Guess Who's Back! | Monogatari Spoilercast Series: Off & Monster Season

·1 hr 20 min·5 clips

Natai declares the Nadeko Draw arc a top-tier Monogatari story that redefines the character's entire journey.

The episode begins with hosts Alex and Natai welcoming listeners back to Anime Club After Dark for a long-requested Monogatari spoiler-cast. They discuss the year-long delay and audience anticipation. The hosts note that this season adapts parts of both Off and Monster seasons, comprising four arcs over 14 episodes. They mention Shaft studio's changes since previous Monogatari adaptations, including staff departures. The first arc, Tsukihi Undo, is reviewed as a fun, one-episode story focusing on Ononoki. The second arc, Nadeko Draw, is highlighted as a standout, with Natai calling it one of his new favorite Monogatari arcs for its character development and creative use of leitmotifs. A brief 0.5 episode providing Shinobu's backstory is critiqued for its jarring presentation. The third arc, Acerola Bon Appetit, introduces the vampire Deathtopia and is seen as a neat two-episode story. The final arc, Shinobu Mustard, is heavily criticized for being a six-episode mystery that feels stretched and uninteresting, with weak character portrayals. The hosts debate the arc's flaws, particularly in how it handles Gaen's character. They conclude with mixed feelings, giving the overall season a 6.5 rating, and tease potential future Monogatari adaptations. The episode ends with a plug for the podcast's 10th-anniversary livestream.

As heard by us

A loose, affectionate Monogatari discussion that finds its sharpest emotional thread in Nadeko's divided self.

Anime Club After Dark returns to Monogatari Off and Monsters after a long wait, with Alex and Natai taking on a topic listeners had clearly been waiting for.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want Nadeko's fake-outs, self-conversations, and heartbreak unpacked by people delighted to get lost in Monogatari again.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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