In Monogatari Series: Second Season, each episode can be summed up as a combination of the following:
- Dialogue
- Dialogue during a phone call
- Rapid screens filled with lines taken from the original novel
- Walking/cycling
- Beatdowns
- Fanservice
- Head tilting
- Eerie music
...
Seems pretty simple, if not mundane. So what makes this series so special? What is so special about these stories, told through dialogue? It's hard to say. Perhaps it's because of the atmosphere it generates. The combination of the right music, the right colour palette, the right word choices, the right pacing and various other factors creates an deep, thoughtful mood within the viewer. To quote CDawgVA, the Monogatari series takes "Show, don't tell" and disregards it completely. The series will make you listen to 20 minutes of dialogue every episode, and it will make you enjoy every bit of it. The way it does this can be attributed to Nisio Isin's conjuration of the Japanese language. However, alongside the intricate use of language, the direction each arc follows is crucially important. I find that the five stages of grief are quite suitable comparisons for each arc, so I will use them as reference.
Nekomonogatari Shiro, The Cat Tale (white part)
This arc explores the fifth stage of grief, Acceptance. In this arc the human expressions of stress and envy are given form, which run amok due to the human weakness of attempting to control them. The lesson learnt from this story is the lesson of accepting oneself, and all of oneself.
Kabukimonogatari, The Tilted Tale
This arc explores the first stage of grief, denial. In this arc an opportunity arises to change history, to realise what could have been. Though destiny does not change easily, the hope of saving a life awakens the inner feeling of denial, to refuse what one receives from life. The lesson learnt from this story is the result of futile denial.
Otorimonogatari, The Decoy Tale
This arc explores the second stage of grief, Anger. In this arc the suppression of anger is burst, and the result is not a desirable one. The actions of one when angered cannot so easily be taken back, and the dangers associated with anger are revealed. The lesson learnt from this story is the danger born from anger.
Onimonogatari, The Demon Tale
This arc explores the fourth stage of grief, Depression. In this arc, the feeling of hopelessness when fate hits you hard in the face is evident. The realisation of what's too come can sometimes be too much, and cause one's stability to collapse. The lesson learnt from this story is the overcoming of depression.
Koimonogatari, The Love Tale
This arc explores the third stage of grief, Bargaining. In this arc the act of bargaining is used greatly. When faced with a difficult, yet not impossible situation one can't help but bargain, and this behaviour is seen in action. The difference between denial and bargaining may be the subtle amounts of acceptance which must be allowed for during a bargain. The lesson learnt from this story is the value of the important things in one's life.
If you have read up to this point, I commend you for your efforts. Whether you haven't started the Monogatari series, plan on watching the Second Season or are already a fan, there is always more detail and analysis that can be done on this masterpiece of a series. Give it a watch, and if you didn't enjoy it, there is something drastically different in your brain which I'll probably never be able to relate to.
