Supernatural beings in anime are not something new and thus have been a part of many stories for a long time. Sure, people have different preferences when it comes to genres, but there’s no denying that anything with supernatural aspects automatically makes the story interesting. The Monogatari series only gives us supernatural aspects in the story, but also touches on many realistic themes. The main character of the series, Koyomi Araragi, is one of the realistic characters in anime. He also becomes one of the most recognizable characters as watching him also gives us many life lessons.
The Monogatari series is an anime adapted from a light novel written and illustrated by Nisio Isin and Vofan respectively. While the anime has one of the most “kawaii” openings, the anime is much darker than it looks. The story revolves around Koyomi Araragi’s life and the supernatural events that take place in his life as he tries to help the acquaintances he makes. This series has also been given a manga adaptation called “Bakemonogatari”, illustrated by Oh! Awesome. The title comes from two Japanese words, Bakemono which means Monster and Monogatari which means Story.
Who is Koyomi Araragi?
As mentioned above, Koyomi Araragi is the main character and narrator for most Monogatari storylines. His story is interesting because he was turned into a vampire during spring break. Araragi is then introduced to many other female characters. These characters are shown to have either a dark secret that they can’t let anyone in or a traumatic past that they carry with them. Their mental problems manifest themselves in supernatural ways. Araragi is then left to meet them while helping them overcome what they are going through. Not only this, but as he meets new people, makes friends and enemies, he also embarks on a journey of self-discovery. He learns a lot about himself and, towards the end, makes peace with all his regrets.
He is the eldest son of the Araragi family. His parents are police officers who are rarely at home because of their work. Koyomi Araragi also has two younger sisters. His relationship with his sisters is that of any typical sibling as they fight and care about each other’s well-being. Anyway, his sisters adore their brother. Araragi is also one who undergoes many changes as events take place in his life. That said, Araragi also has some aspects about him that he wouldn’t want to change and has come to accept them as his traits.
Araragi is a complex character
Indeed, as the title suggests, Araragi is one of the most complex characters in anime, which also makes him a recognizable character.
Past
Araragi’s personality was very different from how he is now. He was always seen as a loner, which made him antisocial. Araragi disliked making friends and mentioned one of his most famous dialogues: “Making friends would diminish my integrity as a human being”. Therefore, he did not associate with anyone and was content to be alone. This is something that has two meanings. One is that if his friends get hurt, he will get hurt. The second meaning simply means that having friends would give him something to be afraid of losing, making him vulnerable.
However, it is also known that he came to this philosophy not on a whim, but because of his past trauma caused by the incident with Sodachi Oikura, his childhood friend. This lasts, however, until he meets the person who influenced his life, Tsubasa Hanekawa, a girl his age who changed his view of friendship. Interestingly, Hanekawa also has some secrets about himself.
Gift
When it comes down to it, Araragi is a nice character who wouldn’t mind sacrificing himself for others, whether he likes them or not. This part of his personality is revealed when we find out why he is half a vampire. One evening he went out to buy some adult magazines. To his surprise, he encounters a vampire who has lost her limbs and is about to die. He runs away in fear, only to return shortly afterwards. Araragi then offers her his body for blood and manages to save the vampire. He names her Shinobu Oshino, who has been by his side and dependent on him ever since.
This also shows that Araragi has a savior complex, a behavior that is repeated not once but many times in the anime. However, it is also worth noting that this complex can be selfish as he tries to live up to his ideal sense of righteousness. He also doesn’t like when people follow the crowd and doesn’t like how most things, when it comes to justice, are decided on the basis of majority preference. Thus, he has his own definition of justice, which indeed stems from his family’s profession. Anyway, Araragi is a character looking for change. He is even seen telling his sibling that he will go on a “journey of self-discovery” at some point. He is very introspective in everything he does.
7 facts about Koyomi Araragi
While we’ve looked inside the mind of the character Koyomi Araragi and analyzed most of his behavior, here are seven facts about Araragi Koyomi.
1. Araragi was born in April
Koyomi Araragi was born in the month of April. However, the exact date is unknown. He is said to have been born sometime between April 10 and April 15, while some claim he was born on April 14.
2. The zodiac sign of Koyomi Araragi is Ram
Aries is the first astrological sign among the other zodiac signs. It is said that the people with this sign like to be in control of their lives. They are very stubborn people and often very honest, even if they seem rude. The people with this zodiac sign are also considered very self-conscious. Araragi also fits most of these descriptions well. As mentioned above, he is constantly thinking about the things related to himself and the things going on in his environment, which gives him a better handle on how he handles situations. Not only this, but he is usually quick to take action, a trait that the people under the Aries sign would possess.
3. Koyomi Araragi types like an INFP according to MBTI
INFPs highly value their values. They are also called idealists and are driven by high ideals. They usually like to delve deeper into who they are and how they fit into the world. Koyomi Araragi seems to fit these descriptions very well. Not only this, but INFPs are very introspective of their own thoughts and feelings. They can act impulsively at times and even save their worst enemies if their ideals allow them to.
4. Koyomi Araragi has been surrounded by “justice” all his life
As mentioned above, justice is something that drives Araragi, even if he doesn’t like it. Interestingly, in his family he was always surrounded by “justice”, as his parents were police officers who should be symbols of justice. Not only this, but his sisters call themselves “Heroes of Justice”, much to his chagrin.
5. He’s Got Vampire Teeth
Vampires and fangs obviously go along, but Araragi’s fangs are almost never seen in the series. However, he does have vampire teeth. A glimpse of it can be seen in episode 1 of the anime Bakemonogatari. It is also seen in Kizumonogatari.
6. Araragi prefers girls with short hair
The Monogatari series introduces us to many beautiful female characters. However, they all cater to Araragi’s preference to some degree. Almost all female characters in the anime have had their hair cut short at some point. This change in their hairstyle could also mean that they have accepted some changes in life thanks to the existence of Araragi Kiyomi who helps them through many supernatural and mental issues.
7. Araragi is good at math
Koyomi Araragi is about to fail his classes, but he is smart. The only subject Araragi is really good at is math. This is because he was taught by his Sodachi Oikura. This in turn bites him back as he proves to be better than his tutor at the craft. This leaves her with bitter hatred towards him.
