Note: this is a spoiler-free review and analysis of what makes this anime and overall series great, from someone who deeply loves the Monogatari series.

Two pillars make the Monogatari franchise a masterpiece: the beloved characters and the excellent writing. Each character in the series is uniquely compelling and captivating, and they all shine in some of the most enjoyable dialogues anywhere in anime. Add to that intriguing and well-written stories with a fascinating supernatural premise, and you have a unique franchise with unmatched entertainment and replay value.

The first season, Bakemonogatari, is divided into five story arcs. The story in each arc is mostly independent, but all fit neatly into a bigger picture. Each arc focuses on a particular character's problems with supernatural apparitions. The story makes use of a lot of mystery and foreshadowing to keep things interesting. There is also no shortage of emotional tearjerker moments to connect us even further with the story and characters.

Everything is experienced from the viewpoint of the protagonist, Koyomi Araragi, as he deals with those problems. We are placed in his head, listening to his internal monologue, following his back and forth with the other characters.

Dialogues are a large part of the series. Their flow and humor make for a delightful experience, a must in this case. The dialogue heaviness can easily become a weak point, so the show must rely a lot on the text and the characters' strength.

In addition to exceptional writing, we have the excellent character design that makes the series' cast one of the most memorable in anime. Between the bunch of fools, weirdos, perverts, deranged, and generally dangerous, but exceedingly lovable, characters it is hard to pick favorites.

It must be mentioned, though, when compared to the novel, some arcs have lost quite a bit in the adaptation. While some loss of depth and detail is expected, both the Suruga Monkey and Nadeko Snake arcs end up heavily simplified and rushed. While this does not affect the anime quality as a whole, it does weaken those arcs significantly, and Suruga Kanbaru's character in particular.

The animation in Bakemonogatari is another thing that sets it apart: it has a very distinct feel, using a lot of stylized graphics, rapidly flashing scenes, and lots of text (either on-screen or in title cards). It all serves to represent additional meaning and sub-text in the scenes that would be hard to convey otherwise. But even if those are mostly optional to the plot, the overload of sensory information can still feel overwhelming. Overall, that style can be quite controversial, but it certainly makes for a unique experience: uniquely interesting to some, unappealing to others.

However, one thing that is not controversial is the quality of the animation. From the visual gags that enliven the dialogue, the few but exceptional action scenes, to some very memorable moments that are now part of anime meme history — the animation is top-notch.

Finally, when speaking of the Monogatari series, one has to mention the soundtrack: both the openings, endings, and OST are superb. Not only are they a great asset to the episodes, but they can comfortably hold their own on any anime lover's musical playlist.

Conclusion

Given how much of Monogatari's appeal comes from the writing, the anime certainly had a tough job in adapting it. A job that it performed exceptionally well.

While there is some controversy on the series style, it can be argued that it is a perfect fit for the quirky characters and storytelling, and a must to convey all the story's atmosphere and depth.

Another point of contention is the heavy reliance of the series on dialogue. Some people, such as myself, will immediately fall in love with the quirky humor and fast-paced exchanges, while others may find it excessive.

Because of those points above, calling this a masterpiece may be debatable for some—those who are put off by the style or don't particularly care for the writing. But those who are charmed by its strong points will definitely find it hard to not fall in love.