Zoku Owarimonogatari (続・終物語) is a 2018 theatrical/television anime series based on the Monogatari novel series written by NisiOisiN. The anime was directed by Tomoyuki Itamura, adapted by studio Shaft, and published by Aniplex. Zoku Owarimonogatari is the fifth and final story arc in the Monogatari series: Final Season saga.
Background:
“”Doesn’t it make sense that another Araragi, the flip side of you, exists in this world?”
This is what Araragi experienced during his transition from high school to college. The story of the continuation of the end (Owari). The morning after high school graduation, Koyomi is standing in front of the mirror above the sink to wash his face when he suddenly feels like his reflection is staring back at him. He instinctively reaches for the mirror, and upon touching it, his fingers sink in… When he comes to, Koyomi finds himself in a world where everything appears to be reversed.”
Plot Synopsis via Aniplex of America, January 2021
| 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 |
Monogatari over the years has managed to become a big hit with the anime community, and while the series wasn’t dubbed in English it continues to attract audiences with its dialogue, animation and story arcs. Eventually we have now reached the end of the main storyline. The anime franchise started in 2009 with Bakemonogatari and wrapped up in 2019 with Zoku Owarimonogatari.
For this post, we’re focusing on the final story arc of the Monogatari series: Final Season saga known as Zoku Owarimonogatari. This is basically the conclusion for the main story surrounding Koyomi Araragi and his friends. That being said, the novels does continue after this with two different seasonal sagas.
In the novels, after the release of Zoku Owarimonogatari which is the 18th book adapting the Koyomi Reverse story arc, the story sort-of continues with Monogatari series: Off Season which covers the 19th to 22nd books released between 2015 to 2017; Orokamonogatari, Wazamonogatari, Nademonogatari, and Musubimonogatari. Then we have Monogatari series: Monster Season which covers the 23rd to 28th books released between 2017 to an unspecified date for the final book; Shinobumonogatari, Yoimonogatari, Amarimonogatari, Ougimonogatari, and Shinomonogatari (which is split into two volumes).
Going back to Zoku Owarimonogatari, Monogatari series: Final Season was licensed and released in the United States and Canada by Aniplex of America. MVM Entertainment sub-licensed the franchise but there have been some licensing issues that have gotten in the way, as Aniplex is basically being slow in communication. Therefore Koyomimonogatari, Owarimonogatari Volume 3 and Zoku Owarimonogatari as of January 2021 have yet to be acquired for the United Kingdom and Ireland.
I spent roughly seven years, from January 2014 to January 2021, collecting the Monogatari anime franchise on Blu-ray from Aniplex so I kept the consistency going to the end. At least it is finally completed for now (assuming that studio SHAFT wants to adapt more of the franchise) and therefore I can put my focus on the Fate franchise next if possible heh.
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. Zoku Owarimonogatari continues this trend. The Aniplex Proof of Purchase card is included with this package.
The SRP for this release is $74.98 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.
Physical Contents:
- Cardboard Limited Edition Artbox
- Deluxe Booklet
- Pinup Postcard Set
On-Disc Contents:
Distributor: Aniplex of America
Released: 28th January 2020
The limited edition release for Zoku Owarimonogatari contains episodes 1 to 6 across two Blu-ray discs, with the Koyomi Reverse story arc episodes split evenly across the two discs. The authoring and encoding were done by Aniplex & Qtec.
The Monogatari franchise as a whole has not been dubbed into English (with the exception of the Audiobooks of the novels), and thus this release is Japanese audio with English subtitles. The white subtitles are unlockable during playback and the Blu-ray disc is accessible to all regions.
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 (1 BD-25, 1 BD-50) |
Blu-ray On-Disc Extra Features:
Disc 1:
- Textless Opening “07734”
- Textless Ending “azure”
Disc 2:
- Textless Ending “azure” (Episode 6 ver.)
- Preview Collections
- Commercial Collections
Unboxing Photos:
And here is a photo representing all of the Monogatari Blu-ray sets that were released by Aniplex of America. There were 18 releases (6 per Season) and 40 Blu-ray discs (16 in First Season, 12 in Second Season, 12 in Final Season) in total. It’s been a wild ride but remember, Shaft could animate more but for now this is the complete collection.
Final Notes:
Zoku Owarimonogatari 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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