Monogatari Series Watch Order Guide (2024)

Please read this guide before posting in this thread.

• Anime Release

  This is the preferred order for first-time watchers with some differences concerning Kizumonogatari.

  While there are a few other reshuffles in the meta narrative, the biggest difference with this order is that it presents Kizumonogatari, the origin story, as a mysterious missing part of the story to be anticipated later in the series just before the finale of the main story. While many don't have a problem with this and enjoy the added mystery element, some may argue that it leaves too many unanswered questions that are answered too late in the series and is now made obsolete.

  Generally, go this order if you want to experience the series as people did when it came out, like the idea of experiencing an origin story before a finale, and or take interest in seeing how the presentation has changed and improved over the years with each instalment in the anime adaptation, at the cost of missing the originally intended order by the author.

  *Since there are a lot of different opinions about when the Kizumonogatari movies should be watched, here are some resources that can help you decide when you want to watch them:

  See Also

  Monogatari Series watch order (Helpful guide).[AEGC] Monogatari Guide watch orderMonogatari Step-By-Step Chronological Order Guide

  The four main opinions in the Monogatari community:

  • Before Bakemonogatari.
    The author said that the novel was a viable entry point into the series. The style of the movies is quite different from the rest of the series though. This one is usually not recommended especially for a first-time watcher.
    
  • Between Bakemonogatari and Nisemonogatari.
    The original light novel order, that the author intended, to give all information needed in the subsequent arcs.
    
  • Between Owarimonogatari and Koyomimonogatari.
    Close to the airing order, but flows much better in relation to the plot and chronology of these arcs. If you don't mind having an extra element of mystery by only getting hints about what happened until you get to Kizu, this might be the right order for you.
    
  • Between Koyomimonogatari and Owarimonogatari 2nd Season.
    Technically the true airing order, but interrupts two important back-to-back arcs.

  More graphs that might help:
  https://i.redd.it/dt1yxycrqgz21.png
  https://i.imgur.com/CirTwde.png

• Chronological Order

  This order eliminates most meta narrative elements in favor of a linear, continuous story. Another mostly viable option, but most recommend it for rewatching / rereading rather than a first time viewing. It's also the least accessible order as it requires the viewer to jump back and forth between anime cours and novels in some places instead of finishing each at a time. Certain material has yet to be adapted or translated as well.

  The Koyomimonogatari short stories are not included in the list, see the visual below for placement. Note that these Koyomimonogatari arcs are mostly rough estimates as most seem to take place either during or in between certain arcs and anime series episodes, making it hard to fit them in a linear list. A dedicated viewer may need to try and pinpoint exactly which episodes to watch the Koyomimonogatari shorts in between, which is another reason this order is more suitable for a rewatch.

  Here's a graph that might also help:

  There's another detailed version on the araragi subreddit that might provide more information and has some slight differences.

• Light Novel Release / Nisio Isin Order

  This is the completely original order in which stories were released by author Nisio Isin as novels. Unlike anime release order, all shuffles in chronological placement are fully intentional for the narrative.

  Go this route if you want to experience the story as it was originally intended, at the cost of missing the mystery and anticipation element of Kizumonogatari, among other minor differences in the meta-narrative. Some argue this makes certain plot points less confusing.

  * Note that if you watch in this order, you will need to watch Hanamonogatari in between Second Season after the 10th Episode.

  Consult this graph if you need more comparisons with the novels:

Sources:
https://bakemonogatari.fandom.com/wiki/Monogatari_Series_Timeline_and_Watch_Guide#Anime_Release_Order
https://www.reddit.com/r/araragi/wiki/order
https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/acwgj7/monogatari_series_simple_watch_order_guide_2019/
https://www.reddit.com/r/araragi/comments/br3xh7/monogatari_anime_watch_order_series_chronology/
Chronological order graph: https://imgur.com/gallery/iXUyxam
Detailed timeline from the same user: https://www.reddit.com/r/araragi/comments/413akz/spoilers_any_obsessive_ln_readers_to_help_me_with/
Extended watch order with spoilers: https://imgur.com/gallery/my52H
Without spoilers: https://imgur.com/gallery/Ung4t

The quotes are taken directly from those sources.

Note that I am not an expert on the series and the information above were taken from various sources.
If you see any mistakes, please send me a comment or a private message.