u/columnal

I watched episode 1 and really enjoyed it. I like the more slice of life filler elements.

I noticed however all the episodes take place over different months in the series.

Some stories in monogatari like Hanamonogatari, Kizumonogatari, Tsukimonogatari are compiled together as films or can be watched in one go pretty enjoyably, and so far I have watched every arc in one go.

But Koyomimonogatari is kind of different in the sense each episode is self contained from what I'm aware.

What did you do when watch Koyomimonogatari? What should I do?

I feel a little conflicted about Nisemonogatari, I still enjoyed it though.

For one, the one thing everyone talks about (which seems to entirely dominate discussion of nisemonogatari in particular) is the fanservice.

To be honest, most discussion about the fanservice in Nisemonogatari is pretty banal. For one, I really dont get how people are so disturbed by it this far into the series: Bakemonogatari had plenty, and Kizumonogatari honestly felt way more erotic than Nise. So how do you get past Kizu but are put off by Nise? Because of this, Its just tiring how much discourse on Nisemonogatari is dominated by the fanservice, and at the end of the day, it all comes down to "Do I personally find its depiction to be morally acceptable or not and does it annoy me"...

I personally preferred Kizu and Bakes fanservice but I think I just prefer the characters in Kizu and Bake so thats probably why

I'm a little confused about what exactly the intention with it was though, I've heard some people say that it was meant to be deliberately subversive, and that its all just a parody, whereas others say that this is somewhat true but its still mainly just meant for eroticism / laughs. I see merit to both arguments, although It kind of left me feeling a little unsure of it all.

Whilst there was clearly a lot of fanservice in bake and especially kizu, theres hardly a scene without it in Nise.
So why? What actually is the point of it all? Does it tie into any of the themes about Fakeness that dominate everything else in the two arcs? Is it meant to suggest something deeper about Araragi? Or is it just for erotic and comedic value? And how does it link to his sisters?

Besdies this, I think I preferred Tatsuya Oishis style in Bakemonogatari (Flawless 10/10 series btw) and Kizumonogatari, though It would've felt a little gimicky if Nise had attempted to do the same style considering I think it fits the tone of Bake and Kizu better.

The overall animation is still very pretty, it still all looks pretty good, almost too good though. The nature of Bakemonogatari kind of meant there were very few changes in scenery and locations, with the focus being on one dialogue heavy conversation between characters, and you get something similar in Kizu too. Nise has some of this too but It also tended to meander a lot so I think maybe my shit attention span didnt appreciate some of the animation/cinematography as much. Id have to rewatch it to properly comment on this though.

Also Bake and Kizu just had superior OSTs, Nise wasn't awful though. Just less standout tracks compared to the almost flawless OSTs of Bake and Kizu

All the new characters introduced were pretty enjoyable. Not exactly sure why Kaiki is so beloved but I guess I will find out in the next few seasons. I already miss Oshino.
Hanekawa felt pretty lacking in this arc and Im not sure why her hair is shorter (unless I missed something).
Senjougahara got some pretty needed character development, and is still my favourite. Kanbaru also was one of the better characters in this arc.
Hachikuji seems like the saddest character, her arc in Bake was already one of the saddest imo and it seems like whatever conclusion we get to her in the later seasons is going to be a sad one but whatever maybe im wrong lol

I will say it did feel a little bit like Nise was mainly there to set up the coming arcs, im not sure if this is a good or a bad thing. The philosophy in Nise was done well and felt well constructed, albeit it felt like it was lacking the same extremely strong emotional core Bake and Kizu had, not that it was bad.

In some ways Nise dealt with the ramifications of Bake and Kizu in a satisfying way, I did like Shinobu and Koyomis reconciliation, and I preferred their dynamic in Nise than between Koyomi and Karen honestly. In the same vein, Araragis relationship with Senjougahara progressed nicely in Nise, it felt like an abrupt jump to this point compared to where they were at the end of Bake.

Solid 7 - 8 out of 10

For reference im referring to the British maximists under mosley, French Sorelians, and Italian Fascists

I dont really understand how nationalism plays into their ideology. The French Sorelians are clearest to me as they are called national syndicalists, atleast the party is, and they are explicitly about cultivating a national myth to bolster the french working class into action or something, but like, how does this even manifest itself?

Like, would the Sorelians pursue irredentism? Would they want to restore the borders of the First French Republic as apart of their whole national myth stuff? Would they annex wallonia and romandie and pursue ethnic nationalism instead?

The British maximists under mosley are even more unclear, I dont get how their British nationalism would manifest itself and it feels like they arent really nationalistic in the traditional sense. Other than British unionism (not including ireland), I just dont see it.

The italian fascists are pretty clearly nationalistic I guess, Im still a little confused how their nationalism differs to otl fascist nationalism but there seems to be a lot of similarities I guess.

I am referring to specifically the UOB Maximists, French Sorelians and Italian Fascists, how do these groups deal with captured colonial territory?

ie, what would happen if the French Sorelians captured Algeria, or if the Italians took Libya?

I know the third internationale is explicitly anti-colonial, but I also just cant imagine these groups especially the totalists just simply being le epic wholesome and immediately granting independence / collaborator regimes (in places which dont really have a fully developed pre-existing labour or totalist movement)

would they pursue something like a mandate system instead where they remain as a guiding presence for syndicalism / totalism to occur??

Im curious because I've heard differing things about this

Is it because of lore reasons, such as the fact in Kizumonogatari he is a proper vampire and in Bakemonogatari he is a human? Thus he experiences physical alterations? From what I remember Senjougahara or someone mentions he isnt particularly attractive in Bakemonogatari but maybe im wrong...

Or is it because of the fact the movies had a longer development time, and that it was more feasible to choose to draw Araragi like that?

Or is it simply a stylistic decision? Is Araragi stylistically drawn differently because the films have a different tone to Bakemonogatari?

Or is it all three?

Do the 3 films work better watched simultaneously in one 3.5 hour sitting? Or is it better to space them out over 3 days? Or is it a worse experience like this?

I know in ths FAQ the recommended one is Kizumonogatari but I checked and Kizumonogatari came out much later than Nisemonogatari, so why is Kizumonogatari recommended before Nisemonogatari?

I also have heard differing opinions on which one to watch after Bakemonogatari, some people recommend airing order as better.

What do you recommend?

Sorry for asking this, I'm well aware its been asked numerous times before, Im just curious what most of you think.

I find all the official accounts of the JFK assasination incredibly weird and full of inconsistencies, but the Zapruder film doesnt 100% look like he was shot from the front from me? I dont get it because it looks like gore is coming out of the front of his head implying he was shot from the back, but also he seems to rock backward suggesting he was shot from the front so im incredibly confused

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I've been meaning to read Umineko for a while, I finished Higurashi a few months ago and I really enjoyed it, so Umineko feels like a natural progression, however I'm worried ive spoilt quite a few major things already.

I would appreciate it if you could let me know how spoilt I am already and if that will affect my enjoyment / should I even bother

- I've read Higurashi so I understand the link between Bernkastel and Rika, as well as I think Satoko/Takano and Lambadelta? I also heard that Umineko involves timeloops like Higurashi

- Bernkastel/Lambadelta are evil and also are lovers?

- I think i've heard that Bernkastel and Lambadelta are "witches" and that theres some concept about Umineko being a gameboard or whatever and the witches like manipulate shit on the gameboard and that this is kind of linked to the mystery in umineko

- apparently theres magic involved? like in the murder mystery or something

- idk what the dude with red hair is called but he marries the brown hair lady (i think her name is beato or beatrice?)

- beato/beatrice is also a witch? ive heard someone call her the golden witch or something before

- bernkastel controls some other character

- the main plot involves something to do with a family fortune or something

How common is belief in things such as spirits, ghosts, superstitions, yokai and cryptids? I know Japan is decently spiritual because of Shintoism being quite engrained in culture, but does it translate over to many people genuinely believing in Ghosts and Spirits?

Do many Japanese people claim to have supernatural experiences or know someone who has had one? Is it something more common with the older generation or is it equally spread out? Are there regions considered more supernatural than others or places considered taboo because of the supernatural?