Before I begin it would appear that somehow I have something to say regarding each episode of Bakemonogatari. I am not sure yet if this will keep up, but just one more episode I want to write up on for this show would mean it gets its own sub-category for having so many of its series’ posts already. It is difficult though to say if I can or not, largely because most of the time, I am concentrating on just Senjougahara…though the episode itself (so far anyway) has its own merits to talk about.

Needless to say this episode was largely a development of the relationship between Senjougahara and Araragi as well as showing off the former’s feminine charm in what could only be called a super tsundere (at least, IMHO). This post shall be full of Hitagi picture spam.
 

It has to be “let you see them” and not “show them to you”, the nuance is completely important! Being politically correct is indeed a pain in the ass. First sign that she is being tsundere, since instead of actually expressing any affection for Araragi, she instead is saying that Araragi should be the first person to see them. Catch the difference.

The hell you staring at, boy? Then again if I were in the same situation, I would be looking there as well. Lots of such shots in the episode, and quite frankly, who could blame Araragi? He just happened to be that height, and Senjougahara obviously did it on purpose.

Boob shot FTW. She really is a fine girl, body-wise.

Her faint smile here is more than warm enough coming out of her.

Araragi’s ahoge is standing straight here, implying a boner. Who would not, with a hot girl this close?

You wish. As if such a girl will ever tell you straight that she loves you off the bat like that.

Normally, it is the boy intimidating the girl in such a situation, and so it is quite refreshing to see this turnaround.

These two, and other scenes, basically reinforce the idea that the whole episode is actually an impromptu date in disguise. Sheesh, did they have to use such a roundabout way?

As an option this one is very interesting…but why would one take that?

Now this is a damn good option. Where the hell is Araragi looking anyway?

I want to ask you the same. Also, this just makes his absolute denials about him being a pervert pointless.

Never mind dear, it is enough for you to do some of these occasionally. HNGH moment here.

Yes, that is a very good suggestion indeed. Plus she then adds that she can cook and the man can watch from behind, a good fantasy to be having. At least, IMHO. Of course, as Araragi observes, it will be difficult to remain just friends after that, but is it not usually done because the female is being affectionate towards the one she loves? Ok, maybe only in Japan and their fetishes. :

She looks ephemeral in this shot…too bad her words are not.

THIS BE SUPER KAWAII HHHHHHHNNNNNNNGGGGHHHHHHHHH- and for once Araragi turns the tables on Senjougahara and pwns her back. Still, this is so super attractive in a way, since you will hardly ever get to see a girl like Senjougahara look like this. Vector opportunity, anyone?

Instant win. When is your next available slot for a date, babe?

Only Senjougahara can bring men down from a bench straight to the floor with no obvious movement with just one sentence.

Damn right, and I like how she rubbed it in twice in the same way.

I hardly expected such a shot of Senjougahara, though it was likely expected since there was one of Araragi not long before this. Still, her evil cute look is made of win as well. Makes you see her in a slightly different light.

Lol I find this to be usually true though, quite unfortunately. I mean, I can already think of a few examples…

Haha before this, I knew there was something like such a marriage, but never the term. Pretty interesting that they would put this in the show, who says you can learn nothing new from anime? A very nice way of picking on Araragi too.

Muahaha, pwned. Senjougahara’s teasing is on a whole new level, she really can lay the smackdown by just using words. Either that, or she understands Araragi’s type really well. Very very nice way of teasing him and pulling him along her pace.

So all her teasing led right up to this – she wants him to ask her to be his girlfriend, because she wants to be his girlfriend (check out the heartbeats during this scene and how they focused on her instead of Araragi) but does not want to be the one to initiate the relationship (in keeping with her pride or something like that). Now if it were me, I would hardly mind who initiated it and would have just said yes, but it appears Araragi also thinks of himself in the process and decided to be unselfish by refusing her implicit offer despite him probably really wanting it.

Nice effect of switching to vampiric eyes to see far ahead. Looks like having wounds heal faster was not the only consequence of his brief period as a vampire. We might see more of such minor traits from his vampiric time later on throughout the series.

Damn straight. Senjougahara really knows how to use her words. And Saito Chiwa is doing a damn fine job of bringing the expression of Senjougahara across with a nearly monotonous voice that moves according to the conversation.

And so we have our second loli in the show, Hachikuji Mayoi, and she instantly puts on an awesome display of fearsome by pwning Araragi with words. Seriously, Araragi was meant to be verbally abused in the show. We should expect more of it from other characters soon. Mayoi is voiced by Katou Emiri, whom I feel is doing a finer job here than in Princess Lover (Houjouin Seika). Fun fact – Katou is born in the same year as me and only about a week before me, we are both under Sagittarius. <3

Hachikuji vs. Araragi Round 1 – Hachikuji 1, Araragi 0

Hachikuji vs. Araragi Round 2 – Hachikuji 2, Araragi 0

Round 3 goes to Araragi. Seriously, WTF with this particular smack lol. Araragi’s expression seriously cracked me up hard. Besides, who would use a smack on the back of the head as a way to gain attention, even if (or rather, especially on) it is a elementary grade schoolgirl?

Round 4, Hachikuji. Total pwnage by Mayoi here. Almost to the point of unexpected since she was being so kind beforehand, even if it was all an act to get to this point.

And Round 5 begins in earnest. Seriously, this fight scene was funny…

…though what is up with the pantsu shots…

Winner: Araragi with a judo throw. Reward: loli pantsu shot. Sheesh.

THIS WAS SERIOUSLY LULZ

Miss Pwnage has arrived. Explanation in order.

Nice use of the board to reflect her thoughts on whether or not Araragi was guilty of doing something “heinous” to the schoolgirl.

How does one write that off as just a bad dream?!

Impressions

A great episode overall, considering the amount of dialogue involved and despite the fact that it was a date in disguise, and a prelude to the real story behind the lost snail. It gave a bigger insight into Senjougahara’s real character, and she can be really such a high-level tease, and she kept leading Araragi on until she almost got what she wanted, though he turned her down. One wonders if one can do the same as Araragi in that situation, to consider himself as a person as well before deciding on the offer.
 

Much <3 for Senjougahara throughout the episode, seeing a side of her that has already made many males’ heads spin. At least, I know Kurogane too had pretty much the same thoughts.
 

Senjougahara is already in my running for the top ten anime girls of the year, considering her super tsundere personality, and her behavior. Ah, is it because I like such characters, or is it because she plays so hard to get and keeps teasing and leading you on? Hmm…of course, Charlotte Hazelrink still wins.
 

Finally I leave you with this excerpt of a short conversation I had with Shin on IRC. My nick happens to be SelvariaLove for the day.

SelvariaLove: Seems like I should blog Bakemonogatari episodically
SelvariaLove: Because each episode I seem to have something to say.
Shin_Asuka: selvaria sucks
Shin_Asuka was kicked by ~SelvariaLove (DEFAMATION #27)
Shin_Asuka: y
SelvariaLove: STFU SHIN
Shin_Asuka: bakemonogatari also sucks
SelvariaLove: I KNOW YOU ARE INTO THE LOLI AT THE END OF BAKEMONOGATARI 3
SelvariaLove: .
Shin_Asuka: hmm
Shin_Asuka: loli you say
SelvariaLove: gg
Shin_Asuka: bakemonogatari suddenly became better
SelvariaLove: .
 

PS: 4Chan’s /w/ currently has a thread for the anime featuring Senjougahara, with requests for vectors from this episode. To see if that turns out to be any good (the thread may just disappear so linking is pointless) just check /w/ every day for it. Currently I already have one vector (from a vector request thread instead of that one) from the first episode, and will be looking to add more if they are any kind anon’s that will do the job. Anyone else want to help out? Just leave a comment here, thanks.
 

Related posts:

1. Bakemonogatari 13 – Return of Fetishes
2. Bakemonogatari 06 – In Your Face Part 1
3. Bakemonogatari 05 – The Lost Snail
4. Bakemonogatari 12 – Hitagi X Koyomi
5. Bakemonogatari 06 – In Your Face Part 2