A Look At: Kaiki Deishuu

[@npc6817]

who is more scared? jojo villain when they hear piano vs Araragi when he hears cello

[@mastermitser5693]

So Araragi is A buff villain and Kaiki's real name can be shortened to JoJo.

[@moxusmarbleized7707]

Yes, Best Girl

[@Asterwisk]

Best girl gonna best

[@AskAScreenwriter]

Good analysis, but I disagree on several points. I thought it was hinted, in his conversation with Ononoki, that, while he wasn't able to 'cure' Senjougahara, he DID destroy the cult that had a hold of her mother (including the cult leader that m******d her), only for her mother to fall in with a different cult which ultimately led to the family's breakup. Also, it's implied that he realized Senjougahara had a serious crush on him, and he removed himself from that situation for HER benefit (she would have been like 15-17 or so at the time), not just to run away. He also implies (in Hanamonogatari) that he had feelings, probably unrequited, for Suruga Kanbaru's mother, Tooe Gaen, and he has promised to do what he can to help Suruga out. Again, something he surely has no need to do by that point. He's the kind of man who'll tell you right out that he's a liar, and you shouldn't trust anything he says. Then he'll tell you he's really just a fake. Then he'll say he only cares about the money. They he'll remind you what a liar he is. So which of those statements do you believe? He presents himself as a lying fraud who's only interested in money, but then does whatever he can to talk himself into helping other people, even when it's not profitable, or even dangerous to himself. Maybe he lies mostly to himself? He's a much more complex character than just a 'villain,' IMHO, thought I haven't read the books, which might shed more light on his character. Still, overall, a great video, sparking some interesting discussion!

[@otomeng5230]

True. In my opinion, Kaiki lies to himself the most. He lies to others, then he seemingly tells the truth, then again reminds ppl that he's a liar. But in the end he always lies to himself. The reason is unknown, maybe it's about his past, or his curse, or some other reasons we don't know.

[@LoveFor298Yen]

Aira Ichigo he is the same as nadeko. That’s how he could relate to her

[@otomeng5230]

@@LoveFor298Yen that's probably true. But I still think it's partly because of his curse, too. Like he's been lying forever since, but it got worse after they made Yotsugi. It's said that he and Meme both made Yotsugi's organs, after all.

[@elyk87]

I think one thing to note with Kaiki is he isn't as motivated to simply help people like Oshino is. And, when he is motivated, he doesn't always have the emotional understanding to help people with their personal issues. The Monogatari series is about personal issues blending with the supernatural to cause "oddities". Kaiki's knowledge as a specialist and even a conman, to some existent, allow him to "resolve" these problems but not always in a way that fixes the underlying personal issues that caused the oddity in the first place. Then, there's the added complexity of whatever curse he has from helping with Ononoki. Being that he helped with the torso, or heart, one could easily conclude that his compulsion to lie or his inability to connect with people might have something to do with the curse. I find it no coincidence that the only 'friend' he has that has some understanding of him is, ironically, Ononoki. The one person we see who he does legitimately help with, in terms of their oddity and personal problems, is Sengoku. And ultimately, it wasn't a deception or hex that worked, but his ability to advise her on a personal level. I think that, the reason he was able to do so in this case, is because Sengoku was also a systematic liar. Kaiki is basically giving advise to a younger version of himself, so he was able to connect to her on some level. As far as his morals go, it is hard to look passed his scamming of junior high students. I think that he probably didn't intend for all the damage the reverse-curse would cause, but at the same time he's at fault for the con. That's likely why he just leaves at the end of Nise...it's almost like he realizes it's gone to far, doesn't care or can't make himself apologize, and just leaves.

[@TheGreatBackUpVIDEOS]

I find it interesting how contradictory interpretations of Kaiki are, another video I saw described him as the master of every lie he has crafted around himself, he, unlike Hanekawa and Nadeko has never fallen for his own lies...yet here we see people saying how he lied to himself. Can you really call that a man who has mastered deceit of all but himself? If anything that seems like it's on the very same level of Hanekawa and Nadeko, a facade that even the wielder cannot see past. Or perhaps that is the biggest lie of all, that he made us think he questioned why he should help. As Kaiki himself said....he's a liar.

[@npc6817]

one Important thing he said in my opinion was that when he explained dreams to Nadeko "your true dreams are those you can never say, since the very moment you reveal them, they become lies" or something to that effect, I don't memorize quotes. I think this line explains how he feels about lies and deception, he doesn't mind them or feel any guilt for using them because he believes that humans, due to their very own imperfect nature, are incapable of expressing the genuine truth in the first place. I mostly agree with his philosophy, however what interests me most is the other face of this coin. If because of their imperfection humans can never tell you the perfect truth, then it's only logical that they can't tell a perfect lie either. telling lies is no different than putting on a mask, it may hide your face but it reveals plenty about the hand that fabricated it and the person who chose to wear it if you're willing to look hard enough. what I'm saying is, in short, that Kaiki's lies are in a sort of way also a part of his true self, and shouldn't be discarded when looking for the "truth".

[@Katpasniss]

Kaiki is one of my favourite character in anime, such a fascinating character Also, he best girl and he a better waifu then speedwagon fight me

[@Asterwisk]

Hey now we can all get along here. Both are best girls

[@MrFreakHeavy]

I think there's one thing to be pointed out is that we have to follow Kaiki's story in this order Nise > Hana > Koi. In Nise we see this despicable man out for money and doesn't care what happened to people, he doesn't believe in the supernatural and actually thinks (and it's confirmed) that has not really done anything but scammed people. But whatever he's done to people's lives he doesn't care because it's their fault they were scammed, it's their fault they did what they did with his fake curses. Nadeko screwed herself, Kaiki did nothing really. So, we hate Kaiki because, in a sense, he's right, but he's still a despicable man that must be hated. In Hana, we see him again through Kanbaru's eyes, as she's told never to get close or associated with him, and if she sees him she must run away. Kanbaru finds him and to our surprise, he corners her, but not to scam her or hurt her. He still looks really sketchy and untrustworthy, but through his monologues and dialogue with Kanbaru he at least seems to be honest in one thing: he wants to help Kanbaru. Whatever this man used to be, at the very least he was a sweet spot for someone. Even if we still hate him and think he can't be trusted, he's at least good with someone. He might not be the "incarnation of evil" we thought. Then comes Koi, and this is the biggest one. Kaiki begins to talk about his story and how he's going to lie his way through it and we shouldn't believe him. Of course, we don't want to do and whatever he's going to do he's probably going to cause trouble. But he's called and asked for help by Senjougahara, and to our biggest surprise he wants to help but can't find a reason to do it... maybe to save face? In the end, he decides to do it for Kanbaru, as expected, we know he would want to do something for her (and because he's asked to help her by someone else and he's trying to keep his promise... after all, he probably was in the town before because of Kanbaru and the scams he pulled was just an excuse to be there). He accepts within his own conditions, starts not caring about money for some reason, only to keep his act in front of Senjougahara. And then the character we had in our heads starts crumbling down. Yes, he's just a man... but, wow, he really is just a man. He has his soft spots and he has done a lot, apparently, good things behind everyone's backs, Ononoki confirms this, teasing Kaiki who still wants to keep his act of a despicable con man. And then the arcs end, with Kaiki feigning evil in front of Araragi as he saves all three people (four, counting Shinobu). Then he goes away, asking nothing, coning no one. Deceiving no one. Hurting no one. An honest job. A hero's journey. And then the plot twist: he lies about his death. Through all this last arc we believed everything he said. There was no real reason to believe he lied despite us knowing he was a liar, and him telling us straight up he was going to lie. Of course, he would lie, he doesn't want us to know more. Maybe he just wants to end his story with a bang or even just to con us and make us think he's gone completely. Sympathy? Pitty? Whatever the case is, he just doesn't know we know he is lying. Which is was brings us to the plot twist of plot twists of the series: How much did Kaiki really lie to us? How much of his story was real? We just don't know if can trust him. Kaiki is, after all, just a simple con man.

[@trebot9292266]

He's a man who wants to help, but does not want other to rely on him. When he's needed he comes in to help, but does not want to be seen as a hero.(we see this when he tries to justify helping Nadeko. Why would the Kaiki we've seen help, because it would be helping kanboru indirectly.) He does what he can to be seen as a bad guy and therefore is a bad guy through his actions, but the true intention of the bad acts are to fix something else. When he does something to someone it is usually a lie, such as the Bee sting curse not really being what he said. He is the villain so someone has a villain to face.

[@Huh-exploosion]

Why no one talks about numachi rouka? She is the real underrated girl in monogatari

[@Asterwisk]

I was gonna put this at the end of the video, but it didn't really feel right with the note it ended on so here it is. The other day this channel passed 500 Subs, which is basically nothing on KZbin I know. But still, it means a lot to me personally and I think it's really awesome that people seem to genuinely like my rambling bullshit I do. I try to constantly improve with every video and I hope that shows. I'm always happy to receive feedback on anything from the script to the audio to the editing, etc. But more than anything, I just wanted to say this. Thank you.

[@AxelordMuschainner]

Congratulations! Keep going!

[@Owlkisses88]

Hope you have many more and much success

[@merkoo7]

I find Kaiki Deishuu to be an amazing character because I can relate to him in some way. What I mean by that is that he does truly care about the people around him but he's unable to show those feelings since it only creates more problems for him. He has been reduced to a lonely con-man who pretends to only care about himself. I, of course, haven't gone that far yet but I still see him as an example of how I easily could have ended up if it wasn't the people around me who care about me. That's the one thing that kaiki doesn't have.

[@merkoo7]

Btw, Amazing video. It perfectly sums up Kaiki as a character.

[@m7md_mns923]

Kaiki is the best character ever.....he is even better than himself

[@fizhouz328]

Kaikiseption.

[@skooo2418]

Omg thank you :) now that i have conpleted the analysis ill rewatch monogatari because it flew over my head 2 years ago

[@Asterwisk]

Glad you liked it! Hope you enjoy the rewatch!

[@TheCrazybloo3]

Kaiki is such a huge liar that he might be a good guy. He intentionally looks like a good guy, so he probably is a good guy

[@Lankpants]

I think something that's important to remember is that we see Kaiki from three unique perspectives. He's only shown as an unredeemable man from a singular perspective. Araragi's point of view is the one from which we see the "evil man" Kaiki. Araragi's point of view always boils down to creating a singular good guy who he must help and bad guy who he has to stop, especially early in the series. Karen must be helped and Kaiki must be stopped, Senju must be helped and the crab must be stopped, Nadeko must be helped and the snake must be stopped. Araragi never questions these things and never questions the root of the problem, it's a point of view that's very easy to miss since he's the main protagonist. Kaiki isn't a good man, but he's not the extreme evil that Araragi builds him up to be. Araragi is not a completely reliable narrator.

[@ocarinalover1214]

it's important to realize that most of the monogatari series is from Araragi's point of view, that's why Kaiki's first appearance looks so evil, but when he shows up later on as the "protagonist" he appears to just be a man, because to others, he's nothing but a pale man

[@CerebretCerebrate]

Great analysis, I think a lot of people love Kaiki for similar reasons you point out here. However, I always have this feeling that this might all be due to the image Kaiki created for himself in Hitagi End. While I agree with the details about Gaen Tooe and how he seems burned by something that led him to his obsession with money, this image he puts out seems very romanticized. It's a great image and story if true, but he himself said during Hitagi End that the story he told was one of quality, and not necessarily of truth. He is deeper than we initially realize, but I think the image portrayed by him is definitely fabricated to some degree. But hey, just like most Monogatari fans, I love this image and interpretation of Kaiki. I myself have even less grounds to dismiss the interpretation, as someone who hasn't gone and deeply analysed the character, nor do I have Light Novel knowledge. I am but someone who has fallen in love with stories, and fiction in general. And is that not the point? Fictional stories may not be true, but many of them certainly are of quality. So yeah, great video, and I think I'll just go be like Nadeko and pretend I got deceived by this fascinating, amazingly well-written character.

[@Asterwisk]

That's precisely why I say it's ultimately up to what people think haha. If something happened to him it happened a while before the series ever started, but I've always loved the disconnect between how he acts and what he actually does. Any interpretation is valid of course. He could be a liar just trying to make himself look good. But hey, that's the fun of it.

[@DoctuhD]

0:48 Finally someone speaks up about Oikura being underrated. Her 20-minute depression monologue in Sodachi Lost was pretty amazing.

[@deadgavin4218]

Kaiki did nothing wrong I love when the villain is actually a saint its a good fkavour

[@kaiserberserk3622]

When I met him in nise he seemed interesting to me but was such a despicable individual... Then in monogatari second season I saw that even masking as a fraud he can do the impossible for the ones he cares about and proved that (surprisingly) he can keep his promises even if he's a liar. He's such a good guy masked as a despicable person, being honest with being a fraud.

[@anontob]

@@kaiserberserk3622 that why I love monogatari so much, it shows that there's no clear good or bad guy in any situation, but instead that it's a grey area. This can also apply to people. like Senjougahara, which is referred to as a tsundere, but is shown time again that she has part of that troupe, like a normal human being.

[@skippychan1904]

I think we could just simplify the reason why he’s the best character; “Kaiki best girl”

[@angelguerrero6816]

This video easily explains what I can't explain about my favorite character

[@kazutrash6419]

"a very different side to the conman" shows Kaiki showering perfect

[@wanaga1371]

Edit: I saw you mention you'd consider making a similar video on kiss-shot, I encourage you to do so wholeheartedly! Great vid :) A new video! On best girl! HYPE!

[@Asterwisk]

I'm happy you liked it! I could see myself easily doing another Monogatari vid sometime. Though the next few ideas I have will be on something else. Gotta keep it fresh you know?

[@ramaseta64]

Very solid. I enjoy your Monogatari videos.

[@Asterwisk]

Thank you, happy to hear it!

[@dixieenormis1783]

love ur pfp xD

[@void1936]

I like the parallel between Araragi and Kaiki. It's like if certain things went slightly different, Araragi could have come out like Kaiki, or vice versa. It's almost like Araragi is the person kaiki was supposed to be or started out as.

[@liveonguitar5625]

Subbed! Great analysis! Have you ever considered doing a video on Izuko Gaen or Oshino Meme?

[@Asterwisk]

I actually have not haha. I'm sure I'll talk about Monogatari again at some point, but considering some other stuff for a bit. Oshino or Kisshot are interesting tho

[@liveonguitar5625]

@@Asterwisk Keep up the good work! You remind me a lot of Super Eyepatch Wolf, and that's nothing but a good thing.

[@Asterwisk]

SEW is actually a really big inspiration for me, so I'll take that as a big compliment haha

[@yayiwai]

Maybe, Kaiki become like this because of the curse that placed into him when he and his friends making Yotsugi.

[@Carlos-ne3zf]

He amd Oshino made Yotsugi's torso so the curse mayba is related to his heart metaphorically speaking tho Oshino should have the same kind of curse.

[@finald1316]

Kaiki feels like the progression of "One can't truly help another only themselves" into "One can't really jinx another only themselves" and "how can I help myself then? Money". Help and jinx as in solving or making someone's problem.

[@GUILLE832]

I like your spin on using a fanservice-ey scene of a girl for a video thumbnail, only using Kaiki instead. This was a really nice analysis, but I wish I had heard you talk about some of the parallels the series draws between Araragi and Kaiki. I can't recall all the instances in which this comparison was brought up, but I am sure that there are mentions of how Kaiki was a lot like Araragi when he was younger. I do know that Kaiki mentions to Araragi on their first meeting that "while you are a young sap, I am a dead tree". Anyway, good job!

[@handreieiacasa]

Your analysis are really great, I'd love videos on monogatari character (and other series characters too). There is so much to say about monogatari... Shinobu, Hanekawa, senjougahara, oshino meme.

[@bonchachan6061]

You make great videos I wish your channel gets the recognition it deserves. Editing must have taken some work, 7:30 is so cool. Reviews are nice too.

[@Asterwisk]

I'm happy to hear you like it so much. I'm always trying new things with the editing or audio or whatever, so it's nice to hear when it pays off. Thank you!

[@rolandsbreza7448]

Aight, I am subbing to you. Sold me at the title and thumbnail.

[@bondsie2]

Tegami from kabuki has got to be one of the most underrated tracks... so good for videos like this and an overview in the series. Also little spoiler theory here on the series from the novels as a touch upon why Kaiki is the way he is: In Tsukimonogatari there's a mention of how the people who played a part in creating Ononoki had to pay a price for their involvement. Both Tetsuya and Kagenui don't really touch the ground anymore as it can be avoided. I don't think there's a single scene in the series where either of them have their feet on the outside ground (Kagenui is standing inside a building in Nises fight though and I don't think Hell counts). I believe in one of the novels it is also revealed that Gaen knows everything because she created her brain, but nothing is said about Oshino or Kaiki. I think (and its theorized) that Kaiki created her heart and the price he has to pay is his inability to be empathetic or his inability to properly have true emotions himself making him hard to read. But if you look closely, ononoki seems to bring out the truth of Kaiki, her examinations and talks with him are what is incredibly revealing about the character as if she knows and can see right threw him. I think Kaiki may have had a completely different personality prior to Ononokis creation.

[@TheKhaosDemon]

Great video! Kaiki is one of the best characters made in anime!

[@elifretty1018]

Great job on your videos I always love deeper looks into this series because how well the characters are written so I hope you keep going and making these videos and I really like the Koyomi video

[@Asterwisk]

Thank you! It's always nice talking about Monogatari and seeing all the different things people have to say

[@blakecook9266]

I think there’s a strong possibility that part of the reason why Kaiki can’t do the right thing most of the time is because he was cursed by the creation of Ononoki. So, like, he has to do a certain level of bad before he can do any good or else the good will be nullified. He has to live a lie in order to do what he truly wants to. Helping a person who despises you to defeat a god for almost no gain is an extremely virtuous act, and it’s probably the only one Kaiki will ever do in his lifetime. A virtuous act paid for by many, many bad deeds, and it almost wasn’t enough. If he didn’t have the quick thinking to manipulate Nadeko using the one thing she really cared about, all of his bad deeds and his attempts at good ones would have been for naught. Of course, this is just one way to look at things, and maybe we might have understood him more if we had seen that other 20% of him, but alas, he couldn’t have been there

[@JimFaindel]

Miss you man, and miss your videos.

[@Asterwisk]

I keep meaning to make more tbh, but just struggling to find the time haha. Thank you so much though!

[@2012Ascenscion]

Love how you ended the video with Kaiki's final scene

[@leonmat26]

More monogatari content please. Thank you!!

[@benjamincaddle2018]

Thems the breaks lol

[@botttttle]

Goddammit you need more subs

[@Asterwisk]

Haha. Maybe if I uploaded more, but thank you!

[@tsunamio7750]

No Kaiki was not "very close to da lady"... Kaiki broke the family to protect ze child. You see senjo-oyo was getting sucked in a fucked up religion along with her mother. Kaiki get da mother to believe in another religion and to go in a deeper cult, cutting off ties with ze child. Thus, senjo-boyo hate kaiki, but somewhat recognize he tried to protect. EZ... and he got money doing zar

[@nianta]

I think that there is something going on in the direction and shots of the show. In nisemonogatari, the unreliableness of the narrator is important, and since the araragi family, strong on justice, was the one observing, i think that Kaiki was made out to be more harsh than he was...

[@goatymcgoatface3575]

Kaiki has always been a good person. He didn't curse anyone. He just used the power of suggestion. The middle schoolers would've used there money to try to hurt each other in another way if kaiki wasn't there. He sees the world for what it is. He doesn't judge based off of others personality because personality can be easily faked. He values actions and takes pride in his work which tells us that's something he values. Judging others on there work ethic is a lot deeper and a better way to judge than something as cheap as personality. Its obvious he's a good person. He clearly invested in helping personal growth of people who have good intentions like araragi, Senjyogahara, and Sengoku. He is a tsudere personality. The whole point of his character is to personify the message that nothing in the world is black and white. I'm gonna make my own KZbin vid about him because no one seems to get the message

[@vertex3243]

HES LITTERALLY ME

[@Heavenly_Demon_God]

Kaiki is honest about his dishonesty

[@sharkloan_]

Anyone got the source for the BGM playing at 2:37? I know it's renai circulation but I can't find the jazzy version of it.

[@ImranKhan-sj5ji]

Really good video

[@badboi0717]

anime robert california

[@diegoprofessor2337]

He is not my favourite character of Monogatari Series, he is my favourite character of all time. The Best girl.

[@kokaii7368]

karen do want the money back

[@kokaii7368]

children huh i hate them maybe thats why i like kaiki so much

[@lampad4549]

Yes finally

[@Crosshill]

kaiki theme best theme -> best girl

[@BradLad56]

Why does he look like a vampire?

[@cosmicaler]

Kaiki is best girl.

[@jeagous]

whats the soundtrack at 8:40 ?

[@binosamaladen]

it is not perfect but i dont care for me its number 1 lol

[@Josearnaldomanuel2]

What music is at 15:50? It sounds like it's from Deemo

[@Asterwisk]

You would be correct! It's Mellow, by the artist Rabpit

[@Josearnaldomanuel2]

@@Asterwisk Nice.

[@uyninoval6034]

He looks like dracula

[@plotius]

16:05 gives me chills

[@lucasemanuel5743]

Is Kaiki Deishu a coach?

[@tsunamio7750]

no, ze point of kaiki iz not zat he iz evil. ze point iz zat he use zis fake image of being an omnipotent god of darkness to scare people. ze inrto of kaiki was in the point of view of Araragi-dono. Araragi iz a little scared bitch. And Kaiki never dieded

[@dixieenormis1783]

damn ur hiatus is so long

[@Asterwisk]

Is it? Haha. I try to average one vid a month in my spare time.

[@dixieenormis1783]

@@Asterwisk Btw do a video about Gaen yhay would be interesting