SHINOMONOGATARI

DESCRIPTION

CAST

CHAPTERS

NOVEL ComedyOugimonogatari
NOVEL ComedyIkusamonogatari

REVIEWS

• 

  inspirashamul

  85/100
  “The reading order for this final entry doesn’t matter” ~ I allowed Isin to deceive me because I believe in him.

  This is not the first time that NisiOisin has released multiple books in one go like he did with Shinomonogatari (1) Shinobu Suicide and (2) Nadeko Around. When he was working on the Ningen Series (a spinoff to the Zaregoto series), Isin dropped 4 books all at once to close on the end of that franchise:
  Hitoshiki Zerozaki's Human Relations (4) with Izumu Niounomiya, (5) with Iori Mutou, (6) with Soushiki Zerozaki, adn (7) with the Nonsense Bearer. I am sure the experience is similar where even though the characters themselves are not directly connected, the dynamics and what Isin is trying to tell us spans across all the volumes that are compiled together as in both cases, they end off the Season. Sadly, I can't really comment on the cross-series interactions as the Ningen series is barely translated (Volume 1 is the only fully translated one, Vol 2 is technically translated via the Human Knock manga adaptation, and 1 chapter of Volume 3 has been translated) but alas maybe one day I will venture deeper into that series. It's not like even the Zaregoto Series' newest volume 10 got translated and it's been years at this point.

  Shinobu and Nadeko have but one interaction that I vividly recall in Otorimonogatari. Shinobu throwing insults to Nadeko with both the fact that she has nothing but her cuteness something that she was born with and have no control over. Very akin to Shinobu’s own origins as Princess Beauty so we get why Shinobu hates Nadeko. But that rashness of a response is what shapes Nadeko’s response to her own classroom. Harsh criticism that comes from a hatred or loathing of her own self. By basing Nadeko’s own acceptance from the people around her, she came to hate herself. Shinobu is no different in a way even as the Princess, as the Oddity Slayer Kiss-Shot who is tied to having the image of vampire based on what others view her as, and as the shadow of Araragi.

  The front of the back and the back of the front. That is the essential conclusion that we get here with Shinomonogatari. As of the only entry that breaks the flow of chronology that Monster Season as set itself on the entire season, it seems fitting as the bonus story became the main story. Isin’s first chapter for Nadeko’s story really wraps all the way around and almost thanks the anime as the saving grace for Nadeko to continue to have relevance in her longevity. Especially since when I first watched Bakemonogatari, Nadeko’s arc was the one that stuck out the most because of her full victimization but also Araragi’s failure to be the savior that he wanted to be like with all the other previous arcs. That’s why I was concerned that Kaiki wouldn’t show up anymore since his role pretty much ended with Koimonogatari. Thankfully, the banter in both the front side and back side of this volume was showcased in that way. These specialists know what purpose that serve. Kaiki may not have ever let his unrequited love go which is why he still carries on this burden (but you can say he somewhat did with Hanamono I guess). Nadeko is able to forgive as others did for her. Araragi is able to thank as others did for him. As I get to this end of another Season spurred on both by the start of this new season of the anime that has been doing a weird order (like definitely the most changes ever 2 weeks into the first cour of Off & Monster Season) as well as Polaris putting out the entirety of this volume a couple months ago so I was encouraged to finally start the Monster Season of the Light Novel as a whole. This tumultuous journey has finally come to an end in more than one way. Yes I know there is another novel because Isin just loves to write but this will be my last review on this platform at least. I originally started these as a writing exercise and it led to fighting with Anilist-san and letting me leave my real first impressions of the novel that I read. I can look back on these with nostalgia (well all for myself you guys can’t see 2 of them). If you want more of my wacky, rambling, and eccentric miscellaneous musings you can find it on another video based platform. I know you are smart enough to know where if you have read 5 seasons of the Monogatari series :) There’s no need for us to say goodbye because this isn’t even close to our end together right?

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