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This section contains information about the release organization and chronological placement. See Story Timeline for specific story information.

The Monogatari Series consists of a complicated timeline, both in terms of release order of the light novels and anime series, as well as chronologically. There are six main seasons in which the books/anime adaptations are organized: First Season, Second Season, Final Season, Off Season, Monster Season, and Family Season. Each season has its own "monogatari" installments, and each installment has its own arcs, usually ranging from 1 - 7 arcs per installment.

First Season consists of the books/anime cours: Bakemonogatari and Nisemonogatari, along with Nekomonogatari Black. Kizumonogatari, originally the second released book of the light novel series, was announced as an anime movie in 2012 but was put on a hiatus up until 2015 when the film had finally returned to be released as a trilogy of films starting in January 2016 and finishing a year later.

Second Season consists of five stories total being Nekomonogatari White, Kabukimonogatari, Hanamonogatari, Otorimonogatari, Onimonogatari, and Koimonogatari. While First Season consists of two books with two volumes and another two books with only one volume each, Second Season consists of only one volume, one arc books. As such, the anime adaptation, Monogatari Series Second Season consists of all five books except Hanamonogatari which was later released separately.

Final Season consists of Tsukimonogatari, Koyomimonogatari, Owarimonogatari, and lastly Zoku Owarimonogatari. This Season concludes the first major story arc in the series. In terms of anime, Final Season consists of another single arc book adaptation with Tsukimonogatari, another compilation adaptation with Owarimonogatari containing its first two volumes, an ONA series adaptation of Koyomimonogatari that was distributed on an app of the same name in Japan, and the adaptation of the third and final volume of Owarimonogatari that released as a two day special. Zoku Owarimonogatari screened in Japanese theaters as a special, with a six episode TV broadcast in 2019. The Kizumonogatari trilogy of films could also in a way be considered a part of Final Season in the anime series due to their time of release and original titles, though Kizumonogatari as a whole is officially grouped with First Season as with the light novel series.

Off Season consists of additional stories that occur after Final Season and throughout the series timeline with Orokamonogatari, Wazamonogatari, Nademonogatari, and Musubimonogatari. Most of these stories fill in the gaps and set up the next season.

Monster Season consists of even more stories so far with Shinobumonogatari , Yoimonogatari, Amarimonogatari, Ougimonogatari, and Shinomonogatari. An anime adaptation of both Off Season and Monster Season has been confirmed to be in production in 2024.

Family Season currently consists of Ikusamonogatari and Tsugimonogatari. It appears to be a continuation of the events set up in Musubimonogatari, the original end of the timeline.

A multitude of short stories have also been released, though it seems unlikely they will be adapted into anime.

Only the books from Bakemonogatari to Zoku Owarimonogatari have officially been released in English so far, and only a handful of parts of the series are fully fan-translated online. Many sites remove their translations after the official release.

A Bakemonogatari manga adaptation began serialization in 2018. As it seems to follow its entirely own canon, it should be considered separate from the rest of the series.

What Order Should I Watch/Read?[]

Both due to complications in orders of release between adaptations and meta narrative story telling, there are multiple viable orders to experience the series in. All have their pros and cons, so it's up to you to decide which sounds like the best option for you. Ultimately, no order should tarnish the experience by any significant margin for most people. There's primarily just 3 differences in releases between the two original release orders, and the latter two are generally less contentious. At large, they aren't that significantly different from each other.

Note that as of the time writing this article:

As such, there are different limitations, as certain parts of the series are currently unavailable entirely to English speakers outside of somewhat sporadic fan translations.

Light Novel Release / Nisio Isin Order[]

Go this route if you value experiencing the story as it was originally intended by the author, minding the trade-off of missing the unintentional mystery element of the Kizumonogatari film adaptations some fans enjoyed during release, as well as experiencing the evolution of the cinematography between staff in the anime adaptation a different way from the original context.

This is the completely original order in which stories were released by author Nisio Isin as novels. Unlike the anime release order, which many argue were especially related to production complications, all shuffles in chronological placement are fully intentional for the narrative, making certain plot points related to Kizumonogatari more coherent. Some argue the Hanamonogatari and Koymimonogatari placements are better as well, though these tend to have less direct impact on the story compared to Kizumonogatari as the two don't have as many direct connections to the arcs they were originally placed around. The argument for this order is often placed more on the author's intent and themes between the meta-narrative.

This order is especially reasonable for first time reading, as the characters often make a lot more explicit, fourth-wall breaking jokes and references within the monologue that assume you've probably read them this way, as well as author's notes that are generally written around the original release context.

Note that if you watch in this order, you would normally watch Hanamonogatari in between Second Season after the 10th episode.

First Season[]

  1. Bakemonogatari (2006)
  2. Kizumonogatari (2008)
  3. Nisemonogatari (2008 - 2009)
  4. Nekomonogatari (Black) (2010)

Second Season[]

  1. Nekomonogatari (White) (2010)
  2. Kabukimonogatari (2010)
  3. Hanamonogatari (2011)
  4. Otorimonogatari (2011)
  5. Onimonogatari (2011)
  6. Koimonogatari (2011)

Final Season[]

  1. Tsukimonogatari (2012)
  2. Koyomimonogatari (2013)
  3. Owarimonogatari (2013 - 2014)
  4. Zoku Owarimonogatari (2014)

Off Season[]

  1. Orokamonogatari (2015)
  2. Wazamonogatari (2016)
  3. Nademonogatari (2016)
  4. Musubimonogatari (2017)

Monster Season[]

  1. Shinobumonogatari (2017)
  2. Yoimonogatari (2018)
  3. Amarimonogatari (2019)
  4. Ougimonogatari (2020)
  5. Shinomonogatari (2021)

Family Season[]

  1. Ikusamonogatari (2023)
  2. Tsugimonogatari (TBA)

Anime Release / SHAFT Order[]

Generally, go to this order if you want to experience the series as people did when it first came out as an anime, like the idea of experiencing an origin story before a finale, and or take interest in seeing how the cinematography evolved over the years with each installment of the anime adaptation between different directors, with the trade-off of missing a mostly more coherent, originally intended order by the author.

For a long time, this was the rule of thumb order for anime only watchers (and the entire English-speaking community) as it was roughly the only plausible order for each respective group. With studio Shaft temporarily skipping Kizumonogatari and no official English translations for the series arriving until 2015, this is generally how most longtime English speaking and or anime-only fans originally experienced the series (outside of those that might have read a Kizumonogatari fan translation.)

The biggest difference with this order is that it has Kizumonogatari, the origin story, as a mysterious missing part of the story to be anticipated later in the series, just before a big finale of the first three seasons. While some don't mind this and enjoy the added mystery element, some argue that it leaves too many unanswered questions that are answered too late in the series and is now made obsolete. From a narrative perspective, it works more as a happy accident than an intentional narrative, so certain plot points around the origin story don't flow as comfortably. Kizumonogatari is also referenced even more explicitly in the novels, meaning it probably doesn't work as well as a reading order.

From a directorial perspective in the anime series, Kizumonogatari also marks the return of some of the original staff who contributed largely to the unique presentation of Bakemonogatari, but had less involvement with later parts of the series such as director Tatsuya Oishi, composer Satoru Kosaki, and acclaimed animators such as Gen'ichirou Abe and Ryo Imamura, making their return arguably feel more significant when experienced later.

Some also prefer the placements of Hanamonogatari and Koyomimonogatari, as they feel these parts are comparably more directly relevant to the arcs around them. though as with novel release order, these tend to have less impact on the story compared to Kizumonogatari.

The Episode List page is another helpful resource for this order.

First Season[]

  1. Bakemonogatari (2009)
  2. Nisemonogatari (2012)
  3. Nekomonogatari Black (2012)

Second Season[]

  1. Monogatari Series Second Season (2013)
  2. Hanamonogatari (2014)

Final Season[]

  1. Tsukimonogatari (2014)
  2. Owarimonogatari (2015)
  3. Koyomimonogatari (2016)
  4. Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu (2016)
  5. Kizumonogatari Part 2: Nekketsu (2016)
  6. Kizumonogatari Part 3: Reiketsu (2017)
  7. Owarimonogatari (Part 2) (2017)
  8. Zoku Owarimonogatari (2018)

Off Season & Monster Season[]

  1. Monogatari Series Off & Monster Season (2024)

Family Season[]

  1. Ikusamonogatari (TBA)
  2. Tsugimonogatari (TBA)

*Note: The Koyomimonogatari anime adaptation actually began airing a day after Kizumonogatari Part 1 released, and finished before Part 2, though many outside Japan didn't see Part 1 until later in the year after Koyomimonogatari had already finished. When watching back to back, there's probably not much benefit to interrupting the trilogy this way instead of just watching Koyomi first, though one could if they really care that much about the original context.

English Light Novel Release Order / "Kizumonogatari First" Order[]

If the rest of the series seems too intimidating or unappealing for whatever reason, Kizumonogatari might be a decent starting point for those looking to find a different hook to get them into the series. As the origin story, Kizumonogatari is arguably one of the most accessible stories in the series, having the most action with intense animation and a fairly straightforward plot. This is compared to the traditional first entry, Bakemonogatari, which purposefully starts the story in the middle of the timeline to create more mystery and intrigue about its characters, as well as having lengthy scenes of dialogue some viewers might need time to adjust to or get more invested in.

Though he said it during a much simpler time, author Nisio Isin claims in the author's note of the novel that he thinks Kizumonogatari can come before Bakemonogatari. The official English release of the novels released this way and has generally followed novel release order for the proceeding parts, the only difference being that Bake and Kizu are swapped at the start. This could also be considered the "Vertical" release order, as it is the publishing company behind the English release, though they have since rebranded as Kodansha USA.

Chronological Order[]

This order eliminates most meta narrative elements in favor of a mostly linear, continuous story. Another mostly viable option, but most recommend it for rewatching / rereading rather than a first time watch/read. It's also the least accessible order as it requires the viewer to jump back and forth in the middle of anime cours and novels in some places instead of finishing each at a time. Some arcs are told as flashbacks as well, meaning the parts that aren't flash backs at the beginning and end won't flow coherently. Certain chronological material has yet to be adapted or translated as well.

Note that the Koyomimonogatari arcs are mostly rough estimates as most seem to take place either during or in between certain arcs and anime series episodes, making it hard to fit them in a linear list.

Even if you don't go chronologically, it's beneficial to somewhat keep note of during traditional viewings. The following references the western releases for volume numbers.

  1. Acerola Bon Appétit (Wazamonogatari)
  2. Koyomi Vamp (Kizumonogatari)
  3. Koyomi Stone (Koyomimonogatari 1)
  4. Tsubasa Family (Nekomonogatari Black)
  5. Hitagi Crab (Bakemonogatari 1)
  6. Koyomi Flower (Koyomimonogatari 1)
  7. Mayoi Maimai (Bakemonogatari 1)
  8. Suruga Monkey (Bakemonogatari 2)
  9. Nadeko Snake (Bakemonogatari 2)
  10. Tsubasa Cat (Bakemonogatari 3)
  11. Koyomi Sand (Koyomimonogatari 1)
  12. Koyomi Water (Koyomimonogatari 1)
  13. Karen Bee (Nisemonogatari 1)
  14. Koyomi Wind (Koyomimonogatari 1)
  15. Tsukihi Phoenix (Nisemonogatari 2)
  16. Mayoi Jiangshi (Kabukimonogatari)
  17. Shinobu Time (Onimonogatari)
  18. Tsubasa Tiger (Nekomonogatari White) (occurs concurrently with Shinobu Time through Shinobu Mail)
  19. Shinobu Mail (Owarimonogatari 2)
  20. Koyomi Tree (Koyomimonogatari 1)
  21. Koyomi Tea (Koyomimonogatari 2)
  22. Ougi Formula (Owarimonogatari 1)
  23. Sodachi Riddle (Owarimonogatari 1)
  24. Sodachi Lost (Owarimonogatari 1)
  25. Nadeko Medusa (Otorimonogatari)
  26. Koyomi Mountain (Koyomimonogatari 2)
  27. Sodachi Fiasco (Orokamonogatari)
  28. Tsubasa Sleeping (Wazamonogatari)
  29. Koyomi Torus (Koyomimonogatari 2)
  30. Hitagi End (Koimonogatari)
  31. Koyomi Seed (Koyomimonogatari 2)
  32. Yotsugi Doll (Tsukimonogatari)
  33. Koyomi Nothing (Koyomimonogatari 2)
  34. Koyomi Dead (Koyomimonogatari 2)
  35. Mayoi Hell (Owarimonogatari 3)
  36. Hitagi Rendezvous (Owarimonogatari 3)
  37. Ougi Dark (Owarimonogatari 3)
  38. Koyomi Reverse (Zoku Owarimonogatari)
  39. Suruga Devil (Hanamonogatari)
  40. Tsukihi Undo (Orokamonogatari)
  41. Shinobu Mastered (Shinobumonogatari)
  42. Mayoi Snail (Yoimonogatari)
  43. Mayoi Snake (Yoimonogatari)
  44. Nadeko Draw (Nademonogatari)
  45. Suruga Bonehead (Orokamonogatari)
  46. Karen Ogre (Wazamonogatari)
  47. Yotsugi Buddy (Amarimonogatari)
  48. Yotsugi Shadow (Amarimonogatari)
  49. Ougi Light (Ougimonogatari)
  50. Ougi Flight (Ougimonogatari)
  51. Shinobu Suicide (Shinomonogatari 2)
  52. Nadeko Around (Shinomonogatari 1)
  53. Zenka Mermaid (Musubimonogatari)
  54. Nozomi Golem (Musubimonogatari)
  55. Mitome Wolf (Musubimonogatari)
  56. Tsuzura Human (Musubimonogatari)
  57. Hitagi Honeymoon (Ikusamonogatari)

Visual Graphic[]

Timeline Oct 2019 version 2

(Click to enlarge, view full image)

Timeline of Mayoi Jiangshi Shinobu Time Shinobu Mail and Nekomono Shiro-0

(Click to enlarge, view full image)

Unofficial Orders / Placements[]

There are some fan-made orders that make slight adjustments to where parts like Kizumonogatari, Hanamonogatari, and or Koyomimonogatari should be placed. These aren't official, but are subjective orders that are more like fusions of anime and novel release order that make slight adjustments. These are mostly viable alternatives, but aren't based on original releases and aren't as orthodox as the other orders when it comes to a first time watch/read.

Hybrid Order[]

Click to enlarge

This takes the Kizumonogatari placement of novel release order and combines it with the Hanamonogatari and Koyomimonogatari placement of anime release order, combining subjectively beneficial reshuffles of each order. Some people may end up watching a way similar to this on accident since the latter two placements are easier to mess up while watching.

  • Kizumonogatari after Bakemonogatari
  • Hanamonogatari after Koimonogatari
  • Koyomimonogatari In between Owarimonogatari Volume 2 and Volume 3

Other Important Information[]

  • Bakemonogatari consists of 15 episodes, but some legal streaming sites only have 12. This is possibly related to the fact that the last 3 episodes were originally released online in Japan and not on television. The only consistent way to legally view these episodes currently is through the official blu-ray release, as the licenses are often changing. Funimation currently has all episodes available for streaming as well as Amazon Prime Video in some regions.
  • The Kizumonogatari films are currently only legally available through streaming on Amazon Prime Video or through the English blu-ray releases.
  • The Zoku Owarimonogatari anime adaptation is currently not available for legal English streaming anywhere. There are no legal streaming sites that feature it. It is only officially available through the blu-ray release.
  • Each anime cour is merely an adaptation of a novel, not necessarily its own "season." As such, cours with multiple volumes such as Bakemonogatari or Owarimonogatari contain multiple arcs and a large number of episodes, while single volume cours such as Nekomonogatari Black or Tsukimonogatari have a small amount of episodes and only one arc. The anime cour known as Monogatari Series Second Season is unique in that it is a volume compilation cour that consists of only one arc volumes and is not named after a specific book.
  • Even though all the arcs in Second Season, except Hanamonogatari, are typically grouped into one cour known as Monogatari Series Second Season, the western blu-rays have separate releases for each arc.
  • A compilation of Kabukimonogatari, Onimonogatari, and Owarimonogatari Vol 2 in that order occurs at the same time as the entire Nekomonogatari Shiro arc. The three arcs are told as flashbacks during later dates.
  • Koyomimonogatari consists of short side stories. These aren't that directly related to the main story besides the last 2 episodes which chronologically proceed Owarimonogatari Volume 3 and introduce an important plot point.

See Also[]

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