Review of Bakemonogatari

To begin with, Bakemonogatari and its' corresponding series' are not for everyone. The pacing of the series seems a bit scattered to begin with, the style in which the anime is done is original, but may also be frustratingly over-the-top in its' originality. However, that shouldn't stop someone from at least giving the show a try. As far as story is concerned, the plot is, essentially, broken down into very brief arcs, with each 2-5 episodes (depending on the story) dealing with the protagonist's meetings with a girl housing a supernatural being. Every time a different girl's story begins, their name and the title of thecreature lets the viewer get an idea of what to expect.

The art is unique, with a blur of styles throughout every episode, a variety of colors, and shifting surroundings particular to whatever is being discussed, or whom is talking. While original, it can also be very tiring to keep up with the pace at which images and words are put on the screen.

With the soundtrack, it is well-done, and fits the show to a t, but it is not particularly moving. There are a few scenes in which it is very notable, but for the most part it is simply a background to the story.

Because there are so many characters in Bakemonogatari, and they are all explored in depth, it's wonderful to see them all unfold and interact. The girls all remain in the series after their introduction, leaving a small but tight cast of characters to enjoy.

I enjoyed the series overall, mostly because of the genre blend, the art, and mostly, the characters. The protagonist and the girls were all interesting to the point that it didn't feel like a traditional harem anime.