Koyomimonogatari (暦物語) is a 2016 net anime series based on the novel series written by NisiOisiN. The anime was directed by Tomoyuki Itamura, adapted by studio Shaft, and published by Aniplex. Koyomimonogatari is the third story arc in the Monogatari series: Final Season saga and is the only one to be given a different release layout.
Background:
““You’re looking for a horror story? I wish I got one for you.”
Untold stories… one per month for one year…
Taking place between other Monogatari stories, a chapter not yet told surrounds Koyomi Araragi and the strange happenings he gets pulled into over the course of a year. With one episode told per month, the story unravels in this 12 episode-long series of shorts.”
Plot Synopsis via Aniplex of America, December 2017.
| Order | Monogatari series: Final Season Story Arcs |
|---|---|
| Arc 1 | Tsukimonogatari |
| Arc 2 | Owarimonogatari Volume 1 Owarimonogatari Volume 2 |
| Arc 3 | Koyomimonogatari |
| Arc 4 | Owarimonogatari Volume 3 |
| Arc 5 | Zoku Owarimonogatari |
Rather than airing and simulcasting like the other arcs, Koyomimonogatari was released through an app with a new episode each week since January 2016 to March 2016 (as part of the Winter 2016 anime season). This did mean that western audiences did not have legal access until the Aniplex of America Blu-ray release came out.
The Monogatari story arcs, in general, take place in various moments throughout the entire Monogatari franchise which can make things rather confusing if you think too much about it. But basically, these are best viewed or read after checking out Monogatari series: First and Second Seasons.
Koyomimonogatari adapts 12 short stories included in the 14th novel. In other words, the arc was released before Owarimonogatari for the novels. Now Koyomimonogatari isn’t necessarily required to watch before Owarimonogatari, however, the final short story is crucial to understand the context for Owarimonogatari‘s final story segments in Season 2 (released as Volume 3 by Aniplex of America).
Monogatari series: Final Season has been licensed and released in the United States and Canada by Aniplex of America. MVM did bring some of these arcs over to the UK via sub-license, but I had already been supporting the Aniplex versions so for consistency reasons I continued with them. Due to Hanabee’s struggles in Australia, MVM did not have anyone to help them bring Monogatari‘s later arcs over to the UK & Ireland and thus had to sort out the releases on their own, starting with the Kizumonogatari Trilogy.
Limited Edition Contents:
Aniplex of America released the Monogatari franchise in volume type sets that include a strong thick cardboard box with a Blu-ray Amaray case, a booklet and a set of cards. Kizumonogatari was the only one in the franchise to also include a soundtrack CD as only one disc was needed for those volumes. Koyomimonogatari is designed in the same way that Owarimonogatari, Tsukimonogatari and other arcs from Monogatari series: Second Season were presented.
The SRP for this release is $89.98 and as you can tell, it is not cheap. Aniplex goes through a different path compared to Funimation and Sentai, where they bring over the releases in the best possible result for the price. This includes Japanese quality Blu-ray discs and special packaging to appeal for the collector’s market.
Many people disagree with this format especially with how the other English territories had to deal with approval restrictions and pricing requirements, but I still think Aniplex of America titles are worth the investment if you are really dedicated to the franchises that are available. Some are not worth the asking price, but others are. Monogatari in particular I have always found to have gotten the right value with Aniplex, especially considering how fast the subtitles are for the franchise. Koyomimonogatari was released in 19th December 2017 on Blu-ray only.
Physical Contents:
- Cardboard Limited Edition Artbox
- Deluxe Booklet
- Pinup Postcard Set
On-Disc Contents:
Distributor: Aniplex of America
Released: 19th December 2017
The limited edition release for Koyomimonogatari has 2 Blu-ray discs in total. The first disc covers episodes 1-6, and the second disc covers episodes 7-12. Each disc authored by Aniplex. Due to the complexity of the Monogatari franchise, Japanese audio with English subtitles is the only option available. The white subtitles are unlockable during playback, and the Blu-ray discs are all region.
Blu-ray Specs:
| Languages | Japanese |
| Audio | Japanese Linear PCM 2.0 |
| Video | 1080p High Definition Native format 16:9 aspect ratio |
| Region | A B C |
| Subtitles | English |
| Locked Subtitles | No |
| Discs | 2 BD-25s |
Blu-ray On-Disc Extra Features:
Disc 1:
- Preview Collections 1
Disc 2:
- Textless Ending “whiz”
- Preview Collections 2
- Commercial Collections
Unboxing Photos:
Final Notes:
Koyomimonogatari is available to order exclusively through Rightstuf, however if you live in the UK you can import the set through United Publications.
The Normanic Vault 
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