Oh so much pain.
Story: It's a great story dealing with the Supernatural that while not as scary as you might think, it is still quite heavy on mystery and the drama that makes the mundane and paranormal blend quite well together.
Underneath is another story that if you are a romance fan, you might find a great gem as those involve grow together.
Oh and wordplay. Ooh the wordplay.
Art: The animation style plays to many of Studio Shafts strengths considering where the story originates from. Each character has a certain motion to them and has a way of sticking with you. The OPs and the EDs also highlight the differences of the characters during each arc. The biggest catch are the random bouts of animation that serve as the comedy. Bonus points for those that know where they come from.
Sound: The Ops and the Ed are wonderfully song ranging from cheerful to melancholy. The ED, Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari, is a wonderful tune that you can sit back and listen to with lyrics that tie into the series. The Osts are kinda limited and repetitive but they help with the atmosphere.
Character: Araragi is a riot and even his heroic side is something people might find attractive. But the main draw for the series are the women: Hitagi, Kanbaru, Nadeko, and Tsubasa. Each arc is a different girl with a different problem, different reactions, and inspires fans just from their personalities if not their backstory and resolutions.
It even has some background characters that make you even more excited and want to learn more about!
Enjoyment: I love this series. Not just from the distinct people that I learn about throughout their stories but from the interaction. Character interaction and development are a part of the great draw here and not for those who are more interested in the beat em up style of shounen or some of the more melodramatic gestures of shoujo. Not to say there isn't any fights but those only help in some terms.
Overall: Those who are looking for some good Urban Fantasy and character growth will find this show a great addition to their library. There are many to choose from and the best part is that whole series is not over.
9.87/10.
