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Monogatari #8
鬼物語 [Onimonogatari]
It, like the dark that makes up most of the cosmos, is not an aberration. Nonbeing can swallow you whole, yet if anything, it’s the anti-aberration. Darkness, in fact, is the Law, an executioner from whom a mark can try to run and hide, but only for so long. When it comes calling, the fortunate just might have the time to say goodbye. And the Darkness is—here now.
Before ever visiting Japan to find a place to die, four centuries, indeed, before her failed suicide attempt, the legendary vampire Kissshot literally stepped foot on the land of the rising sun with an epic jump that ended a lonely sojourn in Antarctica. It was back in those days that the proud noble created her first thrall. It was then, too, that she first met the Darkness.
Having messed with a more recent past with her help, and returning to the present to reunite with two more characters that look like little girls but are actually his elders, Thrall No. 2 Araragi reclaims the mic only to cede it in large part to the bloodsucking demon who goes by “Shinobu” these days. Her story, though, may not even be the most poignant one told herein.
Before ever visiting Japan to find a place to die, four centuries, indeed, before her failed suicide attempt, the legendary vampire Kissshot literally stepped foot on the land of the rising sun with an epic jump that ended a lonely sojourn in Antarctica. It was back in those days that the proud noble created her first thrall. It was then, too, that she first met the Darkness.
Having messed with a more recent past with her help, and returning to the present to reunite with two more characters that look like little girls but are actually his elders, Thrall No. 2 Araragi reclaims the mic only to cede it in large part to the bloodsucking demon who goes by “Shinobu” these days. Her story, though, may not even be the most poignant one told herein.
292 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2011
About the author
NisiOisiN
289 books1,016 followersNisio Isin (西尾維新 Nishio Ishin), frequently written as NisiOisiN to emphasize that his pen name is a palindrome, is a Japanese novelist and manga writer. He attended and left Ritsumeikan University without graduating. In 2002, he debuted with the novel Kubikiri Cycle, which earned him the 23rd Mephisto Award at twenty years of age.
He currently works with Kodansha on Pandora, the Kodansha Box magazine, and Faust, a literary magazine containing the works of other young authors who similarly take influence from light novels and otaku culture. He was also publishing a twelve volume series over twelve months for the Kodansha Box line; Ryusui Seiryoin was matching this output, and the Kodansha Box website stated that this is the first time in the world two authors have done twelve volume monthly novel series simultaneously from the same publisher.
In February, 2008, his novel Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases was released in English by Viz Media. Del Rey Manga has already released the first volume in his Zaregoto series. His Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Katanagatari novels have been adapted into anime series. Nekomonogatari (Kuro) has been adapted into an anime TV movie, and Kizumonogatari will be release in theaters this year. Monogatari Series: Second Season, adapted from 6 books in Monogatari Series will air in July 2013. Another of his works, Medaka Box (manga), has been adapted into a two-season anime series.
He currently works with Kodansha on Pandora, the Kodansha Box magazine, and Faust, a literary magazine containing the works of other young authors who similarly take influence from light novels and otaku culture. He was also publishing a twelve volume series over twelve months for the Kodansha Box line; Ryusui Seiryoin was matching this output, and the Kodansha Box website stated that this is the first time in the world two authors have done twelve volume monthly novel series simultaneously from the same publisher.
In February, 2008, his novel Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases was released in English by Viz Media. Del Rey Manga has already released the first volume in his Zaregoto series. His Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Katanagatari novels have been adapted into anime series. Nekomonogatari (Kuro) has been adapted into an anime TV movie, and Kizumonogatari will be release in theaters this year. Monogatari Series: Second Season, adapted from 6 books in Monogatari Series will air in July 2013. Another of his works, Medaka Box (manga), has been adapted into a two-season anime series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 12, 2018
If there's one particular 'something' that makes NisiOisiN one of my favourite authors, it's how he writes everything around one particular focal point for each of his tales. It's like a black hole, sucking everything around it in.
I was originally torn by both Nisemonogatari stories for going more off-course than every novel before it, but Onimonogatari takes the metaphorical cake, runs away with it, does a u-turn, and smashes you in the face with it (after, of course, trying to get someone else to buy said cake for a profit but being turned away at every corner because no one wants a cake that's melting before your eyes). To continue the metaphor, as NisiOisiN surely would have wanted, I still think that cake with the sloppy frosting tastes better - or at least much rawer - than a cake that's kept artificially cold.
When you take out that cake that's been frozen in time and take out the knife, you realise just how cold and hard the refrigerator has been keeping it. It's not that it takes that much away from it originally being a delicious cake, but I definitely would have preferred having a slice of cake that's quickly melting away in the eat. Even if I don't get to have quite as many slices. Keep a cake in the refrigerator too long, and it'll become something that barely resembles what it was in the first place.
Its taste; its flavour; its essence; it's been sucked into the void and become nothing.
But we're getting off-track here. This review's meant to be about Onimonogatari - I realise that, so please hold off on the criticism until you've reached the end of my review. If it manages to reach an end, that is.
We're reaching the end of the Second Season, with only one conclusive volume remaining. Onimonogatari fills in the gap of knowledge surrounding what happened concurrently with Araragi while Hanekawa was busy dealing with her Tiger. NisiOisiN's done a prequel tale, a mid-quel tale, two false sequels, a far-flung future pseudo-epilogue, a far-flung tale of the past that starts in the present and ends exactly where it starts, a tale that has yet to end, and a tale that takes place at the same time as another tale that changes the perspective. You can never fault the author for not playing around with plot devices and story setups as creatively as possible to keep his loving audience hooked. I, for one, was reeled in hook, line, and sinker.
Onimonogatari is something of a return to form. It's serious and focused on Shinobu like Kizumonogatari, exceptionally frivolous like Nisemonogatari, and a very laboured return to what defines the existence of abberations. This is a history lesson as much as it is a gripping tale full of light-hearted humour and devoid of light. Araragi once again takes the reins, but he's predominately re-telling Kissshot's long-lost tale of darkness. More than half of it is the tale of a cold-blooded, hot-blooded and iron-blooded demon. It's a tale that gets so far off-track, misses the mark, and avoids the issue that every character - no, in fact, even the audience - loses their way.
This is easily one of the best tales in Second Season for its great comedy, narrow focus on characters, and long-winded reprisal of what made Bakemonogatari and Kizumonogatari so great. It's a story full of the best twists and turns - not because you don't see them coming, but because, after so much time, you can't help but see them coming. NisiOisiN is ruthless with the Monogatari Series' continuity, which allows him to revisit, reinterpret and flat-out pervert what has come before. And this tale is just that; it's a retelling of everything that has come before engulfed in darkness.
Onimonogatari is the tale of a demonic deviant and a contrived falsehood. The foreshadowing is just as wickedly in-your-face as every tale before it, and you'll kick someone for not picking up on anything. It's diabolically eloquent, hauntingly dark, and fiendishly roundabout.
It has just about everything you could ask for in the freshest iteration of the Monogatari Series.
Except Senjougahara. Sorry about that. Next volume, maybe?
I was originally torn by both Nisemonogatari stories for going more off-course than every novel before it, but Onimonogatari takes the metaphorical cake, runs away with it, does a u-turn, and smashes you in the face with it (after, of course, trying to get someone else to buy said cake for a profit but being turned away at every corner because no one wants a cake that's melting before your eyes). To continue the metaphor, as NisiOisiN surely would have wanted, I still think that cake with the sloppy frosting tastes better - or at least much rawer - than a cake that's kept artificially cold.
When you take out that cake that's been frozen in time and take out the knife, you realise just how cold and hard the refrigerator has been keeping it. It's not that it takes that much away from it originally being a delicious cake, but I definitely would have preferred having a slice of cake that's quickly melting away in the eat. Even if I don't get to have quite as many slices. Keep a cake in the refrigerator too long, and it'll become something that barely resembles what it was in the first place.
Its taste; its flavour; its essence; it's been sucked into the void and become nothing.
But we're getting off-track here. This review's meant to be about Onimonogatari - I realise that, so please hold off on the criticism until you've reached the end of my review. If it manages to reach an end, that is.
We're reaching the end of the Second Season, with only one conclusive volume remaining. Onimonogatari fills in the gap of knowledge surrounding what happened concurrently with Araragi while Hanekawa was busy dealing with her Tiger. NisiOisiN's done a prequel tale, a mid-quel tale, two false sequels, a far-flung future pseudo-epilogue, a far-flung tale of the past that starts in the present and ends exactly where it starts, a tale that has yet to end, and a tale that takes place at the same time as another tale that changes the perspective. You can never fault the author for not playing around with plot devices and story setups as creatively as possible to keep his loving audience hooked. I, for one, was reeled in hook, line, and sinker.
Onimonogatari is something of a return to form. It's serious and focused on Shinobu like Kizumonogatari, exceptionally frivolous like Nisemonogatari, and a very laboured return to what defines the existence of abberations. This is a history lesson as much as it is a gripping tale full of light-hearted humour and devoid of light. Araragi once again takes the reins, but he's predominately re-telling Kissshot's long-lost tale of darkness. More than half of it is the tale of a cold-blooded, hot-blooded and iron-blooded demon. It's a tale that gets so far off-track, misses the mark, and avoids the issue that every character - no, in fact, even the audience - loses their way.
This is easily one of the best tales in Second Season for its great comedy, narrow focus on characters, and long-winded reprisal of what made Bakemonogatari and Kizumonogatari so great. It's a story full of the best twists and turns - not because you don't see them coming, but because, after so much time, you can't help but see them coming. NisiOisiN is ruthless with the Monogatari Series' continuity, which allows him to revisit, reinterpret and flat-out pervert what has come before. And this tale is just that; it's a retelling of everything that has come before engulfed in darkness.
Onimonogatari is the tale of a demonic deviant and a contrived falsehood. The foreshadowing is just as wickedly in-your-face as every tale before it, and you'll kick someone for not picking up on anything. It's diabolically eloquent, hauntingly dark, and fiendishly roundabout.
It has just about everything you could ask for in the freshest iteration of the Monogatari Series.
Except Senjougahara. Sorry about that. Next volume, maybe?
November 25, 2018
After the last volume was my least favorite, this one really bounced back. Loved having Araragi back in the driver seat, and even got Shinobu to take over for much of this one.
August 14, 2021
Mayoi Hachikuji’s departure broke me. Because she was always very fun and witty, also her “slip of tongue” cracked me all the times. I’ll miss her.
Despite Mayoi, I stand by what I said. Sometimes the way NisioIsin writes the interactions between Araragi and under age girls bothers me. As for Shinobu tale about her thrall, it started interesting but ended being ok. Her conversations with Araragi got convoluted sometimes, making the plot not that appealing. Mostly due to the lack of character development in the first part. Also, I’m dying of curiosity to find out more about Ogi, they(at this point I don’t know how this character identifies anymore because Koyomi uses female pronouns and Subaru used male) appeared throughout season two, but didn’t tell much. I’m enjoying this series a lot and can’t wait find out what happens in the next novel.
Despite Mayoi, I stand by what I said. Sometimes the way NisioIsin writes the interactions between Araragi and under age girls bothers me. As for Shinobu tale about her thrall, it started interesting but ended being ok. Her conversations with Araragi got convoluted sometimes, making the plot not that appealing. Mostly due to the lack of character development in the first part. Also, I’m dying of curiosity to find out more about Ogi, they(at this point I don’t know how this character identifies anymore because Koyomi uses female pronouns and Subaru used male) appeared throughout season two, but didn’t tell much. I’m enjoying this series a lot and can’t wait find out what happens in the next novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2023
DNF/5 Stars: ‘Onimonogatari: Demon Tale’ by NisiOisiN.
→ Age Range: Young Adult.
→ Genre: Satirical, Urban Fantasy.
→ Book Type: Light Novel.
Favourite Quote: ‘Though they might be an oddity or a human strictly speaking, whoever performs a miracle is deemed to be a god.’
In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★
→ Character Development: ★
→ Setting: ★
→ Entertainment Level: ★
→ Writing: ★
→ Art (If Applicable): N/A.
General Comments: DNF @ Page 123. Review not Applicable.
Time Read: Four Days.
→ Audiobook: No.
→ Audiobook Narrator: -
Trigger Warnings: Trigger Warnings not Available. Read with Discretion.
→ Age Range: Young Adult.
→ Genre: Satirical, Urban Fantasy.
→ Book Type: Light Novel.
Favourite Quote: ‘Though they might be an oddity or a human strictly speaking, whoever performs a miracle is deemed to be a god.’
In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★
→ Character Development: ★
→ Setting: ★
→ Entertainment Level: ★
→ Writing: ★
→ Art (If Applicable): N/A.
General Comments: DNF @ Page 123. Review not Applicable.
Time Read: Four Days.
→ Audiobook: No.
→ Audiobook Narrator: -
Trigger Warnings: Trigger Warnings not Available. Read with Discretion.
February 21, 2025
“What if we put all the annoying characters in one book?”
April 29, 2022
Italian Araragi going through sad boy hours
January 27, 2019
Just as Kabukimonogatari pretended to be about Hachikuji but was really about Shinobu, so too is Onimonogatari about Hachikuji despite everything pointing to its being about Shinobu. The result, I guess, is that Kabuki retroactively gets a bit better in my eyes, as I was kinda turned off by the bait-and-switch character focus.
Like Kabuki, a chunk of this novel relates to Shinobu's past life, 400 years ago in Japan. We get more information about Araragi's predecessor, Shinobu's first thrall, but... eh. Roughly 50% of this novel is just Shinobu telling a story about how she was mistaken for a god by the Japanese, and just farted around Japan without correcting anyone, which is why she eventually got attacked by "the Darkness" which sought to correct her lie. Unlike, e.g., Hanamonogatari, it's kinda boring to read so long of a summary of another story. Numachi was a better storyteller, I guess. At the very least, she understood the value of brevity.
The big thing about this novel is the introduction of a non-aberration as a significant presence, this being the Darkness. It attacks Araragi, Hachikuji, Shinobu, and Ononoki in the near-present (the final chapter reveals this tale was told to Ougi four months after the fact, chronologically after even Hana), everyone fucks off to the abandoned cram school, and Hachikuji remains unconscious and Ononoki hides off-"screen" long enough for Shinobu to present her shaggy dog tale.
That's the iffy thing. Shinobu's story is only "good" if you can accept the fact that Shinobu, Araragi, and NISIOISIN are wasting our time just so we may easily swallow the "real" significance of the Darkness: namely, it acts to correct aberrations that act differently than they are meant to, and so it attacks Hachikuji because she's strayed too far away from her Lost Cow origins. Basically, about forty pages from the end, in a ~280-page novel, we get the "real" purpose of the narrative. Other Monogatari novels have done something similar, but in those cases it's mostly just been Araragi's banter with the girls eating up much of the page count before the plot kicks into high gear near the very end. It's a bit weird that this novel ends up being a little more "serious" because it's practically infinitely less serious than Otorimonogatari, what with all the jokes about Araragi hanging out with the franchise's three lolis.
Pretty good installment overall. Not as strong as Otori or Neko (Shiro), but definitely a great inclusion for the Second Season. As with preceding volumes, it does well to tie into the wacky chronology of the Second Season in the very end, when we know something has happened to resolve the issues of Otori (to be covered in Koimonogatari), and Final Season is set up (perhaps against NISIOISIN's knowledge?) with the tease that Ougi is the Darkness, and her true purpose is to bring about "the end."
Like Kabuki, a chunk of this novel relates to Shinobu's past life, 400 years ago in Japan. We get more information about Araragi's predecessor, Shinobu's first thrall, but... eh. Roughly 50% of this novel is just Shinobu telling a story about how she was mistaken for a god by the Japanese, and just farted around Japan without correcting anyone, which is why she eventually got attacked by "the Darkness" which sought to correct her lie. Unlike, e.g., Hanamonogatari, it's kinda boring to read so long of a summary of another story. Numachi was a better storyteller, I guess. At the very least, she understood the value of brevity.
The big thing about this novel is the introduction of a non-aberration as a significant presence, this being the Darkness. It attacks Araragi, Hachikuji, Shinobu, and Ononoki in the near-present (the final chapter reveals this tale was told to Ougi four months after the fact, chronologically after even Hana), everyone fucks off to the abandoned cram school, and Hachikuji remains unconscious and Ononoki hides off-"screen" long enough for Shinobu to present her shaggy dog tale.
That's the iffy thing. Shinobu's story is only "good" if you can accept the fact that Shinobu, Araragi, and NISIOISIN are wasting our time just so we may easily swallow the "real" significance of the Darkness: namely, it acts to correct aberrations that act differently than they are meant to, and so it attacks Hachikuji because she's strayed too far away from her Lost Cow origins. Basically, about forty pages from the end, in a ~280-page novel, we get the "real" purpose of the narrative. Other Monogatari novels have done something similar, but in those cases it's mostly just been Araragi's banter with the girls eating up much of the page count before the plot kicks into high gear near the very end. It's a bit weird that this novel ends up being a little more "serious" because it's practically infinitely less serious than Otorimonogatari, what with all the jokes about Araragi hanging out with the franchise's three lolis.
Pretty good installment overall. Not as strong as Otori or Neko (Shiro), but definitely a great inclusion for the Second Season. As with preceding volumes, it does well to tie into the wacky chronology of the Second Season in the very end, when we know something has happened to resolve the issues of Otori (to be covered in Koimonogatari), and Final Season is set up (perhaps against NISIOISIN's knowledge?) with the tease that Ougi is the Darkness, and her true purpose is to bring about "the end."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2022
I absolutely love how this story parallels Kabuki, in the way that the actual story doesn't focus on the character the reader thinks it will (Kabuki being actually about Shinobu and Oni actually being about Hachikuji), and I think the two stories do a great job of connecting to each other and resolving each others' shortcomings.
While I felt Kabuki was overall a stronger piece of work, Oni did a good job of fleshing out Shinobu's character (mainly the true nature of her loneliness/solitude hinted at before in Kabuki) while also giving a beautiful and moving send-off to Hachikuji as a character.
I just kind of expected Shinobu's story of her first thrall would have been... more?
For someone who seemed so important to her, the story didn't seem to really tell us all that much about her relationship to him.
But then again, how her lies impacted his life might have been the true point of the story, the lie she was telling, and how it affected everyone.
The theme of pretending to be someone you're not and it effecting everyone around you is an interesting one, but I wish it had gotten explored a little bit more.
But overall, a great book!
While I felt Kabuki was overall a stronger piece of work, Oni did a good job of fleshing out Shinobu's character (mainly the true nature of her loneliness/solitude hinted at before in Kabuki) while also giving a beautiful and moving send-off to Hachikuji as a character.
I just kind of expected Shinobu's story of her first thrall would have been... more?
For someone who seemed so important to her, the story didn't seem to really tell us all that much about her relationship to him.
But then again, how her lies impacted his life might have been the true point of the story, the lie she was telling, and how it affected everyone.
The theme of pretending to be someone you're not and it effecting everyone around you is an interesting one, but I wish it had gotten explored a little bit more.
But overall, a great book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2019
The book is a bit all over the place. Starts a bit weird, but it just gets better and better as you go through it.
The ending was awesome... and it gives Monogatari a more serious tone (although Araragi makes a fool of himself for the whole volume).
The ending was awesome... and it gives Monogatari a more serious tone (although Araragi makes a fool of himself for the whole volume).
September 4, 2020
My opinion on "Onimonogatari" is mostly founded on what it is NOT, not as much on what it is.
Based on the story so far - and in one instance Nisioisin's word itself - there were certain things that I thought would happen in this book. None - and I literally mean none - of these things happened. I won't go into spoiler territory, but this book is very special in the story as well as the narrative voice.
As for the narrative: while we get Araragi back as our true and trusty narrator, there are long instances in which people tell Araragi about past things. This results in chapters after chapters in which not Araragi but someone else basically narrates a story. I wasn't a big fan of this way of storytelling in "Hanamonogatari" and I didn't like it any better in this volume.
The story or rather content of this novel is ... difficult to review. While not a lot of things actually happen in this volume, the things that DO happen pose quite the big changes in the Monogatari world. However, this volume is everything that it basically shouldn't be. As opposed to the cover illustration, this novel focusses on Hajikuji rather than Shinobu (which in itself is fine, as "Kabukimonogatari" focussed more on Shinobu than on Hajikuji for the most part). Crucial plot points that were foreshadowed as happening in this volume or that you could assume would be happening in this volume, especially based on everything that went down in "Nekomonogatari (White)", do not happen. Things that seem important at first are actually not as important for the story.
So where does that leave the reader after this volume? I would say that Nisioisin tries to re-emphasize the indirect and often capricious way of storytelling that is his trademark style: Just because things are skipped over in one volume doesn't mean they will be explained in another one. Just because a character is on the cover of the book, the story doesn't have to focus on them. Just because a character at length tells a story of the past, doesn't mean that it is important. Just because Nisioisin publishes a new book in a series doesn't mean that the series will move forward. I am a fan of his writing and will continue to read the "Monogatari" series. But I can totally see why some people might really, really dislike this volume.
Also, if we don't learn about what is the deal with Ogi in the next volume, I will be really mad. (S)he has been teased on as quite the big player lurking in the background, but there is no real grip that we as readers can get on him/her. (S)he is simply there, collects information and knows what is going on, whithout us readers knowing much about her. This is making me crazy!
Based on the story so far - and in one instance Nisioisin's word itself - there were certain things that I thought would happen in this book. None - and I literally mean none - of these things happened. I won't go into spoiler territory, but this book is very special in the story as well as the narrative voice.
As for the narrative: while we get Araragi back as our true and trusty narrator, there are long instances in which people tell Araragi about past things. This results in chapters after chapters in which not Araragi but someone else basically narrates a story. I wasn't a big fan of this way of storytelling in "Hanamonogatari" and I didn't like it any better in this volume.
The story or rather content of this novel is ... difficult to review. While not a lot of things actually happen in this volume, the things that DO happen pose quite the big changes in the Monogatari world. However, this volume is everything that it basically shouldn't be. As opposed to the cover illustration, this novel focusses on Hajikuji rather than Shinobu (which in itself is fine, as "Kabukimonogatari" focussed more on Shinobu than on Hajikuji for the most part). Crucial plot points that were foreshadowed as happening in this volume or that you could assume would be happening in this volume, especially based on everything that went down in "Nekomonogatari (White)", do not happen. Things that seem important at first are actually not as important for the story.
So where does that leave the reader after this volume? I would say that Nisioisin tries to re-emphasize the indirect and often capricious way of storytelling that is his trademark style: Just because things are skipped over in one volume doesn't mean they will be explained in another one. Just because a character is on the cover of the book, the story doesn't have to focus on them. Just because a character at length tells a story of the past, doesn't mean that it is important. Just because Nisioisin publishes a new book in a series doesn't mean that the series will move forward. I am a fan of his writing and will continue to read the "Monogatari" series. But I can totally see why some people might really, really dislike this volume.
Also, if we don't learn about what is the deal with Ogi in the next volume, I will be really mad. (S)he has been teased on as quite the big player lurking in the background, but there is no real grip that we as readers can get on him/her. (S)he is simply there, collects information and knows what is going on, whithout us readers knowing much about her. This is making me crazy!
August 25, 2022
There’s a lot of praise that can be said of this series, and this book is a great example of some of them. In this tale, we have Araragi finally retaking control of the narration, as he and some of the other characters deal with a new threat that is very different from every other threat faced so far. If there is one thing this series does exceptionally well, it’s being able to fill in gaps within the plot. As this story went along, you can feel every other tale coming together. Even though they have their own plots and feel complete on their own, the series as a whole just fits together so well. From Shinobu’s past becoming more clear, to having an understanding of overlapping stories occurring at the same time, this book is an amazing example of how to bring everything together.
Another note of praise for this book, as well as the series, is the subtlety of important dialogue within the conversation. One of the most enjoyable qualities about this series is the banter and oftentimes just silly conversations that exist between the characters. This acts as entertainment, but it also allows the author to give clear hints and foreshadowing about the plot which doesn’t become known until you get there. Until then, it just seems like another convoluted bit of banter. The new threat in this book and it’s motives remain a mystery up until the end, but you can start to hint at it if you know what to look for. I love this element; it almost works as a mystery book in its approach, and it just brings a real level of appreciation of the dialogue and story.
I’ll finish up by saying this book was able to be funny, serious, and honestly pretty emotional as well. It was a fantastic read overall.
Another note of praise for this book, as well as the series, is the subtlety of important dialogue within the conversation. One of the most enjoyable qualities about this series is the banter and oftentimes just silly conversations that exist between the characters. This acts as entertainment, but it also allows the author to give clear hints and foreshadowing about the plot which doesn’t become known until you get there. Until then, it just seems like another convoluted bit of banter. The new threat in this book and it’s motives remain a mystery up until the end, but you can start to hint at it if you know what to look for. I love this element; it almost works as a mystery book in its approach, and it just brings a real level of appreciation of the dialogue and story.
I’ll finish up by saying this book was able to be funny, serious, and honestly pretty emotional as well. It was a fantastic read overall.
February 21, 2019
Vertical's Monogatari releases rarely disappoint, thankfully this volume isn't one of them.
In this volume, a part of Shinobu's past gets revealed, but the actual mystery revolves around a surprising suspect. Most of the monogatari novels so far have been pretty focused on the "monster of the book" formula, so it does make this one quite a surprise when the twist gets revealed.
The "Araragi shoots the wind" parts of this book is really great, especially since it was rather missing in the preceding volume. The tone and pace of the fourth wall breaking and pop culture call outs are truly back in form this volume, with the masterful Ko Ransom translations flowing very well.
Another worthy addition to the Monogatari series, even if its starting to get a bit long.
In this volume, a part of Shinobu's past gets revealed, but the actual mystery revolves around a surprising suspect. Most of the monogatari novels so far have been pretty focused on the "monster of the book" formula, so it does make this one quite a surprise when the twist gets revealed.
The "Araragi shoots the wind" parts of this book is really great, especially since it was rather missing in the preceding volume. The tone and pace of the fourth wall breaking and pop culture call outs are truly back in form this volume, with the masterful Ko Ransom translations flowing very well.
Another worthy addition to the Monogatari series, even if its starting to get a bit long.
March 30, 2022
4
Araragi is back to narrating this book but Shinobu kinda narrates half of it anyway. It's not really a problem. Her narrations are flashback storytelling which does drag the book here and there. A lot of important story points for this series happen in this book but most of the book is just the usual talky talky Monogatari but most of it is just flashbacks so not really a good point. It is sad that Hachikuji won't be there anymore, she and Shinobu are my favorite characters. So other than the pacing problems and draggy storytelling here and there it's a great book. I can't wait to read the next one, the final one in the second season.
Araragi is back to narrating this book but Shinobu kinda narrates half of it anyway. It's not really a problem. Her narrations are flashback storytelling which does drag the book here and there. A lot of important story points for this series happen in this book but most of the book is just the usual talky talky Monogatari but most of it is just flashbacks so not really a good point. It is sad that Hachikuji won't be there anymore, she and Shinobu are my favorite characters. So other than the pacing problems and draggy storytelling here and there it's a great book. I can't wait to read the next one, the final one in the second season.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2023
I enjoyed this novel, with some genuinely amazing scenes and dialogue, but it dragged. It felt like this story could of been shorter and frankly I think it would of benefited from a shorter length. When its good it’s excellent and nothing ever made me annoyed or angry, just I felt my patience wane with this book more than any other in the series.
Still a really good read, despite the length, I had fun with a return to form with Araragi. It felt like so long and I’m reminded why I really love his narration. Happy he was back if only for 1 more novel this season.
Still a really good read, despite the length, I had fun with a return to form with Araragi. It felt like so long and I’m reminded why I really love his narration. Happy he was back if only for 1 more novel this season.
December 26, 2018
It comes together at the end, but for the 100 pages in the middle where Shinobu is narrating it feels like Nisioisin is trying to explain the story to himself. The tension from the Darkness as a threat also feels weirdly misspent; it only appears for brief moments and is immediately escaped. I think the anime polished this one up considerably.
That said, Gaen and the farewell worked well, so at least the middle is worth pushing through.
That said, Gaen and the farewell worked well, so at least the middle is worth pushing through.
January 1, 2026
Annyira jól sikerült pihentetni a sorozatot, hogy végül meglepődve vettem észre, hogy négy éve felé sem néztem. Ennek is köszönhető, hogy volt olyan karakter, akinek a létére sem emlékeztem.
Ezúttal eltelik a kötet fele, mire megtudjuk, egyáltalán mi történik, addig csak random fanservice és a nagyedik fal folyamatos áttörése van. Tökéletesen megtestesíti, miért is raktam félre hosszabb időre a szériát, ám most igyekszem tartani a lendületet, mert a folytatások jobbnak ígérkeznek.
Ezúttal eltelik a kötet fele, mire megtudjuk, egyáltalán mi történik, addig csak random fanservice és a nagyedik fal folyamatos áttörése van. Tökéletesen megtestesíti, miért is raktam félre hosszabb időre a szériát, ám most igyekszem tartani a lendületet, mert a folytatások jobbnak ígérkeznek.
August 11, 2023
The end was solid 5 stars. Loved it.
But everything before that was just okay, sadly. I love the Monogatari Series but I feel like the Loli jokes are getting more and more and it starts to really get on my nerves. Also, the banter between Shinobu and Koyomi didn't engage me as much as I am used to this time around.
Really excited for the next entry though!
But everything before that was just okay, sadly. I love the Monogatari Series but I feel like the Loli jokes are getting more and more and it starts to really get on my nerves. Also, the banter between Shinobu and Koyomi didn't engage me as much as I am used to this time around.
Really excited for the next entry though!
March 16, 2019
This novel felt more like an in-between, having a good chunk of Kiss-shot's past explained but unresolved, the introduction of Gaen Izuko, and a bit of a sad ending with a character I won't name. Overall a good read but I'm hungry for a more complete meal now.
January 14, 2021
Some of the entertaining parts might get lost in translation, but I feel with every entry, there is less substance and more forgettable banter.
No comparison with the emotional impact Kizumonogatari or Nekomonogatari had, unfortunately.
No comparison with the emotional impact Kizumonogatari or Nekomonogatari had, unfortunately.
October 4, 2025
falters in the middle --- between this and kabukimonogatari, i think shinobu is not interesting as a main character --- but sticks the landing in the last third which is very funny and emotionally gripping.
November 20, 2019
No, you're mad and crying!
August 16, 2020
I finally finished it today. The story picked up in the last third of the book which I was anticipating because my favourite character got more 'screen time' then.
November 30, 2021
fucking crying my ass off rn
February 1, 2022
Loved it as per usual, I knew what the ending was, I knew what was coming but I still cried, such a brilliant scene.
July 18, 2022
A more serious piece, a tear jerker of a story
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September 18, 20245:08
December 30, 2025
If only every problem could be as obvious as a giant black orb following you.
January 13, 2026
writing this over a year after finishing but i remember i was struggling not to fall asleep while reading. also the kissing stuff was weird.
May 1, 2025
8.5/10
August 4, 2023
While I was glad to have Araragi narrating the story again this volume seemed to drag. Just as previous books have included past and future events this is no exception. Some questions from other volumes are answered while others remain a mystery. Truthfully this was almost a DNF due to the slow pacing of the story. After I got to the halfway point the story started to pick up and I enjoyed the book a lot more. I could tell what the ending was around the last two chapters but it was still sad. I'm going to round this one up to four stars but it should be noted that this is a 3.5 star for me.
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