Owarimonogatari 2nd Season Episodes 1-2

Two wonderful episodes that I had the opportunity in catching! I'm wrapping these two episodes now because I believe that Ougi Dark will need its own post (assuming I'm correct in that they do want to finish Ougi Dark in this season). But, I will keep things very brief.

Obviously, SPOILERS follow if you haven't watched Episodes 1 and 2 for Owarimonogatari 2nd Season.

Mayoi Hell was great! It started off exactly where Koyomimonogatari left off with Araragi meeting Hachikuji in hell. I was quite angry at Gaen for killing Araragi (anyone would) but by the conclusion of this part, I could very well say I jumped the gun. I forgot that the Monogatari Series isn't always exactly what it makes itself out to be.

This part heavily focused on pushing the story towards its climax and conclusion (the main story that is). There were quite a lot of exposition but honestly, the series is built on expositions. Ougi is named as the main villain (we all saw that coming from a mile away) but more context and backstory is given towards Gaen's group of specialists. I quite like how they're tying Meme back into the plot but I highly doubt he'd be present for the final battle. At least, not that directly.

We finally get a happy ending for Hachikuji (I think....I hope) and Kiss-Shot gains her true form again (with a great catwalk to boot!). Oh, and Araragi returns to being human. I believe that Araragi's human form is more of a byproduct of needing Kiss-Shot at full power for the war. Hachikuji though, I have no idea whether she's actually human now or still a roaming ghost. Either way, glad to have her back!

The next part takes off right after with Hitagi Rendezvous. After a brief encounter with Senjougahara, we're treated to a nice little bit with Yotsugi! Honestly, I thought they were actually going to cut her screen time based on what Hachikuji said in the previous part but I'm happy they didn't. I really like Yotsugi and this time around, I can't help liking her more. Too bad she can't be as antagonistic with Shinobu anymore.

This part focuses on tying Senjougahara and Araragi together. It also doubles as a filler for Ougi to tell her part of the story and finally drive us towards the conclusion. Watching Araragi and Senjougahara spend time with each other towards the end of their high school lives feels fresh to me. It's sort of like a slice of life anime. Even the comedy bits were handled well (lack of emotion when singing her own song!). It culminates with them calling each other by their first names. I've been waiting for this for too damn long! Here's to Koyomi and Hitagi.

Finally, Ougi confronts Koyomi after the credits and reveals she isn't, in fact, the Darkness. I, for one, didn't think she was the darkness at all but her role in this whole misplaced mystery is difficult for me to discern. She claims to be the principles of the universe but how that translates to her characters remains to be seen.

I do know one thing. I really want to watch Ougi Dark.

And I also really want to read Shinobumonogatari.