Nisemonogatari

After a superb first season, SHAFT presents us with a second: Nisemonogatari. Here lies the question of the day – does Nisemonogatari deal justice to the path Bakemonogatari has paved for the Monogatari franchise?

The quick answer is ‘yes’ and ‘sort of’. The reason why I say this is that there is more to the ‘yes’ than three letters and a nod. Sequels are a continuation of events that have already happened, and in this case, Nisemonogatari follows on from the events of Bakemonogatari. It is interesting to note that the term ‘bake-monogatari’ can be translated into ‘monster story’, which actually is a decent summary of the first season, whereas the term ‘nise-monogatari’ can be translated into ‘fake story’, which, likewise, summarises the plot of the second season. Thus, Nisemonogatari is a story that revolves around ‘fakes’ or oddities that therein itself is not an oddity (Araragi Karen) and oddities that pretends to be something that it is not (Araragi Tsukihi). What is particularly interesting is the message or truth that the season relays to us – fakes are more real than the real itself – which I have to say is surprisingly thoughtful and accurate. More on that later.

As a continuation of Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari’s artwork, direction, and its uniqueness seen only in the Monogatari franschise is very nearly the same, so I don’t think there is any need for me to reiterate what I have already written in my previous post on Bakemonogatari. However, sequels are never really the same as the first, and it is these differences, both good and bad, that I would like to focus and elaborate upon in this post.

Unlike the first season which conquered five females, Nisemonogatari has devoted itself to two heroines, Araragi Karen and Araragi Tsukihi, whom are both Araragi Koyomi’s younger sisters. For the sake of removing future confusion with names, they shall be known in this post as Karen, Tsukihi and Araragi respectively. Two heroines in an eleven episode series implies two long arcs dedicated to deep character development for each lead female. However, what was meant to develop Karen’s and Tsukihi’s character somehow ended up elsewhere, with the majority of episodes being comprised of Araragi’s daily life and antics with all nine (Shinobu is included of course!) of the female cast, with not much direction to the plot. This isn’t a terrible thing, as I quite enjoyed these slice-of-life dedicated moments, however, the development of the relationship between the Araragi siblings which should have been the core of this season, although adequate, lacked impact and would have benefited with more screen-time. What needs to be commended of course is the time spent instead on developing various other characters (Shinobu, Kaiki, Kagenui, Ononoki), whom, although minor, will eventually have significance in later seasons, arcs, and movies of the franchise. Time was also spent to colorise the Monogatari universe, which brought on more depth and ultimately, more questions than the secrets that were revealed. I guess we will have to wait for SHAFT to adapt the rest of the series before that curiosity can be sated, eh? 

Karen Bee (Araragi Karen Arc, Episode 1-7)

Almost three-quarters of the series was dedicated to Karen, however, the time actually spent on her would be close to around less than half and episode’s worth (in fact, a lot of her development occurs during Tsukihi’s arc). Most of the time was spent on reintroducing the cast from Bakemonogatari, developing Shinobu (she finally talks!) and the ominous Kaiki Deshuu, and slowing treading to the not-so-climatic climax.

After the events of Bakemonogatari, Araragi continues on with his daily life, which predominantly includes studying under the tutelage of Hanekawa, and procrastinating in the form of spending quality time with Senjougahara and mingling with the other Bakemonogatari heroines. On his way back from visiting Kanbaru, he meets Kaiki, which spurs on a series of events, leading to Araragi being immobilised by Senjougahara in efforts to ‘protect’ him, as it is revealed that Kaiki is a con-man who had deceived Senjougahara in the past, and the root cause of Sengoku’s curse in Bakemonogatari. Meanwhile, Karen, with her fiery sense of justice (forming half of the ‘Fire Sisters’), had confronted Kaiki due to his involvement in selling fake-charms to the students of her school, and this did not end well for Karen whom became inflicted with the ‘Fire Bee’, and oddity in the form of a fever which leads in death. It was only after Araragi finds out about Karen’s predicament did he begin to counterattack, compromising with Senjougaraha, partially taking the illness away from Karen, and confronting Kaiki. It is later revealed that Karen’s ailment was' fake', and is more of a hypnosis which had led her to believe and react as if it were real. This theme is further emphasised with Kaiki whom is the personification of ‘fake’.

Tsukihi Phoenix (Araragi Tsukihi Arc, Episode 8-11)

Yozuru Kagenui, and her familiar, Yotsugi Ononoki, are introduced as they separately confront Araragi for directions to the abandoned school. On his way back home, Araragi finds them outside his home, and realises all too late that they were exterminists of immortal oddities. Shocking truths were revealed, including the fact that Kagenui, along with Kaiki, are both associated with Oshino in the fact that they were college 'friends' and members of the college's Occult Club. Such secrets were second only to the main dish - that Tsukihi was not his sister at all, but a Phoenix, an oddity which attaches itself to a female’s womb and is reborn. Araragi is confronted with the notion that Tsukihi was not his sister all along but a 'fake', however he quickly abolishes that preposition and faces off, with the help of Shinobu, against Kagenui and Ononoki to prove it.  

“Fakes are more real than the real itself.” This, as I mentioned before, pretty much sums up the entire season.

Toothbrush Scene (Episode 8)

By far the best and most iconic moment of the series – if you don’t plan on watching Nisemonogatari at all, at least watch this scene. Who would have thought that brushing someone else’s teeth would incur such eroticism? Bizarre but fresh, a new fetish is born! 

Oshino Shinobu

The cutest vampire loli ever! Can you guess who my favourite Monogatari character is?

Final Impressions

Overall, Nisemonogatari was a watchable sequel which nicely continued and contributed to the Monogatari universe. Yes, it did do justice to its predecessor (Bakmonogatari), however was it just as great? No. It wasn’t. The character and plot development for the Fire Sisters and their predicament were lacking and/or did not provide the impact that was demonstrated so well in Bakemonogatari. In fact, if I was to blame one thing, it would be that the series lacked ‘tension’, which personally produced a blander viewing. However, the series was not without merit and pleasantries of its own, with memorable scenes here and there which shone brightly to the Monogatari fandom, and had enough impact and power that it broke the world with a single toothbrush.

Author’s Note  

• Happy New Year! 2013 may be over, but an exciting 2014 awaits us - who knows what the year will entail, but expect a lot more posts and a lot more fun!
• As of the time of this post, I’m currently watching Monogatari Series: Second Season. I don’t know when I’ll make a post for it but I have to say that so far, it has blown me away – in a good way!!