Review for Bakemonogatari: Part 2

Introduction

The second half of the most unconventional conventional anime is upon us. It’s a mix and match of two of the most commonly visited genres in anime, the supernatural and the harem. A rather unassuming male lead winds up encountering a host of female characters, all of which have some experiences with the supernatural that need dealing with, and all of which conform to certain stereotypes which appeal to a mainstream otaku audience. Bakemonogatari also isn’t shy about offering up fan service for that very same audience. Taken at face value, this could be any anime show of the last few years. But if you come to Bakemonogatari expecting another Rosario and Vampire, prepare to have your jaw winched off the floor, as this show is anything but. What this show does with animation, with character, with narrative and with its script is wholly unique, and one reason why fan fervour for this title has been so manic ever since it was announced.


Bakemonogatari joins a pantheon of anime shows that explore the myriad of ghosts, demons, monsters, spirits, and small gods of Japanese folklore. But there has been no show that has explored this subject matter in quite the same way as Bakemonogatari. Koyomi Araragi has already had a brush with the supernatural. He used to be a vampire, but he got better, thanks to the erstwhile priest Oshino. He did think that life was behind him, and he could instead devote himself to high school, and his attention to class president Tsubasa Hanekawa. But then one day, Hitagi Senjyogahara literally fell into his arms, and expressed her gratitude by threatening his life, and stapling his face. The thing is that Hitagi has an issue with her weight, although not the issue that you’d expect from the average high school girl. Araragi is about to be sucked back into the supernatural world...


The concluding 7 episodes of Bakemonogatari are presented across 2 discs from MVM.

Disc 1
9. Nadeko snake: Part 1
10. Nadeko snake: Part 2
11. Tsubasa cat: Part 1
12. Tsubasa cat: Part 2

Disc 2
13. Tsubasa cat: Part 3
14. Tsubasa cat: Part 4
15. Tsubasa cat: Part 5

Picture

Bakemonogatari gets a very nice 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer, which is native PAL with 4% speed-up courtesy of Australia’s Hanabee. This is a Studio SHAFT production, so it’s obvious from the off that the visuals play a big part in the show, and splitting the episodes 4-3 across 2 dual layer discs gives them space to breathe, with very little in the way of visible compression and aliasing here. Colour reproduction is strong and even the most frenetic moments, with rapid shifts in image and colour, aren’t hampered by the DVD format. Bakemonogatari is typical SHAFT in the way that it’s directed, imaginative visuals, quirky camera angles, and off-beat cuts and directorial choices. Visually it is stimulating, thought provoking and often wholly unexpected. The character designs have a very 2D ethic to them, even more so than the usual anime, but it’s an oddly dimensioned and layered 2D that suggests depth and motion to a greater degree. It’s very hard to quantify but it is all so visually tantalising. I wouldn’t have thought that a DVD presentation could do this show justice, but I have to say that Bakemonogatari looks splendid on DVD.


That’s if you watch it on a small screen. Something like a 32 inch television will show off its quirky aspects without issue. I watched it first on an old CRT set and was very impressed. It’s just when I adjourned to my HD panel, and gave it the upscale treatment to 1080 lines of resolution that the slightest hint of edge enhancement reared its head. Of course if you have an HD panel, you won’t be looking at Bakemonogatari on DVD in the first place, you’ll be investing in the forthcoming Blu-rays instead and quite rightly so.

Sound

Bakemonogatari gets a DD 2.0 Stereo Japanese track, with optional translated subtitles. This is a subtitle only release, and there is no English dub, although when you see just how dense the script is, and how reliant on wordplay and punnage, very culture specific at that, you can understand why dubbing such a show would be a daunting task, impossible to do the show justice. The dialogue is clear throughout, and the audio does a fine job in giving the show some space, and conveying its sound design. The music for Bakemonogatari is quite apt, while each story arc gets its own opening theme song.


As mentioned, the script is dense, there is a lot of dialogue, and the story is one based on wordplay and wit. The subtitles can zip past, and this isn’t a show that you can half watch. You have to give it your full attention. Add to that the prevalence of background text, intertitles and the like, most of which is translated into English by means of on-screen subtitle captions. The Japanese text is on for just a frame or two, and the English translation reflects that. There is hardly any time to register what is written, regardless of whether you read Japanese or English, and these captions are almost Easter Eggs for fans purchasing the discs that have the time to play freely with the pause button and note what is actually written. The all important subtitles are accurately timed, and other than a rare typo free of error.

Extras

Both discs present their contents with animated menus.

Each episode gets something rather original, character commentaries. Instead of having the voice actors and anime staff comment on the episodes, this feature has the voice actors in character commenting on the episodes. For Nadeko Snake, it’s Sengoku Nadeko and Meme Oshino, but for Tsubasa Cat they do something a little different. Tsubasa Hanekawa is a constant across all five episodes, but her co-commentator changes for each episode, beginning with Sengoku Nadeko, followed by Hitagi Senjyogahara, Mayoi Hachikuji, Suruga Kanbaru, and finally Koyomi Araragi. It’s certainly a fun look at the stories having the characters commenting, and it also allows for some light-hearted moments fracturing the fourth wall. It does however add another layer to the stories, and offers some character insight, which may be inaccurate coming from a character viewpoint, but does give the stories added meaning. Be warned that there are spoilers in the commentaries, so watch the episodes through before starting on them.


Also on disc 2 are a whole gaggle of textless credit sequences, the openings to episodes 9, 10, 14 & 15, as well as the endings to 11, 13 & 14, and 15. There’s still no sign of the textless version of my favourite credit sequence on this release, that to episodes 1 and 2, and which gets repeated for episode 12, while another decent opening sequence, that for episodes 11 and 13 is also unrepresented. You also get 3 minutes of Nisioisin Promo spots, more previews for the episodes, which unfortunately lack subtitles.

Trailers for shows that may or may not see a UK release are here, including Alien 9, Mysterious Girlfriend X, Hakuoki S2, and Dusk Maiden of Amnesia. There are also trailers for Bodacious Space Pirates and Kids on the Slope, which are out in the UK.

Conclusion

I gave part 1 of Bakemonogatari the benefit of the doubt, and I get the feeling that I’m going to do the same for part 2, and for exactly the same reasons. I recognise the production values in the show; I certainly recognise the quality in the writing and the depth of the characterisations, while the quality of the animation can’t be denied. It’s just that I feel that I haven’t spent enough time in its company to fully appreciate Bakemonogatari, and that the reviewing process has introduced a disconnect with the material. On the other hand, it could be that I’m blinded by all the production value to the show, and I genuinely don’t like it. Unlike the average anime, this is a show that I’m going to have to watch a few more times to get a proper handle on.


The thing is that Bakemonogatari is a supernatural mystery show, and in effect presents an anthology of spooky stories, connected by ongoing character arcs. There is no end of supernatural anthologies in anime. Bakemonogatari is also something of a harem comedy show, with the typical 'teen male surrounded by cute females' set-up, and once again there is definitely a surplus of such material in anime. What Bakemonogatari does with its material is a wholly original and more intellectual approach to its medium. It isn’t every anime that actually has its characters conversing, even jousting verbally, but Bakemonogatari isn’t shy about spending a whole episode just having two people talk to each other. This could become tedious, but then again you have those production values and fantastic art direction, detailed animation that makes even the most static of scenes lively and energetic.


The first half of the series featured three stories, three girls who entered Koyomi’s world with differing supernatural afflictions. It also began Koyomi’s story after a previously unseen problem of his own with vampirism, something which he was recovering from now, but had left him a little isolated. When he encounters Hitagi Senjyogahara, and her weight loss problem, he’s not only brought back into a world that he wanted to avoid, but he also connects with people again, and in the strongest way when Senjyogahara becomes his girlfriend, although on her own, particular tsundere terms. That was a short and sweet start to the show, but the next story featuring cute little Mayoi didn’t deliver much. It was the final story in that collection, with the brash and outspoken Suruga that really hit with what this show, and this universe of stories was capable of.


This final collection of seven episodes has just two stories to it, and it begins with a short and again not all that impressive tale featuring Sengoku Nadeko. She’s friends with Koyomi’s sisters, and knows him through them. As with all the girls in the show, he’s made an impression on her, which is why she comes to him for help. Nadeko is a cute girl with an odd contrary, shy but uninhibited nature, and she’s dealing with a deadly curse. It’s a fairly straightforward story, but once again one that is elevated by the animation and the script.


It’s the final five-episode story that really appeals, and it also has the effect of tying the series together and offering some sort of resolution to the character arcs. This focuses on class president and Koyomi’s friend Tsubasa Hanekawa. From the first episode she’s introduced as something of a constant in his life, and also someone who played a part in his prior encounters with the supernatural. That is explored a little more fully here, especially when it turns out that she’s turning into a cat... again. Apparently she was possessed by a cat spirit, and that aspect of her personality now asserts itself whenever she feels stress. The first time it was because of her family, but this time it becomes more complicated for Koyomi as he learns that he is the cause of her stress, and for a most unexpected reason.


This story causes Koyomi to re-evaluate all that has happened to him up to this point, and come to terms with all the friendships and relationships that he has forged, despite his intentions being otherwise. It also marks a growth in his character, as previously he’s been running to Oshino whenever a supernatural happening has occurred. Now he’s required to take control of the situation and resolve it himself. This arc also includes the cutest tongue-twister you’ll ever hear. If you’re wondering where the most appealing of the characters, Hitagi Senjyogahara is during all this, her absence is felt during these episodes, but thankfully we take a break in episode 12, which is wholly devoted to her first date with Koyomi. Just to keep him on his toes, she gets her dad to chaperone.


Intellectually I like Bakemonogatari, and I especially like the final five episode arc. The animation is great, the art is arresting, the scripts are intelligent and sharp, and this is a show that can do fan service without pandering. It can be sexy without being overtly exploitative. I want to watch Bakemonogatari again, and I’m looking forward to seeing Nisemonogatari from MVM later this year. I also intend to head over to Daisuki, and stream the Nekomonagatari OVAs, which as a prequel fill out Tsubasa’s first possession by the cat. My brain very much likes this show, but I’m not sure whether my gut likes it yet.