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The Monogatari Series Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch the Monogatari anime series in order

Last updated: October 4 2026

Written by: ChronoAlice

The Monogatari Series is one of anime's most beloved and notoriously confusing franchises, blending supernatural mystery, sharp dialogue, and dazzling visuals. Its release order and chronological order differ dramatically, making a watch order guide essential.

Studio Shaft's Monogatari Series follows Koyomi Araragi, a boy who survives a vampire encounter and finds himself helping classmates afflicted by supernatural oddities. Famous for its rapid-fire wordplay and avant-garde visuals, the franchise is equally famous for the question every newcomer asks: what order do I watch this in? The release order and in-universe chronology diverge significantly, largely because of a key prequel.

πŸ• Release Order

Release order is how fans originally experienced the series, and it is the most recommended way to watch because the storytelling assumes you already know Araragi's backstory before revealing it.

  1. Bakemonogatari (2009)
  2. Nisemonogatari (2012)
  3. Nekomonogatari: Black (2012)
  4. Monogatari Series Second Season (2013)
  5. Hanamonogatari (2014)
  6. Tsukimonogatari (2014)
  7. Owarimonogatari (2015)
  8. Koyomimonogatari (2016)
  9. Kizumonogatari Parts I-III (2016-2017)
  10. Owarimonogatari Second Season (2017)
  11. Zoku Owarimonogatari (2018)

The big catch is Kizumonogatari, the vampire origin story that happens first chronologically but was released years into the run, which is why strict release order and story order feel so different.

πŸ“– Story Chronology

If you prefer to follow events as they unfold for Araragi, the chronological order begins with his vampire origin in Kizumonogatari before moving into the main stories.

  1. Kizumonogatari Parts I-III (origin, spring break)
  2. Nekomonogatari: Black
  3. Bakemonogatari
  4. Nisemonogatari
  5. Monogatari Series Second Season
  6. Tsukimonogatari
  7. Owarimonogatari
  8. Koyomimonogatari
  9. Hanamonogatari
  10. Owarimonogatari Second Season
  11. Zoku Owarimonogatari

Which Order Should You Choose?

For most first-time viewers, release order is the way to go: start with Bakemonogatari and save Kizumonogatari for later, exactly as original audiences did. The series is written to drip-feed Araragi's backstory, so watching the prequel too early can blunt its emotional payoff. Only consider chronological order on a rewatch, once you already know the characters and want to see the timeline laid out cleanly.

πŸ”— Related Guides

  • Neon Genesis Evangelion Watch OrderGuide
  • Cowboy Bebop Watch OrderGuide
  • Code Geass Watch OrderGuide

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!