Anime Review - Bakemonogatari (2009)

Based on the light novels of the same name written by NISIOISIN, Bakemonogatari follows our lead, Koyomi Araragi, who, after surviving a vampire attack, is cured of his vampirism but still possesses remarkable healing abilities. From then on, he tries to live a normal high school life. That is until he catches Hitagi Senjougahara when she falls down the stairs. He notices that she is weightless. Senjougahara threatens him, wanting him to never mention this discovery to anyone. However, Araragi wants to help her. From there, Araragi stumbles upon people who need help overcoming their supernatural cases.

The series is famous for two things: dialogue and fan service. We will start with the dialogue, as it’s the aspect of the show I love the most. Compared to a lot of other anime, Bakemonogatari is filled with many moments of sheer monologues and characters talking to each other with fast interactions and creative wordplay. The wordplay even starts before you press play on the show. The title Bakemonogatari is not a real word; it is a neologism, combining the word “Bakemono,” which means monster, and “Monogatari,” which means tale. So, the title translates into “Monster Tale,” which is a fun title. There are many more moments like this, and it leads to a unique product. Never have I watched an anime where I have been so gripped and fascinated by sheer word choice.

The incredible dialogue creates a world and story that are rich with layers and meaning. The show is more than just a monster-of-the-week type of story; it uses apparitions to explore our characters in ways that are spellbinding. Stories about how to get rid of a curse turn into explorations of mental health and trauma. The show is closer to a coming-of-age drama than a monster story.

However, for a show that is very dialogue-driven, you might think that the animation would be lacking. This is not the case. Shaft pulled out all the stops with this show and created a visual aesthetic that is unlike anything else. From quick flashes on the screen showcasing extracts from the books to the way the animation style changes for both comedic and dramatic effects, the show is in a league above anything else.

However, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: fan service. Anime is no stranger to fan service, which is mainly present to appeal to young men. I know these moments can alienate some viewers of all genders but mainly females. Bakemonogatari, while not filled to the brim with it, does feature moments of fan service. Focusing on how the show handles it, I feel it is fine. The reason why I don’t mind it is that, for most of it, the female characters are fully aware they are being flirtatious and sexy. Fan service is used to tease the main lead, and in a way, it highlights that part of growing up is exploring what it means to be sexually active. However, some moments don’t fit that description and suffer because of it.

Bakemonogatari is a wonderful show. I was gripped from episode one when Hitagi Senjougahara put both a stapler and a blade in Koyomi Araragi’s mouth. I enjoyed all 15 episodes and cannot wait to watch more.