Bakemonogatari 14

Doughnut bait trap only works 100% on Homer

Summary: While Black Hanekawa is subdued, like a damsel in distress, Koyomi and Meme launch into an exposition on symptom and cause. The solution is no longer readily at hand though; Shinobu has gone walkabout on a journey of personal self-discovery. Kiyomi activates EX VAMPIRE SEEK, with a silent mobilization of his harem - MAYOI SNAIL, NADEKO SNAKE, SURUGA MONKEY - to go on S&R. However HITAGI CRAB countermands his request. Besides being Boss, she is doing what she can for Tsubasa by preparing diligently, in the latter's place, as asked by the latter, for the school cultural festival.

Black Hanekawa, having escaped from Meme's custody, joins Koyomi and the catpricious spirit offers to help him in his search and he agrees even while doubting her reliability. Their walkatalkalong becomes serious business when the conversations turns to the subject of Koyomi's experiences with oddities. She warns him that he's naive to think he can live with and get along with oddities; it goes against their raison d'etre.

Black Hanekawa's speculation on why Shinobu ran away includes the possibilities of her existence being reduced to just a kid, Koyomi's harem empire building. When she points out that Koyomi can return to being human if Shinobu disappears, he asserts he can't abandon her and is willing to give up his life for her. Hearing this, Black Hanekawa wryly reveals that he can easily solve Tsubasa's stress - she loves him so just love her already. Back in the classroom, Hitagi ominously channels Lorena Bobbit.

Reaction: Great buildup to the concluding episode. Also nice reveal of Tsubasa's stress, something that I've suspected for a while given how much Tsubasa flirted with Koyomi and, especially, her displeasure at how he dallies with all the other girls instead of simply being Best Boyfriend to Hitagi. (I don't get the significance of the bell or its relationship to her headaches though. Is it magical? Did it help or hinder?)

Some of the things I particularly enjoyed in this episode included how Meme's perceived failures were actuall him holding back, knowing actually what is going on and, crucially, letting the players resolve things on their own terms, exercising their agency and thus actualizing authenticity. He doesn't just understand how the oddities are beyond good and evil but he also understands the hearts of women and men. Only Genshiken's Tanaka comes close in power fearsomeness.

And I do like Black Hanekawa so much more than Class Rep Tsubasa, she really needs to let her dark side out more often when she recovers. And, of course, I wasn't the only one who was blown out of the water by tsun~dere~ ser~vice~~ Truly Hitagi is the heart~♥ of this series. Can't wait for the final ep.

P.S. But no more of that OP - truly 2D is better than 3D.

Related posts:

1. Bakemonogatari 11
2. Bakemonogatari 05
3. Bakemonogatari 06