A thorough review of the character commentary edition of the Monogatari series! What are the new charms of these charming characters?

Monogatari Series Character Commentary Edition: Deep Charm and New Sides of Characters

"Monogatari Series Character Commentary Edition" is a special episode that began airing on May 31, 2014 as part of the TV anime series based on Nisio Isin's popular novel series. This character commentary edition further highlights the deep worldview and character appeal of the original work, making it a must-see for fans.

Broadcast information and production background

"Monogatari Series Character Commentary Edition" began airing on May 31, 2014 on stations such as TOKYO MX and AT-X. Each episode is 30 minutes long and consists of five episodes. It is based on the original work by Nisio Isin, who also wrote "Bakemonogatari," "Nisemonogatari," and "Monogatari Series Second Season," and is directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and animated by Shaft. This character commentary edition was originally included as a special feature on the Blu-ray and DVD, but due to viewer requests it will now be broadcast on TV.

The number of episodes that were broadcast was decided by a popular vote from the viewers. This allowed the episodes that fans particularly wanted to see to be selected, allowing more people to enjoy the show. The broadcast period lasted five weeks, and new character commentary was available every week.

Story and character commentary

The character commentary version adopts a format in which the characters of each episode talk about the contents while watching the main story. This allows you to learn new sides to the characters and behind-the-scenes stories not seen in the original work or the main anime. The script was written by Nisio Isin, and is characterized by fast-paced dialogue, making it just as dense as the main story.

In the first episode, "Tsubasa Cat, Part 2," Hitagi Senjougahara and Tsubasa Hanekawa appear in a commentary and look back on the episode of her first date with Koyomi Araragi. In the second episode, "Tsukihi Phoenix, Part 1," Karen Araragi and Tsukihi Araragi appear in casual clothes and explain the scene where they ask Koyomi for a favor. In the third episode, "Tsubasa Tiger, Part 5," Tsukihi Araragi and Nadeko Sengoku talk about the episode where Tsubasa Hanekawa discovers the true identity of the giant tiger monster "Karuko." In the fourth episode, "Mayoi Kyonshi, Part 4," Mayoi Hachikuji and Tsubasa Hanekawa explain the episode that depicts the crisis of humanity turning into zombies due to the power of the vampire Kiss-Shot. In episode 5, "Shinobu Time Part 2," Shinobu Oshino and Yotsugi Ononoki talk about the events that took place 400 years ago.

Character appeal and cast

The appeal of the Monogatari series lies in its unique characters. The protagonist, Araragi Koyomi, voiced by Kamiya Hiroshi, is an immortal high school student who runs around trying to help girls who encounter supernatural phenomena. Senjougahara Hitagi, voiced by Saito Chiwa, is a sharp-tongued, tsundere-like character. Hachikuji Mayoi, voiced by Kato Emiri, is a polite but often rude fifth grader. Kanbaru Suruga, voiced by Sawashiro Miyuki, is an all-around athlete with a yuri and fujoshi side. Sengoku Nadeko, voiced by Hanazawa Kana, is extremely shy and wears a hat when going out. Hanekawa Tsubasa, voiced by Horie Yui, is an honor student with excellent grades and a caring personality.

Many other characters also appear, including Meme Oshino, Karen Araragi, Tsukihi Araragi, Shinobu Oshino, Deishu Kaiki, Yozuru Kagenogi, and Yotsugi Ononoki, and each character's voice actor brings out their unique personality. By having these characters talk in the character commentary version, viewers can experience their new charms.

Production staff and visuals

The production staff of "Monogatari Series Character Commentary Edition" have faithfully recreated the worldview of the original work while providing a new perspective. Director Akiyuki Shinbo has added color to the work with his unique visual sense, while character designer and chief animation director Akio Watanabe is in charge of designs that highlight the individuality of the characters. The series composition is handled by Tomioka Tomi and Akiyuki Shinbo, and the music is by Satoru Kanzaki. Professionals from various fields, including sound director Yota Tsuruoka, art director Toshiharu Iijima, and colorist Izumi Takizawa, have come together to raise the quality of the work.

The character commentary version reuses scenes from the original manga and the main story, while adding character commentary, allowing you to enjoy the story from a new perspective. Visually, Shaft's unique drawing style stands out, making it a worthwhile read for fans.

Theme songs and music

The "Monogatari Series Character Commentary Edition" features theme songs and music that match each episode. The opening themes include "staple stable" (sung by Senjougahara Hitagi), "Platinum Disco" (sung by Araragi Tsukihi), "Chocolate insomnia" (sung by Hanekawa Tsubasa), "happy bite" (sung by Hachikuji Mayoi), and "white lies." The ending themes include "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" (sung by supercell), "Naisho no Hanashi" (sung by ClariS), "Ai wo Utae" (sung by Haruna Luna), and "Sono Koe wo Owo Obederu" (sung by Kono Marina). These songs not only enhance the atmosphere of the story, but also reflect the characters' feelings, eliciting emotions from the viewer.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Monogatari Series Character Commentary Edition" is a must-see for fans of the original work and the main story. Through the character commentary format, you can learn new sides to the characters and their backstories, deepening your understanding of the story. In addition, the episodes that are broadcast are selected by viewer vote, so the content reflects the voices of the fans.

This work is recommended not only for those who have read the original work or seen the main story, but also for those who are experiencing the "Monogatari Series" for the first time. Through the character commentary, you can feel the charm of the characters and the depth of the story, and those who are interested will be inspired to continue reading the original work and the main story. In addition, the theme songs and music of each episode are also attractive, and you can enjoy the afterglow after watching.

The "Monogatari Series Character Commentary Edition" is an important work that allows fans to gain a deeper understanding of the world of the original work, and is an essential piece to have for fans. Be sure to watch it to learn new sides to the characters and rediscover the charm of the story.