Part of the Monogatari Series – Sequel to Tsukimonogatari
Genre(s): Seinen, Supernatural, Mystery, Psychological
Age-Appropriateness: 17+ (Violence, Profanity)
Platforms: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12
TheAwersome Rating: 8.3 / 10 (Here’s good stuff)
Premise: During October of his third year in high school, Koyomi Araragi is introduced to a transfer student named Ougi Oshino by his underclassman Suruga Kanbaru. Ougi tells Koyomi that she has something she wishes to consult with him. When she draws the map of Naoestu High School, she finds something peculiar on the map she draws. This discovery reveals a tale that wasn’t meant to be told and makes Koyomi’s high school life totally different. This is the story that brings to light “what” makes Koyomi Araragi. This is the story that reveals the “beginning” of everything.
TheAwersome’s Thoughts: This was a fun one. It had a lot more of a mystery aspect to it than previous seasons, giving us, the viewers, a fun ride along the way as we try to figure out what’s going on as well. It makes paying attention to detail that much more rewarding. There’s a lot of GREAT dialogue in this season that really digs into the characters, specifically Koyomi and Shinobu. It honestly felt like sitting in on a good therapy session getting to the real, raw roots of why characters act the way they do. What motivates their ideologies and actions, being forced to confront that, and doing deep introspection. Love it. There’s a satisfyingly creepy aura around Ougi that makes me very interested in the follow-up with who/what she is. Oh, and there’s hardly any of the annoying ecchi in this season if I recall, so that’s another win.
TLDR: Solid Monogatari with added mystery and great character-digging dialogue.
Owari means “Ending” or “The end” so Owarimonogatari can be translated as “End Story”
CHRONOLOGY: The first season of Owarimonogatari comprises four stories, Ougi Formula, Sodachi Riddle, Sodachi Lost, and Shinobu Mail, in that order. Chronologically, however, Shinobu Mail takes place immediately following the “Shinobu Time” arc in Monogatari Series: Second Season (August 23rd-25th), both of which take place during the events of “Tsubasa Tiger.” Ougi Formula and the Sodachi arcs take place in October, before the events of the “Nadeko Medusa” arc in Monogatari: Second Season.
It is of VITAL importance that you DO NOT WATCH the second season of Owarimonogatari until after watching Koyomimonogatari, as it directly precedes it.
This is quite solidly my favorite installment in the Monogatari Series thus far; I feel that the psychological aspects and dialogue are back with a fascinating vengeance. I also like the fact that there’s a girl who not only isn’t head-over-heels for Araragi but loathes his existence. The highlight for this installment in my opinion is the Shinobu Mail arc which is packed with character development, exploration, and dialogue that is extremely satisfying.
At a Glance Anime 