I’ve wanted to put this one up for a hot minute, but couldn’t figure out how to phrase it. So we are going off script here. Instead of where you should pick up the Monogatari series light novels after the anime, it is more appropriate to ask what novels have not been adapted yet.
Monogatari novels are not so much labeled by volume number like many light novels, instead they all have their own title. The “-monogatari” suffix essentially just means story, after all. So you get “Bakemonogatari,” the monster story, “Nekomonogatari,” the cat story, ect.
Anyway, the main story of Monogatari is fully animated at this point. Yes, you can go back and read the light novels for more details, but there isn’t anything missing from it.
Instead, what hasn’t been animated is the Off Season, Monster Season, and the upcoming Family Season. You need to read Off Season, Monster Season, and the newly established Family Season in order. Both Off Season and Monster Season focus on side characters because the author, I assume, enjoys them. Meanwhile, Family Season seems to be going back towards Araragi’s story.
Here’s an easy to understand list of what you want to read in each.
Off Season
- Orokamonogatari
- Wazamonogatari
- Nademonogatari
- Musubimonogatari
Monster Season
- Shinobumonogatari
- Yoimonogatari
- Amarimonogatari
- Ougimonogatari
- Shinomonogatai I
- Shinomonogatari II
Side Stories
- Mazemonogatari ( A crossover story with characters from other franchises)
Family Season
- Ikusamonogatari
- Tsugimonogatari (Teased, not yet released)
An anime adaptation for Off Season and Monster season has been announced. It is stated to air in October 2024.
Tsukimonogatari’s anime has been out since 2014?
I think I was going for Tsugimonogatari, which is proving to be a myth at this point.
Regardless, some updates were needed anyway.