Manga Reviews (2010-2019): Bakemonogatari vol. 1 by NISIOISIN and Oh!great (a Neo-Tokyo 2099 Manga Review)

NISIOISIN’s popualar “Monogatari” series receives a manga adaptation from the talented mangaka OH!GREAT. Wonderful artwork, cool story, definitely recommended!

MANGA TITLE: Bakemonogatari vol. 1

STORY BY: NISIOISIN

ART BY: OH!GREAT

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: Kodansha

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: Vertical Comics

RATED: 14+

Available on October 1, 2019

One day, high-school student Koyomi Araragi catches a girl named Hitagi Senjougahara when she trips. But—much to his surprise—she doesn’t weigh anything. At all. She says an encounter with a so-called “crab” took away all her weight…

Monsters have been here since the beginning. Always. Everywhere.

In 2006, a light novel titled “Bakemonogatari” was written by NISIOISIN and featured the illustrations by Vofan.

For NISIOISIN, he is known for his “Zaregoto” novel series (2002-2005) which led to series such as “Ningen” and “Sekai”published by Kodansha.

By 2006, NISIOISIN would begin working on the “Bakemonogatari” series which is based on short stories published in “Mephisto Magazine”.

The first story featured a first volume with three stories “Hitagi Crab”, “Mayoi Snail”, “Suruguta Monkey” and a second volume with two “Nadeko Snake” and “Tsubasa Cat”.

The manga series release of “Bakemonogatari” features the original story by NISIOISIN but now features artwork from mangaka OH!GREAT (known for his work on “Tenjho Tenge” and “AIR GEAR”).

The first is a third year high school student named Araragi Koyomi. A perverted teenager with a loli complex who doesn’t do well in school. One day, Koyomi was attacked by a vampire named Oshino Shinobu , a 500-year-old vampire who once was a vicious, beautiful vampire but now has the appearance of an eight-year old girl.

Koyomi turned into a vampire but thanks to Oshino Meme (an expert in the apparitions field), he was able to become human again but still has several side effects including seeing in the dark, his eyes turning red when incredibly angry, amazing healing power and strength.

While his parents are away, Koyomi helps raise his two young sisters, Karen (the middle child who is taller than Koyomi and likes to take part in martial arts and outdoor activities) and his little sister Tsukihi, who is the opposite of Karen and rather do indoor activities but also prefers wearing a yukata (Japanese traditional outfit).

And with this new power in Koyomi, in “Bakemonogatari”, he wants to help characters with or suffering from apparitions.

“Bakemonogatari” focuses on the character Senjogahara Hitagi.

Senjogahara is a weak-girl who was possessed by a crab that stole her weight. Because of this, she has avoided all contact with people in order to hide her secret, so she developed a tsundere attitude and is often verbally abusive towards Koyomi.

In order to keep her weight and also for her protection, Senjogahara keeps a lot of weapons on her.

The manga series focuses on wanting to help Koyomi. He suspects that she needs major help and when she Koyomi, she thinks he is a guy that’s trying to follow her around, so she does all she can to scare him to stay away.

But Koyomi is persistent and when she does use her weapons on him, she is shocked that he has no wound.

Koyomi reveals what he is and why he’s not wounded.

Senjogahara being helped by Koyomi, who is taking her to meet the mysterious Oshino. Senjogahara doesn’t quite trust Koyomi but perhaps by working together, they can possibly figure out the reason why the crab stole her weight. But also the life that Senjogahara had lived all this time.

For those wanting to get into NISIOISIN’s “Monogatari” series, it all begins with “Bakemonogatari”. The manga series has all the entertainment, fan service, violence, and all-out craziness that people who read the light novel series and watch the anime series.

There is no doubt that the “Monogatari” series has its fan following. It’s a series that has a creative style but its approach to characters have always been fascinating and entertaining.

But what I enjoy about the manga series is the better character development, as the anime series tends to get confusing and if anything, you don’t want to miss a title, as every character is connected in some way.

With “Bakemonogatari”, the primary characters are Araragi Koyomi and Senjogahara Hitagi.

While there is a third character named Hanekawa Tsubasa who helps Koyomi out, in “Bakemonogatari”, she plays more of a support role, while her story comes a little later.

But for the most part, the way the series plays out and learning the origin of Senjogahara Hitagi and what led a crab to steal her weight is all revealed in this first volume. And it’s actually a deep storyline, in which Araragi Koyomi eventually gets to know more about Senjogahara, but also sympathize with her of why her character is so tsundere.

While the anime series has it’s own creative style and of course, Vofan’s style is well-known for his work in the light novels, OH!GREAT ads his personal touch, while complimenting the original character designs. He no doubt is able to convey the characters and their emotions through his artwork and I have to say that his artwork made me enjoy the “Bakemonogatari” manga even more. Partly because I feel the manga series is easier to follow than the anime series.

I’m excited to read more of “Bakemonogatari” and for those who have been curious of NISIOISIN’s “Monogatari” series, definitely give this manga series a try!

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