I've dropped this series because it seemed to me far too strange. Then I came back to it a few weeks ago and, god, that was rewarding.
Bakemonogatari features the history of a half-vampire named Araragi Koyomi and his attempts to solve spiritual-related problems of girls who surround him, with help of a supernatural expert and a blonde little girl that'll amaze you.
HISTORY: The most notable thing is, Bake could've been a simple harem anime: a kind-hearted boy with lots of stunning girls around him (every girl in Bake develops some kind of desire for Araragi), but the odds went otherwise. The storytelling is really unorthodox: there'll be flashs with texts and phrases which tells you a whole lot of things. You'll get used to them.
Another thing is the Character Lens technique: Sometimes, what you'll see is the picturing of how the arc protagonist sees, feels and reacts. The author hints this on the first scene and while Araragi talks with Hanekawa: it's his POV. There's a considerable amount of fanservice, which is sometimes used to character-building. Really unorthodox, but you'll understand. Edit: Another thing: sometimes, in the series as a whole, the nudity scenes are so seamless into the episode that one can interpretate them as not being fanservice.
This anime is dialogue-driven, be aware of this. Edit:Tons of normal people chit-chat with no link to the plot whatsoever which fleshes out the characters so much.
CHARACTERS: HANDS DOWN FOR THE AWESOMENESS. Damn.
First, Araragi, despite being a lolicon and a borderline paedophilic sometimes, is one of the most honored characters I've ever seen, whether it's his compromise on helping others or being loyal with (SPOILER).
Senjougahara and that purple hair of awe. Charismatic, harsh, seems really cold but is warm and beautiful when you get closer. Like a crab.
Mayoi's description is a spoiler on its own, go and check it.
Nadeko embodies the complex cute teen-kinky teen, and has a really gruesome problem envolving her.
Kanbaru. Bissex, short-haired, straight-foward, exibitionist, fujoshi.
Hanekawa. The most beautiful and good-willed with the harshest of struggles.
Each supernatural issue that they have resembles real problems: abandon, peter pan complex, jealousy and frustration supress, which fleshes out them on a beautiful way.
SOUND: Fits in in the dialogue, well done. Watch it and download the OST.
ART: It's Shaft, expect nothing but good quality.
ENJOYMENT: No lies: this is not an anime for anime-beginners. The more you're into anime understanding, the more awesome this series becomes, Nevertheless, no-experts like myself found this series unique, and fantastic.
Hint: Nisemono is not as great as this one, while the second season will get you hooked. Go on and enjoy the ride!
