Owarimonogatari 2: Evaluation and impressions as the culmination of the Monogatari series

"Owarimonogatari 2" - Between the end and the beginning of the story

"Owarimonogatari 2" is the ninth installment of Nishio Isin's "Monogatari" series, which was released in theaters on November 10, 2018. This work is a sequel to "Owarimonogatari", which depicts the end of Araragi Koyomi's high school life, and depicts his new adventures and growth. Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of this work, as well as related information.

■ Public Information

"Owarimonogatari Zoku" was released in theaters from November 10, 2018 to January 10, 2019, and was distributed by Aniplex. The film is 148 minutes long and has a self-contained story in one episode.

■ Original information

The original work is the novel "Owarimonogatari Zoku" by Nishio Isin, published by Kodansha BOX. It is directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, animated by Shaft, and produced by Aniplex, Kodansha, and Shaft. Copyright belongs to Nishio Isin, Kodansha, Aniplex, and Shaft.

■ Story

The morning after his high school graduation ceremony, Araragi Koyomi tries to wash his face in front of the mirror in the bathroom. However, he feels as if he is being stared at by the reflection in the mirror, and when he touches the mirror, his fingertips sink in. When he comes to, Koyomi finds himself in a world where everything has been reversed. In this reversed world, Koyomi faces a new challenge.

■Explanation

The story of Araragi Koyomi came to an end with "Owarimonogatari." However, in "Owarimonogatari 2," an unexpected incident occurs the morning after the graduation ceremony, and Koyomi finds himself lost in a world of mirrors. This work is the continuation of the end of the story that Araragi Koyomi experienced at a time when he was neither a high school student nor a college student. Director Akiyuki Shinbo's unique direction and the world view woven by Shaft's animation have the power to draw viewers in.

■Cast

The main cast is as follows:

• Araragi Calendar - Hiroshi Kamiya
• Hitagi Senjougahara - Chiwa Saito
• Mayoi Hachikuji - Emiri Kato
• Kanbaru Suruga - Sawashiro Miyuki
• Nadeko Sengoku - Kana Hanazawa
• Tsubasa Hanekawa - Yui Horie
• Karen Araragi - Eri Kitamura
• Oonoki Yotsugi - Saori Hayami
• Old kura education - Marina Inoue

■ Main staff

The main staff are as follows:

• Director: Akiyuki Shinbo
• Character design - VOFAN
• Series Composition: Tomiyako Higashi, Akiyuki Shinbo
• Character design, chief animation director: Akio Watanabe

■ Related works

Owarimonogatari 2 is part of the Monogatari series and is related to the following works:

• Bakemonogatari
• Kizumonogatari
• Nisemonogatari
• Cat Story
• Story of love
• Flower Story
• Decoy Story
• Ghost Stories
• Love Story
• Tales of the dead
• Final Story
• Foolish Tales
• Tales of deeds
• Nademonogatari
• Conclusion Story
• Shinobi Story
• Evening Tale
• Other Stories

■ Theme songs and music

The theme song is "azure", with lyrics by Kei Hayashi, music by Hirohiro Akiba, arrangement by Kazuya Komatsu, and vocals by TrySail. This song is an important element that enhances the atmosphere of the work.

■ Evaluation and impressions

Owarimonogatari Zoku is a long-awaited work for fans of the Monogatari series, and it lives up to those expectations. Director Akiyuki Shinbo's unique direction and Shaft's animation provide visual beauty and depth. In particular, the mirror world setting is visually captivating and has the power to draw the viewer in.

The story itself depicts Araragi Koyomi's growth and new challenges, delving deeply into the series' themes of "growth" and "change." The changes in the characters' feelings and relationships are also carefully depicted, evoking empathy from viewers. The acting by the cast is also excellent, with Kamiya Hiroshi in particular demonstrating consistent high quality acting throughout the series as Araragi Koyomi.

Music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work, and the theme song "azure" is impressive with TrySail's powerful singing voice and beautiful melody. The background music is also used skillfully to match the development of the story, enhancing the emotions of the viewer.

■ Recommendation points

"Owarimonogatari 2" is recommended not only for fans of the Monogatari series, but also for people who are interested in anime and movies. Here are some recommended points:

1. Visual beauty

Director Akiyuki Shinbo and Shaft's animation deliver visual beauty and a unique worldview. In particular, the depiction of the mirror world is extremely beautiful and provides a visual treat.

2. Deep story

The story, which depicts Araragi Koyomi's growth and new challenges, delves deeply into the themes of the series. The changes in the characters' feelings and relationships are also carefully depicted, evoking sympathy from viewers.

3. Great cast

The acting of the cast, including Hiroshi Kamiya, is of very high quality, and they express the emotions of their characters realistically. In particular, Hiroshi Kamiya's acting as Araragi Koyomi shows consistent high quality acting throughout the series.

4. Impressive music

The theme song "azure" and the background music are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work. TrySail's powerful singing voice and beautiful melody enhance the emotions of the viewer.

Related information

Owarimonogatari Zoku is part of the Monogatari series and is deeply connected to other works. To enjoy the whole series, please check out the following works as well:

1. Bakemonogatari

This is the beginning of the Monogatari series and depicts Araragi Koyomi's encounter with the supernatural. It is a foundational work for the series and a must-see.

2. Kizumonogatari

This work depicts Araragi Koyomi's past and is an important work for understanding the background of his growth.

3. Nisemonogatari

The story depicts the meeting between Araragi Koyomi and Senjougahara Hitagi, and delves deeply into the relationship between the two.

4. Cat Story

It tells the story of Mayoi Hachikuji and depicts her growth as well as her relationship with Araragi Koyomi.

5. Kizumonogatari

It tells the story of Kanbaru Suruga and depicts the conflict between her past and present.

6. Flower Story

It tells the story of Sengoku Nadeko and depicts her growth and her relationship with Araragi Koyomi.

7. Decoy Story

It tells the story of Hanekawa Tsubasa and depicts the conflict between her past and present.

8. Ghost Stories

It tells the story of Araragi Karen and Ononoki Yotsugi, and delves deeply into the relationship between the two.

9. Love Story

The work delves deeper into the relationship between Araragi Koyomi and Senjougahara Hitagi, depicting their growth.

10. Tales of the Dead

This work depicts Araragi Koyomi's new challenges and shows his growth and change.

11. Final Story

This work depicts the end of Araragi Koyomi's high school life and serves as a prequel to Owarimonogatari 2.

12. Foolish Tales

The work depicts Araragi Koyomi's new adventure and shows his growth and change.

13. Tales of Destiny

This work depicts Araragi Koyomi's new challenges and shows his growth and change.

14. Nademonogatari

It tells the story of Sengoku Nadeko and depicts her growth and her relationship with Araragi Koyomi.

15. The Final Story

The work depicts Araragi Koyomi's new adventure and shows his growth and change.

16. Shinobi Monogatari

This work depicts Araragi Koyomi's new challenges and shows his growth and change.

17. Evening Tale

The work depicts Araragi Koyomi's new adventure and shows his growth and change.

18. Other Stories

This work depicts Araragi Koyomi's new challenges and shows his growth and change.

■ Summary

Owarimonogatari Zoku is a long-awaited work for fans of the Monogatari series, and it lives up to those expectations. Director Akiyuki Shinbo's unique direction and Shaft's animation provide visual beauty and depth. The story itself depicts Araragi Koyomi's growth and new challenges, delving deeply into the series' themes of "growth" and "change". The acting of the cast is also excellent, especially Kamiya Hiroshi's performance as Araragi Koyomi, who shows consistent high quality acting throughout the series. Music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work, and the theme song "azure" is memorable for TrySail's powerful singing voice and beautiful melody. Owarimonogatari Zoku is a work that is recommended not only for fans of the Monogatari series, but also for those who are interested in anime and movies.