Review of Bakemonogatari

“There's Deneb, Altair, and Vega!” I recall you pointing out the Summer Triangle As I look up to the sky." With the Monogatari series as a whole I believe that there is a spectrum, and what draws the line between people or fans is either absolutely HATING it or loving it to bliss. I'm the fan who loves it, and always will. Despite the cheap and questionable fanservice, the references to outside media, and the standard character archetypes, it is always aware of itself- it always brings itself back up afterward. Because behind each of those characters, whether it's a tsundere, tomboy, or shy classmate- there is amental struggle. There is depth to each one of them, and the concept of making monsters, folk legends, or gods relevant and connected to trauma, mental health, and feeling alone really shows the darkness that those feelings can create. Not only that but prevailing and curing that illness, and finding new meaning and progression in the world afterward. I just find it beautiful as someone who struggles with myself.

The artwork is amazing, the composition, the dialogue, the music, the colors, the animation, everything. I love everything about the Monogatari series. And I don't care if I'm called a pedophile or lame for it. Because it's helped even me get through my own dark times, my own monster tales!

I think Bakemonogatari is a great introduction to the franchise, getting to understand each character's placement in the world and how they all feel connected one after the other. I also think the pacing is great for this going from part to part. The music in Bakemonogatari is honestly just classic, this is where Renai Circulation was born- but that's not even the only banger. I'm a fan of staple stable and supercell's "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari". From start to finish the progression in story and characters was just smooth. So although only being the first of the franchise, it still draws me in!

For newcomers- make sure you watch Bakemonogatari with 15 episodes- not 12. And I do not recommend watching it on Crunchyroll, the quality is really bad and they don't have all the episodes. Thas all. Enjoy it. or not. :3