How to Watch Monogatari In the Right Order (All Seasons & Films)

Are you ready to start one of the most beloved supernatural and psychological anime series, Monogatari? The series boasts a lot of seasons and several films that span a complicated timeline, but luckily, getting into the anime isn’t actually that difficult! In this article, we’ll go over the two most recommended watch orders for the series: one that follows the intended release order and the other that follows the novel release order. Then, we’ll dive into what the anime is about, provide a summary of each season, and let you know where you can watch it.

What order should I watch Monogatari?

Most people recommend watching Monogatari in a slightly altered order from the anime release order to experience how the series was meant to be watched. Or, follow the novel release order for a more faithful and cohesive experience. It’s not recommended that beginners watch the series chronologically.

Section 1 of 8:

Monogatari Recommended Watch Order

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Most people recommend watching Monogatari in the anime series’ intended release order. The actual anime’s release order is a little different, as issues during production led to some seasons being delayed. So, this watch order is closest to what the producers wanted, and gives you the best understanding of the series!
- Bakemonogatari: Episodes 1-15 (2009)
- Kizumonogatari: Films 1-3 (2016-17)
- Nisemonogatari: Episodes 1-11 (2012)
- Nekomonogatari Kuro: Episodes 1-4 (2012)
- Monogatari Second Season: Episodes 1-26 (2013)
- Hanamonogatari: Episodes 1-5 (2014)
- Tsukimonogatari: Episodes 1-4 (2014)
- Owarimonogatari First Season: Episodes 1-13 (2015)
- Koyomimonogatari: Episodes 1-12 (2016)
- Owarimonogatari Second Season: Episodes 1-7 (2017)
- Zoku Owarimonogatari: Episodes 1-6 (2019)
- Monogatari Off & Monster Season: Episodes 1-14 (2024)

Section 2 of 8:

Monogatari Novel Release Watch Order

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Monogatari is based on a series of light novels written by Nisio Isin (and illustrated by Vofan). So, many fans recommend watching the anime series in the order that the novels were released. This follows the author’s plan for his story and characters, which provides the most coherent narrative. Just know that because it doesn’t follow the anime release schedule, a few secrets and mysteries may lose some of their suspense or surprise.^{[1]
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- Bakemonogatari: Episodes 1-15 (2009)
- Kizumonogatari: Films 1-3 (2016-17)
- Nisemonogatari: Episodes 1-11 (2012)
- Nekomonogatari Kuro: Episodes 1-4 (2012)
- Monogatari Second Season: Episodes 1-11 (2013)
- Hanamonogatari: Episodes 1-5 (2014)
- Monogatari Second Season: Episodes 12-26 (2013)
- Tsukimonogatari: Episodes 1-4 (2014)
- Koyomimonogatari: Episodes 1-12 (2016)
- Owarimonogatari First Season: Episodes 1-13 (2015)
- Owarimonogatari Second Season: Episodes 1-7 (2017)
- Zoku Owarimonogatari: Episodes 1-6 (2019)
- Monogatari Off & Monster Season: Episodes 1-14 (2024)

Section 3 of 8:

Monogatari Anime Release Watch Order

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Watching Monogatari in the order it was officially released is another great option as a beginner to the series. It gives you the same experiences as day-one fans who watched it when it first came out. The only caveat is that because the release order is a little off due to production issues, you might not get the clearest, most cohesive story. (But don’t sweat it—neither did long-time fans, and they’re doing alright!)
- Bakemonogatari: Episodes 1-15 (2009)
- Nisemonogatari: Episodes 1-11 (2012)
- Nekomonogatari Kuro: Episodes 1-4 (2012)
- Monogatari Second Season: Episodes 1-26 (2013)
- Hanamonogatari: Episodes 1-5 (2014)
- Tsukimonogatari: Episodes 1-4 (2014)
- Owarimonogatari First Season: Episodes 1-13 (2015)
- Kizumonogatari: Films 1-3 (2016-17)
- Koyomimonogatari: Episodes 1-12 (2016)
- Owarimonogatari Second Season: Episodes 1-7 (2017)
- Zoku Owarimonogatari: Episodes 1-6 (2019)
- Monogatari Off & Monster Season: Episodes 1-14 (2024)

Section 4 of 8:

Monogatari Chronological Watch Order

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Over the course of the 11 seasons and 3 films, there have been countless flashbacks and episodes detailing characters’ pasts. So, if you’ve already seen Monogatari, watching the story unfold in chronological order can be a fun way to relive the series. But if you’re new to the series, stick to one of the recommended watch orders above! Watching the series in chronological order as a newbie can be really confusing and doesn’t provide the best narrative. Here’s the best way to watch the story chronologically:^{[2]
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- Monogatari Off & Monster Season: Episodes 7-8
- Kizumonogatari: Films 1-3
- Koyomimonogatari: Episode 1
- Nekomonogatari Kuro: Episodes 1-4
- Bakemonogatari: Episodes 1-2
- Koyomimonogatari: Episode 2
- Bakemonogatari: Episodes 3-15
- Koyomimonogatari: Episodes 3-4
- Nisemonogatari: Episodes 1-7
- Koyomimonogatari: Episode 5
- Nisemonogatari: Episodes 8-11
- Monogatari Second Season: Episodes 1-5
- Koyomimonogatari: Episode 6-7
- Owarimonogatari First Season: Episodes 1-7
- Monogatari Second Season: Episodes 12-13
- Koyomimonogatari: Episode 8
- Monogatari Second Season: Episodes 14-15
- Koyomimonogatari: Episode 9
- Monogatari Second Season: Episodes 21-26
- Tsukimonogatari: Episodes 1-4
- Koyomimonogatari: Episode 10-11
- Monogatari Second Season: Episodes 7-10
- Monogatari Second Season: Episode 17-20
- Owarimonogatari First Season: Episodes 8-13
- Koyomimonogatari: Episodes 12
- Owarimonogatari Second Season: 1-7
- Zoku Owarimonogatari: Episodes 1-6
- Hanamonogatari: Episodes 1-5
- Monogatari Off & Monster Season: Episodes 1-6
- Monogatari Off & Monster Season: Episodes 9-14

Section 5 of 8:

What is Monogatari about?

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Monogatari is a paranormal, psychological drama (with bits of horror, action, and lewd comedy) that’s centered around high school student Koyomi Araragi, who was recently “cured” of vampirism. Throughout the anime, Koyomi encounters girls who are afflicted with curses and spirits and helps them overcome them. Their supernatural problems are often rooted in heavy topics, like trauma, so the series is largely a character study with a deep, introspective focus.

Section 6 of 8:

Monogatari Series Breakdown

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1
Bakemonogatari The first season follows Koyomi Araragi in his third year of high school, and is the introduction to his helping girls with their supernatural afflictions. Throughout Bakemonogatari, Koyomi meets several new girls whom he ultimately befriends and even falls in love with. The first season has several arcs, including:^{[3]
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- Hitagi Crab: Koyomi meets and helps Hitagi Senjougahara, who has become weightless due to an encounter with a spirit crab.
- Mayoi Snail: Koyomi and Hitagi meet a lost girl named Mayoi Hachikuji, who is surrounded by mystery.
- Suruga Monkey: Koyomi helps an acquaintance from school, Suruga Kanbaru, who has a monkey-like paw growing in her arm.
- Nadeko Snake: Koyomi discovers that his little sister’s friend, Nadeko Sengoku, is cursed by an invisible snake.
- Tsubasa Cat: Koyomi helps his classmate, Tsubasa Hanekawa, deal with an affliction that causes her to turn into a cat spirit whenever she’s stressed.
2
Kizumonogatari Kizumonogatari consists of three separate films that are set before the events of Bakemonogatari. The films follow Koyomi during his spring break when he encounters the vampire that turned him, and chronicle his subsequent mission to regain his humanity. The films include:^{[4]
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- Part 1: Tekketsu: Koyomi meets and saves the vampire Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade, which causes him to become a vampire.
- Part 2: Nekketsu: Koyomi finds out how to regain his humanity.
- Part 3: Reiketsu: Koyomi fights Kiss-shot in order to get his humanity back.
3
Nisemonogatari Nisemonogatari picks up where Bakemonogatari left off. This season still follows Koyomi as he helps girls deal with their spiritual oddities. However, this time the focus is on his two younger sisters, Karen and Tsukihi. There are two main arcs for this season:^{[5]
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- Karen Bee: Karen sets off to scare away a local con artist named Deishu Kaiki. Chaos ensues, and the rest of the cast of characters gets involved.
- Tsukihi Phoenix: Tsukihi finds herself targeted by a hunter who’s interested in her oddity: the phoenix.
4
Nekomonogatari Kuro Nekomonogatari Kuro is a prequel to Bakemonogatari. It centers around Tsubasa Hanekawa and her possession by the cat spirit. The season deals with Tsubasa’s traumatic homelife and Koyomi’s desire to help her.^{[6]
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Monogatari Second Season Monogatari Second Season takes place after the events of Nisemonogatari. This season explores perspectives other than Koyomi’s, but still involves the supernatural oddities affecting the girls in his life. There are several main arcs during this season:^{[7]
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- Tsubasa Tiger: This arc is told from Tsubasa’s perspective as she deals with a tiger named Kako, who can talk.
- Mayoi Jiangshi: In this arc, Koyomi travels back in time to help Mayoi, which leads to disastrous events back in the new “present.”
- Nadeko Medusa: This arc follows Nadeko as she deals with her insecurities and meets a snake deity who turns her into a snake goddess.
- Shinobu Time: In this arc, Shinobu meets an entity from her past, when she was known as the vampire Kiss-shot.
- Hitagi End: This arc follows Hitagi as she tries to save Koyomi from Nadeko in her snake goddess form.
6
Hanamonogatari This season was originally supposed to be a part of Monogatari Second Season, but was instead released separately due to production issues. It takes place after the events of Kizumonogatari and follows Suruga as she deals with a “devil” at the high school.^{[8]
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Tsukimonogatari This short season follows Koyomi again, as he begins to transform back into a vampire. Koyomi gets help from Yotsugi Ononoki, who is a resurrected doll, and Yozuru Kagenui. The season forces Koyomi to deal with his past choices and his ability to truly help other people.^{[9]
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Owarimonogatari First Season Owarimonogatari First Season primarily takes place after the events of Monogatari Second Season, though some events occur at the same time. During this season, Koyomi wrestles with a new character, Oshino Ougi, who forces him to deal with his past, and he graduates from high school. It includes several arcs:^{[10]
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- Ougi Formula: Koyomi gets trapped in a classroom by Ougi, where he has to confront his past actions and prejudices.
- Sodachi Riddle: Koyomi encounters a girl from his middle school, Sodachi Oikura, when she transfers to the high school. Sodachi hates Koyomi, and he investigates his past with Ougi to find out why.
- Sodachi Lost: Koyomi and Tsubasa dive into Sodachi’s tragic past and help her find her missing mother.
- Shinobu Mail: Koyomi meets a dark entity who’s looking for Shinobu/Kiss-shot. He fights it, along with help from Shinobu and Suruga.
9
Koyomimonogatari Koyomimonogatari was initially released as a mini-series for the Koyomimonogatari mobile app (which is no longer available). The episodes are shorter than the episodes in the regular seasons, and are considered short stories that don’t affect the overarching plot that much. Each episode is its own arc that deals with a singular mystery, and takes place at various points in the timeline, from Koyomi's first days as a third-year high school student to the day of his college exams.^{[11]
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Owarimonogatari Second Season The second season of Owarimonogatari takes place after Tsukimonogatari and Koyomimonogatari. The season once again follows Koyomi as he deals with his past actions and fights the darkness affecting the town. It consists of several arcs:
- Mayoi Hell: Koyomi learns that he died and is now in hell. He meets Mayoi again, and the two reflect on his life and death before he and Mayoi are returned to the world of the living.
- Hitagi Rendezvous: This sweet arc involves Koyomi and Hitagi going on a date. It also sets up the conflict that’s awaiting in the next arc against the Darkness.
- Ougi Dark: Koyomi plans to defeat Ougi and ends up dealing with his own internal issues and guilt.
11
Zoku Owarimonogatari Zoku Owarimonogatari follows Koyomi after he graduates high school and reluctantly deals with the end of his adolescence. The season starts with Koyomi getting pulled into a “reverse” world, where everyone is slightly off. The mirror world forces Koyomi to deal with his regrets, and serves as a way to tie up all the loose ends from the series so far.^{[12]
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Monogatari Off & Monster Season Monogatari Off & Monster Season takes place after Zoku Owarimonogatari and no longer follows Koyomi as the main character. Instead, this season centers around the various girls Koyomi helped, including Yotsugi, Nadeko, and Shinobu. It includes several different arcs:^{[13]
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- Tsukihi Undo: This single-episode arc follows Yotsugi and Tsukihi as they confront each other and enter a massive battle.
- Nadeko Draw: The arc centers around Nadeko’s desire to become a manga artist with a supernatural twist, which results in chaos.
- Acerola Bon Appétit: This arc is about Shinobu’s past as the Princess Acerola and her encounter with a vampire that ultimately led to her turning.
- Shinobu Mustard: Koyomi makes a central appearance in this arc, where he investigates the disappearance of multiple students from his high school.

Section 7 of 8:

Where to Watch Monogatari

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Most of Monogatari is available to watch on Crunchyroll. Almost every season of Monogatari is available to stream on Crunchyroll with a subscription. The only seasons that appear to be missing are Koyomimonogatari and Zoku Owarimonogatari. However, there are Blu-ray discs of Koyomimonogatari and Zoku Owarimonogatari that are available to buy on Amazon.
- Netflix sometimes streams the series, so definitely check if it’s available on this service.

Section 8 of 8:

Will there be more seasons of Monogatari?

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There will be more seasons of Monogatari, though there’s no release date set. In July 2025, it was announced that Monogatari Off & Monster Season will be getting more episodes. However, there’s still no word on when the episodes will be released and how many there will be.^{[14]
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- Most fans speculate that the anime will adapt most of the novels from the series, which includes all of the Off and Monster content and the Family Season content.