Monogatari Series Off & Monster Season [Season 1 Episode 9-10]

Monogatari Series Off & Monster Season: The Return of Araragi in Episodes 9-10

The Monogatari series has always been a wild ride—full of witty banter, supernatural mysteries, and characters who feel like old friends. But with Off & Monster Season, fans were thrown a curveball: the absence of Koyomi Araragi, the series’ iconic protagonist, for the first eight episodes. That all changed with episodes 9 and 10, where Araragi finally made his grand return, and boy, did it feel like coming home.

The Long-Awaited Comeback

After five long years (both in real life and in the show’s timeline), Araragi is back, and the internet collectively lost its mind. Fans on MyAnimeList and Reddit erupted with excitement, with comments like:

“The man, the myth, the legend returns, and it’s like he never left at all… Can you believe that it’s been five years since Koyomi was on screen?”

The episode wastes no time throwing Araragi into the thick of things. Now a university student, he’s still the same self-deprecating, pervy, yet oddly charming guy we know and love. But there’s a maturity to him now—his voice is deeper, his presence more assured. Yet, as one fan hilariously pointed out:

“Araragi at just 19 looks so different from his younger self. Holy moly.”

A Supernatural Mystery Unfolds

The plot kicks off with a bizarre case: members of a high school basketball team are being mysteriously mummified. Enter Izuko Gaen, the ever-enigmatic info broker, who ropes Araragi into the investigation. The dynamic between these two is as sharp as ever, with Gaen’s cryptic hints and Araragi’s reluctant heroics making for some of the episode’s best moments.

Fans were quick to notice the return of familiar faces, like Suruga Kanbaru, who brings her usual chaotic energy. One Reddit user joked:

“Kanbaru a lunatic as always.”

But the real standout is the introduction of new characters, particularly Meniko, a sleepy, glasses-wearing math whiz who deciphers a complex code in a scene that had fans geeking out. Comparisons to Hanekawa were inevitable, with one fan noting:

“Meniko seems to be a polar opposite of Hanekawa. Meniko knows what she doesn’t know, while Hanekawa knows what she does know.”

Themes and Nostalgia

What makes these episodes special is how they blend the old with the new. The mystery feels fresh, but the storytelling retains that signature Monogatari flair—rapid-fire dialogue, surreal visuals, and a healthy dose of existential musings.

The return of Araragi also brings back the show’s signature humor. His reunion with Kanbaru is pure gold, with fans loving their playful teasing. One commenter couldn’t get enough of it:

“The scene that starts when Araragi-Hentai meets Kanbaru and Higasa and until the end was hilarious.”

And yes, the nickname “Araragi-Hentai” is now officially a thing, much to the delight of the fandom.

Fan Reactions: A Mixed Bag (But Mostly Love)

While most fans were thrilled with the episodes, some had minor gripes. A few pointed out that the animation quality felt inconsistent in certain scenes, with one user saying:

“Some scenes were just potato, like straight outta MS Paint 3D.”

But even those critiques were overshadowed by the sheer joy of seeing Araragi back in action. As one fan perfectly summed it up:

“The Goat is fucking back holy shit the way I started cheering when I saw him finally appear after all these years.”

Final Thoughts

Episodes 9 and 10 of Monogatari Series Off & Monster Season deliver everything fans love about the series: sharp writing, intriguing mysteries, and the return of beloved characters. Araragi’s comeback feels earned, and the new additions to the cast promise exciting developments ahead.

If you’ve been missing the Monogatari magic, these episodes are a reminder of why this series remains one of the most unique and beloved in anime. As one fan put it:

“It’s so fucking peak. ARARAGI-HENTAI IS BACK, BABY!”

And honestly? We couldn’t agree more.

What did you think of Araragi’s return? Let us know in the comments!