Monogatari Second Season: 1x2 "Tsubasa Tiger, Part 2" Reaction and Discussion
Added 2025-06-04 21:49:44 +0000 UTCReaction to Show 1:18
Discussion 17:03
Comments
If Hanekawa's tastes were a venn diagram with Senjougahara's it would just be Senjou's circle completely inside of Hanekawa's circle. Also I can't wait till you two get to see what Araragi's been up to during this arc.
Cory Adams
2025-06-12 01:06:12 +0000 UTCTouching on your thoughts of 'it's a good time to focus on Hanekawa's perspective while Araragi is gone'/how much you both are enjoying the change to her character and perspective/Anna's 'It's dangerous to have such strong emotions': I think a large part of what makes this perspective so amazing and refreshing is how naturally it sheds clarity onto Hanekawa's character via the contrast of her interactions with Senjougahara (vs. Araragi and others). We already know the extreme, machine-like lengths Hanekawa went to in trying to become 'normal' surrounded by an upbringing that is anything but. Not only did she fail, she created this unnaturally perfect, angelic/ideal image while managing to truly think she's being normal. You both mentioned how this manufactured personality (and also Black Hanekawa) is a coping mechanism brought about by her circumstances and I completely agree. The problem for Hanekawa, as we even see her start to touch the surface on in the beginning of this arc, is that Araragi (and others) gobble this manufactured existence up. Araragi is therefore enabling and reinforcing her coping mechanism, as this feedback - in Hanekawa's mind - only reaffirms that she's being normal and good. The only person who immediately calls out and forces her to confront her bullshit is Senjougahara. This is great, as Senjougahara just overcame using an aberration as a coping mechanism; she really is the perfect person/friend for Hanekawa in terms of propelling her to grow as a person. I find it fascinating that despite Araragi's coping mechanism (Pre-Kizu) - essentially rejecting everyone and everything - and Hanekawa's coping mechanism - accepting everyone and everything - being on opposite ends of the spectrum, they achieve the same result; they easily allow you to avoid forming and dealing with powerful, negative emotions associated with meaningful attachments/relationships. A quick personal example of mine is that as a kid, I didn't want to grow up. When I hit adolescence, I basically spent all my time escaping reality by playing video games. I was avoiding both forming and accepting my identity that inevitably changes as time passes. It's no surprise when I hit my 20s I still had no idea who I was or what I wanted. In Hanekawa's case, she avoided doing the same by following her extreme code and refused to accept that she is irregular. I think the stress associated with her house burning down is that it forces her to actually start forming an identity, which is hard work and bound to have struggles in itself. Black Hanekawa senses this, which is why she feels her master is threatened by the Tiger. The tiger burning her house down is essentially burning the easy, convenient facade of an identity she's "lived" in (but has no real attachment or connection to). Burning this to the ground is a way to force her to build an actual identity true to herself from scratch. I also agree with Ben that despite it being manufactured, Hanekawa's life up until this point, by default, is part of who she is. This makes exploring the question of if her true self really loves Araragi all the more intersting. Really looking forward to exploring the answer to this with you both throughout the rest of the arc!!
Russell Gambardella
2025-06-06 06:14:11 +0000 UTCThis is what Oshino was talking about when he said Hanekawa was also at fault. Basically enabling her adoptive father's actions by just accepting them.
My abba taught me a few things too, like how to rip the skin off by using my own mouth
2025-06-05 14:44:09 +0000 UTCRemember in Bakemonogatari episode 1 when Araragi asked Hanekawa if she "liked" bananas. Recall what her response was in light of this episode!!
Heart-Blade Games
2025-06-05 03:23:56 +0000 UTCYes! Personally, I remember vividly I was instantly sold on Mayoi Mai Mai arc, which was three episodes and most of it took place in a park, and people were just sitting, talking, wandering in and out of the scene, while slowly unravelling the deeper mystery behind Hachikuji and developing every character along the way. Right there I thought: "This is something else. Something special." And boy did I binge the rest of the series over the next few days. I can't wait for Anna and Ben to get to Hitagi End arc. It's one of my personal favourites.
Milosz Skowronski
2025-06-05 02:38:04 +0000 UTCI love this episode, Senjougahara is just the best
ElBeiro
2025-06-05 00:21:55 +0000 UTCthis episode is basically a perfect example of what makes monogatari great and unique. The whole episode is basically 1 conversation thats split up by a minor scene/character change. It feels very much like a stage play, with the episode basically taking place in 1 room. This has happen a few times before, like the Shinobu bath scene in Nise, but this episode takes it to the extreme. It really is impressive how nisio managed to write a novel that works this way, and how shaft is able to adapt such a dialogue heavy source material and still keep the audience engage and paying full attention.
Liam Polzl
2025-06-04 23:46:35 +0000 UTC19:20 Semblance Of Sanity Mentioned!
Priam
2025-06-04 22:47:54 +0000 UTClets go, the long anticipated food convo that was teased right in episode 1 of bake with the banana, one of my stand out personal favorite conversations of this series
Alen Alijevic
2025-06-04 22:32:08 +0000 UTCThis arc is where Monogatari really hits its stride after introducing a ton of character in Bake, Kizu and Nise and the salad dressing conversation is where I really knew I was watching something great. All of the best arcs in season 2 and "season 3". Excited for what's to come (including the rest of this arc)!
deezer
2025-06-04 22:27:06 +0000 UTCBummer :(
Joshua
2025-06-04 22:12:57 +0000 UTCUpdate: Nothing :-(
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2025-06-04 21:49:57 +0000 UTC
