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Monogatari #13
ZOKU OWARIMONOGATARI: End Tale
Just when we thought the darkness menacing the town had been identified, named, and tamed, clear and unclear mysteries of seasons past looming or surfacing, then resolving, not without tears, not without bittersweetness, of course, but satisfyingly, in a tripartite finale, all loose ends tied up into, or at least with, a bow…
The End Tale continues—if only for one last time, in a bonus stage for the ages, as our softie of a protagonist who wished for all parties involved, including himself, maturely enough, to end up happy, sees his reflected image freeze in a mirror and regretfully, regrettably, reaches for it to find himself through the looking glass.
In an alternate reality where bits of the world have been flipped around, the hero comes face to face with the hidden side(s) of familiar faces, along with author NISIOISIN, whose bravura attempt to reimagine character possibilities concludes, with signature flair, the MONOGATARI series proper—thank you for reading.
The End Tale continues—if only for one last time, in a bonus stage for the ages, as our softie of a protagonist who wished for all parties involved, including himself, maturely enough, to end up happy, sees his reflected image freeze in a mirror and regretfully, regrettably, reaches for it to find himself through the looking glass.
In an alternate reality where bits of the world have been flipped around, the hero comes face to face with the hidden side(s) of familiar faces, along with author NISIOISIN, whose bravura attempt to reimagine character possibilities concludes, with signature flair, the MONOGATARI series proper—thank you for reading.
ebook
First published September 18, 2014
About the author
NisiOisiN
293 books892 followersNisio Isin (西尾維新 Nishio Ishin), frequently written as NisiOisiN to emphasize that his pen name is a palindrome, is a Japanese novelist and manga writer. He attended and left Ritsumeikan University without graduating. In 2002, he debuted with the novel Kubikiri Cycle, which earned him the 23rd Mephisto Award at twenty years of age.
He currently works with Kodansha on Pandora, the Kodansha Box magazine, and Faust, a literary magazine containing the works of other young authors who similarly take influence from light novels and otaku culture. He was also publishing a twelve volume series over twelve months for the Kodansha Box line; Ryusui Seiryoin was matching this output, and the Kodansha Box website stated that this is the first time in the world two authors have done twelve volume monthly novel series simultaneously from the same publisher.
In February, 2008, his novel Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases was released in English by Viz Media. Del Rey Manga has already released the first volume in his Zaregoto series. His Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Katanagatari novels have been adapted into anime series. Nekomonogatari (Kuro) has been adapted into an anime TV movie, and Kizumonogatari will be release in theaters this year. Monogatari Series: Second Season, adapted from 6 books in Monogatari Series will air in July 2013. Another of his works, Medaka Box (manga), has been adapted into a two-season anime series.
He currently works with Kodansha on Pandora, the Kodansha Box magazine, and Faust, a literary magazine containing the works of other young authors who similarly take influence from light novels and otaku culture. He was also publishing a twelve volume series over twelve months for the Kodansha Box line; Ryusui Seiryoin was matching this output, and the Kodansha Box website stated that this is the first time in the world two authors have done twelve volume monthly novel series simultaneously from the same publisher.
In February, 2008, his novel Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases was released in English by Viz Media. Del Rey Manga has already released the first volume in his Zaregoto series. His Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Katanagatari novels have been adapted into anime series. Nekomonogatari (Kuro) has been adapted into an anime TV movie, and Kizumonogatari will be release in theaters this year. Monogatari Series: Second Season, adapted from 6 books in Monogatari Series will air in July 2013. Another of his works, Medaka Box (manga), has been adapted into a two-season anime series.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 22, 2021
I had to read the book, because it's the final one in the saga. However, the author admits in the afterword he wrote a book after the true ending, and as such, wrote it in so that you wouldn't really miss out on anything if you didn't read it.
There were some points halfway through that looked interesting, especially the dialogue with Tooe Gaen, Kanbaru's mother.
In the end, I put it down and felt it didn't bring anything extra that I needed from the Monogatari series. Although the author has put out a lot of new books in this universe, I don't think I'll be picking them up.
I don't think the story can have an happy ending, might as well leave it unfinished.
There were some points halfway through that looked interesting, especially the dialogue with Tooe Gaen, Kanbaru's mother.
In the end, I put it down and felt it didn't bring anything extra that I needed from the Monogatari series. Although the author has put out a lot of new books in this universe, I don't think I'll be picking them up.
I don't think the story can have an happy ending, might as well leave it unfinished.
January 17, 2021
An epilogue to the epilogue, but a whole adventure in itself. After tediously tying all loose ends, the author addresses the unaddressed, and while the feeling of this "only" being a bonus stage is real, it's also fun to see some facets of our beloved characters, notably the cover girl a happy Oikura.
June 15, 2023
A quick and light read, and one that doesn’t necessarily need to be included in the series. Essentially a recap in a lot of ways, it has an interesting plot aimed at covering a variety of “what ifs” in the various tales.
December 20, 2022
"Ending the tale that continued for so long. Recalling my remembrances, leaving behind what lingered. The margins open for notes, a note in the air. We flew to our next tale."
October 24, 2022
what a banger
April 9, 2024
"Ending the tale that continued for so long. Recalling my remembrances, leaving behind what lingered. The margins open for notes, a note in the air. We flew to our next tale.
After almost a whole year, I finally made it to the end of the physical volumes. What a cathartic journey this has been. This series is forever going to be one of my favorites. This specific tale of lingering regrets, the loss of identity, anticipatory anxiety, overthinking, and just living moving a little too fast means the whole world to me. Araragi will forever be one of my favorite characters, and I just love the message NisiOisin is conveying to us here. There's a lot of baggage in our pasts. Things we wish we could leave behind forever, and something we wish we could take with us. We aren't capable of redos and certainly would break trying to bring it all with us. It's okay to look back every once in a while, but we need to not worry ourselves. There are many more stories out there for us. We worry about which way to go, which path is the right one, the left, and rights. We just need to take our extra 20% of memories, and stop thinking and just feel. Take that leap and fly into the next tale of our lives. This series will always be a favorite. Thank you NisiOisin for getting me back into reading. Can't wait to dive into Off-Season and Monster Season.
After almost a whole year, I finally made it to the end of the physical volumes. What a cathartic journey this has been. This series is forever going to be one of my favorites. This specific tale of lingering regrets, the loss of identity, anticipatory anxiety, overthinking, and just living moving a little too fast means the whole world to me. Araragi will forever be one of my favorite characters, and I just love the message NisiOisin is conveying to us here. There's a lot of baggage in our pasts. Things we wish we could leave behind forever, and something we wish we could take with us. We aren't capable of redos and certainly would break trying to bring it all with us. It's okay to look back every once in a while, but we need to not worry ourselves. There are many more stories out there for us. We worry about which way to go, which path is the right one, the left, and rights. We just need to take our extra 20% of memories, and stop thinking and just feel. Take that leap and fly into the next tale of our lives. This series will always be a favorite. Thank you NisiOisin for getting me back into reading. Can't wait to dive into Off-Season and Monster Season.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2021
Goodbye Araragi 👋
April 6, 2023
There are a lot of thoughts in my head after finishing this final (translated) volume of the Monogatari series. Many of them are, of course, for nostalgic reasons. I started reading the series in 2107 when I first started my university days - now I am a working adult living in a different city. How time flies ...
This volume was a blast to read. Monogatari novels (in my opinion) either rise or fall by the quality of the dialogue. Sometimes, some novels felt horribly stretched and like a chore to get through, while others flew by in a matter of what felt like seconds. This volume now felt relaxed and interesting in every instance: Since Araragi is sucked into an apparently very different world from the one we know, there are interesting conversations at every corner.
I just want to underline what Isin himself stated in the afterword: The Final Season of Monogatari ended with "Owarimonogatri Part 3"; this volume is a bonus chapter that you can read if you feel like it but definitely don't have to. Either way, I liked it as the final chapter in the Final Seasons. Especially its ending and the afterword - which I won't spoil - helped tie together this Final Season regarding its themes and meaning.
Overall, there are a lot of lessons I learned from the series, one of the most important ones is explained in this volume. So if you feel curious about the "Bonus Level" of the Final Season or read the Monogatari series for either its gorgeous conversations or the lessons it teachers, you can, without hesitation, read this bonus chapter and have a blast with it.
This volume was a blast to read. Monogatari novels (in my opinion) either rise or fall by the quality of the dialogue. Sometimes, some novels felt horribly stretched and like a chore to get through, while others flew by in a matter of what felt like seconds. This volume now felt relaxed and interesting in every instance: Since Araragi is sucked into an apparently very different world from the one we know, there are interesting conversations at every corner.
I just want to underline what Isin himself stated in the afterword: The Final Season of Monogatari ended with "Owarimonogatri Part 3"; this volume is a bonus chapter that you can read if you feel like it but definitely don't have to. Either way, I liked it as the final chapter in the Final Seasons. Especially its ending and the afterword - which I won't spoil - helped tie together this Final Season regarding its themes and meaning.
Overall, there are a lot of lessons I learned from the series, one of the most important ones is explained in this volume. So if you feel curious about the "Bonus Level" of the Final Season or read the Monogatari series for either its gorgeous conversations or the lessons it teachers, you can, without hesitation, read this bonus chapter and have a blast with it.
April 29, 2024
Thus ends this stubborn story, Zoku Owarimonogatari and by extension Final Season.
This story was wonderful, I enjoyed it so much I finished it the same day I started it, something very rare for me. This is one more gift to send the series off, at least for the time being. This novel was definitely fan service in a lot of aspects but I’m a liar if I didn’t enjoy every second of it. Adding just a bit more to the cast and especially Araragi and imparting the reader with a really nice message for the conclusion.
Thank you Nisioisin for this extra gift, eventually I’ll be back to see the additional tales made in Off, Monster and Family season, hopefully Araragi is allowed to rest a little now.
This story was wonderful, I enjoyed it so much I finished it the same day I started it, something very rare for me. This is one more gift to send the series off, at least for the time being. This novel was definitely fan service in a lot of aspects but I’m a liar if I didn’t enjoy every second of it. Adding just a bit more to the cast and especially Araragi and imparting the reader with a really nice message for the conclusion.
Thank you Nisioisin for this extra gift, eventually I’ll be back to see the additional tales made in Off, Monster and Family season, hopefully Araragi is allowed to rest a little now.
July 31, 2024
probably 3.75
was pleasantly surprised after hearing this was basically an optional epilogue, as i found it to be really good closure for Araragi. lots of fun fan service here, AMAZING dialogue in the middle of the book (you know which scene), rly strong!
was pleasantly surprised after hearing this was basically an optional epilogue, as i found it to be really good closure for Araragi. lots of fun fan service here, AMAZING dialogue in the middle of the book (you know which scene), rly strong!
December 10, 2021
The epilogue, or perhaps, the punch line to this story.
A fittingly weird, messy, insanely engaging ending to my favorite book series.
I just want Sodachi to be happy! C’mon, guys.
A fittingly weird, messy, insanely engaging ending to my favorite book series.
I just want Sodachi to be happy! C’mon, guys.
August 3, 2022
A brilliant, perfect read. Sad to say farewell.
September 16, 2022
Great book as usual, really enjoyed seeing other sides to our familiar cast, particularly loved seeing just a bit of what Gaen Toe was like
November 27, 2022
As a novel it's not as as strong as any of its predecessors.
As an epilogue for the Monogatari Series, however, it's perfect.
As an epilogue for the Monogatari Series, however, it's perfect.
February 27, 2023
A good epilogue to the series, a tale of regret and things that could have been.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews