The appeal and reviews of "Monogatari Series Second Season Hanamonogatari": A deep story and character evolution

"Hanamonogatari": The charm and depth of the second season of the Monogatari series

"Hanamonogatari" is one of the stories in the second season of Nisio Isin's popular novel series "Monogatari Series" and was broadcast as a TV special on August 16, 2014. The series is based on the original novel "Hanamonogatari" (Kodansha BOX), with general director Akiyuki Shinbo, director Tomoyuki Itamura, and animation by Shaft. The Monogatari series is a group of works with themes of youth and the supernatural, depicting the growth and changes of the characters that have continued since the first season. "Hanamonogatari" is an episode that is particularly told from the perspective of Kanbaru Suruga, focusing on her inner thoughts and growth.

story

"Hanamonogatari" is set in the new school term after the bee phenomenon has passed and the summer vacation has ended after escaping the Phoenix phenomenon. The story follows the protagonist Araragi Koyomi and the girls around him: Hanekawa Tsubasa, Hachikuji Mayoi, Kanbaru Suruga, Sengoku Nadeko, Oshino Shinobu, and Senjougahara Hitagi. Through their monologues, confessions, and farewells, six new stories begin. This episode in particular, which is told from Kanbaru Suruga's perspective, delves deeply into her past and present conflicts, as well as her growth.

Commentary

The "Monogatari Series" is known as a coming-of-age novel by Nisio Isin, and the 15th book in the series was released in May 2013 with "Koyomimonogatari". The anime adaptation began in 2009 with "Bakemonogatari", followed by "Nisemonogatari" and "Nekomonogatari (Black)". The second season began airing in July 2013 and consists of six works: "Nekomonogatari (White)", "Kagemonogatari", "Hanamonogatari", "Otorimonogatari", "Onimonogatari", and "Koimonogatari". In the first season, the story was told from the perspective of the protagonist Araragi Koyomi, but in the second season, the inner thoughts of the heroines are told in depth from their perspectives. This has attracted attention as a story that continues to evolve, rather than just a sequel.

cast

The main cast of "Hanamonogatari" includes Miyuki Sawashiro as Kanbaru Suruga, Kana Asumi as Numaji Hotaru, and Michiko Neya as Kanbaru Totomi. Miyuki Sawashiro, who plays Kanbaru Suruga, made a strong impression on viewers with her realistic portrayal of her complex emotions. Kana Asumi, who plays Numaji Hotaru, also delivered an acting performance that brought out the charm of her character.

Main Staff

The production of "Hanamonogatari" brings together many talented people, including the original author Nisio Isin, the character designer VOFAN, the general director Shinbo Akiyuki, the director Itamura Tomoyuki, the series composers Higashi Fuyako and Shinbo Akiyuki, the character designer and general animation director Watanabe Akio, the general animation director Iwasaki Taisuke, the art directors Iijima Toshiharu and Naito Takeshi, the color designer Takizawa Izumi, the color designers Hibino Jin and Watanabe Yasuko, the visual effects designer Sakai Motoi, the cinematographer Aizu Takayuki, the editor Matsuhara Rie, the sound director Tsuruoka Yota, the music designer Haoka Kei, and the animation production company Shaft. All of these staff members worked together to successfully bring out the charm of the original work to its fullest.

Main Characters

Kanbaru Suruga is a girl who made a wish upon a monkey. She is one year younger than Araragi Koyomi and the others, and is a former basketball team ace who excels in all sports. She had a strong crush on Senjougahara Hitagi, but now she supports her relationship with Araragi Koyomi. Although she says she respects Koyomi, she is rude in her words and actions, and her complex emotions are an important element of the story. In "Hanamonogatari," her conflict between the past and the present is depicted, deeply moving viewers.

subtitle

"Hanamonogatari" consists of five stories and has the following subtitles:

• Episode 1: Suruga Devil Part 1 (2014/08/16)
• Episode 2: Suruga Devil Part 2 (2014/08/16)
• Episode 3: Suruga Devil (2014/08/16)
• Episode 4: Suruga Devil (2014/08/16)
• Episode 5: Suruga Devil (2014/08/16)

Theme songs and music

The opening theme of "Hanamonogatari" is "Hanatsuki -shirushi-", with lyrics by Saori Kodama, music by Katsuhiko Kurosu, arrangement by Daichi Suzuki, and singing by Marina Kono. The ending theme is "The last day of my adolescence", with lyrics by meg rock, music and arrangement by Mito, and singing by Miyuki Sawashiro, who plays Kanbaru Suruga. These songs are important elements that add to the atmosphere of the story.

Broadcast information

"Hanamonogatari" was broadcast on TOKYO MX and BS11 on August 16, 2014. It was broadcast in a two-hour slot from 19:00 to 21:00 on TOKYO MX and from 20:00 to 22:00 on BS11. It was also streamed on Niconico Live Broadcast from 21:00 to 23:00 on the same day. The broadcast time was 24 minutes, and all five episodes were broadcast at once.

Background and Evaluation

The production of "Hanamonogatari" was a big challenge to recreate the unique writing style and character charm of the original author, Nisio Isin, in an anime. Director-in-chief Akiyuki Shinbo and director Tomoyuki Itamura paid close attention to every detail in order to animate the work without destroying the atmosphere of the original. Character designer and chief animation director Akio Watanabe also paid close attention to the characters' expressions and movements, making sure that viewers could empathize with them. These efforts bore fruit, and "Hanamonogatari" received high praise.

Many viewers commented that they were moved by the story that depicted Kanbaru Suruga's growth and conflict. Miyuki Sawashiro's acting was also highly praised, and it was said that her voice helped viewers understand the character of Kanbaru Suruga more deeply. Furthermore, the opening and ending songs were also praised as important elements that enhanced the atmosphere of the story.

Recommended points

Hanamonogatari is a work that can be recommended not only to fans of the Monogatari series, but also to those who are experiencing the series for the first time. In particular, the episodes depicted from Kanbaru Suruga's perspective delve deeply into her inner self and growth, deeply moving the viewer. Also, do not miss the way the original author Nisio Isin's unique writing style and the charm of the characters are reproduced in the anime. Furthermore, the opening and ending songs are also important elements that add to the atmosphere of the story. Please experience the charm and depth of the Monogatari series through this work.

Related Titles

Hanamonogatari is one of the works in the second season of the Monogatari series, and is closely related to the other works. In particular, by watching it together with the first season's Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari, and Nekomonogatari (Black), and the other second season works Nekomonogatari (White), Kizumonogatari, Otorimonogatari, Onimonogatari, and Koimonogatari, you can gain a deeper understanding of the appeal of the Monogatari series as a whole. Also, be sure to read the original novel. You will be able to feel the unique writing style and charm of the characters of Nisio Isin even more deeply.

summary

"Hanamonogatari" is part of the second season of the Monogatari series, and is an episode told from Kanbaru Suruga's perspective. The story delves deeply into her past and present struggles, as well as her growth, leaving viewers with a strong emotional response. Also, don't miss the way the anime recreates the unique writing style and characters of the original author, Nisio Isin. The opening and ending songs are also important elements that add to the atmosphere of the story. We hope you will experience the charm and depth of the Monogatari series through this work.