Monogatari is the name given to a series of Japanese light novels written by novelist Nisio Isin. The novels were illustrated by Vofan, a Taiwanese illustrator. There are a total of 24 novels, all published since 2006, and 5 more novels are planned to be released soon.
The novels have been adapted into anime by SHAFT, and the adaptations have been highly successful. The anime Monogatari it is made up of a central story, as well as a series of smaller short stories featuring different characters within the same universe.
They all follow a theme of strange characters with strange afflictions, within beautifully constructed stories that have deep meaning, while being light and fun to watch.
Below is a breakdown of the different seasons, which are vital when it comes to knowing the order in which to watch the series:
First season: Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari, Nekomonogatari black and Kizumonogatari.
Second season: Nekomonogatari White, Kabukumonogatari, Hanamonogatari, Otorimonogatari, Onimonogatari, and Koimonogatari.
Final season: Tsukimonogatari, Koyomimonogatari, Owarimongatari, Zoku Owarimonogatari.
The series can be viewed in chronological order, but this is not necessarily recommended as the best way to view the stories for the first time. The release of the second and final season has changed the chronological order for a bit of a loop, as the series was never intended to be viewed chronologically. The purpose of a shuffled timeline was made to create some mystery and anticipation, and to help add some major reveals along the way.
Although the series Monogatari it’s a big world with many characters, all related to a common theme. There are three recommended orders to watch the series Monogatari, depending on your knowledge of the series and how you prefer to experience it. There is an order for beginners, for those who are faithful to the novels, and then an order for those who have read the novels and want to watch the series in chronological order.
release order
This order is recommended for those who are entering the series for the first time. This is how most viewers have followed the story, since it is the most logical order: the order of release of the seasons and chapters of the animation is followed.
Viewing in this order is how SHAFT intended it to be, and possibly the best order for first-time viewers. The biggest difference in this order is that kizumonogatari, which is the origin story, is only shown later as the ending. Some feel this could leave a lot of questions unanswered for first-time viewers, but the other seasons and episodes provide enough information to follow the story line.
Normally this is the order in which most English viewers have enjoyed the series, since it was released as such for viewing.
First season:
1. bakemonogatari (2009) – Stories of Mayoi Snail, Hitagi Crab, Nadeko Snake, Suruga Money and Tsubasa Cat.
2. nisemonogatari (2012) – Stories of the Tsukihi Phoenix and Karen Bee.
3. Nekomonogatari Kuro (2012) – The Tsubasa Family Prequel Story
Second season:
1. Second season of the series Monogatari (2013) – Contains most of the single-story novels, including Mayoi Jiangshi, Shinobu Time, Tsubasa Tiger, and Final Hitagi.
2. Hanamonogatari (2014) – Story of the devil Suruga.
Final season:
1. tsukimonogatari (2014) – Yotsugi Doll Story
2. owarimonogatari (2015) – The Ougi Formula, Sodachi Loss, Sodachi Riddle and Shinobu Armor.
3. koyomimonogatari (2016) – Tells 12 different stories about Koyomi.
4. owarimonogatari (Part 2) (2017) – Hitagi encounter story, Ougi Dark stories, and Arargi Koyomi story, including other stories that could spoil the plot.
5. Zoku Owarimonogatari (2018) – This installment was initially released as a movie, but will be released as a 6-episode screening in 2019. It is the reverse story of Koyomi.
Out of season (Off Season):
1. orokamonogatari (Unannounced)
2. wazamonogatari (Unannounced)
3. nademonogatari (Unannounced)
4. Musubimonogatari (Unannounced)
Monster Season:
1. shinobumonogtari (Unannounced)
2. Yoimonogatari (Unannounced)
3. Amarimonogatari (Unannounced)
4. ougimonogatari (Unannounced)
5. shimonogatari (Unannounced)
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Chronological order
Many people find that rewatching the series, or watching it after reading the novels, is best enjoyed in chronological order. The sheer number of stories and characters in this universe means there’s a lot to revisit, and there’s always new things to learn the second time around.
The chronological order is recommended for advanced fans, who will not be confused by missing information that has not yet been revealed or clarified. Beginners will be a bit lost in this order, as there will be a few jumps between certain novels before finishing one at a time.
- wazamonogatari
- kizumonogatari
- Nekomonogatari (Black)
- bakemonogatari
- nisemonogatari
- kabukimonogatari
- onimonogatari
- Owarimonogatari Vol. 2
- Nekomonogatari (White)
- Owarimonogatari Vol. 1
- wazamonogatari
- orokamonogatari
- otorimonogatari
- Koimonogatari
- tsukimonogatari
- Owarminogatari Vol.3
- Zoku Owarimonogatari
- Hanamonogatari
- shinobumonogatari
- wazamonogatari
- Orokamonogatari (Airhead Suruga)
- Orokamonogatari (Undo Tsukihi)
- nademonogatari
- Musubimonogatari
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Order of Nisio Isin
This order is the original release order of the light novels. It is the order in which the author Nisio Isin intended the novels to be read. The chronological order is changed throughout, but this is completely intentional and works to create a more complete story and universe of characters.
If you want to enjoy the stories as they were created to be enjoyed, this is the order to follow. It will be a bit devoid of the mystery and anticipation that Kizumonogatari brings, as well as having some small changes to the narrative, but it stays true to the story.
First season:
1. bakemonogatari (2006) – Stories of Snail Mayoi, Hitagi Crab, Nadeko Snake, Suruga Money and Tsubasa Cat.
2. kizumonogatari (2008) – Prequel to the Monogatari series.
3. nisemonogatari (2008-2009) – Stories of the Tsukihi Phoenix and Karen Bee.
4. Nekomonogatari Black (2010) – Prequel story of the Tsubasa family.
Second season:
1. Nekomonogatari White (2010) – Story of Tsubasa Hanekawa from his own perspective.
2. kabukimonogatari (2010) – A time travel story with Araragi Koyomi and Oshino Shinobu.
3. Hanamonogatari (2011) – Story of the devil Suruga.
4. otorimonogatari (2011) – The story follows Medusa Nadeko and her journey to fend for herself.
5. onimonogatari (2011) – The story of the Shinobu altar.
6. Koimonogatari (2011) – Hitagi Senjougahara makes a deal with the gods to protect Koyomi Araragi.
Final season:
1. tsukimonogatari (2012) – Story about the Yotsugi Doll
2. Koyomimonogatari (2013) – Tells 12 different stories about Araragi Koyomi.
3. owarimonogatari (2013-2014) – The Ougi Formula, Sodachi Loss, Sodachi Riddle and Shinobu Armor.
4. Zoku Owarimonogatari (2014) – This was originally going to be released as a movie, but it was split into six episodes in 2019. It tells the story of Koyomi, but in reverse.
Out of season (Off Season):
1. orokamonogatari (2015) – Story about Failure Sodachi, Airhead Suruga and Undo Tsukihi.
2. wazamonogatari (2016) – Cruel Fairy Tale: Blonde Princess
3. nademonogatari (2016) – Nadeko Drawing Story
4. Musubimonogatari (2017) – Four stories: Mermaid Zenka, Wolf Mitome, Golem Nozomi and Human Tsuzura.
Monster Season:
1. shinobumonogatari (2017) – Story of Shinobu Oshino.
2. Yoimonogatari (2018) – Araragi and the Loli trio attempt to kidnap a girl
3. Amarimonogatari (Unannounced) – Story about Yotsugi Body and Yotsugi Shadow.
4. ougimonogatari (Unannounced) – Story about Ougi Light and Ougi Fright (untranslated official names)
5. shinomonogatari (Unannounced) – Stories about Deathtopia Destiny, Deathtopia Destination, and Deathtopia Death Education. (official names not translated)
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When is it recommended to watch Kizumonogatari?
Kizumonogatari is a prequel that explains how the whole story behind the series began. There’s really no consensus on when to watch this series of stories, so there are a few different options to choose from. There is some freedom to choose when you want to see kizumonogatariso it just depends on what makes sense to you.
Before Bakemonogatari
Watching it before everything else is valid, and the author stated that it is a prequel, but watching it before the other stories is not recommended. The style is quite different from the rest of the series, and this may put some people off from following the series.
Between Bakemonogatari and Nisemonogatari
Nisio Isin (the author of the novels) recommended that this be the moment where you should see Kizumonogatari. bakemonogatari gives the viewer a good handle on information about the universe Monogatari and kizumonogatari It will help give more clarity to the story in the future.
Between Koyominogatari and Owarimonogatari (Second Season)
Although this separates the stories from two major arcs, it was in this order that it was animated. If you follow the series and fast forward, it shouldn’t be a big problem to see kizumonogatari in this point.
Between Owarimonogatari and Koyomimonogatari
This is probably the most coherent way of looking at it. It doesn’t separate any of the arcs and makes more sense. It wasn’t animated like this, but the story will have a little more clarity if you look at it in this order.
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What is Monogatari about?
The base story follows Koyomi Araragi, a third-year high school student. Koyomi suffered an attack by a vampire, transforming into a vampire for a period of time.
This abrupt introduction to the supernatural world takes him on a journey to meet different characters during his life. The girls she meets and helps are involved in the supernatural world, and they will all carry an item that is related to their afflictions.
The story follows both Koyami and the girls he gradually gets to know over an extended period of time. Because the series covers a certain number of years, there is some confusion about the order in which it should be watched.
Bows are made to be experienced in a messy way. This may cause confusion, but if you look at it chronologically, some consistency will be lost. The series is made in such a way that it seems mysterious and a puzzle to be put together, so don’t let that stop you from taking an interest in it.
Regardless of the order in which it is viewed, the series is an anime gem and is one of the most recognized for its experimental animation and story. It is highly recommended.
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