If you are a big anime fan, you must have heard much about the Monogatari series because it’s extremely popular. And if you have ever thought of watching the entire series but stopped after being confused by how convoluted everything looks, don’t worry because you simply need to follow the correct Monogatari watch order, which you’ll find in this article!
The series is based on a Japanese light novel series written by Nisio Isin, and it’s immensely popular. With 29 volumes in the series already released and a 30th volume in the works, there’s a lot of story to cover.
The light novels are worth reading, but if you aren’t a light novel reader and prefer the anime adaptations, then I am glad to say that Monogatari is a series whose anime adaptations are just as excellent!
However, the Monogatari series is a bit different as, unlike most anime series that follow a linear pattern in storytelling, it takes a different approach. The plot may seem convoluted initially, which can easily scare away first-time viewers.
The truth is that all the arcs in the series are meant to be viewed in the shuffled order. While this may confuse many people, you simply need to follow the recommended Monogatari watch order, and everything will make sense. It’s a unique and one-of-a-kind anime you definitely don’t want to miss!
What Is The Monogatari Anime Series About?
Monogatari is an interesting series popular among otakus because of its deep, unique plot and action. Monogatari series, especially the first season, revolves around the supernatural, usually including vampires, monsters, and pretend monsters.
The main protagonist, Koyomi Araragi, encounters a hotblooded, blonde-haired vampire girl, Shinobu Oshino, who changes his life after their first encounter.
This brief encounter leaves Koyomi being transformed into a vampire, a fearful and powerful monster. This event is a significant start in the anime because Koyomi dabbles into the supernatural in a quest to return back to his mundane life away from the dangerous life of a vampire.
In the subsequent series, like Monogatari’s second season, Bakemonogatari and others depict Koyomi Araragi as deeply involved in the supernatural and a vampiric lifestyle.
He encounters gods, monsters, and spirits, some vile and some friendly. Later on in the series, Koyomi loses his vampirism but still doesn’t return to being a normal human. He still possesses supernatural and extraordinary powers, such as healing abilities and exceptional eyesight.
Despite returning to being human, or in this case, a special human, Koyomi still helps other people afflicted with supernatural disorders in the hopes of returning them to normal.
The Monogatari series can be a complex anime series to watch, especially for people who are generally new to anime. If it’s your first anime and you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t be. It’s an interesting anime with an intense plot and interesting characters.
However, there are various ways to start watching the series. In this article, we will discuss the best way to watch Monogatari series in order, including episodes, movies, and the ONAs. As usual, you can start the anime series at any point; however, the suggestions below would be ideal for you to get the best experience.
Best Monogatari Watch Order Ever:
I’ll start this guide with the best watch order you can follow. There are several websites that tell you all kinds of orders to watch the show but trust me, you should watch it season-wise.
And if you don’t trust me, then trust the author Nisio Isin, who also recommends the below watch order. This watch order follows the same order as the light novels.
And since the light novels are supposed to be read in this order, it only makes sense that you should also watch the anime series in this order. So, let’s have a look at the recommended order to watch the Monogatari series in 2023:
-
First Season
- Bakemonogatari (15 episodes)
- Kizumonogatari (Movies)
- Part 1 – Tekketsu
- Part 2 – Nekketsu
- Part 3 – Reiketsu
- Nisemonogatari (11 episodes)
- Nekomonogatari: Black (4 episodes)
-
Second Season
- Monogatari Series: Second Season (Episodes 1 to 11)
- Includes Nekomonogatari: White and Kabukimonogatari
- Hanamonogatari (5 episodes)
- Monogatari Series: Second Season (Episodes 12 to 26)
- Includes Otorimonogatari, Onimonogatari, and Koimonogatari
- Monogatari Series: Second Season (Episodes 1 to 11)
-
Final Season
- Tsukimonogatari (Episodes 1 to 4)
- Koyomimonogatari (12 short episodes)
- Owarimonogatari: Season 1 & 2
- Zoku Owarimonogatari (6 Episodes)
It doesn’t matter if you are familiar with the series or haven’t watched even a single episode, as the order listed above is the perfect way to watch the Monogatari series. There’s no need to watch it any other way!
But there are other watch orders as well, like the release order or the chronological order, and if you are interested in those too, keep reading!
How to Watch Monogatari Series in Order of Release?
If you prefer to watch any movies or series in the order they are released, this part of the article is for you.
After all, otakus, who have been watching this series since 2009, followed this same process. Secondly, it is easier to follow and watch because of the release date, making it less stressful to sort out. And if you like the show, you can always rewatch it in another order.
1. TV Series:
- Bakemonogatari (2009)
- Nisemonogatari (2012)
- Nekomonogatari: Kuro (2012)
- Monogatari Series – 2nd Season (2013)
- Episodes 1 to 6 – Nekomonogatari: White
- Episodes 7-11 – Kabukimonogatari
- Episodes 12 to 16 – Otorimonogatari
- Episodes 17 to 20 – Onimonogatari
- Episodes 21 to 26 – Koimonogatari
- Hanamonogatari (2014)
- Tsukimonogatari (2014)
- Owarimonogatari (2015)
- Owarimonogatari – 2nd Season (2017)
2. Movies:
- Kizumonogatari
- Part 1: Tekketsu (2016)
- Part 2: Nekketsu (2016)
- Part 3: Reiketsu (2017)
- Zoku Owarimonogatari (2018)
3. ONAs:
- Okitegami Kyouko no Bibouroku x Monogatari (2014)
- Nisekoimonogatari (2015)
- Koyomimonogatari (2016)
4. Specials:
- Bakemonogatari Recap (2009)
- Nekomonogatari: Kuro Recap (2013)
- Koyomi History (2016)
- Owarimonogatari – 2nd Season Recaps (2017)
How To Watch Monogatari Series In Chronological Order?
There aren’t many anime series that I would recommend you to watch in chronological order, but the Monogatari series is a bit different. I wouldn’t recommend watching the series in this order if you haven’t seen it before, but this is the perfect order to follow if you are rewatching it!
If you have watched the series once already, you are familiar with all the characters, their relationships, and the plot. But now, rewatching it in chronological order will give you a new perspective as you revisit the story and start filling in the gaps you may have missed in your first viewing. This will provide you with a better viewing experience overall.
Once again, I wouldn’t recommend you follow this order if this is your first time watching the series, but if you are rewatching, this is the best Monogatari watch order for you!
- Kizumonogatari
- Part 1: Tekketsu (2016)
- Part 2: Nekketsu (2016)
- Part 3: Reiketsu (2017)
- Koyomimonogatari (Episode 1)
- Nekomonogatari: Black
- Bakemonogatari
- Koyomimonogatari (Episode 3)
- Koyomimonogatari (Episode 4)
- Koyomimonogatari (Episode 5)
- Nisemonogatari
- Kabukimonogatari
- Onimonogatari
- Owarimonogatari (Episodes 8-13)
- Nekomonogatari: White
- Owarimonogatari (Episodes 1-7)
- Otorimonogatari
- Koimonogatari
- Tsukimonogatari
- Owarimonogatari – 2nd Season
- Zoku Owarimonogatari
- Hanamonogatari
- Koyomimonogatari (Episode 2; Episodes 6-12)
Conclusion
Monogatari is a fantastic series that every anime fan should watch at least once. Now, I understand that it might seem a pretty tough job navigating between multiple titles in the beginning, but it’s actually a seamless experience if you watch it in proper order.
Like I already said, if you are a beginner to the show, follow the Monogatari watch order recommended by the author, as that’s the order in which the light novels were released. But for the people who are already familiar with the show, you can rewatch it in chronological order!
That brings us to the end of this article. After reading this article, I hope you will find it a little easier to get started with this series. So, make sure to leave feedback and share this ultimate Monogatari watch order with your friends, too!
Also Read: How to Watch Dragon Ball Series in Order?
