Introduction
If you honestly fill out what you've seen, this should summarize the series as you know it.
I consider episode names and arc lengths a spoiler so will omit them. The number of OPs per
character etc. also gives away who gets focussed on, so shall be omitted. If you're not yet
introduced to a character, mentions of them will be redacted as well. The emphasis is Chronology:
so things are ordered by time, not the order of the episodes or some view order of the series.
でわ、what have you seen?
何でも知らない阿良々木くん、あなた知ってるよ
The episodes are in the recommended viewing order. Kizumonogatari could be watched after bake, but I'd not.
Characters
Koyomi Araragi
Protagonist.
Karen Araragi
Koyomi's older younger sister.
Tsukihi Araragi
Koyomi's younger younger sister.
Araragi mother
Koyomi's mother.
Senjyogahara father
Hitagi's dad.
Sengoku Nadeko
A childhood friend of Koyomi's sisters.
Hanekawa Tsubasa
Koyomi's classmate.
Hitagi Senjyogahara
Koyomi's classmate.
Kanbaru Suruga
Koyomi's kouhai.
Rouka Numachi
Kanbaru's rival.
Meme Oshino
Apparition expert.
Shinobu Oshino
Loli.
Kiss-shot acelerion heart-under-blade
Ougi Oshino
A kouhai.
Kaiki Deshu
Apparition expert/conman.
Sodachi Oikura
Koyomi's classmate.
Yotsugi Ononoki
Kagenui's helper.
Izuko Gaen
Apparition expert.
Tadatsuru Teori
Apparition expert.
Yozuru Kagenui
Apparition expert.
Mayoi Hachikuji
Loli.
The First Apparition Slayer
Seishirou Shishirui.
Timeline
400 years ago -- Japan
Shinobu lands in a lake in Japan and saves the people in a nearby village by bringing rain. She is, thus,
worshipped and spends the years in Japan as a goddess. There she befriends a spirit hunter. Some time later,
people from the town and nearby towns start disappearing and, not knowing why, Shinobu and the spirit
hunter go to investigate. They find the darkness and the spirit hunter is almost consumed by it, but
an arm is left. Shinobu takes herself and this arm to antartica.
11 years ago, Saturday in May
Realizing that Hachikuji is still alive, Araragi decides to save her. In looking for directions, they
meet a young Hanekawa who, suspicious of Araragi, decides to point them to a police station. There they
learn Hachikuji's address and plan their rescue the next day. They wait at Hachikuji's father's house all
morning and eventually learn that she'd left early in the morning. They bump into Hachikuji at a playground
, the one they first met at. There, Hachikuji tries to run away from Araragi,
who still manages to save her from the car crash. With their mission accomplished, Araragi and Shinobu
decide to return to the future.
Araragi's First Year of Middle School
Five years before the present -- during Araragi's first year of middle school, he insists he is a
normal child, studying hard under the influence of his parents who are police officers. However, he
realized that he was falling behind in math.
One day, he finds three envelopes in his locker, imitating the Monty Hall problem. This leads him to
a girl, who he keeps meeting to get better at math. In fact, it is because of her help that he gets
into his high school. In fact, this girl only imposes three conditions: that they only meet on the second
floor of the mansion Araragi was first led to, that the sessions are kept secret, and Araragi must not
ask her anything unrelated to math. As compensation, she hopes that Araragi would continue to love math.
Mysteriously, at the end of summer, the girl vanishes.
2 Years Aro, After a Test
After a test, it is revealed that 20 or so students have the identical answers to some questions in math
tests and that these answers are too perfect: identically matching the answer key. Furthermore, it was
found that the people were in the same study session and had taken notes from the test itself. The class
deduced that somebody must have given the study session the test, after stealing it from the teacher's
office. Hence, under the stern class representative, Oikura Sodachi, an arduous investigation begins.
Araragi, walking in late, gets pinned with the task of leading the investigation. The class descends into
a rude hellscape of agrument and nobody is able to agree on blaming a person, until Sodachi herself is
brought up. Eventually, nobody defents her, so she is pinned with the blame. She never sounds up to school
again.
Golden Week
Koyomi wakes up to getting kicked out of bed by Tsukihi. He takes this opportunity to discuss his feelings
about a classmate. He explains the feelings in great depth, getting vague definitions of the shades of
love from his younger sister. In this discussion, they conclude that Koyomi is just sexually frustrated and
should revert to porn magazines. He asks Karen for a second opinion and she literally says "you know you're
in love when you want their babies," ignoring all the shades Tsukihi discussed. In biking, Koyomi encounters
Hanekawa with a bandage on her left cheek. She tells Araragi that her father hit her and makes him promise
not to tell anybody else. He spends an absurd amount of time considering his promise, deciding to heal her
wound using his blood.
Araragi visits Oshino, bringing donuts. In the end, he gives the donuts to Shinobu. Oshino asks Araragi
about how Hanekawa is doing. Araragi explains all the details, learning that after Araragi healed
Hanekawa's wound they encountered a silver cat with no tail. Oshino believes that they encountered a
meddlesome cat that would require investigation. Oshino decides to investigate the cat while Araragi is
sent to meet Hanekawa.
Araragi meets Hanekawa who is possessed by a cat spirit and is dragging her parents' unconscious bodies.
Araragi tries to stop the cat, but she leaves his with an arm torn off.
Golden Week -- Next day
Araragi wakes up after twelve hours of unconsciousness. Shinobu had been watching over him. Oshino claims
that there is no saving Hanekawa.
Golden Week -- Next day
Araragi breaks into Hanekawa's house and learns that she doesn't have a room. He rushes home, and Tsukihi
tells him that various people around town have been attacked by a cat monster.
After Golden Week
Finding that Hanekawa is not attending school, Araragi goes to talk to Oshino. Oshino explains that the cat
is usually a very weak abberation, but in this case, the cat is using Hanekawa's intellect, so is difficult
to defeat. In fact, over the week or so, Oshino was bested 20 times. Oshino points out that the cat must
be stopped to prevent a complete merger of the cat and Hanekawa's consciousness so that Hanekawa may be
recovered.
The next day, Araragi meets the cat. The cat states that it will leave Hanekawa alone once its relieved all
her bottled up stress. Araragi believes that more than loving Hanekawa, he is willing to die for her.
In this effort, Araragi goes to convince Shinobu to help him. Eventually, she entrusts him with
Kokorowatari, the blade that kills abberations without harming any possessed bodies. Araragi lures
Hanekawa to Oshino's place by emailing her claiming to be attacked by a vampire.
When the cat shows up, Araragi berates her for being possessed, prompting her to attack him. The cat cuts
Araragi's body in half and gets cut by the sword he swallowed. However, Hanekawa does not let the cat go.
Shinobu, instead, fixes Araragi's body and defeats the cat.
Hanekawa returns to normal with no memories of the incident. Oshino tells Araragi that marrying her and
giving her the life she wants would solve all the problems but Araragi refuses, stating that, despite his
care for her, he does not love her.
Early May, Day 1
Araragi catches Senjyogahara as she slips on a banana peel. After school, Araragi tries to ask
Hanekawa about Senjyogahara, as they discuss their student council work. Hanekawa says that
Senjyogahara had to miss school due to an illness and has only returned for the current year.
Senjyogahara then threatens Araragi at staple-point (stable staple) to keep his silence.
Revealing his quick-healing, Araragi earns Senjyogahara's trust and brings her to Oshino.
Oshino points out that this isn't the first girl Araragi brought, but offers to help,
requesting that Senjyogahara showers before coming to her midnight purification ritual.
Gods are portrayed as careless, especially the crab that stole Senjyogahara's weight.
Senjyogahara offers to pay 10000 yen for Oshino's services.
Early May, Day 1 -- midnight
After much fan service with Senjyogahara asking Araragi for clothing recommendations after showering,
we return to Oshino's abandoned school. There, Oshino questions Senjyogahara to summon the Crab,
おもいしかに. The questions reveal that Senjyogahara's mother joined a cult when Senjyogahara was
sick and as a part of cult customs, a cult elder was allowed to have his way with the, then eighth
grader Senjyogahara. She fights him off, but with no support from her mother. After this, she faces
the crab and regains her feelings (思い). Araragi gains some weight (重い).
Mid May -- Sunday
Araragi meets Senjyogahara at a random playground, sulking away from an argument with Karen.
He only reveals his reason through a strained conversation where we also learn that Senjyogahara
is now a friend. Then Araragi ends up beating up Hachikuji because she tries to keep him away.
Araragi tries to lead Hachikuji to the place she was going -- her mother's place. This does not
work as even Senjyogahara, who was supposed to know about the neighborhood, gets lost. Senjyogahara
goes to talk to Oshino while Hachikuji and Araragi wait at the playground. Tsubasa shows up and
re-hashes some of the relationship topics Araragi and Senjyogahara talked about earlier. Oshino
calls and says that Senjyogahara knows what to do.
Senjyogahara returns to Araragi, knowing the situation: Hachikuji is a ghost, the mayoi snail,
that gets its victims lost. Hachikuji can't help it, but is returned to her mother's home by
being lead through new roads she doesn't know as a ghost. At this point, Araragi makes a resolution:
in his relationship with Senjyogahara (which he just starts), neither will hide facts from the other.
Mid May -- Weekday 1
Araragi goes to Senjyogahara's for a study session, mocked on the way by Hachikuji. After talking to
Hachikuji, he also meets Suraga who seems to look up to him. At Senjyogahara's, after a brief chat
about their future, Araragi makes the mistake of bringing up Suraga. We learn that Suraga and
Senjyogahara were in the same middle school, where they were a famous duo. Then, on the way home,
Araragi tries to give Oshino Senjyogahara's payment, but is attacked by some hooded gorilla figure
on the way. Senjyogahara finds him on the some rail tracks and reminds him to pay Oshino.
Araragi lies, saying he stumbled when Senjyogahara questions him on the rail tracks.
This breaks his resolution in starting to go out with Senjyogahara.
Mid May -- Weekday 2
Araragi goes to Suraga's house, finding her red book-filled room.
She immediately appologizes for attacking him, revealing that
her left arm is a monkey's paw. More to Araragi's surprise, she admits that she's lesbian. At
Oshino's, where Araragi takes her for help, the monkey's paw is accepted as a lesser demon that will
leave Suraga's arm after fulfilling 3 wishes.
The monkey's paw Kanbaru has was originally thought to fulfill wishes in strange ways.
In particular, as a somewhat estranged fourth grader, she found herself wishing to win a race.
She wished upon the paw and found that her four competitors were attacked by a raincoat wearing
monster. She believed that the paw would do more harm, fulfilling wishes in unexpected ways, so she
did not use it. She wanted to use it to help Senjyogahara, but found that the paw only grants
negative wishes, so would not have helped the crab. After some time, finding Senjyogahara in a
relationship, Kanbaru wishes to replace the boyfriend. Oshino concludes that the paw attached as the
paw took some of Kanbaru's soul, growing into her arm. The second wish, Oshino understands, is to
kill Araragi. A fair exchange, he then reasons, would be to cut of Kanbaru's arm to prevent Araragi's
death. Araragi does not accept this. Instead, he decides to beat the demon to make its contract
impossible. Araragi gets shredded and then Oshino helps by summoning Senjyogahara. Senjyogahara
resolves the situation by offering an ultimatum: that she would kill whoever kills Araragi unless
she dies. This makes it impossible for the demon to grant Kanbaru's wish.
Senjyogahara complains about Araragi breaking his resolution for the relationship.
Mid May -- Weekday
Araragi and Kanbaru head to a shrine (Kitashirahebi Jinja) to leave a talisman for Oshino.
On the way, they encounter a young girl. Furthermore, at the top, they find slaughtered snakes,
left as if part of a ritual. Kanbaru feels sick, so they hurry away.
Mid May -- Next Weekday
Araragi meets Tsubasa in a bookstore. At the bookstore, after getting a recommendation for setting
boundaries in his new relationship, Araragi sees the young girl from the previous day. Tsubasa leaves
due to a headache. Araragi recognises the girl as Nadeko Sengoku, a childhood friend of his sisters'.
Araragi and Kanbaru intercept Sengoku at the shrine, taking her to the Araragi house. She takes of
her clothes (yes, it's a swimsuit scene) revealing snake-like skin. She pleads for help.
Oshino tells Araragi that Sengoku is under the effects of a constrictor snake spirit:
Jyagirinawa. Sengoku was cursed after rejecting a boy that some classmate liked. The curse usually
would not take effect, being placed by an amateur, but Sengoku went to Kitashirahebi which is
under corrupted influences
(started by the first apprentice's coming 11 years ago)
that Oshino's talisman would have removed.
Araragi obtains a charm to get rid of Jyagirinawa and they head to Kitashirahebi to remove it.
The ritual seems successful, but Sengoku is still in pain. It becomes clear that she's being attacked
by two snakes, the second one placed by the boy she rejected. Kanbaru and Araragi manage to
stave the second snake off, drawing it after themselves and tracing its imprints on the grass.
Araragi laments that he didn't destoy it since it would attack the boy who placed it.
Mid May -- Next Weekday
Sengoku comes to the high school to return the swimsuit she had. They talk about Shinobu, but
Sengoku runs off, dropping Doraemon references, as Hanekawa shows up. They talk briefly about the
bad influence Araragi is on Senjyogahara, but Hanekawa leaves with a headache. Araragi recalls
that similar events happened over golden week, when Hanekawa turned into a cat. Oshino explained
this was a manifestation of her stress and Shinobu resolved the situation by baiting the cat with
Araragi and draining the cats' strength.
Mid May -- Weekday
Senjyogahara teases Araragi, asking him on a date in the most tsundere way possible. He gets late
which Senjyogahara doesn't mind. Mr Senjyogahara, Hitagi's dad, drives the couple for a few hours.
During these hours, Araragi is teased relentlessly: he is forced to call Hitagi by first name as
"Senjyogahara" is ambiguous (she pretends it's addressed to her father). She pressed him, asking
him what he likes about her (even answering him directly when he tried to reflect the question back).
Then they get to the park. Her father parks and they head out, to walk in the woods. Senjyogahara forces
Araragi to look down. In the middle of the forest, Senjyogahara lays out a blanket and has him lies
down with eyes closed. She lies next to him, letting him open his eyes.
They lie in an opening and look at the stars. She says that the stars, her friends, and her intelligence
are everything she treasures and all that she'd be able to give him. Then, like a good tsundere, she
can't ask to be kissed.
I can't do it justice.
Mid May -- Next Weekday
Araragi bumps into Hachikuji and teases her as usually (sorry I stuttered). Hachikuji breaks Araragi's
finger by mistake. Hachikuji tells Araragi that Shinobu was at a donut store. The plot thickens with
Hanekawa texting him, telling him to ditch school and come to a playground. At the playground, he
finds Hanekawa in her pyjamas and a hat. They talk about her headaches and Araragi persuades her to
take her hat off, revealing cat ears. They go to Oshino who they find burying something in the dirt.
On the way, Hanekawa suggests that Araragi is surrounded by women, and that perhaps it's his
vampiric charm that draws all of them into him. Oshino knocks Hanekawa out, and her hair turns
white, revealing the cat.
Araragi decides to enlist Shinobu, but she's nowhere to be found. The cat wakes up and seems to help
Araragi. Yet, the cat cannot sniff out Shinobu. In talking, however, the cat points out that the
cause of Hanekawa's stress was her unrequited love for Araragi.
Araragi is confused after hearing that Hanekawa had feelings for him. He argues with the cat, saying
that the feelings were a mistake. The cat points out that killing Araragi would be another solution.
However, recalling Senjyogahara's words, Araragi decides that he does not want to die. In desparation,
he asks for help from Shinobu who appears out of his shadow. It is revealed that the cat was trying
to corner Araragi where he wouldn't have a shadow for Shinobu to hide in, but now that she's out,
she sucks that cat's strength away. Hanekawa reconciles her feelings,a little,
sorry that the cat had had to do her dirty work.
Mid May -- Next Weekday
The next day, Oshino is nowhere to be found. He left Araragi to his own devices.
Summer
Karen heads over to face Kaiki. She's determined that he's causing all the trouble in her
middle school.Sengoku was a victim to one of these cons.
Karen explains to Kaiki that her name, Araragi, refers to a tree sapling. Kaiki mentions that his
name is the opposite. They discuss justice. In the end, Kaiki blames the foolish middle schoolers
and escalates the confrontation. It ends with Kaiki poking Karen's forehead, stinging her with
a bee.
Araragi gets into an argument with Tsukihi after hearing that Karen is out. Sengoku had invited him
over, so he calls her to see if she's free. This leads to one of my favorite puns in the show:
Tsukihi tells him "千石また恋している". In Araragi's eyes, for a few seconds, we see "来い".
Tsukihi's line means "Sengoku still likes you" with "koi" as the word for liking. In his eyes,
we see "koi" interpreted as "to invite," highlighting that he thinks Sengoku is merely inviting him,
and is blind to her true feelings. On the way, he stumbles into Hachikuji and they talk for
a long time. She says she'll be sure to tell him when she goes, similar to Oshino.
Araragi gets to Sengoku's and learns that her parents aren't home. Sengoku has a different hairstyle,
and they talk and play games (twister, of all things). Sengoku gets frantic as her mother returns
early and did not know that Araragi was coming over. Araragi escapes and decides to meet Kanbaru
to help her clean her room. He bumps into Karen on the way. She leaves, doing "community service."
Araragi stumbles into an odd man looking for some Gaen residence. The man introduces himself as
Kaiki Deshu, Kaiki evoking an elderly tree. Araragi begins to explain himself, but Kaiki interrupts
him, saying he knows the name. On the way home, Araragi meets Senjyogahara and they talk about their
days, particularly how Araragi has not studied. Araragi mentions Kaiki and is promptly knocked out
by Senjyogahara.
Araragi wakes up in bondage. Senjyogahara has captured him for his protection. She teases him over
his thirst and hunger.
In bondage, Araragi is told that Kaiki is a dangerous con man who took advantage of the Senjyogahara
family situation. Araragi breaks free of the handcuffs with his vampiric strength, but Senjyogahara
threatens to fight him. Then, after picking up Araragi's phone, Senjyogahara is convinced to let
Araragi go. She reveals that Hanekawa was on the phone.
At the Araragi house, Koyomi enters to find Hanekawa attending to a feverish Karen. It turns out that
Hanekawa had been helping the sistes with their exploits. Hanekawa and Koyomi talk in his room. He
decides to shower. In the bathroom, Shinobu comes out of his shadow and explains Karen's illness,
having heard it in a lecture from Oshino. Karen, it turns out, has been stung by a bee and will
suffer a fever that will cause a burning sensation.
Tsukihi catches Koyomi up on Karen's doings. After this, Koyomi helps Karen, putting her on his bed.
Karen resists getting help, fearing infecting him too. Koyomi goes to the bathroom and asks Shinobu
if the bee curse can be transferred. Shinobu does not recommend it.
Koyomi only removes half the poison.
Summer -- Next Day
Koyomi goes to Senjyogahara's house and she says that she's arranged to meet Kaiki to resolve the
outstanding issues. On the way, he confides in Hachikuji. Returning home, Araragi finds Karen missing,
despite convincing her not to enact revenge prematurely. He enlists Shinobu's help.
With Shinobu, Araragi quickly finds Karen. They fight intensly as Karen insists that she's fine and
ready to face Kaiki. After they fight and a small conversation, where Koyomi explains that he thinks
the sisters are fakes (hence 偽物) and it's up to him to help them as their older brother. Senjyogahara
Araragi face Kaiki and manage to banish him from the town with threats. He does imply that
Senjyogahara fell for him all those years ago. Regardless, Senjyogahara lets Araragi stay the night.
Summer -- Next Day
The next morning, Araragi returns to find the sisters out to resolve the left over conflicts in their
middle school.
Summer
Koyomi, focussing on his studies, is interrupted by Karen who shows up in Tsukihi's clothes. This
comes as a shock, but Karen says she's in love. Furthermore, she wants to be introduced to Kanbaru.
Koyomi fears this, wondering at all the ways this could end badly. Karen challenges Koyomi to
a contest. This is the toothbrush scene. Yeah. I will not elaborate. Tsukihi barges in, wondering
what was going on, and leaves to buy awls to punish the pair. Koyomi admits defeat.
Koyomi sets off to the Kanbaru house with Karen as promised. On the way, with Koyomi on Karen's
back (I don't remember how this was decided), they meet Kagenui, who asks for directions. They
consult Hanekawa for help and find that Kagenui wanted to go to the abandoned school Oshino used to
occupy. Kagenui leaves informing them that a specific girl should be given the same information.
Despite Kagenui's strangeness, Karen declares that Kagenui is a strong fighter who'd best her.
After leaving Karen with Kanbaru, Koyomi bumps into Hachikuji and they are shortly approached by
Ononoki, who asks for directions to the cram school -- with a posed face.
Shinobu asks for donuts. Before heading out, Koyomi realizes that a scar on Tsukihi's chest has
healed from a childhood scar. Furthermore, he notices that all her other scars are gone. At the
donut shop, Koyomi asks her if she knows Kagenui or Ononoki. Instead of getting an answer, they
find Kaiki and pay him for information, learning that Kagenui and Ononoki are hunters of aberrations.
Koyomi worries that they're after Shinobu, and find the aberration hunters waiting at his house. They
reveal, however, that Shinobu is not their target and then Ononoki attack Tsukihi as she opens the
door. Koyomi furiously launches himself at her and is deflected quickly. They reveal that Tsukihi is
still perfectly fine since she is an aberration. Koyomi threatens the pair and they leave, though
they think they over power Koyomi and Shinobu (in face, they point out that they don't need to hunt
Shinobu in her current state).
Shinobu explains that Tsukihi is an immortal pheonix form that instead of dying is re-born into
another feotus (like a robin). Karen returns and is left to gaurd the house (it's door is a hole
in the wall thanks to Ononoki's attack) as Koyomi goes to fight. At the
cram school, Koyomi faces Kagenui while Ononoki and Shinobu face off. Koyomi is thrased but so is
Ononoki since Shinobu powers up on Koyomi's blood. Kagenui gives up on the fight as Koyomi declares
that he'd still love his sister regardless of
her true form. Koyomi returns, telling then that he'll introduce them to Senjyogahara.
Day Before School
On the last day of summer, Araragi looks for Hachikuji to return her backpack. On the way, he meets
Ononoki who says that like Hachikuji, she too was a normal person once -- Kagenui revived her corpse
for her service. Araragi keeps thinking of Hachikuji as he returns home. Shinobu reminds him that he
has assignments due the next day. Realizing this and the futility of trying to do his homework in the
remaining day, Araragi wonders if he could go back in time. Shinobu tells him that, actually, yes, he
can. They go to the Kitashirahebi shrine. There, Shinobu opens a time warp and the pair jump through,
falling down the steps of the shrine at some point. Asking some passing by pedestrians, they figure out
that they are 11 years in the past.
Upon returning to the future, they find it very, very different.
The Alternate Future
Araragi and Shinobu realize that they returned to the future off by a few days, returning a few days
into the school year. Furthermore, they find that something dire happened over the summer, when they were
fixing Hanekawa's abberation. They try to return to the past to fix events, but find that they cannot
as the charm placed there is stronger in this future, preventing her use of the energy to travel.
At night, they fine themselves assulted by undead beings. Shinobu realizes that these beings are
vampires without their master, and she realizes that she must be the master. This is made clearer as
Shinobu admits that when she disappeared while Hanekawa's cat abberation was in effect, she had planned
to destroy the world if Araragi doesn't find her. Hachikuji was, as a ghost, the person who pointed this
out, leading to his finding her. They decide to use fireworks to draw survivors, but instead pull in more
of the undead.
A woman appears to throw rice at the undead to drive them away. To his joy, Araragi deduces that the girl
is Hachikuji, as a young lady. She brings a letter from Oshino that informs them of the whole situation.
Shinobu and Araragi are in an alternate future where they should confront the true Shinobu to prevent the
end of the world. After bidding farewell to Hachikuji, the pair head back to Kitashirahebi shrine. There
they meet that timeline's Shinobu, who is overcome by the thought that there is a timeline where she and
Araragi are reunited. With this feeling, the alternate Shinobu returns the pair to their timeline with the
last of her strength.
First Day Of School
On her way to the first day of school, Hanekawa meets Hachikuji who says that she been to Araragi's
to retrieve her forgotten backpack but couldn't since he wasn't there. Soon after, Hanekawa meets a
white tiger apparition who just passes her. She tells Senjyogahara who replies that Araragi would be
the best person to ask for help from, but he'd help regardless of being asked. Later on, they see
smoke rising in the distance and learn that Hanekawa's house has burnt down. She lies about having a
friend's place to sleep at, opting to sleep at the cram school.
Upon returning to their timeline, Shinoby and Araragi find that they missed the opening ceremony. As a result,
Araragi, bumping into Hachikuji, decides to head home to get her backpack before going to school, taking
their time.
After returning the backpack, Araragi and Hachikuji come upon a mysterious darkness. They stumble into
Ononoki who, for a stolen kiss, leaps them all out of harm's way. The kiss infuriates Shinobu, so Araragi
kisses her to soothe. While Hachikuji is unconscious, Shinobu explains part of her past and reveals that
she has met this darkness and it destroyed a town.
After Shinobu tells her story to Araragi, they find that Ononoki was eavesdropping. Hachikuji reawakens
and they discuss ways to deal with the darkness. As they do so, the darkness appears and Ononoki jumps
once more for them to escape, this time knocking out Araragi as a result. They realize that Shinobu was
left behind, but since Araragi still has some vampiric -- suriving the jump, they conclude that Shinobu
is not dead. Being lost, they decide to ask Gaen for help and are surprised to not only be close to her
house, but that she was home.
Gaen requests three tasks from Araragi in return for her help. Her asks are all concerning Kanbaru, who
is revealed to be Gaen's niece. After Araragi accepts the conditions, Gaen reveals that the darkness is
an enforcer of the natural order: Hachikuji has not been serving her purpose so the darkness seeks to
consume her. Shinobu was a victim to this and returned to serving her purpose so was spared. Hachikuji
decides to pass on.
Second Day Of School
Senjyogahara finds Hanekawa at the cram school and (after one of her most passionate threats and
beautiful scenes), takes Hanekawa to her house to sleep. They decide to skip school, both being
somewhat unrested from the night. Hanekawa comments (in narration) that the scene numbers have skipped.
As her parents have yet to find a place to stay, Hanekawa continues to live with Senjyogahara. It is
revealed that the cat abberation has been revealing itself in Hanekawa's stress. The cat points out that
the tiger has been burning down places, having returned to an expectant Senjyogahara from an
altercation with the tiger.
Third Day Of School
The next morning, Hanekawa wakes up with no memory of her time as the cat and is questioned about her
feelings for Araragi.
And her food preferences.
Senjyogahara points out that Hanekawa and Araragi are different since Hanekawa would not assume malice in
another person, though Araragi might.
At school, Hanekawa meets Kanbaru who reveals that Araragi had messaged her. As a result, Senjyogahara
and Hanekawa agree to leave Araragi alone for some time, resolving this matter of the tiger together.
Later on, Karen and Tsukihi come to Senjyogahara's (provoked by masterful manipulation from Senjyogahara)
and offer the Araragi household. Hanekawa is told to sleep in Koyomi's room, and transforms into her cat
form there. She and learns that the link between Shinobu and Koyomi has been weakened,
so Shinobu has been looking for him.
At night, Araragi and Kanbaru meet at the cram school. Araragi reveals, after a lewd and absurd
exchange, that he does not know what he's involved her in, but needs her help. As they prepare to
rendevous, a spirit wearing armor. Kanbaru attacks it immediately, learning that it seems to have no
wearer. Through further attacks, they learn that the spirit is using an energy drain. As all seems lost,
the school bursts into flame. Escaping the fire, the suit says that it is looking for Kiss-shot and
Kokorowatari. The suit escapes, and Araragi jumps out of a window with Kanbaru (who accepted her fate
otherwise). As they jump, an explosion knocks them back, rendering Kanbaru unconscious. Ononoki appears
to have caused the explosion, claiming that only she can kill Araragi.
Araragi explains the incident with the suit of armor to Ononoki, leaving out the suit's request for
Kokorowatari. Araragi wonders if they should go home, thinking Kanbaru would be tired, but Ononoki
reminds him of his promise to Gaen. Given that she punched the monster, Ononoki thinks that Kanbaru is
involved in the case of the suit of armor, so would be safer with Gaen.
The cat says that Araragi should be at the cram school and offers
to give Shinobu a ride there. They reach finding the school burnt down.
Araragi carries Kanbaru by piggyback, which she comments about lewdy as she wakes up. In attempting to
get to the park, however, Araragi ends up lost. Hence, Kanbaru navigates, on Gaen's suggestion,
Following strange paths for three hours, Kanbaru reaches the park. There, they find Shinobu with various
scratches. She explains that she'd fought a cat and a doll told her about the situation and that Araragi
should not relax as her old enemy has returned.
The oddity she refers to turns into various oddities that Araragi had faced and Shinobu lends him
Kokorowatari to slice them. The abberation morphs into Jyagirinawa and Shinobu crushes all the snakes
before eating the oddity. Araragi trades his jacket with Kanbaru so that she's not wearing her tattered
one. They then leave for the Kitashirahebi shrine.
At the shrine, they meet Gaen who messages Ononoki. Gaen introduces herself as "Oshino Izuko," claiming
to be Oshino's younger sister. Kanbaru introduces herself as Araragi's sex slave, as a joke, but Gaen
moves on to discuss the business at hand: Araragi describes the suit of armour and Gaen explains that
it's Shinobu's first apprentice. As Shinobu and Araragi denounce the claim, Kanbaru points out that
vampires are immortal and Gaen agrees: though the vampire had killed himself 400 years ago, he
regenerated and, over the centuries, recovered his strength. Gaen wanted Ononoki to take care of the
apprentice, but Araragi and Kanbaru got in the way, so the apprentice is now even more powerful. The
process, Gaen explains, could not move on until all the ashes accumulated in town 15 years ago.
Fourth Day Of School
Hanekawa awakens the next day to find that she was once more acting as the cat. On her way out, Hanekawa
meets the Araragi mother who cautions her against considering herself an Araragi. The mother also says
that averting one's eyes from the problem is not going to solve it, in reference to Hanekawa's situation
with her parents.
While walking through a park, Hanekawa bumps into Episode. They talk about their past encounter. Additionally,
they meet Izuko Gaen, Oshino's senpai. Gaen proclains that she knows everything, even Hanekawa's feelings
for Araragi and the fact that Hanekawa is trying to research Kako, the tiger. Gaen points out that the
problem is Hanekawa's and Hanekawa's only. Hanekawa cannot find anything about this Kako and Senjyogahara
fears that "Kako" is a name Gaen invented. Senjyogahara points out that Gaen is related to Kanbaru -- Gaen
was Kanbaru's mother's maiden name. Furthermore, Senjyogahara states that there is a pattern in the
burnings: all the places that Hanekawa slept burn down. This would include Senjyogahara's house and then
the Araragi household. On returning to the Araragi household, the sisters force her to play cards as they
discuss the interpretations of fire -- including jealously. As she prepares to confront the tiger, she
takes a picture of herself in Koyomi's room, sending it to somebody on her phone. She then writes a note
to her cat-form.
In the letter, Hanekawa tells the cat that the tiger is, like the cat, an abberation borne of her feelings,
this one being burning jealousy. Hanekawa asks both spirits to return to her heart, where she can face her
feelings instead of averting her eyes. As the tiger comes to burn, Senjyogahara's house, the cat tries
and fails to stop him. This delays the tiger just enough for Araragi to come and rescue Hanekawa. After
her rescue, Hanekawa confesses to Araragi directly and cries about her rejection. Later on, we find that
she has stripes in her hair from absorbing the tiger. In the new rental property, she requests her
parents her own room, remarking "ただ今".
Late October
Kanbaru brings a mysterious kouhai to Araragi's class in the morning. The girl, Ougi, asks about her uncle Oshino
and also the suspicious size of the audiovisual room in the high school. Araragi does not understand her
ignoring her until she mentions that an abberation might be involved.
Araragi finds himself locked in a classroom with Ougi. Ougi tells him that the windows and doors are sealed
shut. Araragi decides to get help from Kanbaru, but Ougi tells him not to depend too much on others, also
observing that the clock in the room is stuck.
Araragi has an intense flash of memories when Ougi mentions her suspicion that the classroom was familiar
to him. Araragi finds a textbook with his name in it and Ougi points out that the date on the board says
July 15th. Ougi concludes that the room is caused by Araragi's resentment towards the room they are in.
As a result, Araragi has a flashback of the incident in the room.
Ougi and Araragi discuss the events of the room. Ougi points out that the only escape would be to solve
the mystery. They consider the facts: including that Sodachi was accused and left, which led to Koyomi
losing fate in friends. They ponder this, with Ougi insisting that Araragi knows the truth. He
realizes that there was only one way the study group could have studied the tests' problems: if the
teacher cheated and used the study group's questions on the test.
The Next Schoolday
Araragi enters the classroom, surprised to find Sodachi there, waiting. Sodachi voices a hatred for
people who don't appreciate their reasons for happiness and points out that she hates Araragi. The
chat gets heated and Araragi grabs her shoulder, getting stabbed by a pen. As he recoils in pain,
Senjyogahara enters, Hanekawa trying to stop her in vain. Senjyogahara comments on somebody else
injuring Araragi with stationery and Sodachi infers that they're dating. Sodachi warns Senjyogahara that
Araragi is inconsiderate, to which Senjyogahara points out that she expects nothing in return. Sodachi
slaps Senjyogahara who puches Sodachi in return.
It's a really good scene.
Afterschool, Araragi tells Ougi about what happened in the classroom that morning. After this discussion,
the pair head to the Nanahyakuichi middle school. There, Araragi finds a relic of the past -- a
simulation of the Monty hall problem. In the "C" envelope, they find a map and decide to follow it.
Before heading off, Ougi stops at Sengoku's locker. Then they head off, reaching an abandoned house.
In the abandoned house, they ponder Sodachi: considering that she knew the real culprit for the
incident two years ago and had all the more reason to dislike Araragi. Ougi suggests that they need to
better understand Sodachi.
Ougi hears about Araragi's mysterious math girl from the summer of his first year of middle school and
quickly deduces that she must have been Sodachi. In fact, presenting clue after clue, Ougi determines
that the house they are in was not always abandoned, but the house Sodachi lived in. Furthermore, Ougi
leads Araragi to understand that Sodachi was likely suffering domestic abuse. Ougi adds that Sodachi was
probably looking for a relief from her bleak life but also didn't want to get Araragi's parents involved.
The empty envelope was to symbolize that Araragi turned out to do nothing for her, making him an
invalid option. Araragi is led to question his current happiness, but still loves math.
The Next Schoolday
Hanekawa ponders why Ougi would know about Araragi's parents' job since he is reticent about it. This
leads him to remember something he might have forgotten, and uncaring of whether Sodachi is in the
classroom, he enters.
Afterschool, Ougi tries to lure Araragi to go meet Sodachi, but Hanekawa intervenes. Offering her
breasts, Hanekawa wins Araragi over (who insists it's not the offer itself, but the fact that she made
it that drove his decision).
Araragi talks to Hanekawa and, after confirming with Tsukihi, realizes that Sodachi does not know his
parents' occupation. Hanekawa voices concerns about Ougi, warning that Araragi may face a hell worse
than what he faced during Golden week. In this conversation, they reach Sodachi's new address. They
hadn't planned this, having had to chose between Senjyogahara and Sodachi.
However, in a separate conversation with Nadeko and one with his parents, Araragi finds that Sodachi
actually lived in the Araragi household as his parents had taken her in. Sodachi decided to return on
her own accord.
At Sodachi's apartment, Hanekawa decides to knock first and finds Sodachi in pajamas. Hanekawa asks if
she would change to talk to Araragi, but Sodachi refuses. Regardless, Araragi decides to speak with her.
In Sodachi's apartment, there is a brief altercation about Senjyogahara's punch, with Sodachi intending
to sue Senjyogahara. Araragi uses his blood secretly to heal her to prevent this and change the subject.
Araragi asks her if she was the girl who taught him math. Sodachi, held back by Hanekawa, verbally
assults Araragi, saying that helping him was a mistake. Araragi, in turn, calls her out for projecting
her issues onto him. Sodachi, in turn, blames her parents: an abuse father and a mother who turned into
an invalid after a divorce. Sodachi explains that she lived off government support and her mother
eventually disappeared, so Sodachi moved into an apartment with government support. Sodachi denies that
her circumstances are a tragedy, but merely normal. Hanekawa, however, delves into the particulars about
Sodachi's mother's disappearance. Sodachi deflects the questions, talking about her short stay at the
Araragi household. She reveals that her time there was too happy as she came to understand her own state.
Sodachi pleads Araragi to be the villain of her life so she has a reason to stay miserable. Araragi
believes that Sodachi can be happy, but agrees to be her villain. Abruptly, Sodachi adds that government
officials are coming to assess her situation, so they should leave. Hanekawa promises to visit her and
Sodachi asks if the pair could look for her mother, offering to appologize to Senjyogahara in return.
Outside the apartment, Ougi shows up to help out. She mocks Hanekawa and points out that she's the
better companion. Eventually, Araragi begs Ougi for the solution, but Hanekawa protests, claiming that
she will solve the mystery in the next ten seconds. To do so, Hanekawa washes the dye out of her hair
and comes to a conclusion. Furthermore, Hanekawa realizes that they shouldn't tell Sodachi. The pair
then take turn providing hints so that Araragi eventually understands the truth: that Sodachi had lived
with her mother's corpse for two years. Araragi decides to tell this to Sodachi knowing that even if
he's hated, she make still love herself.
Surprisingly, Sodachi takes this information well, revealing that she'll be getting less support from
the government and be moving to another school.
October 31st
Araragi is shaken awake by his sisters and learns that neither remember Sodachi. He walks to school,
bumping into Ougi, who says she's looking for a lost child. Hanekawa,
learning of Sodachi's transfer, voices her disappointment and adds that she'll have to file for her
upcoming absence. She promises to look for Oshino and, on Araragi's request, hesitantly agrees to tell
Oshino about Ougi. Senjyogahara texts Araragi, saying that she has to get her finger checked from
punching Sodachi and Sodachi appologized in person. Furthermore, Sodachi asks Araragi to look under his
desk, where he finds an envelope -- it is not empty and he reads the contents and smiles.
We meet Sengoku, heading to school. There she meets Ougi, a first year in high schoo, who tells her to
stop playing the victim. Ougi also mentions some details about a spirit Araragi has. At school, Sengoku
has visions of white snakes and calls Araragi. They decide to meet at 10pm at his house so that Shinobu
can be awake to help. Soon, the snake introduces itself as Kuchinawa and says that it demands payment for
her killing the white snakes at his shrine.
Sengoku lies to Araragi, claiming that she knew that it was just a vision. She decides to help Kuchinawa
find his corpse to reclaim his shrine. She draws a line at her daily life -- saying that the will still
attend school as usual and search for the body at night.
November First
During school, Sengoku is forced into being the class representative for a class still reeling from the
summer's drama. Sengoku takes this up politely.
Later at night, Sengoku sneaks off to look for Kuchinawa's body. Following a false lead, she is found by
Araragi who takes her to his house. It is revealed that Sengoku's parents found her missing and called
Tsukihi who lied for her and told Koyomi. Koyomi is knocked out by Shinobu after making he suggests
sleeping with Sengoku. Shinobu ponders Sengoku's cuteness, discussing how convenient it is and how she
can hide.
November Second
Sengoku having snuck into Koyomi's bed, awakens with Tsukihi, who infers her love for Koyomi. Tsukihi
immediately claims that Sengoku is keeping herself tied to this unrequited love out of convenience,
using her bangs to hide nad easliy reject suitors. Thus, Tsukihi cuts Sengoku's bangs.
At school, Sengoku is bothered by her homeroom teacher, who insists on gettiner her help. Suddenly,
unable to hide and drown him out, Sengoku vents out her anger, accusing the teacher of being weak. Then
she lashes out at her class for not making amends. Kuchinawa, taking credit for Sengoku's current mood,
says that the key is actually in the Araragi house.
Hence, Sengoku gets back to the Araragi house and finds the talisman in Koyomi's room. Kuchinawa grants
her one wish for her deeds and she quickly wishes for Koyomi's love, but Koyomi enters, saying that that
would not be possible.
Despite Koyomi's warnings, Sengoku swallows the talisman, reviving Kuchinawa. Shinobu berates Sengoku for
playing the victim.
Fully transformed into a snake goddess, Sengoku confronts Shinobu and a battered Araragi who attack with
the intention of killing her. Jealous of their relationship, Sengoku stabs Araragi in the heart.
Sengoku defeats Shinobu and Araragi. Kuchinawa admits that this was their first encounters, the earlier
occurances being a product of her imagination, fueled by Ougi. All the other actions were for her to get
a key to break in to the Araragi house. Sengoku decides to kill Araragi but is interrupted by a phone
call. Senjyogahara had called Araragi. Senjyogahara points out that Sengoku must kill her, then Shinobu
and finally Araragi for any chance of success. In exchange for the information, Sengoku agrees to wait
until their day of graduation.
New Year's Day
We meet Kaiki in Kyoto, at a shrine, acting as his usual self. There he gets a call from Senjyogahara, who
says she has a job for him. He says he's in Naha to try to shake her off. They meet at the airport. There,
in a long and complicated conversation Senjyogahara admits that she has somebody she'd like Kaiki to fool
somebody for her. Kaiki wonders how to justify his actions. He ponders all his reasons: guilt for fooling
Senjyogahara all those years ago, or perhaps gaining Kanbaru's favor. In the end, he decides to help for
a lot of money and Senjyogahara pays up, thinking about how this would avoid getting on Kanbaru's bad side,
since she is Gaen's niece.
Kaiki and Senjyogahara return on separate flights to avoid suspicion, since Araragi banned Kaiki from the
town.
January Second
Kaiki goes to the Sengoku house, claiming to be a classmate of Nadeko's father. There he sees all the
pictures of just Nadeko looking cute alone. He learns that her parents have not opened her closet,
keeping a promise with her. Kaiki determines that she was spoilt. Furthermore, after a phone call, with
Senjyogahara, he decides to go to Kitashirahebi shrine. There we learn that Kaiki is
the Goddess' first visitor. Offering 10,000 Yen (100 bucks, roughly), he confirms her feelings for
Araragi and that she still wants to kill Senjyogahara, Shinobu, and Araragi.He leaves her with
some yarn.
Returning from Kitashirahebi shrine, Kaiki meets Senjyogahara at a mister donut. This is a good scene
with some funny moments. Senjyogahara is still in Kaiki's debt so refuses to buy anything. Kaiki claims
that decieving Nadeko will be easy since she is very childish. He plots to gain Nadeko's trust and then
lie to her, claiming that Araragi died in a car crash. Senjyogahara is releaved to tbe point of tears.
January Third
Ononoki approaches Kaiki, telling him to give up, offering him 3 million Yen from Gaen. Gaen believes that
the risk of Kaiki failing risks the entire town. Kaiki takes that money and then continues to try to
decieve Nadeko. Kaiki returns to the shrine, claiming that he will more to pray 100 times to get his wish.
Nadeko tells his that the yarn he gave her broke and she's replaced it with a snake. He determines that
she's insane. After the meeting, Kaiki tricks her parents into leaving the house and sneaks in, startled
by what he finds in her closet.
Kaiki returns to his hotel room where he finds an anonymous message telling him to "pull off." He tears
it up and then calls Senjyogahara, telling her about Gaen's message from Ononoki. He asks if anybody else
would want him to stop and Senjyogahara fails to name anybody. She asks to read the letter but he points
out that he'd ripped it up. Before hanging up, Senjyogahara warns him of Nadeko.
January Fourth
The next day, Kaiki offers Nadeko 20000 yen and sake. On the way out, he bumps into Hanekawa who has
returned from a trip overseas. She was on a mission to find Oshino, and is in town for a few days,
without Araragi and Senjyogahara's knowledge. It turns out that Gaen wanted Hanekawa to stay out of the
matter. Kaiki decides, after understanding that Hanekawa is on his side, to share information.
Kaiki learns that abberations have been occuring in the town since before Shinobu's arrival and to
control those, Gaen wanted Shinobu to become the Goddess of Kitashirahebi shrine; nevertheless, Nadeko
occupied the shrine thanks to Araragi's unwitting actions. Hanekawa doubts Nadeko's love for Araragi
(likely since she was in the same situation), claiming that Nadeko would not be
able to act the way she was. Hanekawa hears that Oshino has no family, making her sceptical about Ougi.
January into February
Kaiki keeps visiting Nadeko and bringing her presents into February. After a final conversation with
Senjyogahara, she tells him not to set foot into town. Ononoki, too, warns him. There, Kaiki tells her
that he's fooled an entire cult and for Hitagi's sake, got her mother divorce out of the family. At
Kitashirahebi shrine, he tells Nadeko that Araragi, Senjyogahara, and Shinobu died in a car crash. Nadeko
does not believe him.
This is the best scene. I don't even care. Like there's no point.
Here's a good link. And instead of
hiding Japanese in the alt-text, I'll just let you know that half are saying that
Kaiki is best girl and the other half are agreeing with his points. He takes the paper from Nadeko and she falls asleep,
returning to the form of young Sengoku. Araragi comes to help and Kaiki says the best thing:
"some people grow in romance but others are snubbed by it."
After leaving the shrine, Kaiki is beat-up by a random middle schooler. He hears Ougi's
name and ponders that Gaen may have "discouraged him" to only motivate him further and Senjyogahara sent the
letter to his hotel for the same reason.
January
Araragi tells Ougi about the incident with Hachikuji.
February 13
Shinobu and Araragi discuss the nature of Ononoki. Araragi believes that as an apparition, the Ononoki
isn't quite human or good at acting as such. However, Shinobu states that the human parts of Ononoki's
nature are a necessary part of her necessities. Araragi begins to consider the nature of abberations in
general.
Koyomi is awoken by his sisters and he tries to go back to sleep. Koyomi realizes that the next day is
valentine's day, but his sisters insist that his exams are more important. Karen leaves for a run, telling
them to have a bath ready for her,
which Koyomi decides to do.
After Karen leaves, Koyomi asks Tsukihi why Karen isn't in any athletic
clubs. Tsukihi points out that the karate Karen does is important to the fire sisters, and while Koyomi's
suggestion that the sisters break up is annoying to Tsukihi, she realizes that Karen will eventually move
on. Koyomi considers that the sisters ought to mature a little more. After preparing the bath, Koyomi
decides to use the bath, but Tsukihi has the same idea. The two fight and compromise, bathing together.
Tsukihi mentions that Sengoku has recovered from her snake incident, but Koyomi responds that he should
stay out of her life. Additionally, Koyomi realizes that the shrine would accumulate evils, which would
case more work. Then Koyomi observes that his reflection does not show up in the mirror.
Koyomi narrowly avoids letting Tsukihi notice his lack of reflection. Karen then beats up the pair for
using her bath. Koyomi explains the situation to Shinobu, who concludes that he is indeed a vampire. Koyomi
protests, pointing out that his toe has not healed. Shinobu counters, stating that the toe was broken, and
is now healed. Shinobu recommends that Koyomi see a specialist. However, they realize that they have no
means of Kagenui. Koyomi refuses to contact Kaiki, and they both have reservations about asking Gaen.
They decide that Gaen is the only person to contact, however, and find that Gaen has already invited them
to an arcade. Tsukihi then barges in, demanding an appology for leaving her to face Karen. Instead, he
tells her to ask if the pair of them can't sleep at Kanbaru's, so that he doesn't have to worry about
Ononoki attacking Tsukihi.
At the arcade that night, they find Ononoki as a motionless doll inside a claw machine. They play the game
12 times to get her out. Kagenui appears and they discuss the situation at the ruins of the cram school.
The toe in question, they find, has healed completely, since vampiric powers are magnified at night.
Kagenui runs another test, breaking two of his fingers. Ononoki explains that the healing of his fingers
has revealed that he's been drawing on his vampiric abilities too much. Kagenui adds that though this has
happened before, Oshino could not have predicted it happening to Araragi. Ononoki adds that during the
incident with Sengoku would have drained him further due to his daily attempts to appease the Goddess.
Furthermore, there is no way to fix the situation.
Ononoki's word sink in, and Araragi decides that this is the price to pay for power. Kagenui adds that
while the changes cannot be reversed, he can prevent further changes by not using his powers. This includes
feeding Shinobu. Kagenui also warns him that she'll have to kill him if he becomes a vampire. This angers
Shinobu who threatens Kagenui, but Kagenui accepts the challenge. Ononoki seeks to avoid this sort of
fight and tells Araragi not to use his powers too much to avoid becoming a vampire. Araragi shallowly
agrees, but knows that he'd use his powers the instant it'd save somebody he cares about. Kagenui and
Araragi move on to discussing why she focusses on immortal abberations. Shinobu and Ononoki playfully
fight in the snow. In the middle of this, Gaen calls Kagenui and tells them to check on the girls at
Kanbaru's house.
All but Kagenui rush to the Kanbaru house, finding all three girls missing. Instead of them, there are
paper cranes. The bird, Ononoki points out, indicates that the culprit is after Tsukihi. They report back
to Kagenui who reveals that the culprit must be Tadatsuru Teori. Tadatsuru is a specialist in killing
immortal abberations, so is after Tsukihi. Furthermore, neither Shinobu nor Araragi can use their
vampiric abilities to beat him. Araragi considers it a divine punishment, but Kagenui and Ononoki point
out that Tadatsuru must have realized that Araragi would be weakened at this point. In fact, as an artist,
Tadatsuru pursues his own path, ignoring Oshino's view, so Araragi and Shinobu would be Tadatsuru's true
targets. They find that Tadatsuru is waiting in the Kitashirahebi shrine. Quickly, they jump over to the
shrine while Kagenui decides to walk at her own pace. She tells Araragi not to wait.
Ononoki and Araragi land at the base of the mountain. Surprisingly, they meet Ougi and discuss the
situation briefly. They continue up the mountain without Ougi, discussing their plan. Araragi hopes to
sneak up on him, but Ononoki doubts the plan, suggesting that Araragi may be able to simply convince
Tadatsuru to let the three girls go. Ononoki also explains the situation with Tadatsuru: in their college
days, Oshino, Kaiki, Kagenui, and Tadatsuru did a project to reanimate a corpse. Gaen guided them but then
Kagenui and Tadatsuru fought over Ononoki and Ononoki chose Kagenui, leading to a falling out. She explains
that if the situation is too dire, she will offer her allegience in return for the girls' safety. Araragi
refuses to consider this, instead suggesting that she could escape with the hostages while he would act
as a decoy. Ononoki points out that Araragi is helpless without her and suggests offering Shinobu. Araragi
refuses to consider this too and Ononoki suggests that this is a sign of immaturity. She adds that she
would be able to kill him if she could sneak up on him. Araragi does not like this alternative since it
would reduce Ononoki's humanity.
The pair reach the shrine and find Tadatsuru folding paper cranes into the offer box. He is doing this to
keep time, Araragi deduces. As Araragi prepares to confront the man, Shinobu emerges from his shadow. She
tells him that she does not care about his humanity and would turn him into a full vampire if she had to.
Araragi moves on, confronting Tadatsuru. Tadatsuru reveals that he and Kagenui were cursed and unable to
walk on the ground. Tadatsuru adds that though he seems to be the perfect person to face Araragi, it is
too perfect to just be a coincidence.
Meanwhile, Ononoki is searching for the girls. Araragi is angered by Tadatsuru's statements, but this is,
Tadatsuru points out, the exact role he's been cast. Tadatsuru tells Araragi to find Oshino since Oshino
would know how to fix this, but Tadatsuru does not know where Oshino is. Tadatsuru drops the final crane
into the box, stating that he tires of the chatter and decides to fight Araragi. Then Tadatsuru talks to
somebody else, off screen. Suddenly, he is killed by Ononoki. Ononoki states that her choice was not
Araragi's fault. She chose to kill Tadatsuru since she is a monster. They find the girls in the offer box
and return them to Kanbaru's house. Araragi realizes that the incident could have been manufactured to put
a rift between him and Ononoki.
Valentine's Day
Realizing it's Valentine's day, Araragi parts with Ononoki and goes to Senjyogahara's house. Senjyogahara
surprises him with chocolates. Senjyogahara guesses that worrying about future would not help. Returning
home, Araragi finds Ononoki who explains that Tsukihi too won her in the claw game. Kagenui and Gaen too
realize that the last day's incident would create a rift between Araragi and Ononoki, so they decided that
it would be best if Ononoki stayed with them a while.
After Araragi's Graduation
Kanbaru begins her third year of school, dealing with her left hand. Running on the track, she meets Ougi,
a younger classmate. Ougi tells her that some "devil" is trying to solve other people's problems.
Kanbaru tries to find this person, with fears that it is her arm acting up, becoming the first person
to physically meet this devil for its services. The demon, it turns out, was an old basketball rival,
Rouka Numachi.
After Araragi's Graduation -- Next Day
Kanbaru wakes up to a restored hand, unable to act properly due to the change. She asks about the devil
she met earlier, but learns from Ougi, that Numachi has vanished. She goes to the adjoining town to find
her, but meets Kaiki. She tries to run away, but Kaiki chases her down, insisting on feeling her. At the
restaurant, Kaiki feels her meat, explaining that he was tasked to protect her. He further explains that
he liked Kanbaru's mother, who was then known as Gaen.
After Araragi's Graduation
Kanbaru confronts Numachi and learns that Numachi is collecting the parts of a devil. They play some basketball
that establishes that Numachi is no cripple. They began to recount their stories, with Numachi explaining
her sports injuries and eventual depression.
Numachi recounts how she came to collect misery and eventually found a woman afflicted by a devil's leg.
She tells Kaiki of this, expressing interest in the leg. The next day, she found that leg on her. In a
similar way, she has been collecting parts of the devil.
Hearing the tale makes Kanbaru conflicted so she goes on a run. In the middle of nowhere, she collapses in
exhaustion at a crossroads (metaphor much?). She is found there by Araragi in a car, which leads to
a really nice scene. She resolves to fight Numachi to prevent the
rebirth of the devil.
After Araragi's Graduation -- Next Day
Kanbaru has the devil's head and baits Numachi with it, proposing that if, in a basketball game, Numachi
wins, she gets the head, but if she looses, she has to give up on her mission. Furthermore, since Kanbaru
was an offensive player which Numachi specialized in defense, the game is set up so that Kanbaru wins if
she scores. In the game, Kanbaru quickly wins. Numachi fades away, revealing that she was just a spirit,
who just wanted to play a final game against Kanbaru.
Here's that match.
Who is Best Girl
| Trope |
Who |
What/Why |
| Tsundere |
Hitagi Senjyogahara |
She says so. It's about the difficulty she has in expressing emotion. |
| Yandere |
Nadeko Sengoku |
A Yandere expresses love by hurting the subject of their love. I mean, Nadeko medusa? |
| Kuudere |
Yotsugi Ononoki |
Kuuderes are cold but caring, like Rei Ayanami |
| Loli/Moe (not sure what the difference it is) |
Shinobu Oshino or Mayoi Hachikuji |
Lolis appeal to the cuteness of kids. Yes, it's a trope. |
| One |
Hanekawa Tsubasa (kind of) and Izuko Gaen |
Older sister-like (ie. takes care of the guy). |
| Imoto |
Tsukihi |
Caring younger sister. |
This is sort of a stretch beyond the first three. It's hard to classify the girls and that doesn't even
cover them all.
They also change a lot, fitting somewhat different tropes throughout.
Sodachi doesn't really fit a trope I know, and Ougi is... well, Ougi. Kagenui is cool, but also hard to
put into a trope. Same with Karen and Suruga. Both of them are not in tropes I recognize.