People can’t get enough of the Monogatari series, due to its unique storytelling and visuals, and Shaft’s (Nisekoi, Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica) recent adaptation of Owarimonogatari in Nisio Isin and Vofan’s Monogatari light novel series proved no different. However, not all things are perfect as the newly released Blu-rays have proved. Generally, the Blu-rays are higher quality than the TV version, since studios have can reproduce scenes of the anime that may have been rushed to make schedules and deadlines. It is also the studio’s biggest avenue for profit. We have done a series of these TV and Blu-ray comparisons before so make sure to check them out here.
A comparison of the anime’s first volume, containing episodes 1-3, has been compiled. Many of the changes between the two versions are very minor, for small touch ups and some visual inconsistencies. Regardless, it is nice to see what the animators catch when reproducing the anime for the physical release to see their full intent.
Note: There are Spoilers for episodes 1-3 of Owarimonogatari
Click on the image for the full resolution. The images on the left are the TV version and the images on the right are from the Blu-ray release
The 5th and final volume of the anime’s Blu-ray and DVD was released on April 27th, with episodes 10-12. Retailing for ¥8,000 (~ US$72.60) for the Blu-ray and ¥7,000 (~ US$63.55) for the DVD, the volume includes:
- A special digipak designed by anime character designer Akio Watanabe
- The final portion of the Music Collection
- Special character commentary written by Nisio Isin with audio from the cast
- A clear case
- Booklet
- Pinup poster
- Bonus video footage
It was earlier announced that an anime adaptation of Owarimonogatari‘s third volume has been green lit. The 2015 TV anime adaptation of Owarimonogatari was covered the first two volumes of the Owarimonogatari light novels, which includes the Ougi Formula, Sodachi Riddle, Sodachi Lost and Shinobu Mail story arcs. The final volume of Owarimonogatari, contains the Mayoi Hell, Hitagi Rendezvous and Ougi Dark story arc.
At the time of the anime’s announcement last June, the anime of vol. 3 was planned and scripted, but was not ready for the original October 2015 broadcast.
The main cast of the Owarimonogatari anime includes:
- Hiroshi Kamiya (Izaya Orihara from Durarara!!) returns to voice Koyomi Araragi
- Kaori Mizuhashi (Miyako in Hidamari Sketch) is back as Ougi Oshino
- Marina Inoue (Laura Bodewig from IS: Infinite Stratos) joins the cast to voice Sodachi-Oikura
The anime’s staff is as follows:
- Series Director and Series Composer: Akiyuki Shinbo (Bakemonogatari, Hanamonogatari)
- Director: Itamura Tomoyuki (Monogatari Series Second Season, Tsukimonogatari)
- Series Composer: Fuyashi Tou (Nisekoi, Tsukimonogatari)
- Anime Character Designer and Chief Animation Director: Akio Watanabe (Nisemonogatari, Tsukimonogatari)
- Music Composer: Kei Haneoka (Tsukimonogatari, Owarimonogatari)
- Animation Studio: Shaft (Nisekoi, Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica)
The Monogatari series is a collection of light novels, created by Nisio Isin and illustrated by Vofan. The novels started in late 2005 and published under Kodansha’s Box imprint, where there has been a total of 16 volumes to date. The 17th volume will release on April 3rd, and the 18th and final volume releasing later this year. The light novels first received an anime adaptation titled Bakemonogatari, after the first volume, in 2009 from the animation studio Shaft (Nisekoi, Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica). Since then a total of 12 novels has been animated by the same studio. The most recent adaptation, Tsukimonogatari, aired on New Years In addition, a drama CD, a PlayStation Portable game and many figures and figurines have been made based on the series. The final book of the Monogatari series, Zokuowarimonogatari, released on September 17th 2014.
Here is a synopsis of the first series:
Koyomi Araragi, a third year high school student who is almost human again after briefly becoming a vampire. One day, a classmate named Hitagi Senjōgahara, who infamously never talks to anyone, falls down the stairs into Koyomi’s arms. He discovers that Hitagi weighs next to nothing, in defiance of physics. Despite being threatened by her, Koyomi offers his help, and introduces her to Meme Oshino, a middle-aged homeless man who helped him stop being a vampire.
All 5 Blu-ray and DVD volumes of the Owarimonogatari anime have been released. The majority of the Blu-ray volumes costs ¥7,000 (~ US$63.55), whilst the final volume sells for ¥8,000 (~ US$72.60).
You can visit the anime’s website here: http://www.monogatari-series.com/owarimonogatari/
And don’t forget to follow the anime on Twitter: @nisioisin_anime
“Owarimonogatari”, “Monogatari”, images and all associated brands and titles © 2016 Nisio Isin, Vofan, Shaft, Kodansha and Aniplex