Monogatari Watch Order: How to Watch the Monogatari Series in Order

Monogatari is a Japanese novel written by Nisio Isin and illustrated by Vofan. Since November 2006 and April 2019, Kodansha  published 25 volumes in the series and likely to release three more volumes in the days to come.

Nisio Isin’s novel has been adapted into Anime series by SHAFT. The adaptation turned out a massive hit across the world. The first season of Monogatari series consisting of 30 episodes aired in Japan between July 2009 and December 2012.

The second season which had 28 episode broadcast between July and December 2013. And the final season of Monogatari consisting of 42 episodes aired between Decemeber 2014 and June 2019. Since all seasons of of the series are released people are confused thinking which is the perfect order to watch Monogatari series.

Notably, you can watch Monogatari series in chronological order but if you want us to recommend the best way to watch it, we would not recommend the Chronological order to watch the series for the first time.

Here is a complete breakdown of the different season of Monogatari, which are vital when knowing the perfect order to watch the series:

First season: Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari, Nekomonogatari black and Kizumonogatari.

Second season: Nekomonogatari White, Kabukumonogatari, Hanamonogatari, Otorimonogatari, Onimonogatari and Koimonogatari.

Final season: Tsukimonogatari, Koyomimonogatari, Owarimongatari, Zoku Owarimonogatari.

Monogatari Series Plot

The story of the series revolves around a third-year student named Koyomi Araragi, a Vampire attack survivor. One day, one of his classmate falls down a flight of stairs at school into Koyomi’s arms. Surprisingly, he realizes that Hitagi weighs nothing, in defiance of physics. Despite being threatened to stay away, Koyomi extends his help and introduces Hitagi to Memo Oshino, which helped reverse his Vampirism. When Hitagi gets rid of her problems, she decides to be his sweetheart.

As the series moves forward, Koyomi comes across many different girls with oddities, being his friends, his classmates or even his sisters. They all carry items hinting towards their afflictions.

The story covers quite a long chronological timeline, that’s the reason why we have not recommended you to watch Monogatari series in Chronological order. Instead of following the chronological order, the release order gives enough backstory and information for the series to be watched and understood properly.

THE RECOMMENDED ORDER

We have three commended orders to watch Monogatari series, depending on your knowledge of the series and how you would prefer to experience it. First order is for those who are loyal to the novels and the second is for those who have already read the novel and now watch the series in chronological order.

Release Order

For the first time viewers, this order to watch Monogatari is highly recommended. It is how most viewers have followed the story and how the series was released. What differentiate this order from the other is that Kizumonogatari, which is the origin story, is only shown later on as the finale.

There are viewers who might be thinking that that have plenty of questions to be answered for first time viewers but the other seasons and episodes do provide enough information to follow the story line.

This is the only orders majority of English viewers follow and it was released as such for viewing.

First season:

1. Bakemonogatari (2009) – Stories of Mayoi Snail, Hitagi Crab, Nadeko Snake, Suruga Money and Tsubasa Cat.

2. Nisemonogatari (2012) – Stories of the Tsukihi Phoenix and the Karen Bee.

3. Nekomonogatari Kuro (2012) – The prequel story of the Tsubasa Family

Second season:

1. Monogatari Series Second Season (2013) – This contains a larger bulk of the single story novels, including Mayoi Jiangshi, Shinobu Time, Tsubasa Tiger and Hitagi End.

2. Hanamonogatari (2014) – Story of the Suruga Devil.

Final season:

1. Tsukimonogatari (2014) – Story of the Yotsugi Doll

2. Owarimonogatari (2015) – The Ougi Formula, The Sodachi Lost, Sodachi Riddle and the Shinobu Mail Stories.

3. Koyomimonogatari (2016) – Tells 12 different stories about Koyomi.

4. Owarimnonogatari (Part 2) (2017) – Story of the Hitagi Rendezvous, Ougi Dark stories and the Arargi Koyomi story, including other stories that might spoil the storyline.

5. Zoku Owarimonogatari (2018) – This instalment was initially released as a movie, but will be screened as a 6 episode screening in 2019. It is the Koyomi reverse story.

Off season:

1. Orokamonogatari (TBA)

2. Wazamonogatari (TBA)

3. Nademonogatari (TBA)

4. Musubimonogatari (TBA)

Monster season:

1. Shinobumonogtari (TBA)

2. Yoimonogatari (TBA)

3. Amarimonogatari (TBA)

4. Ougimonogatari (TBA)

5. Shimonogatari (TBA)

Chronological Order

If you want to watch to Monogatari series for the second time or watching it after reading the entire novel, then you must follow the Chronological order. If you are first time viewers and opting for this order there are chances you will become a bit loss, as there will be some skipping back and forth between certain novels before finishing one at a time.

1. Wazamonogatari

2. Kizumonogatari

3. Nekomonogatari (Black)

4. Bakemonogatari

5. Nisemonogatari

6. Kabukimonogatari

7. Onimonogatari

8. Owarimonogatari Vol. 2

9. Nekomonogatari (White)

10. Owarimonogatari Vol. 1

11. Wazamonogatari

12. Orokamonogatari

13. Otorimonogatari

14. Koimonogatari

15. Tsukimonogatari

16. Owarminogatari Vol. 3

17. Zoku Owarimonogatari

18. Hanamonogatari

19. Shinobumonogatari

20. Wazamonogatari

21. Orokamonogatari (Suruga Bonehead)

22. Orokamonogatari (Tsukihi Undo)

23. Nademonogatari

24. Musubimonogatari

Nisio Isin Order

This order is purely based on how the light novels were released. It is the order in which writer Nisio Isin wants his people to read the novel.

First season:

1. Bakemonogatari (2006) – Stories of Mayoi Snail, Hitagi Crab, Nadeko Snake, Suruga Money and Tsubasa Cat.

2. Kizumonogatari (2008) – The prequel to the Monogatari series.

3. Nisemonogatari (2008-2009) – Stories of the Tsukihi Phoenix and the Karen Bee.

4. Nekomonogatari Black (2010) – The prequel story of the Tsubasa Family

Second Season:

1. Nekomonogatari White (2010) – The story of Tsubasa Hanekawa from her own perspective.

2. Kabukimonogatari (2010) – A tale of time travel with Araragi Koyomi and Oshino Shinobu.

3. Hanamonogatari (2011) – Story of the Suruga Devil.

4. Otorimonogatari (2011) – The story of Nadeko Medusa and her journey to be self-reliant.

5. Onimonogatari (2011) – The Shinobu Shrine story

6. Koimonogatari (2011) – Hitagi Senjougahara makes a deal with the gods to protect Koyomi Araragi.

Final season:

1. Tsukimonogatari (2012) – Story of the Yotsugi Doll

2. Koyomimonogatari (2013) – Tells 12 different stories about Koyomi.

3. Owarimonogatari (2013-2014) – The Ougi Formula, The Sodachi Lost, Sodachi Riddle and the Shinobu Mail Stories.

4. Zoku Owarimonogatari (2014) – This instalment was initially released as a movie, but will be screened as a 6 episode screening in 2019. It is the Koyomi reverse story.

Off season:

1. Orokamonogatari (2015) – Stories of Sodachi Fiasco, Suruga Bonehead and Tsukihi Undo.

2. Wazamonogatari (2016) – The Cruel Fairy Tale: Princess Fair

3. Nademonogatari (2016) – The story of Nadeko Draw

4. Musubimonogatari (2017) – Four stories of Zenka Mermaid, Mitome Wolf, Nozomi Golem and Tsuzura Human.

Monster season:

1. Shinobumonogatari (2017) – Tale of Shinobu Oshino, the Kanji.

2. Yoimonogatari (2018) – Araragi and the Loli trio look into the possible kidnapping of a young girl.

3. Amarimonogatari (TBA) – Upcoming story of Yotsugi Body and Yotsugi Shadow.

4. Ougimonogatari (TBA) – Upcoming story of Ougi Light and Ougi Fright.

5. Shinomonogatari (TBA) – Upcoming stories of Deathtopia Destiny, Deathtopia Death Education and Deathtopia Destination.

What about Kizumonogatari?

Kizumonogatari is a predecessor to Monogatari. It explains how the story started but when to actually watch this series has been an everlasting debate.

• Before Bakemonogatari – The author of the novel stated that as a prequel, watching it before its sequel is the best way experience it but not the highly recommended way.
• Between Bakemonogatari and Nisemonogatari – This is the author’s recommended order to watch Kizumonogatari. Once you are done watching Bakemonogatari, you will have a lot of information  on the world and Kizu will surely help you understand things more clearly.
• Between Koyomimonogatari and Owarimonogatari (Second Season) – The true airing order way to watch it, but breaks up the story of two important arcs. If you are on a binge watch, then it is less of a big deal.
• Between Owarimonogatari and Koyomimonogatari – This is the compromise to the airing order watch above that doesn’t separate the story arcs and makes for a more cohesive watch.