Character discussion - Araragi Koyomi

[JokerD]

I noticed he has a tendency to go for the 'Perfect Victory' scenario where everyone's whole and happy, this should be the case for Shinobu as well, even when it is the harder route. This can be seen in Sengoku's arc where his disappointed he could not save the caster of the curse as well.

Quite a typical guy I guess, going for the best ending.

[omimon]

Originally Posted by FlareKnight

Spoiler:

I have to say things get complicated with Araragi. He tries to do a lot and help everyone he can. There is little I can say about the relationship with Shinobu since in regards to the anime there hasn't been a great deal of interaction. She's just kind of been....there.

When you think about it that could turn into a very messy situation. If he did try to take himself out and die next to her then he might have Senjougahara doing the same thing. Of course the type of person he is wouldn't want to be the cause of anyone's death so he couldn't die next to Shinobu, and yet he would have to due to the promise. He kind of hits a weird place where he has to act, can't act, and yet has to act.

A small question is about Araragi's situation. Is he full blown immortal? As in living forever kind or is it just regeneration?

Yeah I'm just kind of catching up to everything said .

I'm not so sure he'll make that kind of call. I mean he said himself the Kaiis were always there. Besides he's willing to be involved with Senjougahara. Sure he tries to take care of things without getting her involved but, being with her means she will be involved. If he's willing to still be with Senjougahara then I can't see him rejecting children for that same reason. Also isn't it that he can't protect others because he's part oddity not thanks to it? He said himself he can't become like Oshino because he's 1/10 oddity. So wouldn't becoming 100% human again actually allow him to help people better and protect those around him better? Being a physical shield clearly can only do so much.

I have no idea how things will end for Araragi. Really things seem to be pushing him to realizing he can't just try to help everyone. He needs to pick and choose what's important to him and focus on that. I'd like for things to end well for everyone but that doesn't seem possible. If he decides to keep Shinobu at a high importance level then he can't let her die. Which means he can't really help people as much as he would like. If your right and he will constantly be involved with the oddities then it's almost demanded he let Shinobu go. Since Oshino won't be around forever he'll have to resolve the problems himself. But he won't be able to do that unless he's not an oddity.

Seems like he's at a crossroad and has to make a choice. If he keeps going as he is then eventually he'll get too involved in something and get himself killed. I really only see those two paths for him. The body he has is handy but it clearly is limited and can't solve everything. What goes on in Araragi's mind is beyond me. He has to make a choice about what he wants to do.

Spoiler:

Haha, we actually talked about the regeneration thing in the light novel thread. Basically, in Nise 1 Shinobu told him that since he has regeneration it is entirely possible that his cells will keep regenerating as young ones instead of old ones as he is growing old. In other words, he is immortal. NOW, with that being said Araragi currently is not invincible since he is ONLY 1/10 vampire so if he gets beaten to a bloody pulp and loses too much blood it is possible for his regeneration ability to be not fast enough and cause him to die. (As in the case of the Kanbaru fight) Also, another point is that vampires don't really have any resistance to poison so the snake fight could have killed him too. Back to the immortal thing, even though that's what Shinobu said to him, it is not exactly confirm that it is true. It is possible for him to grow old with Hitagi like a normal human in his current state and not have him kill anybody in order to achieve that. I mean Araragi is probably the first person to be in this situation so what his body is like is totally debatable. Now as for the kids, it is confirmed that babies can be born as part vampires. Basically, these kids get shun by both sides of the community and lives a life hating both sides and starts hunting vampires everywhere. Araragi has been calling himself a human with lingering vampire powers, but in truth he is more like a vampire that is reduced to a human-like state. Looking at the facts, I believe that if Araragi have kids with a human, they WILL become half-vampires. Now you would ask, why half, I mean isn't he only 1/10? Well the thing is that the whole 1/10 thing can change depending on how much blood Shinobu sucks. So the number can go up and down depending on how much time pasts between each meal. Also, the number is only a figure that stands for how much of a vampire he is in terms of power. So in this case he has 1/10 of the power he would normally have. I mean could be wrong on this and that his seeds and DNA would change too to match his power, but I like to believe that his DNA remains the same and only his power goes up and down. Either way, his kids would never be full humans nor the chance to become full humans since they were born this way and not turned into one.

Now I'm not exactly sure about this what I think what Araragi meant when he said a part-Kaii wouldn't be able to help anyone is the fact that a Kaii wouldn't be able to understand what being a human is like. Humans have fears that are unknown to Kaii and weaknesses that are different. Now, I know you would think that since Araragi was once a human that's not the case for him. Well, we can't think of Araragi in the same wavelength as a normal human. Surely, he doesn't fear death that's for sure. Another point is that the more time you spend as a Kaii, the less human you become mentally. I mean Shinobu used to be a human too but after a while she just completely forgot what it was like for her to be a human. So basically the argument you raised was more on the mental side of thing, and being a meat shield.......really isn't that bad.....I mean it's been of help up till now...right? Also, since Oshino has been teaching Shinobu stuff about Kaiis during these months, she has become Araragi's source for information. So if she dies, he wouldn't have the knowledge to beat Kaiis.

[xYuki]

aryayagi-kun (i stutter) LOL

[JokerD]

Let's see, according to this: http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2009/1...trap-top-rank/ Arragi comes in at 2nd at light novel char in 2010, btw Hitagi is no 12...

[Maiku-kun]

from the episodes ive seen, i really like araragi, although he is on the anti-social side, he really goes out of his way to help total strangers just because he feels the need to help those who are in trouble, its an admirable trait

[Majesty]

I always admired how unusually good natured Araragi seems to be. For what are usually very droll, run-of-the-mill "main guy" characters in high school anime stories, he stands out while still being a little incognito. He seems to go very far out of his way to help people and not in an annoying "I'M THE HERO" fashion. It's as though it's second nature to him and he really doesn't think about it or is possibly even aware of it... it is apparent Senjougahara sees this and it's some of what she loves in him.

Spoiler:

Let's not forget how he treated everyone's favorite monkey armed lass. He actually tried to think so well of her intentions, that he unintentionally deceived himself and hurt himself badly in the process. Araragi was good-natured and self-sacrificial... but not in the preachy sense. Both people and characters like that are appealing, in my opinion. I can easily say he's my favorite Bakemonogatari character.

...And let's not forget ahoge appeal.

[omimon]

Originally Posted by Majesty

I always admired how unusually good natured Araragi seems to be. For what are usually very droll, run-of-the-mill "main guy" characters in high school anime stories, he stands out while still being a little incognito. He seems to go very far out of his way to help people and not in an annoying "I'M THE HERO" fashion. It's as though it's second nature to him and he really doesn't think about it or is possibly even aware of it... it is apparent Senjougahara sees this and it's some of what she loves in him.

Spoiler:

Let's not forget how he treated everyone's favorite monkey armed lass. He actually tried to think so well of her intentions, that he unintentionally deceived himself and hurt himself badly in the process. Araragi was good-natured and self-sacrificial... but not in the preachy sense. Both people and characters like that are appealing, in my opinion. I can easily say he's my favorite Bakemonogatari character.

...And let's not forget ahoge appeal.

Well, i don't think that it was unintentional. One thing people seems to not realize is that Araragi sees his life as nothing. Another thing is that he also doesn't realize the importance of his life to other people. To him, he is just a thing just waiting to be sacrifice for the well-being of others.

Spoiler:

Although he does learn to think otherwise at the end of the Cat arc.

Since the anime is only thing some people have to analysis his character I guess only this much is understandable. But believe me when I say this, Araragi is EMO as hell in Kizu. If it wasn't for the fact that he met Kiss and Hanekawa I think he would be cutting his waist.

[Clarste]

I don't think you can blame the anime for that. I thought it was quite clear that he had roughly zero self-esteem, or more like he lacks the consciousness that he's also a part of the world. As I said in my first post in this topic, he lacks a stake in himself.

Anyway, I think the anime conveyed that properly, although maybe it was subtler than it was in the novel? A lot of things are subtle in this series though, so I think it could be expected that we'll look for them.

[Majesty]

Originally Posted by Clarste

I don't think you can blame the anime for that. I thought it was quite clear that he had roughly zero self-esteem, or more like he lacks the consciousness that he's also a part of the world. As I said in my first post in this topic, he lacks a stake in himself.

Anyway, I think the anime conveyed that properly, although maybe it was subtler than it was in the novel? A lot of things are subtle in this series though, so I think it could be expected that we'll look for them.

I do think it was more subtle but it was still conveyed well. I was never under the impression he had anything less than poor self-esteem, hence the roots of some of his actions. For the anime, I think the sort of "endless banter" scenes would casually reveal quite a lot about Araragi and his nature.

I have wondered how someone who read the novels first would compare the books dialogue to the sometimes surreal ramblings of the anime. Would any of you say they're significantly more clear about Araragi in them or are they really both about the same in being "subtle"?

[omimon]

Originally Posted by Majesty

I do think it was more subtle but it was still conveyed well. I was never under the impression he had anything less than poor self-esteem, hence the roots of some of his actions. For the anime, I think the sort of "endless banter" scenes would casually reveal quite a lot about Araragi and his nature.

I have wondered how someone who read the novels first would compare the books dialogue to the sometimes surreal ramblings of the anime. Would any of you say they're significantly more clear about Araragi in them or are they really both about the same in being "subtle"?

Well, his emoness wasn't that severe in Bake but in Kizu he might as well be listening to Lincoln Park.

[onehp]

Originally Posted by Magin

You gotta hand it to this guy- he's got a beauty of a girlfriend, who also is a __dere... I doubt any of us would be able to handle her like he does

and let's not forget the fire sisters of his either. Damn, do we envy of pity this guy?

Senjougahara Hitagi's personality is just an obstacle to the ultimate goal of anything involving romantic interests in animes: a more intimate relationship. The writer is just tired of the easy personality types.

[Full Metal Coast]

Originally Posted by onehp

Senjougahara Hitagi's personality is just an obstacle to the ultimate goal of anything involving romantic interests in animes: a more intimate relationship. The writer is just tired of the easy personality types.

im also tired of seeing the same stereotype personalities in female characters and i thought Hitagi was a breath of fresh air in that aspect and its great to see a very original character with a very interesting personality.

[karice67]

wow...all gone

erm, I know this might be better in the relevant character thread, but just in case more people have this thread in subscriptions etc...

In a recent online survey by Dengeki (bunshou?) about characters you'd want to try having as a friend, 5th place went to...Araragi Koyomi.

Spoiler for full list in English & my reaction:

(1) Doraemon
(2) Yui (K-ON)
(3) Touma (To aru Majutsu...)
(4) Youhei (CLANNAD)
(5) Araragi
(6) General Vamp (Tentai Senshi Sunred)
(7) Son Goku (Dragonball)
(8) Pikachu
(9) Konata (Lucky Star)
(10) Hinata (Angel Beats!)

They went into reasons for the top three, but never got quite as far as Araragi...

At first, I just LOL'd. But actually, I think it'd be fun to have him as a friend, as long as we could take turns at the manzai routine. ^^ (And as long as he keeps his hands off me...not that I'm a loli who's invisible to anyone else or anything.)

Thoughts? Comments?

[Kenn]

Originally Posted by karice67

wow...all gone

erm, I know this might be better in the relevant character thread, but just in case more people have this thread in subscriptions etc...

In a recent online survey by Dengeki (bunshou?) about characters you'd want to try having as a friend, 5th place went to...Araragi Koyomi.

Spoiler for full list in English & my reaction:

(1) Doraemon
(2) Yui (K-ON)
(3) Touma (To aru Majutsu...)
(4) Youhei (CLANNAD)
(5) Araragi
(6) General Vamp (Tentai Senshi Sunred)
(7) Son Goku (Dragonball)
(8) Pikachu
(9) Konata (Lucky Star)
(10) Hinata (Angel Beats!)

They went into reasons for the top three, but never got quite as far as Araragi...

At first, I just LOL'd. But actually, I think it'd be fun to have him as a friend, as long as we could take turns at the manzai routine. ^^ (And as long as he keeps his hands off me...not that I'm a loli who's invisible to anyone else or anything.)

Thoughts? Comments?

I'd love Vamp as a friend. He'd be one of the most helpful friends I have. Sure Arararararagi's pretty funny doing his retorts and whatnots, but General Vamp's house wife credentials and hilarious 'evilness' win for me.

[ID555]

I'd never be Koyomi's friend - I'd be too jealous of him, plus Hitagi would catch my lustful glances at her everytime I'm with them.

Pre-Hitagi - wouldn't work either. I'm an introvert like Koyomi, so none of us would bother starting a conversation. But maybe we could have started a perverts' circle together...

[omimon]

I have been getting on the Ore no imouto train lately and I couldn't help but compare Kyosuke with Araragi. I mean they both have strained relationships with their sisters yet it all seems so different. First of all Karen and Tsukihi actually makes an efforts to try to be close to Araragi like waking him up in the morning while Kirino is totally indifferent. Kyosuke plays eroge games with Kirino while Araragi plays the toothbrush game. With that being said it gives me conflicting feeling about the future. I mean Ore no imouto seems like its leading up to the Koi Kaze direction yet with Monogatari it seems more like just a joke. Although I'm a lot more incline to believe that Araragi would mess around with his sisters a lot more. I mean Araragi was already "this" close to hitting a homerun. The one series where we get a brother feeling up his sister and they'll never end up together, yet with another series we get a brother who keeps saying he hates his sister yet more likely to go for the "happy end."

[vaden]

So I'm not the only one who keeps hearing Kamiya Hiroshi's incredulity in Kyousuke?

[omimon]

Now that the Nise anime is finished. Let's talk about the issue of Koyomi's faithfulness for his girlfriend.

He loves Hitagi but he fools around with other girls sooooooo much.

Spoiler for His expliots:

I kid you not, he actually asks both Tsubasa and Nadeko to sleep with him and it wasn't even a joke. He was super serious during those times.

Then there is the not so socially acceptable relationship he has with his sisters. In future novels it's implied that he is actually in love with Karen. First comes the toothbrush, then comes the nailclipper.

And don't even mention the fact that he got excited when he was together in same room with three underage girls (not actually underage)

[zarqu]

Koyomi is just a confused little guy. Someone needs to slap some sense into him. I feel he needs to go on a "journey" of self discovery, maybe even more so than Hanekawa needs to. That is, provided that he even wants to figure out his "love life" (I'm still not sure who he "loves" and in what way), which is nothing sort of complicated.

Obviously as a reader who doesn't understand Japanese, my picture of Koyomi is limited at best. I really don't know who he really is. I'm not too sure if he knows either.

The full (and satisfactory) resolution of the above will probably come near the end of the series.

[Forsaken_Infinity]

Bah I could care less about him.

I want to see more of him during his transition from middle school good boy to high school emo though. Because that's roughly a transition I had to go through as well. I doubt the series will ever go into that any deeper though