Is Kaiki A Good Person? | Monogatari Character Analysis

[@senjougahara1631]

I cannot stand Kaiki, please delete this.

[@CrackdanieIs]

Goat comment

[@ao2415]

Goat

[@theblackswordsman9951]

Username checks out

[@scythegrill4673]

but what does Senshougahara say?

[@cahsahhhhhhhn]

Nice try, but we all know who kept his number in her phone...

[@joshuasama2233]

I’m just happy people still care about the Monogatari Series.

[@pizza101icecream]

Right? I got a rush of serotonin when I saw that UTS made a new Monogatari vid :3

[@TaigaXsenpai]

you should read Bakemonogatari manga, its even better than anime. It was drawn by OH GREAT (Air Gear author) I really liked bakemongatari anime, but manga is like 1st ranked on my top list.

[@TaigaXsenpai]

i like that manga, has more supernatural mystery style. It is still full of surreal symbolics (really beautifully drawn btw, better than in anime) However, it has more mysterious pacing and we can see Araragi trying to solve mysteries rather than simply "talk with them"

[@dixieenormis1783]

Ofc its actually pretty popular

[@majungasaurus6814]

As long as shaft keeps making more, people will always be interested

[@Roonagu]

I would put it simply - he is a person.

[@dusty2366]

One other detail I love about Kaiki is how much effort he's shown to put into his cons. In his arc with Nadeko, we see him learning how to do those thread finger patterns in his hotel room at night because he said he'd teach them to Nadeko the next day. It makes me wonder how much time and training he must have done just to be able to outrun Kanbaru in that one scene in Hana. Kaiki would probably be fluent in every language in the world if it meant he could con people worldwide.

[@nelisezpasce]

Did he really outrun her? Wasn't that just unreliable narration in effect?

[@generalr1700]

The FBI it was a mixture of knowledge of the airport they were in, along with his actual running ability (he used to be on the track team in college)

[@chidangvan3240]

Rowan Fitton kanbaru was the narator, so the chance of him being faster is high

[@DarioKalen_Kagenui]

@@nelisezpasce yeah, it was mostly due to Kanbaru's narration, as you said.

[@adityataneja2000]

@KissShot Acerola Ah I remember this line from the afterword in the LN's. Isin truly has a way with words.

[@ballaaaaaa]

The reason why i think he is such a great character is because his ideology applies to every character except meme which is intentional of course

[@Zheesh7349]

I think it is true for Kagenui as well, for the very same reason.

[@DarioKalen_Kagenui]

@@Zheesh7349 I agree. I wonder if it applies to Tadatsuru too.

[@MrFreakHeavy]

@@DarioKalen_Kagenui I think it applies to ALL the Ghost Busters, I thought the point is to make all 5 seem completely different and opposing everyone, except the way Gaen works is that she basically encompasses everyone's and also no one's ideologies at the same time. Or do I not understand Gaen yet?

[@laog1777]

Most of Kaiki's words always remind me of a quote from one of my friend, "The idea of something is stronger than what it really is"

[@roccobot]

He's not a good person. He's the best person

[@nekochibi2256]

Best Girl.

[@tsumugi3699]

BEST PERSON EVER

[@MinecrafterK3N]

Kaiki best grill

[@beo919]

Best boy

[@observer.b_e_l_l_i_s]

Hes a mirror of sorts.

[@thederpysage]

"what would happen if kaiki was presented an opportunity to do good?" The best arc in the story so far

[@MrFreakHeavy]

Gosh, that's a hard statement. Neko: Shiro, Sodachi's, and Ougi Dark are also good contenders for that. But we can't deny Kaiki kills it in this arc!

[@kiggerst]

@@MrFreakHeavy and that 90's drama OP starring him and senjougahara was frickin hillarious

[@archonofcommorragh1221]

Yes indeed

[@anontob]

@@MrFreakHeavy Ong bro, monogatari second season ended off so strong because of Kaiki's screentime, it's my favourite scene due to how perfect the whole season is.

[@davidfrost5995]

​@@MrFreakHeavy lock in boys new season is out

[@behi-u5w]

I think there is no clear cut answer. As Kaiki said: _Just as you can never guarantee that the person you like will like you back, you can never guarantee that the person you hate will hate you._ _Nor is it always possible that they'll let you hate them._ _There's no human who is all bad._ _There's no human who is all evil._ _No one has the same personality when viewed from all angles,_ _and no one has the same personality at all times._

[@hammypants]

yes

[@bblank4977]

Beautiful

[@newbie4789]

🥺...yes

[@danielgarcia8397]

What ep he said that again

[@emmanuel8582]

@@danielgarcia8397 hanamonogatari episode 2 or 3.

[@zaregoto6022]

But the better question is Is Kaiki best girl? The answer is always yes

[@StilKoSan]

YESU DA

[@aiofg7545]

YES YES *YES* YES YES

[@gingerbeargames]

deishuu ne

[@jonyloco4134]

You mean best grill

[@watamesshepherdjesuschrist6792]

Is that even a question??

[@illegallyrested8868]

I'm not positive, but I think the only time he's ever been legitimately tilted in Monogatari was when Kanbaru was grilling him on his relationship with her mother in Hana. He tries to shrug it off, but he completely goes on the defensive by leaning back and crossing his arms and keeps himself closed off at the cost of letting the meat he was cooking get burnt to a crisp. Even when he made that fatal miscalculation with Nadeko I don't think he really ever lost control of his mind game like that.

[@jidhindharanm.p9351]

Kanbaru - best kouhai!!

[@KennyMcGavin]

yeah the meat he valued so highly getting completely burnt like that is honestly such an extremely telling detail that something was clearly off

[@LoveFor298Yen]

I think one theme that nobody has picked up on yet in a Monogatari analysis is that Kaiki’s obsession with money fits perfectly into Monogatari; money only has value because we assign it value and the oddities of Monogatari only exist because of the belief that they exist. It’s a fantastic parallel bringing the concept into a more material sense.

[@sekiro_the_one-armed_wolf]

Happiness? Is he going to buy happiness? For 298 yen?!

[@Arakij11]

nice profil pic

[@M4rKoP2]

@@sekiro_the_one-armed_wolf well depends if you can define happiness as a same concept for everyone. Happiness for someone can be true love, healthy body, financal independancy and for some people happiness can be a simple donut.

[@JMH-kw8it]

I would love to see a video about Ougi.

[@saikikusuo1765]

Yes exactly please do a video about ougi.

[@petitefleurbleue]

Best character indeed

[@GeoDasher704]

that'd be awesome. Ougi is one of my favorite characters

[@adamgtrap]

Kaiki has been one of my favorite characters in monogatari. I liked how different his introduction was, and each time he he's on screen you can just tell he's different than everyone else. And he seemed more complicated, or at least hidden than everyone else.

[@Cavfan22]

He's also one of the few adults that gets significant screentime, along with Oshino Meme. And you can tell that he's an adult by the way he acts and thinks, just like with Meme. I think that's very intentional and says a lot about the other characters - some of them may be mature for their age, but they largely are still just kids growing up

[@KrailCarden]

Kaiki, to me, has always seemed to be one of the characters in the Monogatari series that comes closest to the themes of the show. Not THE closest, but one of. Kaiki is another human being with his own flaws, development, revelations, and and so on. The shows main themes are "realistic problems, seen with a fantasy lens". Almost every character in the series, at their Core, are realistic people, with real problems, stress, concerns, worries, and so on, solving these issues in realistic ways. They take these very real situations and filter them threw a fantasy lens, allowing the viewer to see and think upon these issues from a direction you normally wouldn't, and make the entire situation more entertaining/dramatic/enthralling. An issue you may not think twice about in real life, say, an unrequited crush. You may not really give this type of issue too much focus in real life, but in this world, threw this lens, you look at it and think "this is super interesting. What is going on threw their head? How are they dealing with this? How do they see the situation? How do they see the world?" Kaik's story in this really does a great job at showing you this. You hear his thoughts, see his viewpoints, and, as an adult watching this series, can really understand Kaiki and his view of the world, for better or worse. Wow, I didn't expect to make such a long post. This came out kind of like like a dam as i thought about these things. Sorry lol

[@nyankers]

wait, do people really shrug off their own crushes like that? I mean, sure, you'd not overthink someone else's crush, but if you're not overthinking your own crushes, i'm not sure it qualifies as a "crush" to begin with...

[@impmadness]

True, he does represent the series themes very closely, aside from Koyomi obviously since basically all the series themes originate from him, justice, lies, etc.

[@KrailCarden]

@@nyankers Sorry for such a late reply, but I did, in fact, center what I said as viewing someone else's experience rather then your own. I apologize if my wording wasn't quite right. As I said, it all kindof flowed out as I was thinking on it. lol

[@mathisanidioticsport6969]

@@nyankers not exactly shrugging off. She held onto her crush for a reason despite, even because, she would never get the feelings returned to her. It’s easy to want something you know you aren’t going to get. You don’t have to put in much effort for what you know you won’t get.

[@cahsahhhhhhhn]

He lives by his own rules and isn’t full of himself, I respect that.

[@arielle1244]

kah kah

[@ereh7191]

I wanna pet you so hard shinobu

[@cahsahhhhhhhn]

happy_to be_sad ちょっと不思議

[@fyofyoriosity2350]

I feel like this black-and-white thinking Araragi shows throughout the sreies is weirdly very present on the internet these days. As the video said, there is no such thing as a pure villain, or true good, and people fail to recognise it. I guess that's one reason why I loved Monogatari so much as a kid, because I was tired of the same dramatic hero-villain act, while it instead focused on the characters internal struggles. I loved Araragi as MC, because his 'good' didn't always feel good and he was still an angsty sexually frustrated teenager, and he grew trhough the series. Monogatari may have its flaws, as we all do, but it's still a ride I can recommend to this day~ Also, it has shaft head tilts xD

[@ProwersEdits]

you’re so correct it’s unbelievable

[@jacliffh9221]

I see so many people paint Nadeko as this pure villain who is just ‘black’ from the get go, and I was like ‘isn’t this the exact thing the five arcs from season 2 taught us not to do?”

[@fyofyoriosity2350]

@@jacliffh9221 Oml yes, the Nadeko part was amazing! Very uncomfortable to watch, but well done and amazing~ I don't think she should be villainized (is that a word?) either, I always thought of it more of a point proven to the audience - That Araragis sense of "good" isn't universally applicable. That there's some people that bring out the worst of each other, even though they could be someone elses hero. Araragis way to help - at least to me - felt like the kind of guy who would try to help someone with depression by telling them to just do better. Nadeko's emotions are something he didn't understand, the concept of how him 'helping' her would make things worse, how someone can think as badly of other people as her. Not justifying turning into a snake god and attempting murder here, but we can see Nadeko hanging out with Araragis Sister in the end, more content than ever before and actually working on her dreams. As we've seen with Kaiki, it takes different people to help someone in different situations. He did understand her way of thinking which Araragi didn't. I mean, it's the same in real life, right? At least for me there's people who think really well of me for some reason, and others that I have hurt whom I couldn't help with the way that I am. Some I don't get along with, almost accidentally start fights with because I f.ex. don't put as much value on courtesy, but I know others that love them. The other way around works too, there's people whom being around makes me feel more alright, who point out mistakes and I can actually accept it, and others where I just get more riled up and self-destructive. Things aren't black and white, just a mess of human emotions. Sorry for the ramble, I just really get overly excited about topics I find interest in~ Have a nice day!

[@HerMi.T]

I didn't think araragi viewed world in this simplistic manner. Even he didn't think that apparitions are evil either in his conversation with black hanekawa in bakemonogatari. They have their own reasons. They are created because of humans nature. They can benefit themselves from misfortune of others. He also always think world is not simple. I didn't understand how you find araragi view world like this. His view on kaiki is not evil in nise but menancing in first place. But it doesn't mean that I am disagree with you. I am just not agree with your point that he view world in simplistic manner. But this is true that he cannot save nadeko in series because of his helping nature. He didn't understand that nadeko didn't become like this because of araragi but it is because of her lie to herself. He think that it is his mistake not nadeko's. He should scold her for her behaviour or atleast give her advice for her behaviour but he cannot do that. Because he never able to accept that he can call something truly wrong or right. He should do his best. But in this type of case, he didn't able to true root of reality and failed. He really didn't do what he think right but blamed himself for this situation. That's why he cannot save her. That's the problem of his effort which he understands in later arcs. That's the same advice is given by him to suruga in hanamonogatari.

[@neogamess]

I would recommend monogatari series to everyone .. if only not for those fan service ... I mean, it's great, it just won't please everybody.

[@CrackdanieIs]

The sheer amount of visual storytelling in this series is insane. The conversations between characters are truly the high point

[@yugiohmastermind8]

Kaiki's relationship with Senjougahara is one of my favorite dynamics in the entire series, I love every single interaction between the 2 of them and how well they bounce off of each other. I remember when I reached Hitagi End realizing it was gonna be an arc from Kaiki's perspective, focusing heavily on their relationship, touching on the past between them and concluding Nadeko's arc, I knew immediately I was gonna absolutely love it! It was the arc that really boosted the series up into my all time favorites.

[@-LocoBolon]

Don't you find it kind of unsettilng? I mean it's full of netorare vibes... I keep wondering if that is part of Nisioisin unreliable narrator trolling though, gonna have to read the novel one day I guess

[@heh.68]

@@-LocoBolon I feel you lmao

[@AC-zk4cx]

​@Leandro Orcajada ​ ​ @Patrick I get what you mean, but in reality it’s not the case at all : I actually read the LN, maybe it's clearer there that the narrator Kaiki is playing with us, I'm sure the narrator played a huge part in this, Kaiki and the author warned us they even said it was a love story between Araragi and Senjougahara. The OP is also misleading as not in the LN, it follows the same troll idea, it’s a «fake duet ».., also Senjougahara for instance refers to things related to Araragi that we see later on so... But even from his narration : she was so obviously trolling, disdainful and was a bit manipulating him, even Kaiki knew it and told her to stop. Don’t forget that Senjougahara was almost raped and suffered indirectly because of Kaiki and she uses that to leverage him. First remember when they met, Senjougahara was wearing a mask. For me this is highly symbolic and means “she will play a character vs Kaiki to counter him” She used a bit his guilt for instance when she said she would sell her body if need be: he knew she bluffed but still it worked as he tried to find a reason to help them. When she spoke about meeting, they were both disdainful and Kaiki told her to stop the bad jokes. So even if hypothetically Kaiki didn’t lie which we know he did ,still it was obvious for him that she was being insincere and sarcastic. Both characters denied having or had a relationship. Also, Kaiki mentioned before he viewed her as being his apprentice and said that because of his lies Araragi is under the impression that she used to like him, so here is your explanation, finally, in the end she says if he though she liked him that she tricked him, which could be actually true since she could not have felt emotion such as love or hate while under the crab eventhough she admits to Araragi that she first had a positive view on him at first which turned into hate that could be only felt after retrieving her emotions. Finally at this point we know that she loves Araragi way too much for anything like that to sway her, and before Bake, she was under the effect of the crab, so no emotions. And yeah the author said he trolled the reader in this part and Kaiki told us he was. So if you got startled before trying to get to the bottom of it, they got you ;). So yeah you can chill there are actually no real ntr vibes. Spoiler alert : For future proof : what was said by Mayoi in Owari about the past doesn't really contradict this at all. Mayoi was a bit ambiguous and tried to provoke Araragi to face himself and assert what HE truly WANTED(I will catch Senjougahara everytime) and even confirms it a bit. Before bake, when Kaiki tried to help, Senjougahara was under the effect of the crab so no emotions, never kissed or anything , so it only leaves a platonic relation : IMO they had a apprentice like relation etc

[@Kebenten]

@@AC-zk4cx can you spoil me about the current status of Koyomi and Hitagi? I read somewhere that Koyomi is planning to propose to Hitagi. And please spoil me to the reason of all their breakups. Thanks jn advance

[@AC-zk4cx]

@@Kebenten Ofc no problem, SPOILER ALERT : They are either in college or working: It was told in one arc in Musubimonogatari Musubi meaning mariage and the front page is Senjougahara in a traditional wedding dress. They broke up 3 times First "because" of Sodachi, she is broke and Araragi let her stay at his house without telling Senjou, she breaks up with him, but then they get back together with the help of Sodachi. Second time is a stupid reason that isn't even mentioned, they get back together. Third time is because of work while Senjou is overseas working, Araragi wants to stay with her and ask to be transferred overseas and marry her, but when he gets back at home he finds Senjougahara already there since she made her company open up a branch in Japan. They get back together once again and Araragi wants to propose and marry her. It was quite interesting that they both unilaterally decided to join where the other was, but Senjougahara was faster, she was still with her luggage in Araragi's home. If you want a bit more sweet spoils : the last words were Araragi : "I luv you" and the answer Senjougahara : "Koyomi tore" (fascination) reference to "Senjougahara fascination" said by Araragi in Bake when they started dating.

[@art_lobe]

(13:05) Kaiki's soliloquy in the bathroom reminds me of his response to the idea that humans are born selfish and evil and any good deed they do is nothing but a lie: “The fake is of far greater value. In its deliberate attempt to be real, it's more real than the real thing.”

[@icecp6532]

It's simple, I see a Monogatari video from Under the scope, I click.

[@HoriHorizon]

Kaiki shows us that you can measure things not only in "good" and "evil" scale. And that change in perspective also changes how we see every character a lot, and I love that

[@KennyMcGavin]

13:42 That "That's a yes." never fails to give me goosebumps

[@tsumugi3699]

Kaiki was my favorite character in the series because of how he doesn't want a thank you for what he did. He lets himself be seen as a bad guy who only cares about money. Kaiki is such a good wholesome character

[@MiriamUndertale]

the fascinating thing about kaiki for me is that aside from suruga, he arguably lies and obscures the truth from the audience the least out of all of the narrators in monogatari. the only actual lie he tells us is his death at the end, and the most he does besides that is exaggeration for the sake of helping the story arc progress.

[@vienna4516]

as far as we know. maybe

[@MrFreakHeavy]

You mean for the character, story, and thematic arc to finalize. The "and then I died" is the end of his, Koi's, and Second Season's arcs. Hana goes before Koi, that's how the story is supposed to be followed.

[@Ail-vk4uh]

Has Aragagi ever lied/obscured things in his narration? I don't remember. The closest I can think of is him not narrating really private moments with Hitagi and the camera panning out, like in episode 12 of Bake

[@MiriamUndertale]

@@Ail-vk4uh almost all of the events of owari he kept hidden and lied about until the actual narration of it, hanekawa actually mentions that hes hiding stuff in neko. Most of the stuff in general koyomi does in it is exaggeration to fit with his worldview

[@rodrigocabreraruiz4468]

@@Ail-vk4uh He omits the fact his parents are police officers, even from the audience. Hanekawa finds out from the fire sisters during second season.

[@saswitchcraft7881]

I would love to see an analysis of Oshino's philosophy, or Kagenui. These videos are amazing. Keep up the good work. I find myself coming back to them.

[@foxdemonviy8824]

*"Evil is a great business opportunity."*

[@FrozenCappuccino]

Kaiki is like john wick minus the pencilmanship, he is the ultimate embodiment of his own values, he is also a man of integrity, so much so that even his lies are imbued with it

[@all_thescience]

My first reaction to hearing you say that Koyomi often uses force to settle things was, "Wait, does that boi even win any of those fights though?" Amazing analysis as always. I honestly think you have not only have some of the best insights into these characters and the sheer production value that go into these videos is phenomenal.

[@WithanIna]

Kaiki's always been my favorite since he always seemed to slip out of most of his labels/roles. He seemed the most... human I guess. Capable of extreme selfishness and selflessness but ultimately living for himself first and foremost. In that sense, he always seemed more real than Araragi who was such an extreme most of the time. Anyways, I loved your analysis!

[@arturotapia9063]

I just love the way this video ended.. it just made me cry, this was always my favorite character I started watching this series in high school, and subconsciously decided "this is going to be my favorite anime" I just waited until I was in the perfect mood to see an episode of it (and I'm still not done I have to see the very last season) just because back then I was struggling with life so much, and to see an anime where everybody struggled just resonated with me so deeply particularly because in a way I felt like Araragi kinda broken but always wanting to help everybody around. I used to watch one chapter a day and sometimes that would be my only chapter for the week because they just hit me so deeply, and damn I firmly believe that back in the day Kaiki just taught me the most about life and people just out of me thinking "why" out of everything that identifies Kaiki, he helped me form a more complete perspective of reality and to come to this video and listen to the ending from 21:18 made me realize that in the end Kaiki is just "another person" and not only that but probably from the "side characters" is the most complete person in the sense that he resembles how we act in our daily lives with his "selfless acts" but also showing his resilience to always move forward. Its been 8 years since I started this anime and is just so amazing and moving to me that I am still learning stuff from it until today. Because in the end back in high school I didn't get the full picture, I always thought of him more of a villain, but now I see that no, he was just a person as everyone else in the series.

[@Mike23443]

The self bargain conversation Kaiki has with himself about accepting the job is actually probably the most incredible, under the radar scene in fiction I have seen to date. I love the "less is more" mantra, and I love external and unknown context. It's always an opportunity to convey gravity and meaning through nothing but emotion. It's easy for the audience to grow attached to characters and empathize with them when you KNOW why they make the choices that they do. It's easy to say "I get it" when you have 20 hours of exposition and backstory for data points that add up to the conclusion of that choice. But it's so much more incredible to get the audience to say "I get it" when they are presented with a choice that from their point of view and experience doesn't add up, yet the character making that decision shows emotion that explains it anyway. You don't know why he agreed if you watched the show in release order and you've never read anything outside of watching the anime. You have only a very vague mention, but you don't have any of the details for what happened, why it happened or how it happened. But through Kaiki's words you know what it meant. Give me more of this please. Make me care about characters and their decisions without telling me why I should agree with their choice, and yet make me agree anyway.

[@shrimpfrylu]

its fine if these monogatari analysis videos never come back, but if we do get final season content I will be ecstatic

[@theblackswordsman9951]

I assume based on how you ordered the parts you watched Hanamonogatari last. In the novel order (how Nisioisin intended the books to be read) Hana comes after Kabuki. So after we see him in Nise the next thing we see him is completely opposite. Beard, helping Kanbaru, BUYING her food. The 180 is much more stark and suprising, preping you for what he'll do in Koi. This also makes the reason for helping them in Koi because of Kanbaru much more clear because of what is revealed with the conversation he has with her.

[@kentstopme]

I feel like it's better to watch Hana last, Not that I know because I followed the novel order but the suprise factor is gone when he's dead and he suddenly pops up lol, but you're right at least I'm not confused when i watched him helping hitagi because of kanbaru

[@Darim45]

@@kentstopme Koi starts with Kaiki stating that he's a liar, which you would expect him to be, since he appears as a villain before through the eyes of both Araragi and Kanbaru (if you watch hana before koi) as well as the eyes of the audience. However as Koi goes by and you see Kaiki doing something unexpected of him, doing good, you forgot that he said he was a liar at the start and slowly change your opinion about him and forgot everything you knew. Good or bad ? in the end it's blurry. Until the end, where he blatantly lie and fake his own death. Since you should have watched Hana before you know that he isnt dying and he's lying about it, reminding you that he is indeed a liar. So do all the things he said and did in Koi, end up being a lie and he played everyone and it's just him putting on a good guy mask and he's ultimately a bad guy ? That's the all point of having koi at the end of S2, it's the plot twist of the arc and of Kaiki's character. Having Hana after ruins that plot twist.

[@galenwilds3273]

I think Hana first is also important because it shows Kaiki being "selfless" and "honest" while we still see him as someone who needs quotation marks around those words. Reading Hana for the first time you see Kaiki spinning an obviously false sob story to trick Kanbaru into listening to him. On a re-read, after Koi, it's heartbreaking to see how honest he's being, especially since your initial response to a story of his greatest regret was "yeah, sure, and if you pull the other it's got bells on." When everyone knows you're a liar, everything you say is a lie. Even the truth. Especially the truth.

[@Lunk42]

Kaiki is such a great character. I can't help but love characters that can't be honest about wanting to help others so hide their assistance in layers of deceit. He can obviously be very greedy and selfish but seeing when he does genuinely want to help someone really makes it stand out. I really love everything in Monogatari.

[@MrFreakHeavy]

This was masterful, I always await your takes on Monogatari because you really take your time to put your thoughts together on the thematic. I can't wait for your take on the next two big arcs: Sodachi and Ougi

[@ZeddTsunderbolt]

This is so well written and edited. Thank you for this.

[@ren_kitsune]

I love how you touch through the awesomeness and complexity of the franchise through Kaiki. I like the adults so much in this series, so underappreciated

[@reyzafany1992]

This character makes me tear up man. The fact that Kaiki Tries his best to continue his live. The battle between his desire and his personality rules and logic. The conclusion that he somewhat gain deeper understanding on other's feelings. I adore this character so much.

[@cloudbank3106]

It's always been interesting to me that in Monogatari, a series about high school kids ending up in supernatural scenarios, the adults are the most complicated, nuanced characters. For how fleeting their appearances, Kaiki, Meme, Izuko, Kagenui, and Teori, all display the most depth and do the most to shatter or change the world view of the main characters.

[@ningensan8198]

Nah I can only agree about kaiki. At least based on the anime

[@lorenzomeulli750]

Not really? They are more complex in a sense, but that's because they have more backstory and are, well, adults. They are less nuanced tho. They are more exaggerated and over the top compared to the teens characters, and there is somewhat of a pattern connecting the adults to the teens. For example, Kaiki is an exaggerated Araragi that went dark. A man that tried to help but ultimately got burned by doing so, and that ends up putting walls all around him at the cost of basically having no human connection apart from his clients. Doesn't that remind you of anything? Yeah, that's exactly Araragi backstory before meeting Shinobu in Kizu. Araragi could have EASILY went down a similar Path.

[@StayPolluted]

This really opened my eyes to things in the series whether it be things going over my head or hard to read dialogue [in my opinion] This really cleared up things thank you!

[@TouchMeDono]

I still visit this video from time to time. I just love how this video is structured and written with a complex and interesting topic really just show how skilled/talented the people who created the video.

[@SchmitzCinemaStudies]

Your Monogatari videos are always great. And this one, breaking down one of the most complex characters in the series, is extra important. I didn't really like Hanamonogatari when I first watched it after 2nd season but I think going back to it now that the main series has wrapped up will give me a different perspective.

[@Darim45]

Because it is meant to be watched before Otorimonogatari (in the original novel order) for it to make a lot more sense. But because of TV broadcast constraints and usual anime bullshit they had to strip it off and make it later, therefore the themes and characters development in S2 are all over the place because of it.

[@ziodres2212]

Is Kaiki a good person? Yes-da!

[@smokymcbobby5123]

What a great video. Everything was perfect, the topic, the way you talk about it, the editing ... Thanks so much for your work. There is nothing on youtube I prefer over good Monogatari analysis like this.

[@ven2016]

Love your monogatari videos

[@thenew4559]

Kaiki is an extremely interesting character. His dynamic with Senjougahara during Monogatari season 2 was by far the best part of the season, and one of the best parts of the whole franchise.

[@owchh]

ive rewatched this video countless times. UTS my beloved...

[@DifféranceHorizon]

"Concerning me the pursuit of maybe's maybe and endless task, Maybe." I love that quote, it carry's such a deep meaning when viewed from a different angle. Perfect for a man like Kaiki who can't be viewed from just a single angle. Monogatari truly is peak storytelling 👌

[@MananaMan]

The reason why I personally love kaiki is because he is the most human-like character in the series. He already realizes that he is going to hurt people no matter what he does in life and instead focuses on how to capitalize on that the most because in his eyes, a little wrong is not much worse than a lot wrong as long as he is the primary beneficiary. He cons people for his own benefit but he is shown to con someone for someone elses, which brings into play the whole ends vs means philosophical question.

[@almablanca17]

I love when kagenui quotes him in the end of the season. "Something false is more valuable than something true, because the false is trying to be true and the true one has no effort at all." In some sense, all apparitions are a false version of people and if people originated them, then they have some part of responsibility in suffering or being deceived in relation to it.

[@motokisano9827]

This is the best analysis of Monogatari series I've ever seen. There's no video analysing the story this deep in Japanese. I'm Japanese btw. Thx!!

[@JimFaindel]

Not gonna lie, my heart grows 3 sizes whenever I see you upload a Monogatari analysis. Kaiki is a fantastic character, and after reading Koimonogatari at long last, I can easily pick him as my favorite. Who needs to know the truth when his lies are so amusing?

[@colorx6030]

DANG these essays makes me question the time I spent watching the shows I watched and whether I honestly understood any of them. Thanks though, I will now pay closer attention to whatever anime I will be watching from now on.

[@inkyotaku7406]

I think this might be one of my favorite videos on KZbin

[@OnePerson-iw5ct]

Please continue making video analysis on Monogatari . This series has so many unique and interesting characters .

[@cavemann_]

Watching this made me realize just how much of an absolute genius Shinbou Akiyuki is as a director.

[@BastianGD514]

Dude the quality image of the scenes are just insane!!! Nice video by the way :)

[@patrik5535]

I had this tab open for like half a year because I wanted to finish the series first before watching it. Kaiki is one of my favorite anime characters precisely because of his complexness and the things he represents. Great video and a great look-back on Kaiki.

[@dominicyangco]

Masterful analysis delivered with apropos editing; he said, with a posed look.

[@nateni3614]

Wow, I didn't expect a Monogatari video, but I always welcome it👍

[@watamesshepherdjesuschrist6792]

What I learned from this is "we are different version of ourselves to every people we know, we may be asshole to someone, or maybe we are good to someone. Even we ourselves can't tell. "

[@ludensconsummare177]

holy shit i love monogatari and kaiki and nisioisin so much. thank you for making this video. it's amazing

[@viscount_art]

For anyone wondering intro song is “King of Strangeness”

[@Krilalaris]

fuck yeah, ive been wanting a kaiki analysis for so long

[@frankie4875]

I love your videos so much bro please make more of these

[@kartxlol8023]

I see what u did with the transition. Noice.

[@tomas25azul]

I truly madly deeply love your monogatari's videos

[@sorakara_tokido]

I watched this twice. Tears shed both times. MYGOAT

[@aether3593]

these types of videos are stupidly well made. nice job

[@christophervalerio3919]

Can we expect more monogatari content from you? I really enjoy your vids about it.

[@npc6817]

finally a video on best girl, can't even remember how long I've been waiting for this

[@shufukillah6772]

If there's anything I know for certain, it's that Hitagi's End OP is the GOAT.

[@MrFreakHeavy]

A man of culture.

[@dianak8656]

I heard that it's older aesthetic feel comes from the type of manga that Nadeko likes to write

[@parkersmule]

@@dianak8656 correct, the "playwright" themes surrounding nadeko are sprinkled here and there like in that OP and in the after credits scene of the nadeko medusa arc

[@0nearmedbandit]

9:17 why why why this song is my phone ringtone. and you had to make it so loud that it made me jump that my phone was about to explode lol

[@igorramos2010]

I mean, look how well this video was produced. Please more, sir

[@Mike23443]

The one who says "Every word I speak is a lie" is the most honest person in the world.

[@def702]

I've seen this video 4 times now and it never gets old

[@syrusalder7795]

Kaiki is hands down the most interesting character in the entire series, as well as best girl

[@mari_iscariot]

Just hearing this, your voice, the way you put this together and the music..it moved me to tears in the end, i guess..i really am human too..thank you

[@phildf6922]

Its crazy how Monogatari looks amazingly animated while having few actual animation in the scenes

[@Songriquole]

I can't resist sharing a quote from a post-modern french writer, André Gide, inside his novel "Les Faux Monnayeurs" (The Counterfeiters). His work echoes Kaiki's character and monogatari in general so much, it's incredible. "In a world where everyone cheats, the honest man is a charlatan." Another relevant one: "While the scholar searches, the artist finds; because the one who digs, sinks, and who sinks, blinds himself; truth is appearence, mistery is the shape, and what man has deepest is its skin." Les Faux Monnayeurs, interestingly, is all about how people decieve themseleves, lie to themselves and each other, all the while having a background story about people spreading fake money around town. Also check out RCanime, he has a video explaining how monogatari has been heavily influenced by post-modern french film making ("New Wave")

[@cassif19]

Another under the scope Monogatari video. I have been blessed!

[@pedrocenturion7599]

Wow I was so moved that Under the Scope was back that I was going to write a comment in Portuguese. LOL Glad you are back.

[@semoh]

the monogatari series always does such a great job of making its characters feel so real

[@weebofamv]

Hey, i love your videos especially the Monogatari Character Analysis videos! Keep up the great work, you always make my day! And by the way...could you do a video on Meme Oshino?? He`s my absolute favorite character and i think theres more depth and Character complexity behind him than what you see at first glance yk :))

[@davepatois297]

god damnit your analyses are always so great. The monogatari series is already my all time fav anime, but each of your videos explaining its nuances makes me fall in love with it more and more

[@connorpearson4856]

Absolutely brilliant, your way with words is astounding. Even after the craziness of the Kizu movies, Kaiki's arc is still my favorite part of Monogatari. Though I don't think I knew exactly why until I watched this video.

[@davidliu4608]

That was incredibly interesting; thanks for taking the time to produce this.

[@holup437]

watching the montage of monogatari footage you put together reminded me how unique and good the art in monogatari was

[@raphtaliaowo6626]

amazing video man, I love how in-depth you go into theory on Monogatari

[@MananaMan]

Maybe its because I just came but this video is honestly one of the best video essays I've ever seen, it's so detailed and poignant, just like the show. I have a new found respect for the series now.

[@beastywolf7296]

Amazing video. You have reawakened my love for the monogatari series and made me realise I didnt get the full experience of the monogatari series. This was probably due to my young age when watching it. I'm definitely going to rewatch the series I havent watch for a long time.

[@tomo55554]

You must have put a huge amount of work into this and it shows. Bloody fantastic job mate you should be proud.

[@karue7581]

These videos are always so amazing!

[@robertschmidt4239]

Kaiki is honestly one of my favorite anime characters of all time, great video man!!!

[@IonicNebula]

I remember when I got to his last appearance I was so jarred that it actually made me think about this question. And led me to rewatch his appearance in Second Season to get more context. It's moments like these when the series if at its best. When you look across multiple arcs to figure out what was going on and tie it all together. Plus, I laughed more than I like to admit at him continuing to tell her to eat meat.

[@Gemkun-z5p]

Men it's been a while I miss your videos 😔❤️

[@ashabkhan9393]

Ayyy Another amazing monogatari video

[@xen0nqs908]

Honestly, Kaiki is probably one of my favorite characters in this series

[@luyizao]

Maaannn this was a great video. Congratulations, you did a amazing job

[@salchipapero9969]

Good video as always! Looking foward for the next one