The Monogatari series is a strange ride. Parts slice-of-life, parts action and parts supernatural, the anime based on the Japanese light novel series of the same name is known for its unique presentation, long-winded dialogue and surplus of heroines that drive its narrative forward. Though the Monogatari anime revolve – mostly – around Koyomi Araragi, it’s his relationship with the various heroines of the series and his efforts in helping them deal with their own personal hurdles that make up the majority of the show. As a result, the characterization of these heroines is incredibly pertinent to the series’ success.
Within every arc is an issue, usually revolving around one of the series heroines. It’s all standard narrative procedure for the most part, and you can be sure that you’ll understand a character and their motivations better by the end of it. But that doesn’t make some of these characters any easier to relate to. Monogatari heroines are incredibly diverse in terms of personality and motivation, and in that sense there should be a little bit of something for everybody. But some of them are harder to understand, and over the course of the series, just weren’t that relatable.
10 Relate To: Suruga Kanbaru
Kanbaru has a rough start when she’s first introduced early on in the series. But she goes on to become one of its most beloved characters. You can tell from all the screen-time she gets in latter arcs.
Kanbaru’s initial motivations are pretty one-dimensional. In the Suruga Monkey arc it is revealed that she is possessed by a sort of Monkey’s Paw deity that grants her subconscious desires. Kanbaru plays a big role in some of the events following her arc, and she always proves herself to be resourceful, reliable and most of all enjoyable throughout her role in the story.
9 Never Understood: Tsukihi Araragi
As her name suggests, Tsukihi is the younger sister of series protagonist Koyomi Araragi. Though we don’t see much of her or her sister early on in the series, they each play larger roles throughout their own arcs. The Tsukihi Phoenix arc provides some much needed insight and background on her character, and also somewhat explains her personality as well.
In the arc we learn that Tsukihi is actually an oddity; a child of something called a “Shide no Tori”, which implants their offspring into another pregnant mother before passing. So while Tsukihi does appear and act human, she’s actually far from it.
8 Relate To: Tsubasa Hanekawa
"I don't know everything, I only know what I know."
That’s become Hanekawa’s catchphrase throughout the Monogatari series, and gives you a little bit of insight into what kind of character she is. Chronologically the first heroine introduced in the series, Hanekawa is one of the most expanded upon and developed characters in the series, despite not being its main heroine. Though she does appear in a majority of the series’ arcs.
Hanekawa is a tough character to describe, mostly due to how much development she’s been through throughout the series. She appears to be confident and well adjusted, but is revealed to have much more problems than she lets on. Her outward personality is just her way of hiding the undesirable qualities she’s ashamed of. For a fictional character that’s a pretty relatable character trait.
7 Never Understood: Yotsugi Ononoki
Despite her being one of the more entertaining characters in the series, Ononoki is tough to really understand, and never really seems all that relatable during her time in the story.
Ononogi isn’t really emotional – or rather she’s just 100% deadpan, 24/7. Whatever emotion you can interpret from her actions and words is hidden by her monotonous voice and expressionless face. It’s an endearing character trait, but at the end of it all we don’t understand her anymore than we did from when she was first introduced.
6 Relate To: Hitagi Senjougahara
Senjougahara is initially shown to be a cold and distrusting person, and given her situation prior to the series you could understand why that is. But it doesn’t take long for fans to take a liking to her, due largely to her sharp tongue and rapport with Araragi.
Senjougahara opens up more as the series progresses, and we get to see her character change quite a bit throughout. It’s nice to see such drastic and positive changes from a character who came from such a bad situation.
5 Never Understood: Nadeko Sengoku
Nadeko might be a popular character, but she isn’t a very sympathetic one. Though a majority of the Monogatari Series heroines have to accept their faults before moving forward, Nadeko spends the majority of her early role in the series suppressing hers. Compared to Hanekawa who did so out of self-preservation, Nadeko’s actions feel much more deceptive.
The bulk of her character development comes from the Nadeko Medusa arc, where she goes through some pretty drastic character changes. Though this is all rounded out during the Hitagi End arc, Nadeko’s motivations throughout the Medusa arc, while clear, are still hard to sympathize with given the drastic measures she resorted to – and the strain it puts on the main cast.
4 Relate To: Mayoi Hachikuji
Hachikuji is one of the saddest and most sympathetic characters in the Monogatari Series. As a wandering spirit, Hachikuji has to eventually deal with the reality that she’s a ghost – after not knowing for a good 11 years following her death.
She manages to make the best of it though, and it’s her playfulness and cheery attitude despite her circumstances that make her such a beloved character.
3 Never Understood: Ougi Oshino
Ougi Oshino is one of the biggest mysteries the Monogatari Series has to offer. First introduced in Ougi Formula, Ougi presents herself as the niece of Meme Oshino – though that is later disproven.
Ougi is tough to read, and everything about Ougi, from motivations to gender is left Indeterminate. Though Ougi serves as a good plot device for some of the latter arcs, it’s impssible to get a grasp on what the character’s intentions and motivations are for a majority of their on screen time.
2 Relate To: Sodachi Oikura
Initially not very likable, Sodachi becomes more sympathetic as more about her past and how that affected her personality is revealed. She’s the only heroine in the series who isn’t affected by oddities, and instead harbors a deep resentment for Araragi.
Sodachi had an unfortunate home life and despite her best efforts, ran into similar issues in school. This left her isolated and unstable, which is understandable given how long she’s had to deal with her circumstances. She’s a very pitiful character and that’s what makes her so easy to empathize with.
1 Never Understood: Shinobu Oshino
Shinobu is one of the most important characters in the series. Her background as well as her relationship to Araragi is somewhat complicated – but it’s acknowledged throughout the series that she’s one of the strongest oddities in the Monogatari Series.
Though she’s got tons of character and has proven to be a fan favourite, Shinobu is a tough character to understand. There are times where the audience might be able to sympathize with her and others where she just seems out of reach. It’s a strange dynamic.