Monogatari Watch Order (2026): Release vs Chronological & Kizu
Monogatari watch order trips up almost everyone, and for a reason the show is proud of: Shaft deliberately aired its arcs out of chronological sequence to hide its biggest reveals. This 2026 guide gives you the simple release-order list to watch first, the in-story timeline for a rewatch, and a straight answer to the one question every newcomer asks — where does Kizumonogatari go? Everything here is built for someone starting Bakemonogatari today and wondering how the films, shorts, and the new Off & Monster Season fit in.
The Monogatari Watch Order at a Glance
If you only remember one thing: watch the Monogatari series in release order. The author, Nisio Isin, scattered the timeline on purpose, so the broadcast sequence is the one the mysteries were written for. Here is the full release-order path, from 2009 to the arcs still airing in 2026.
- Bakemonogatari (2009)
- Nisemonogatari (2012)
- Nekomonogatari (Black) (2012)
- Monogatari Series Second Season (2013) — Nekomonogatari (White), Kabukimonogatari, Otorimonogatari, Onimonogatari, Koimonogatari
- Hanamonogatari (2014)
- Tsukimonogatari (2014)
- Owarimonogatari (2015)
- Kizumonogatari film trilogy (2016–2017) & Koyomimonogatari shorts (2016)
- Owarimonogatari Second Season (2017)
- Zoku Owarimonogatari (2018–2019)
- Monogatari Series Off & Monster Season (2024–)
Akibato does not carry a dedicated Monogatari line, but if working through a puzzle-box series like this is your idea of fun, Akibato ships anime figures from Japan — you can browse the anime figures collection while you binge.
The At-a-Glance Table: Every Entry, Year, and Format
All of it is animated by Shaft under chief director Akiyuki Shinbo. Use this table to see the format of each entry and whether a first-timer can skip it.
| # | Entry | Year | Format | Skip on first watch? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bakemonogatari | 2009 | TV (15 eps) | No — the entry point |
| 2 | Nisemonogatari | 2012 | TV (11 eps) | No |
| 3 | Nekomonogatari (Black) | 2012 | TV (4 eps) | No |
| 4 | Second Season (5 arcs) | 2013 | TV (26 eps) | No — the core |
| 5 | Hanamonogatari | 2014 | TV (5 eps) | No, but stands apart |
| 6 | Tsukimonogatari | 2014 | TV (4 eps) | No |
| 7 | Owarimonogatari | 2015 | TV (12 eps) | No |
| 8 | Kizumonogatari trilogy | 2016–2017 | 3 films | No — see below |
| 9 | Koyomimonogatari | 2016 | ONA shorts | Optional, sets up Owari |
| 10 | Owarimonogatari II | 2017 | TV (7 eps) | No — the payoff |
| 11 | Zoku Owarimonogatari | 2018–2019 | Film / TV (6 eps) | No |
| 12 | Off & Monster Season | 2024– | ONA (ongoing) | Watch last |
Release Order vs Chronological Order: Which Should You Watch?
This is the single biggest decision in any Monogatari watch order, and the answer is clear for a first viewing: release order. Chronological order exists, but it spoils the show.
Why release order wins for first-timers
The series hides who its characters are and what happened to them, then reveals it later. Watching in the order episodes aired preserves those reveals and the dramatic tension. Guides across the fandom agree that chronological viewing “removes a lot of the fun of the series” and is meant only for people who have already seen it once.
What chronological order is for
Chronological order re-sequences the arcs by their in-story dates. It turns the main series into a flashback-heavy re-read and is genuinely rewarding — on a second pass. The opening of the timeline is the clearest illustration of why it spoils things:
| In-story period | Arc | Release-order position |
|---|---|---|
| Spring break (March) | Kizumonogatari | 8th (aired 2016–2017) |
| Golden Week (early May) | Nekomonogatari (Black) | 3rd (aired 2012) |
| Mid-May to June | Bakemonogatari | 1st (aired 2009) |
Notice that the story’s chronological beginning, Kizumonogatari, was one of the last things animated. Lead with it and you hand yourself the biggest reveal before you know why it matters.
Where Does Kizumonogatari Go?
Short answer: watch Kizumonogatari after you have started Bakemonogatari, not before. It is the origin story, but it is also a payoff, and it lands best once you already care about the characters.
Chronologically first, broadcast almost last
Kizumonogatari covers Koyomi Araragi’s spring break and how he became a fledgling vampire — events that happen before Bakemonogatari. Yet the three films arrived years later: Tekketsu (January 2016), Nekketsu (August 2016), and Reiketsu (January 2017), later compiled as Koyomi Vamp. Shaft could release the origin late precisely because the TV run had already earned the audience’s investment.
Our recommendation
Two placements both work, and neither is wrong:
- At its broadcast slot — after Owarimonogatari (release order). This keeps every reveal intact and is the safest first watch.
- Right after Bakemonogatari — a popular early slot for viewers who want the backstory sooner. You lose a little mystery but gain emotional context.
What you should not do on a first watch is open with Kizumonogatari cold. Start with Bakemonogatari’s tone first.
Every Monogatari Season, Explained
Nisio Isin groups the light novels into seasons, and the anime follows the same spine. Here is what each block is and how much it matters.
What is an “oddity” in Monogatari?
An oddity (Japanese kaii, sometimes translated as “apparition”) is the supernatural affliction at the heart of every arc — a curse, spirit, or phenomenon tied to a character’s emotional wound. Each arc is named after its oddity and its heroine, which is why the titles rhyme (Bake-, Nise-, Neko-, and so on). Knowing this makes the watch order easier to hold in your head: you are following a run of self-contained cases that gradually connect.
First Season (2009–2012)
Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari, and Nekomonogatari (Black) introduce Araragi, the recurring oddity format, and the core cast. None are skippable — this is where the tone and rules are set. Expect long, dialogue-driven scenes and Shaft’s signature rapid cuts; if the first episode’s style clicks, the rest will too.
Second Season (2013–2014)
The 2013 Monogatari Series Second Season bundles five arcs — Nekomonogatari (White), Kabukimonogatari, Otorimonogatari, Onimonogatari, and Koimonogatari — and shifts the spotlight onto the heroines. Many fans consider this the franchise’s peak. Hanamonogatari (2014) is a near-standalone epilogue focused on Kanbaru; it stands apart but should still be seen.
Final Season (2014–2019)
Tsukimonogatari, Owarimonogatari, the Kizumonogatari films, the Koyomimonogatari shorts, Owarimonogatari Second Season, and Zoku Owarimonogatari resolve the central mysteries. Owarimonogatari II is the dramatic high point; Koyomimonogatari’s twelve shorts are optional viewing that quietly set up its payoff, so watch them if you can.
Off & Monster Season (2024–2026): The New Chapter
The reason a 2026 Monogatari watch order matters again is Monogatari Series Off & Monster Season, a Shaft-produced continuation that began airing on July 6, 2024. Its first cour ran 14 episodes through October 2024, directed by Midori Yoshizawa. It is a sequel set of arcs, so watch it last, after Zoku Owarimonogatari.
| Season | Arcs |
|---|---|
| Off Season | Orokamonogatari, Wazamonogatari, Nademonogatari, Musubimonogatari |
| Monster Season | Shinobumonogatari, Yoimonogatari, Amarimonogatari, Ougimonogatari, Shinomonogatari |
What aired in 2024
The 2024 cour adapted the Orokamonogatari, Nademonogatari, and Wazamonogatari arcs from Off Season, plus the Shinobumonogatari arc that opens Monster Season.
What is next
Nisio Isin and Shaft confirmed (announced July 3, 2025) that more of the anime is in production, alongside a new novel, Tsugimonogatari, released in October 2025. As of late 2026 the remaining Monster Season arcs — Yoimonogatari, Amarimonogatari, Ougimonogatari, and Shinomonogatari — still await adaptation, so the franchise is very much ongoing. Reporting points to a continuation, but a firm broadcast window had not been locked at the time of the July 2025 announcement.
Where to Watch Monogatari in 2026
In North America, Crunchyroll is the primary streaming home for the series, including Off & Monster Season. The catch is that the licenses have shifted over the years and the catalog has real gaps.
| Entry | Streaming status (as reported) |
|---|---|
| Second Season | The one season viewable in full on Crunchyroll |
| Bakemonogatari eps 13–15 | Historically only in lower resolution |
| Kizumonogatari films | Often absent from streaming — the story’s actual beginning |
| Koyomimonogatari / Zoku Owarimonogatari | Frequently missing from Crunchyroll |
| Off & Monster Season | On Crunchyroll |
Because availability changes, the only guaranteed-complete route is the Blu-ray box sets. Check Crunchyroll first, and treat the physical release as the fallback for the films and the shorts.
Monogatari Watch Order FAQ
Do I have to watch Kizumonogatari first?
No. Despite being chronologically first, it plays best after you have started the TV run. Watch it at its release slot (after Owarimonogatari) or, at the earliest, right after Bakemonogatari.
Can I skip any Monogatari entries?
Not really, on a first watch. The closest to optional is Koyomimonogatari (twelve shorts), but it sets up Owarimonogatari’s conclusion, so seeing it is recommended.
Is chronological order ever worth it?
Yes — on a rewatch. Once you know the reveals, re-sequencing by in-story date (starting with Kizumonogatari) turns the series into a richer character study. It is the wrong choice for a first viewing.
Where does Hanamonogatari go?
In release order it comes after the 2013 Second Season. It is a near-standalone story centered on Kanbaru and set later in the timeline, which is why it feels separate, but it belongs in the Second Season block.
Is Off & Monster Season a good starting point?
No. It is a continuation aimed at existing fans. Start at Bakemonogatari and save Off & Monster Season for last.
How many Monogatari episodes are there?
More than 100 TV and ONA episodes across all seasons, plus the three Kizumonogatari films — and the count is still growing with Off & Monster Season.
The Bottom Line
- Watch in release order for a first viewing: Bakemonogatari first, Off & Monster Season last.
- Save chronological order for a rewatch — it spoils the reveals the first time through.
- Kizumonogatari is chronologically first but plays best at its release slot, or at the earliest right after Bakemonogatari.
- Koyomimonogatari shorts are the only near-optional entry, but they set up Owarimonogatari.
- Off & Monster Season (Shaft, 2024–) is the live continuation, with more arcs still to be adapted.
- Streaming has gaps — Crunchyroll is the main home, but Blu-ray is the only complete route for the films and shorts.
If untangling the Monogatari timeline leaves you wanting a shelf to match the binge, Akibato ships anime figures worldwide from Japan — start with the anime figures collection. For more non-linear series, see our Fate watch order, the JoJo watch order, and the Tokyo Ghoul watch order with its own Root A skip debate.