"Save you ? Me ? I can't do that. You're the only one that can save yourself."

If you're here, you are definitely a fan of the Monogatari Series, or maybe just a random person just looking for a manga. In all cases, I recommend you this manga. \NO SPOILERS/

Story : 9.5

The story is really awesome, it's about the relationships between Araragi, the main character, and 6 other girls, who all have awesome personalities. I must also say that it's not your typical vampire story tho.

Art : 10

If i could add 11/10, I would definitely, it's just the BEST art I've EVER seen. The scenery is really abstract, like Shaft usually do. The chara-design are just like in the anime, but really well drawn. The alternation between serious and funny faces is well-done. For me it's better drawn than Berserk (please don't hurt me =)

Character : 10

Probably the best bit of the monogatari series. The relation ship and the talking between the characters is just so damn good. Araragi can be really serious and really hilarious at the same time, he's a half vampire. The other girls have awesome (sorry to repeat, but it's the best world to describe it) personalities. There's a tsundere, two lolis, a class rep, a childhood friend and a tomboy. BUT it's not as usual and I must specify this point.

Enjoyment : 9.5

Nothing to tell, but I really did have fun reading Bakemonogatari. If you're a shônen type reader, maybe it's not your type, but you should definitely have a look at it. For the romance fan, there is a few, but not too much.

Overall : 9.75 ~ 10

So I recommend everyone to, AT LEAST, have a look at this masterpiece. It's NOT better than the anime (obviously lol), but still, if you judge it individually, it's really good. Thanks for reading.

P.S. It's my first review, and English is not my native language.

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Oh! Great is an incredible visual artist, no one could deny that. But I do not think the manga adaptation is in good hands with him at the helm. Why? For starters, this scene (which I believe took place in the late 60's page wise) from the first chapter. It's an absolute atrocity.

--- https://i.imgur.com/7j5REaX.png ---

Let's put aside how logistically absurd it is for a moment.

Let's put aside the question of how a girl with no weight could possibly snap a metal railing, even in a dilapidated building, simply by leaning against it.

Let's put aside the question of how Senjougahara could possibly be a floor above Araragi WHENEVER HE IS LITERALLY GUIDING HER THROUGH THE CRAM SCHOOL FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

No, putting that all aside, the primary issue here is the way it completely abandons the characterization that the original light-novels and anime so adamantly established.

The primary intention of Hitagi Crab was to set up a world where idiosyncrasies plague characters in the form of aberrations, and the way the characters who inhabit that world come to terms and cope with said aberrations. The main takeaway from the first few arches has always been that you cannot save someone, you can only help guide them to the path to save themselves. Araragi was never a white-knight and Senjougahara was never a princess in a castle. After all, even an act of kindness or generosity will be perceived as an act of hostility, right?

Having the very first chapter culminate in a terribly disappointing scene where Senjougahara nonsensically ends up an entire floor ahead of Araragi despite having never entered the cram school prior only to end up, whoops, falling into the palm of his hand before turning a faint pink and thanking him like some sort of savior.... And then having a Araragi give the "you save yourself" speech in COMPLETE IRONY after that--

It leaves such a bad taste in my mouth.

I've seen the manga receiving praise, and I'll probably be downvoted and disagreed with; but, really--

This is just bad, guys. Oh! Great really missed the mark and misunderstood the framework of the story.

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