Introduction
Monogatari is a critically acclaimed anime series based on the bestselling urban fantasy novels by NISIOISIN. It tells the tale of Koyomi Araragi, a high school senior who helps the girls in his life deal with their inner (and outer) demons. Known for its experimental visuals, witty dialogue, and unforgettable cast, this genre-defying series has astounded, delighted, and enchanted fans all over the world for over fifteen years.
If you’re a newcomer, here are some things to look out for:
- Static frames. Flashes of text and color are used to set the mood, establish the setting, or describe a character’s thoughts. Some of these feature excerpts from the novels.
- External references. The animators often pay tribute to other anime, American cartoons, Hollywood movies, Renaissance paintings, and more.
- Japanese wordplay. Per the author’s proclivities, the script is filled with puns galore; anything that could have a double meaning, probably does.
- Mature content. The series addresses heavy topics like child abuse, depression, and sexual assault. There’s also plenty of blood, gore, and fanservice.
- Nonlinear storytelling. Events are purposely shown out of chronological order. For help piecing together the narrative, see the Timeline.
Now, how exactly should you watch the hundred-plus episodes worth of content that make up the series? Below is my recommended order, with links to official streams.
Order
First Season
 | Bakemonogatari Episodes
(Episodes 13-15 only on Blu-ray.) |
 | Kizumonogatari Films
(Covers the Koyomi Vamp arc.) |
 | Nisemonogatari Episodes
|
 | Nekomonogatari Black Episodes
|
Second Season
 | Monogatari Second Season Episodes
(Includes Nekomonogatari White and Kabukimonogatari.) |
 | Hanamonogatari Episodes
|
| Monogatari Second Season Episodes
(Includes Otorimonogatari, Onimonogatari, and Koimonogatari.) |
Final Season
 | Tsukimonogatari Episodes
|
 | Koyomimonogatari Shorts (Only on Blu-ray.) |
 | Owarimonogatari Episodes
|
 | Zoku Owarimonogatari Episodes (Only on Blu-ray.) |
Off & Monster Season
 | Monogatari Off & Monster Season Episodes
(Includes Orokamonogatari, Nademonogatari, and Wazamonogatari. This season is currently on break.) |
Notes
- This is the order in which the Japanese novels were published, with the exception of Off & Monster Season, which was rearranged on purpose by the production team. The anime was not released this way due to unforeseen production delays.
- Episodes 13-15 of Bakemonogatari premiered online a few months after Episode 12 had aired on TV. Most streaming services only have episodes from the initial TV run.
- The “Summaries” in Monogatari Second Season are recaps of the First Season.
- Episodes 14-20 of Owarimonogatari are sometimes labeled as “Owarimonogatari Season 2” because they were released two years after the first thirteen.
- Three seasons of novels have yet to be fully animated: Off Season (Orokamonogatari, Wazamonogatari, Nademonogatari, Musubimonogatari), Monster Season (Shinobumonogatari, Yoimonogatari, Amarimonogatari, Ogimonogatari, Shinomonogatari), and the ongoing Family Season (Ikusamonogatari).
Timeline
| Canon Date | Story Arc | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| 600 years ago | The Beautiful Princess | OMS 06.5 |
| 600 years ago | Acerola Bon Appétit | OMS 07-08 |
| Mar 25 – Apr 08 | Koyomi Vamp | Kizu 01-03 |
| Apr 11 – Apr 12 | Koyomi Stone | Koyomi 01 |
| Apr 29 – May 08 | Tsubasa Family | Neko Black 01-04 |
| May 08 – May 09 | Hitagi Crab | Bake 01-02 |
| May 09 – May 10 | Koyomi Flower | Koyomi 02 |
| May 14 – May 15 | Mayoi Maimai | Bake 03-05 |
| May 22 – May 28 | Suruga Monkey | Bake 06-08 |
| Jun 11 – Jun 13 | Nadeko Snake | Bake 09-10 |
| Jun 13 – Jun 15 | Tsubasa Cat | Bake 11-15 |
| Mid Jun | Koyomi Sand | Koyomi 03 |
| Jul | Koyomi Water | Koyomi 04 |
| Jul 29 – Jul 31 | Karen Bee | Nise 01-07 |
| Early Aug | Koyomi Wind | Koyomi 05 |
| Aug 14 – Aug 15 | Tsukihi Phoenix | Nise 08-11 |
| Aug 20 – Aug 21 | Mayoi Jiangshi | SS 07-10 |
| Aug 21 – Aug 23 | Shinobu Time | SS 17-20 |
| Aug 21 – Aug 25 | Tsubasa Tiger | SS 01-05 |
| Aug 23 – Aug 24 | Shinobu Mail | Owari 08-13 |
| Late Sep | Koyomi Tree | Koyomi 06 |
| Oct | Koyomi Tea | Koyomi 07 |
| Oct 24 – Oct 25 | Ogi Formula | Owari 01-02 |
| Oct 25 – Oct 26 | Sodachi Riddle | Owari 03-04 |
| Oct 27 – Oct 28 | Sodachi Lost | Owari 05-07 |
| Oct 31 – Nov 02 | Nadeko Medusa | SS 12-15 |
| Nov 01 – Nov 02 | Koyomi Mountain | Koyomi 08 |
| Dec | Koyomi Torus | Koyomi 09 |
| Jan 01 – Feb 01 | Hitagi End | SS 21-26 |
| Mid Jan | Koyomi Seed | Koyomi 10 |
| Feb 13 – Feb 14 | Yotsugi Doll | Tsuki 01-04 |
| Late Feb – Mar 13 | Koyomi Nothing | Koyomi 11 |
| Mar 13 | Koyomi Dead | Koyomi 12 |
| Mar 13 | Mayoi Hell | Owari 14-15 |
| Mar 13 – Mar 14 | Hitagi Rendezvous | Owari 16-17 |
| Mar 14 – Mar 15 | Ogi Dark | Owari 18-20 |
| Mar 16 – Mar 18 | Koyomi Reverse | Zoku Owari 01-06 |
| Apr 09 – Apr 21 | Suruga Devil | Hana 01-05 |
| Tsukihi Undo | OMS 01 | |
| Shinobu Mustard | OMS 09-14 | |
| Nadeko Draw | OMS 02-06 |
Last update: October 19, 2024
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I like this guide and the extra details you added. I usually recommend people those charts as a watch order but from now on I’m using this site.
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Thanks for this. I was confused as hell; all I knew was that I’m supposed to start with Bakemonogatari, but now I can start watching with confidence.
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Thanks man! I can rest peacefully on which order I watch, you are a life saver!!!
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This is amazing.
The only issue is that CrunchyRoll has bought Funimation, so the last three episodes of Bakemonogatari are available anymore…
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BTW can you put the beautiful princess /episode 6.5 in a seperate banner. Someone reading the list might watch the off season without knowing about 6.5 especially as it is seperated in another section in monogatari off season or people might think it’s a recap(like I did).
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