there is a generous amount of comedy, typical of a shaft show, but comedy with purpose none the less.
5) My enjoyment is a 10/10, because this is as close to a monogatari show as you can get without rewatching mongatari. Is it a watered down version? Yes. Does that make the shows meaning and purpose and execution any less great? No.
Give it a watch. Especially if you were turned off by monogatari's absurdity, this feels like a more docile version for new comers.