Funimation recently announced that they will be streaming a less-than-complete run of the supernatural anime Monogatari series, leaving fans confused and critical of their decision.
On March 2nd, Funimation revealed that while they would begin streaming Monogatari the following day, they noted that the series’ streaming options would consist of “select titles.”
Get ready to relive Koyomi Araragi’s many encounters with apparitions!
Select titles from the critically-acclaimed Monogatari series are coming to Funimation tomorrow! 🙌
Learn more: https://t.co/RzhyS1NmYI @aniplexUSA pic.twitter.com/yFcWDROcN4
— Funimation (@FUNimation) March 2, 2020
Related: Funimation Censors Mild ‘Butt’ Pun Joke in Nekopara
Having begun airing in 2009, the full Aniplex-produced anime adaptation of Monogatari currently consists of thirteen seasons and three films. On their official blog, Funimation detailed that they would be streaming only five seasons chosen from across the series’ run:
If it’s your first time watching, here’s our recommended viewing order:
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Bakemonogatari
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Nisemonogatari
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Nekomonogatari Black
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Monogatari Second Season
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Owarimonogatari
The studio also stated that Bakemonogatari would only consist of twelve episodes instead of the seasons’ full fifteen:
12 episodes for Bakemonogatari.
— Funimation (@FUNimation) March 2, 2020
While the topic of whether to watch the series in broadcast order, chronological order, or light novel publishing order, remains a hotly debated topic among the fandom, Funimation’s limited offerings were near unanimously agreed upon by fans to be the worst way to watch the series:
the real monogatari watch order is not being able to legally find all the episodes and crying inside because the companies who can license it keep finding new ways to disappoint you
— Cake 🍰💖⚡ (@freusan) March 3, 2020
Aniplex, why would you ask that when you should know fans are really pissed right now? You not only don’t have the entire series but you also don’t even have the last 3 episodes of S1. This is tone deaf please try and do better. I want you to have a good public reception. Truly.
— Ultimate N (@NRiv27) March 6, 2020
Bake episodes 1-12
Nise
Neko: Kuro
Monogatari Second Season
Owair S1-2If you are a first time viewer this whole order WILL NOT MAKE SENSE.
You need the last 3 episodes of Bake and OVAs like Tsuki, Hana, last two episodes of Koyomi for the series to make sense. https://t.co/2bOq3rqi24
— Steamboat Jim (@Hobartastic01) March 2, 2020
Aniplex, why would you ask that when you should know fans are really pissed right now? You not only don’t have the entire series but you also don’t even have the last 3 episodes of S1. This is tone deaf please try and do better. I want you to have a good public reception. Truly.
— Ultimate N (@NRiv27) March 6, 2020
Funimation was also met with criticism over their decision to air this series after dropping Interspecies Reviewers for falling “outside of our standards” given Monogatari’s sexual themes and jokes, including the famous “toothbrush” scene which jokingly plays with an allusion to incest.
Funimation: *Adds Monogatari to its roster of anime*
Me: *Remembers Interspecies Reviewers*
*Remembers the toothbrush scene and all the lolicon and incest themes* pic.twitter.com/TCOAu8plc9
— Nirnaeth Arnoediad (@NirnaethA) March 4, 2020
So a show with subtle hints of pedophilia and incest gets a pass on your standards but Interspecies Reviewers doesn’t? Doesn’t add up fam
And I’m saying this as a fan of monogatari lmao
— Kaokao (@kaotic_legion) March 6, 2020
Fans were particularly vocal regarding this criticism on the community tab of Funimation’s YouTube channel:
