Bakemonogatari, released in 2009 as Shaft's most ambitious work yet, came into the eyes of anime fans boasting a pretty interesting story that nearly completely abandoned the idea of "Show, don't tell" in modern storytelling. The story revolves around Araragi going around and helping out girls with ghosts and demons based around urban legends, but I'm sure if you're reading this, you're atleast decently well versed with the main plotline.

Bakemonogatari does alot of things right, and while it's clear that Shaft was still getting a feel for how they wanted the story to be, and how they wanted Monogatari to be directed, so many small things in Bake show up that might not show up in other installments.

Instead of going through positives and negatives, I'll just go through some opinions on each arc.

Hitagi Crab

This arc is a strong beginning, also being probably the shortest arc of the entire series. Crab doesn't waste alot of time getting into what it's about, but it does a great job of presenting Nisioisin's vision for the story. There's tons of fun, quirky dialogue with cool visuals, while also providing a decent supernatural story on the side.

Senjougahara, who's the subject of this arc is great. I love her. I love how she's an everything-dere. Her personality matched with Araragi is one of the best dynamics of this show, and this show has a lot of great character dynamics. Oshino is an interesting character, but he comes across as being a little too knowledgeable, and this this a theme throughout all of Bake for the most part. Oshino has a stronger appearance in Kizumonogatari, but his presence is welcomed.

As for the actual story, it isn't the strongest the series has to offer, but as a beginning to her character arc, it works well.

Mayoi Snail

I don't really have much to say about this arc other than I think it's a bit too long. This arc is enjoyable and the twist is super well crafted. I think the additional dialogue characterizing Senjougahara was a great touch, and it really provided some great content for Araragi's personality.

Mayoi is a great character, one of my favorites. Her gag is one of my favorites. I can appreciate how this arc sets up for her arcs later in Season 2, but on it's own I don't think it's super amazing on it's own.

Suruga Monkey

This was the first arc I really loved. Suruga is such a great personality for this series, and her conversations with Araragi are some of the best in the series. The ending with Senjougahara is spectacular and the fight scene was super well crafted, ESPECIALLY for such a small series and being in 2009. Shaft really loves this series.

I really have nothing but nice things to say about this arc, it's the strongest in Bakemonogatari.

Nadeko Snake

I really didn't like Nadeko's introduction. Great OP, but her position as moe bait until second season where they actually address that is really unnapealing, and I feel like Monogatari gets its certain reputation from her character especially.

This is luckily a pretty short arc, but I just don't think anything of substance happens too much in these two episodes.

Tsubasa Cat

I like Tsubasa, maybe not as much as the others, but this arc is freaking great and Black Hanekawa is a pleasure to watch during this arc, which is great because it's the longest. I love how much more raw this arc feels, especially toward the ending. Shinobu's save was GREAT! (aside from the bandage shot, which I hope you get what I mean.)

Overall, Bakemonogatari presents an ambitious story with some really innovative ways of telling it. Many viewers will likely appreciate this aspect of the series, but I can also see why many call it boring.

Personally though, I really loved it. Bakemonogatari is a strong intro to the themes covered in Monogatari onward.

8/10