Anime Hajime Review: Hanamonogatari

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Hanamonogatari and all previous installments to the Monogatari series. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Suruga Kanbaru (voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro) laments over losing her two beloved upperclassmen to graduation. Life has become lonelier and a little boring.

Still cursed by the monkey’s paw, Suruga has adjusted her life to accommodate its existence. She continues to live what many may consider a happy life. Even if it is a hollow one.

One day she hears rumor of devil that can solve any problem with no questions asked.

Out of curiosity, Suruga tracks down this so-called devil. Who she finds is another high schooler like herself. Except that isn’t quite true. This person was her arch nemesis from her basketball days, Roka Numachi (voiced by Kana Asumi).

An injury resigned Roka to a leg cast for the past three years. Thus destroying a promising career. The only solace she has found is removing the misery within other. Even if it means fostering her own selfish desires.

Suruga's involvement increases upon learning of Roka's second hobby. Along with misery, she has been collecting the parts of an actual devil. One Suruga knows well.

When all the pieces come together, Roka may then find fulfillment. But she may even turn into the devil itself.

Series Positives

This review is not going to be that long. In fact, I could sum up my thoughts in less than a sentence. Except, Monogatari is not the kind of series where talking will do. It is a series you must discuss.

Everything that’s great about Monogatari was here. Everything I’ve praised, everything I’ve loved was present and accounted for. The animation was breathtaking. Some of the best of the franchise. The dialogue was engrossing. Some of the most chilling there has been. The characters were fascinating. This story felt personal. Hanamonogatari was exactly what I have come to expect.

But as I said, this is something you discuss. Therefore, why don't we indulge ourselves?

Short and Sweet

In line with Nekomonogatari, this season will cost you two hours. That is if you consider it a cost at all. Still, the two shows are very different and weren't trying to achieve the same goal.

Nekomonogatari added to the story. Hanamonogatari added to a character.

Am I saying this installment was unneeded? Yes and no. Yes because at this point it did feel unneeded. Nothing progressed. There was no new information. By pure definition this was something one could argue is skippable. Future installments will determine whether this will be the case or not.

While this series only exists for the purposes of existing, don't fall into a trap. You would be making a grave mistake if you do choose to skip this.

To be upfront, Suruga was the focus of my favorite arc in Bakemonogatari. Since then she hasn't done that much. I was happy we got more time with her. But there was more going on.

The story may have stayed unchanged, however, there was irreplaceable character development. Not only for Surugu, even though that would have been enough. Instead, I'm referring more towards Koyomi Araragi (voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya)

To its core, Hanamonogatari was Suruga’s show. It was Suruga focused and Suruga driven. She carried it through. Except, Koyomi got to perform a much different role. One we haven't seen from him. For the first time, we saw him as a mentor. He retained the same qualities that have made him great. Only now we got to witness him use what he has experienced.

Yes, this series is skippable, but I would not recommend doing that.

Series Negatives

I don’t have any negatives to say.

Don’t misconstrue that into me saying Hanamonogatari was flawless. I'm only saying I'm able to think of a flaw. Unhelpful and cryptic I know. Too bad that's all I can do.

This series was short. I’m sure you can point out how I had no problem finding negatives to say about Nekomonogatari. Especially since that was even shorter.

My response to that is, again, Nekomonogatari had a purpose, a goal. That season had something it needed to accomplish. Thus, there was enough for me to latch onto. I stand by what I said was wrong about that particular series.

Hanamonogatari didn't have that quality. Granted, had it not been for certain elements, I would be saying something different. Things like brilliant writing, beautiful visuals, and the rest. Without these, this series didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell.

I can assure you, this review would be a lot different if that were case.

Except that wasn't what happened.

Final Thoughts

I told you this would be short. Hanamonogatari was what makes this series so amazing.

Second Season is still the gold standard. But this was a good follow up. This was also the least action-oriented installment by far. Although, that has never been the biggest selling point of the franchise. Even still, you will be on the edge of your seat listening to every word.

If you have come this far, there is only one correct course of action. Keep going.