Monogatari (Tsukimonogatari): Season 3/ Episode 1 "Yotsugi Doll, Part One" [Season Premiere] – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

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Overview

Episode one is a lot of talking and awkward moments.

Trigger Warning(s): Family Incest

Topic 1: What is Ononoki? – Shinobu & Araragi

Topic 2: Bath Time – Araragi & Tsukihi

Review (with Spoilers) – Below

Topic 1: What is Ononoki? – Shinobu & Araragi

The beginning of the episode focusing on what Ononoki is, as well as leads to Shinobu and Araragi discussing why apparitions appear as animals or humans. Whether they are vampires, crabs, snakes, and etc. Also, they speak on the importance of humans speaking about them so that they may exist.

Commentary

Considering Araragi seemingly is the focus of this season, unless I’m wrong, I found it quite odd how much focus Ononoki was getting. Especially in terms of the two of them talking about how she is a reanimated corpse, or doll, if not a Tsukumo-gami. For, unless I recall wrong, I believe they went over what she was in Monogatari Season 2. Either way, this part seemed a bit like filler. Making me glad they released all four episodes in one day.

Topic 2: Bath Time – Araragi & Tsukihi

After establishing it is February 13th, and we are in the time period before Karen has gone to high school, and before the boyfriends, as well as style shifts, the ecchi begins. Though it isn’t anything a fan of the series isn’t used to. Basically, Tsukihi gets on Araragi about focusing more on helping people, rather than his studies, as they both wash each other. Leading to some off moments in which she admires his body, he hers, and lots of odd sibling touching. The beginning to the end of that though comes when Araragi doesn’t see his reflection in the mirror, letting him know something is seriously wrong.

Commentary

With the Monogatari series not necessarily being in chronological order, I must admit I was a bit confused when Araragi mentioned it was February 13th since March 15th, or so, was when Sengoku got possessed by the snake apparition and all hell broke loose. So, I think it is safe to say it is a year and a month before that. Especially considering how the Fire Sisters look and also Araragi not taking his college exams yet, nor there being any sign, or mention, of Senjogahara.

That aside, I honestly wonder what inspired these weird “brother and me” moments? Especially considering how uncomfortable Araragi and Tsukihi feel about the situation, at first, and then somehow it leads to them cleaning each other, him sort of groping her, full on nudity, and then an almost kiss?

Though perhaps the real question should be: When is Shinobu popping up?