The Monogatari Japanese anime series is based on the light novel series written by Nisio Isin and illustrated by Vofan. The anime is directed by several directors and produced by the animation studio Shaft. The series debuted with Bakemonogatari and aired 12 episodes between July 3 and September 25, 2009, on the Tokyo MX television station. Three additional original net animation episodes were distributed on the anime's official website between November 3, 2009, and June 25, 2010. A sequel titled Nisemonogatari aired 11 episodes between January 7 and March 17, 2012.
A prequel to the original series titled Nekomonogatari (Black) aired four episodes back-to-back on December 31, 2012. Six further sequels were later adapted under the common moniker of Monogatari Series Second Season: Nekomonogatari (White), Kabukimonogatari, Otorimonogatari, Onimonogatari, and Koimonogatari aired between July 6 and December 28, 2013, whereas Hanamonogatari, which was originally meant to air with the others in 2013, was postponed and eventually broadcast separately on August 16, 2014. The "final season" of the novels were adapted as Tsukimonogatari, Owarimonogatari, Koyomimonogatari, and Zoku Owarimonogatari which aired from December 31, 2014, through June 22, 2019. An adaptation of the prequel to Bakemonogatari, titled Kizumonogatari, was announced in 2010 but delayed for six years until finally being released as a film trilogy from January 8, 2016, to January 6, 2017. On January 18, 2024, Aniplex and Shaft announced production of anime adaptations of the "Off Season" and "Monster Season" novels.
Series overview Season Episodes Originally aired First aired Last airedMonogatari Series: First Season Bakemonogatari 15 July 3, 2009 June 25, 2010 Kizumonogatari 3 films January 8, 2016 January 6, 2017 Nisemonogatari 11 January 7, 2012 March 17, 2012 Nekomonogatari (Black) 4 December 31, 2012Monogatari Series: Second Season Nekomonogatari (White) 5 July 6, 2013 August 3, 2013 Kabukimonogatari 4 August 17, 2013 September 7, 2013 Hanamonogatari 5 August 16, 2014 Otorimonogatari 4 September 21, 2013 October 12, 2013 Onimonogatari 4 October 26, 2013 November 16, 2013 Koimonogatari 6 November 23, 2013 December 28, 2013Monogatari Series: Final Season Tsukimonogatari 4 December 31, 2014 Koyomimonogatari 12 January 10, 2016 March 27, 2016 Owarimonogatari I 13 October 3, 2015 December 19, 2015 Owarimonogatari II 7 August 12, 2017 August 13, 2017 Zoku Owarimonogatari 6 May 18, 2019 June 22, 2019Monogatari Series: Off SeasonOrokamonogatariTBAJuly 6, 2024TBAWazamonogatariTBAAugust 17, 2024TBANademonogatari5July 13, 2024August 10, 2024Monogatari Series: Monster SeasonShinobumonogatari6September 14, 2024October 19, 2024
Television series
Bakemonogatari Bakemonogatari was directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and Tatsuya Oishi at Shaft, has animation character designs and chief animation direction by Akio Watanabe, and features music composed by Satoru Kōsaki. The season's scripts were written by Yukito Kizawa (Hitagi Crab, Mayoi Mai Mai, Tsubasa Cat) and Muneo Nakamoto (Suruga Monkey, Nadeko Snake) of Seven Days War under the supervision of Shinbo and Shaft. Episodes 4, 6, and 9 were outsourced to other studios by Shaft: episode 4 to Mushi Production, and episodes 6 and 9 to Silver Link.
The season features six pieces of theme music: five opening themes, and one ending theme. , the ending theme, was produced by Supercell and was sung by Nagi Yanagi. Each of the opening themes was composed by Satoru Kōsaki and written by Meg Rock, featuring vocals from one of the main female characters. The first opening, "staple stable", was sung by Chiwa Saitō (Hitagi Senjougahara); the second opening, , was sung by Emiri Katō (Mayoi Hachikuji); the third opening, "Ambivalent World", was sung by Miyuki Sawashiro (Suruga Kanbaru); the fourth opening, , was sung by Kana Hanazawa (Nadeko Sengoku); and the fifth opening, "Sugar Sweet Nightmare", was sung by Yui Horie (Tsubasa Hanekawa).
Type Arc Director Animation directorOpeningHitagi CrabTatsuya OishiAkio WatanabeOpeningMayoi Mai MaiShin ItagakiHaruka TanakaOpeningSuruga MonkeyToshimasa SuzukiAkio WatanabeOpeningNadeko SnakeShin OonumaOpeningTsubasa CatTatsuya OishiEndingAll arcsHajime Ueda
Nisemonogatari Nisemonogatari was directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and Tomoyuki Itamura at Shaft, has animation character designs and chief animation direction by Akio Watanabe, Nobuhiro Sugiyama, and Hiroki Yamamura, and features music composed by Satoru Kōsaki. The series' scripts were written by Yukito Kizawa (Karen Bee) and Muneo Nakamoto (Tsukihi Phoenix) of Seven Days War under the supervision of Shinbo and Shaft. Episodes 5 and 6 were outsourced to other studios by Shaft: episode 5 to Digital Network Animation, and episode 6 to Doga Kobo. Openings 2 and 3 of the series were also animated with assistance from Point Pictures.
The season features four pieces of theme music: three opening themes, and one ending theme. , the ending theme, was sung by ClariS and written by Ryo of Supercell. Each of the opening themes was again composed by Satoru Kōsaki, written by Meg Rock, and sung by members of the female cast. The first opening, , was sung by Chiwa Saitō (Hitagi Senjougahara); the second opening, "marshmallow justice", was sung by Eri Kitamura (Karen Araragi); and the third opening, , was sung by Yuka Iguchi (Tsukihi Araragi).
Type Arc Director Storyboard artist Animation directorOpeningKaren Bee, eps 1 and 3Naoyuki TatsuwaNaoyuki TatsuwaAkio WatanabeOpeningKaren Bee, eps 2 and 5–6Yukio TakatsuYukio TakatsuYukio TakatsuOpeningTsukihi PhoenixEndingAll arcsHajime Ueda
Nekomonogatari (Black) Nekomonogatari (Black) was directed by Tomoyuki Itamura under the chief direction of Akiyuki Shinbo at Shaft, has animation character designs by Akio Watanabe, and features music composed by Satoru Kōsaki. Watanabe served as chief animation director alongside Shaft animator Nobuhiro Sugiyama. The season's scripts were written by Yukito Kizawa (episodes 1–2) and Muneo Nakamoto (episodes 3–4) of Seven Days War under the supervision of Shinbo and Shaft.
The season features two pieces of theme music: one opening theme, and one ending theme. , the ending theme, was written by Saori Kodama, composed by Satoru Kōsaki, and sung by Marina Kawano. The opening theme, "perfect slumbers", was composed by Satoru Kōsaki, written by Meg Rock, and sung by cast member Yui Horie (Tsubasa Hanekawa).
Type Director(s)OpeningURAEndingYukihiro MiyamotoTakayuki AizuHajime Ueda
Nekomonogatari (White) Nekomonogatari (White) was directed by Tomoyuki Itamura under the chief direction of Akiyuki Shinbo at Shaft, has animation character designs by Akio Watanabe, and features music composed by Satoru Kōsaki. Watanabe, Shaft animator Nobuhiro Sugiyama, and Taisuke Iwasaki served as chief animation directors; and the season's scripts were written by Yukito Kizawa (episodes 1–2, 4–5) and Muneo Nakamoto (episode 3) of Seven Days War under the supervision of Shinbo and Shaft. One episode was outsourced outside of Shaft: episode 4 to Studio CJT.
The season features two pieces of theme music: one opening theme, and one ending theme. , the ending theme, was produced by Jin (Shizen no Teki-P) and sung by Luna Haruna. The opening theme, "chocolate insomnia", was composed by Satoru Kōsaki, written by Meg Rock, and sung by cast member Yui Horie (Tsubasa Hanekawa).
Type Director Animation directorOpeningURAAkio WatanabeEndingYukihiro MiyamotoTakayuki AizuHajime Ueda
Kabukimonogatari Kabukimonogatari was directed by Naoyuki Tatsuwa and Tomoyuki Itamura under the chief direction of Akiyuki Shinbo at Shaft, has animation character designs by Akio Watanabe, and features music composed by Satoru Kōsaki. Watanabe, Shaft animator Nobuhiro Sugiyama, and Taisuke Iwasaki served as chief animation directors; and the season's scripts were written by Yukito Kizawa (episodes 1, 3–4) and Muneo Nakamoto (episode 2) of Write Works under the supervision of Shinbo and Shaft. The opening theme was produced with assistance from Cyclone Graphics.
The season features two pieces of theme music: one opening theme, and one ending theme. , from Nekomonogatari (White), was again used as the ending theme for this season. The opening theme, "happy bite", was composed by Satoru Kōsaki, written by Meg Rock, and sung by cast member Emiri Katō (Mayoi Hachikuji).
Type Director Animation directorOpeningTsuguyasu UchiyamaAkio WatanabeEndingYukihiro MiyamotoTakayuki AizuHajime Ueda
Otorimonogatari Otorimonogatari was directed by Tomoyuki Itamura under the chief direction of Akiyuki Shinbo at Shaft, has animation character designs by Akio Watanabe, and features music composed by Satoru Kōsaki. Watanabe, Shaft animator Nobuhiro Sugiyama, and Taisuke Iwasaki served as chief animation directors; and the season's scripts were written by Yukito Kizawa of Write Works under the supervision of Shinbo and Shaft.
The season features two pieces of theme music: one opening theme, and one ending theme. , the ending theme, was composed by Satoru Kōsaki, written by Saori Kodama, and sung by Marina Kawano. The opening theme, , was composed by Satoru Kōsaki, written by Meg Rock, and sung by cast member Kana Hanazawa (Nadeko Sengoku).
Type DirectorOpeningShin OonumaEndingYukihiro MiyamotoTakayuki AizuHajime Ueda
Onimonogatari Onimonogatari was directed by Yuki Yase and Tomoyuki Itamura under the chief direction of Akiyuki Shinbo at Shaft, has animation character designs by Akio Watanabe, and features music composed by Satoru Kōsaki. Watanabe, Shaft animator Nobuhiro Sugiyama, and Taisuke Iwasaki served as chief animation directors; and the season's scripts were written by Muneo Nakamoto of Write Works under the supervision of Shinbo and Shaft.
The season features two pieces of theme music: one opening theme, and one ending theme. , from Otorimonogatari, was again used as the ending theme. The opening theme, "white lies", was composed by Mito and written by Meg Rock. This season features one of three instances in which a member of the female cast did not sing the opening theme, all instances being Shinobu Oshino's voice actress Maaya Sakamoto.
Type DirectorOpeningTakayuki AizuHajime UedaEndingYukihiro MiyamotoTakayuki AizuHajime UedaNaoaki Shibuta
Koimonogatari Koimonogatari was directed by Tomoyuki Itamura under the chief direction of Akiyuki Shinbo at Shaft, has animation character designs by Akio Watanabe, and features music composed by Satoru Kōsaki. Watanabe, Shaft animator Nobuhiro Sugiyama, and Taisuke Iwasaki served as chief animation directors; and the season's scripts were written by Yukito Kizawa (episodes 1–3, 5–6) and Muneo Nakamoto (episode 4) of Write Works under the supervision of Shinbo and Shaft.
The season features three pieces of theme music: two opening themes, and one ending theme. "snowdrop", the ending theme, was written by Meg Rock, composed by Hidekazu Tanaka, and sung by Marina Kawano and Luna Haruna. The opening theme for the first three episodes, "fast love", was composed by Satoru Kōsaki, written by Meg Rock, and sung by cast member Chiwa Saitō (Hitagi Senjougahara). An alternate version of "fast love", has additional vocals by cast member Shin-ichiro Miki (Deishuu Kaiki), and was used in the last three episodes. It is the first instance in which a male cast member sang an opening.
The arc's opening is unique in that it features Osamu Kamijou acting as a character designer, and is the one of two instances in the franchise to feature another character designer besides Akio Watanabe (the other being the Kizumonogatari trilogy). The opening was also produced with assistance from Point Pictures.
Type Director Storyboard artist Animation directorOpeningYukio TakatsuYukio TakatsuYukio TakatsuOsamu KamijouEndingYukihiro MiyamotoTakayuki AizuHajime Ueda
Hanamonogatari