Interested in Monogatari Series?

Maybe you just heard about this Series from memes or Tiktok because of Renai Circulation song from Bakemonogatari. But if you're really interested in this series then you should read this article first. Monogatari Series might be the most confusing anime for everyone. Not just because of its unique story and storytelling but also the order on what series you should watch first. It's even more confusing than Fate series since you can still understand the story in Fate if you follow the release date. While Monogatari series are not chronologically correct by its release date. So if you're one of those people who watched straight to Bakemonogari and found this anime boring, you should reconsider this because you just watched it in a wrong way.

Here's the proper order in watching Monogatari Series;

1. Kizumonogatari

Isn't it confusing. Bakemonogatari is the first released series in 2010 but Kizumonogatari should be the first to watch even though it's released on 2016?. Kizumonogatari is basically where the story started at. How Araragi met the Vampire Oddity Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade (later known as Oshino Shinobu) which greatly changed his life. It also showed how he met met Hanekawa and Oshino Meme and become closer with each other. This is one of my favorite arc and I'm sure you'll love and understand the series more because of this.

2. Nekomonogatari: Kuro

This is where we can see the second Oddity which is Hanekawa herself as she is possessed by "Sawari Neko". We can learn more about Hanekawa in this arc and what will happen to her relationship with Araragi. This is a great turning point of the story because the story will focus more on Araragi later.

3. Bakemonogatari

After watching those two arcs you'll be able to finally understand Bakemonogatari and everything will all makes sense. This is where Araragi found the girl that he really loves, as he met Senjougahara who's been possessed by a Crab Oddity. He also met Hachikuji Mayoi (Snail Oddity), Kanbaru Suruga (Monkey Arm Oddity) and also Nadeko Sengoku (Snake Oddity and the girl in Renai Circulation). They also tackle the problem about Sawari Neko of Hanekawa once more and tried to solve the problem. This is just the start of all things in the series and everything is just getting started.

4. Nisemonogatari

This is where the story started to get more interesting. We will going to learn about the Oddity that possessed to Araragi younger sisters. This is also the introduction of Kaiki Deishuu and his involvement in some oddities like Nadeko, Karen, Tsukihi and even to Senjougahara.

5. Monogatari Series: Second Season

This is basically a sequel to Bakemonogatari as we will know all of the revelations from the characters in Bakemonogatari. For example Hanekawa as she encounter her other Oddity which is the Tiger which form from her desires that she never got. Mayoi and the darkness which chases her in order to erase her existence because she no longer works as her oddity supposed to be. They also tried to travel in the past in order to save Mayoi in the accident that turns her into Oddity. And my favorite is the time where we learn the true colors of Sengoku Nadeko. She may looks like a cute and adorable because of the opening songs but within her angelic face lies darkness in her heart. Thats where they are going to fix everything up even it means asking help to Kaiki Deishuu which is Araragi hates.

6. Tsukimonogatari

Yotsugi Ononoki is a very important character in this arc. She is first introduced in Monogatari Series Second Season as an expressionless doll oddity. And in this arc Araragi has a problem regarding with his vampiric powers as his reflection can't be seen in the mirror. It is a sign that he is turning more into a vampire. He asked helped to Ononoki and thats where he met Yozuru Kagenui (Ononoki Master) and gave him two choices. Refrain from using vampiric power or just give up being human and become fully vampire.

7. Owarimonogatari

This arc is just amzing and maybe one of the best. This is where they dug one of Araragi's forgotten past thanks to Oshino Ougi. We will met Sodachi Oikura and why she hates Araragi so much and why she didn't go to school for the past few years. Later we will also know her back story and to give you a little clue. It's one of the darkest backstory in the whole series. Sodachi Oikura is definitely a one time great character introduced in this series. They also introduced the first vampire that Shinobu made and their closure.

8. Owarimonogatari Second Season

This is where thing will start to settle down and almost all problems will be solve. Araragi managed to save Mayoi in hell and this is where they will know the true Identity of Oshino Ougi which we may call her the main villain of this story. This is the most satisfying ending from a very long anime. The true Identity of Ougi is definitely a surprise for me and it is something I didn't expect for. Overall this is a masterpiece.

9. Zoku Owarimonogatari

This is a story of beginning after the end. Cause Zoku Owarimonogatari is a special story after Owarimonogatari. This is where Araragi will finish all of his doubts and regrets that happened to him. This story is actually my favorite because of their great representation of Mirror. Truely a masterpiece and it just showed how this series deserve to be called a masterpiece.

10. Hanamonogatari

And finally the final arc. Which is to solve the problem of Kanbaru's arm. Kanbaru solved the problem of her arm herself because we all know that Araragi's story ended. This arc is also dark and an ending we all deserve for.

Monogatari series is probably one of those anime with unique storytelling. I like how those animation goes well with storytelling too. Not the most diverse but definitely one of the most richest story in anime. A must watch!