Nisemonogatari Filler Guide

Nisemonogatari (偽物語) is an anime series based on the Monogatari light novel series, which is written by Nisio Isin and illustrated by Vofan. The anime is produced by the Japanese animation studio Shaft with direction by Akiyuki Shinbo, music direction by Satoru Kousaki, art direction by Yuka Hirama, and character design by Akio Watanabe. It was broadcast on Tokyo MX between January 7 and May 17, 2012 in Japan. The series follows the adventures of Koyomi Araragi after his encounter with a vampire named Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade while he recovers from a leg injury.

Nisemonogatari Plot

The series centers around Koyomi Araragi, a third year high school student who is also a vampire. He is introduced to Tsubasa Hanekawa, a first year high school student who also happens to be the president of the school’s disciplinary committee. She informs him that someone has been attempting to sell recordings of him undergoing transformations into his vampire form during the previous summer break in order to reduce his popularity.

Koyomi investigates the matter with Tsubasa’s help and discovers that he was attacked six months prior by an unknown vampire named Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade, who had turned him into a vampire. In order to save Koyomi from dying once her blood runs out, Kiss-shot turned him into a part-vampire and gave him her “ability of immortality”. The only catch was that she had only given one of these abilities to Koyomi, so he would need to drink blood from other people in order to replenish it.

How popular is Nisemonogatari anime?

Nisemonogatari has been popular with both critics and viewers alike since its release. It won the “Animation Kobe” award in 2013, as well as the “NYCC Award” and the “Sakura Award”. It was also nominated for the “Best Television Series” award at the 4th Annual Tokyo Anime Awards. Both the series and its second season also received an average score of 8.5 out of 10 from a panel of judges on MyAnimeList. The series was also popular with viewers, as it placed 11th in a poll conducted by TV Asahi on which anime series people were most excited to see announced for a new season in 2013.

How Much Filler is in Nisemonogatari?

In Nisemonogatari’s there were a total of 11 episodes, with none of them being filler. The anime’s fourth and final season, Tsukimonogatari (等身大的戀愛), had only one episode that was not adapted from any other source material. Let’s take a recap at the episodes in chronological order that are not fillers, but still interesting nonetheless.

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List of episodes for Nisemonogatari in chronological order – Learn if it is worth watching

Episode 1: Karen Bee, Part One

In this first part of Karen Bee, we get to see how Senjougahara acts around Araragi and vice-versa. The chains are what brings them closer together, and they talk about the things they would like to do to each other (e.g. Araragi would like to be able to kiss Senjougahara, and Hitagi thinks that she would like it if Araragi were able to lick her knee).

In terms of story development, however, this episode is basically a build-up episode without much plot progression. Instead, the focus is on character development. We get to see how Senjougahara acts in different situations such as when she is teasing Araragi, and how she is when she is alone with Araragi.

We also get to see a few glimpses of Senjougahara’s past, as well as why she acts the way she does now. It turns out that Hitagi was once a child who wasn’t able to do what other children could do. Hitagi has also told Araragi that her personality is the result of her upbringing, and it isn’t something that she won’t change. In this episode, we get to see an example of Hitagi’s personality, and it gives us a good picture of what kind of person Hitagi really is.

Moreover, this episode gives us a good amount of comedy. After all, we do get to see Araragi getting teased by Senjougahara.

However, this episode isn’t perfect. It seems that the audience’s attention are more focused on Senjougahara than Araragi himself and that results in a less than perfect character development for our protagonist.

Episode 2: Karen Bee, Part Two

The plot of this episode is basically a continuation of the previous episode. Nadeko’s popularity with Koyomi is at its highest, and the main story of the arc seems to be over, but there are still several loose ends that need tying up.

Koyomi finally manages to reach his destination after many struggles. After all, he has gone through three train lines and three stations just to reach one station away from his destination.

Nadeko, however, has changed a lot in this episode. She is no longer lonely and depressed like she was during the beginning of the series. Her transformation can be best explained by her clothes and actions in this episode. Instead of wearing her usual plain-colored school uniform, she is now wearing a cute pink dress. Instead of her usual gloomy attitude, she is now cheerful and playful.

It is no surprise that Nadeko was a popular girl in her old school. Nadeko is also one of the prettiest girls in the series, so it can be assumed that many boys liked her. She easily gets along with everyone, even if she does not know them immediately, which makes her popular among the girls as well. Koyomi even states that she has been popular since kindergarten, so it is no wonder that she has been spoiled by everyone since young. It seems like Nadeko got all the attention she wanted from all these boys and girls who are attracted to her in some way or another.

However, Nadeko herself seems to be oblivious to these boys who like her, and she does not have any close friends. As Koyomi said in the previous episode, Nadeko is a loner. She may have been surrounded by people who liked her, but she was lonely in reality. In fact, it seems like most people shunned her because they were afraid of Nadeko’s snake curse.

Even though she is popular at school, Nadeko lives a lonely life at home. Her parents are divorced and only appear in the manga version. The audience can see that she lives alone because there are no pictures of anyone else in her house and no one else is present when Koyomi visits her. Nadeko herself is also quite isolated at home, and she even tells Koyomi in the previous episode that she does not have friends.

In this episode, Nadeko has a minor change of character. When Koyomi arrives at her house, he can see that Nadeko has changed clothes and is no longer gloomy as before. Instead of wearing her plain school uniform, she wears a cute pink dress. This change of clothing shows her new attitude in this episode.

Nadeko’s change also extends to her mannerisms. Before Mayoi Snail, Nadeko was gloomy and quiet; now, she is more cheerful and playful than before. Her cheerful nature is shown when she tries to convince Koyomi to play King’s Game with her. Under normal circumstances, Nadeko would not suggest a game like King’s Game. She would be too afraid of being cursed by the stakes, but she seems much braver than before.

Nadeko’s change can also be due to Koyomi and Tsubasa’s help in the previous episode. They managed to lift Nadeko’s curse and get rid of her snake tentacles, giving her a new life where she has no fear of dying from the curse or being attacked by it.

Episode 3: Karen Bee, Part Three

In this episode, we get to know more about Suruga and her relationship with Koyomi. We see her devotion to him, which is a side that she would not show to others. We also see the first hint of Hanekawa’s influence over Koyomi, as he chooses not to involve her in his indecisiveness regarding his feelings for Hitagi.

Suruga’s obsession with Koyomi is highlighted when she mails a letter to him, along with the one that he has written to Hitagi. She also shows him her collection of photos of him, especially those in swimsuits. She also says that she wants to be his wife in front of Kanbaru (who then stabs her and nearly kills her) and decides to play a game of hanafuda with him.

The episode also introduces a new character, Nadeko Sengoku, a girl whose family is acquainted with the Araragi family. She is introduced as a friend of Hitagi’s, but it is not certain if she will become an antagonist for Koyomi’s harem.

The episode ends with Nadeko Sengoku being summoned by Koyomi to help him against the snake apparition. Meanwhile, Shinobu Oshino decides to not help him this time, and Senjougahara decides to wait for his call instead of looking for him herself.

This episode is interesting as it shows the relationship between Suruga and Koyomi. At the end of this episode, Suruga’s character is further developed as she helps Koyomi fight against the snake apparition. Furthermore, a new character, Nadeko Sengoku, is introduced. She seems to be a friend of Hitagi’s, but it is also hinted that she might be an antagonist for Koyomi’s harem.

Suruga Kanbaru makes her first appearance in Episode 3 of Bakemonogatari. Suruga is voiced by Rie Kugimiya and has been described as very beautiful. Her hair is red and she wears a sports outfit with shorts and long white socks. She seems to be very fond of Kanbaru Suruga (and other girls) in particular, but also seems to have some sort of crush on Koyomi Araragi.

Episode 4: Karen Bee, Part Four

The first interesting point in this episode is the drama between Tsubasa and Koyomi. This plot point is particularly interesting because there are hints of tension between them ever since Tsubasa’s father abused her. The fact that Tsubasa’s father is a policeman adds to the tension, as she could have reported to him about her being physically abused by him. However, the fact that she did not report it — even when she has a chance to do so — means that Koyomi has some level of respect for his classmate, as he does not want to involve his friend in their family issues.

This chapter also presents a unique twist: When Koyomi and Tsubasa were alone, they had a conversation regarding her hairstyle. Tsubasa explains that she cut her hair because of what her mother said regarding her hairstyle, as well as what Hitagi told her in the past on how guys like girls with longer hair.

Tsubasa also confesses that she has a crush on Koyomi, but she is aware that he is in love with Hitagi. She even states that she would be willing to give up her feelings if it meant that Koyomi could be happy.

In response, Koyomi takes a step forward and places his hand over Tsubasa’s face, telling her that he appreciates the sentiment behind it, but he cannot return those feelings. He then adds that since they are both going to be first-class detectives, they should learn to stand on their own feet and be independent.

Tsubasa then thanks Koyomi, saying that she is glad that she could be of some help in resolving the tension between the Fire Sisters and their older brother.

At the end of this episode, there is a scene where Koyomi and Tsubasa are together with Karen and Tsukihi at Yozuru’s shrine. The shrine is important as it is the place where Araragi family members would deliver prayers to Yozuru Oshino, Meme’s grandfather. In addition to that, many Meme-related events have happened in this shrine. With Karen and Tsukihi being present there though, it is clear that the Fire Sisters are getting involved in the supernatural aspect of Koyomi’s life.

With that, this episode ends with Karen and Tsukihi making their first prayers to Yozuru.