REVIEW: I loved Bakemonogatari when it was originally out. However, I don't think it's held up well. But once you see THIS series of movies, the anime series will seem so inferior. The characters seamlessly move between rotoscope and regular animation. The 3D backgrounds are integrated well. The animation is just so smooth and beautiful! The characters are more believable and endearing.
I always wanted to know more about Shinobu and here we go! I enjoy watching her transformation in these movies. And my favorite was Black Hanekawa in the original anime. In this movie, we get to see Hanekawa build her relationship with Araragi in a beilevable way. Bakemonogatari is known for it's random ecchi choices. In this movie, the choices they made were rare and (I'm saying this as a female who isn't really a fan of fan service) believably enjoyable. I LOVED Hanekawa's relationship with Araragi; flirty, friendly, and actual relationship depth. So much so that I REALLY want her to end up with him and hate that he's with Senjougahara in Bakemonogatari. Buuuut the characters are so different between the two mediums that they can really be considered different people. There's a delicious scene in this movie where Hanekawa brings Araragi a change of clothes and just stares at him while he's changing, and our usually confidently lecherous Araragi is uncomfortable with it. It's great having the tables turned haha.
Beyond their relationship, the fights were beautiful. There's a scene with a lot of blood and somehow it's both gory and beautiful, like a dance. Also, it was great as Araragi learned about his abilities. Terror and confidence and his opinion of his monstrous changes. The end fight scene is just gorgeous. I wish all the monogatari series looked like this!
