Okay, that was a good ending for a series.
Surprisingly Complex: M.S.S.S Episode 26
Well, going with a bang, so to say. It was more CHOCK! (Wood hitting head), but still.
It was never confirmed that Kaiki is dead. Thus he probably isn't. If he is, well shit. He may be lying about his death, or he may have faked his death, we won't know until the next time he appears or doesn't.
We finalize the current series and the current arc, with something to learn from. Think about the word "deceive." How many times was it used in this episode? The answer is a lot. There was the final deceit, which would seem pretty improvised, but I'd say it was Kaiki's contingency plan. It was the ultimate move he could use, the words of reassurance. Words assuring that her own fatalism is not always right, that what she thinks her destiny is and always will be, is just an illusion. Words about the possibility of change, of other lives. He of course later defines the words as the obvious, as the obvious things adults tell to children. He didn't define them as the lies adults tell to children, even though from the way he speaks, he would seem to see those things just as illusions. But he acknowledges that for others it might not be too late, even though the basis of his words is that it is never too late, even if he may believe that it is already too late for him.
Kaiki told us that he hates irreplaceable things, and that he loves money. Of course, it comes from the pain of losing something irreplaceable, probably more than once, that led him to a choice of either clinging to those irreplaceable things and being in pain, or letting them go and never thinking of them again, never putting scarcity value on anything. He made the choice he believed in, the one where everything loses their scarcity value, where individuality becomes almost nonexistent. It became his curse, as he became unable to put value for things outside money, that was the ultimate idea of value without scarcity value.
That's all theory though, as he might just be lying. But there is evidence for it. He has talked about money before, when he talked to Karen. Then he emphasized on the fact that money is practically everything, but I think back then it was more important to make the point for the oh so justice-driven Karen that he didn't say everything. I think that his point there may be a hidden one: Money is everything, money is replaceable, thus everything is replaceable. And to some extent, he's right. But he's also wrong, and that he knows. He knows that the only irreplaceable thing is your own self. If you escape and hide it forever, you will never get what you want.
So... Back to some of the things I said about previous episodes. Nadeko, this time, Nadeko as in Nadeko, not Medusako. Nadeko is one who hid her true self, hid what she wanted, and let on an image of herself that just wasn't true. That made her dream unachievable in the sense that she lied to herself that she didn't even want it. This led to her internal fall, as she denied what she wanted, and replaced those desires with desire to be with Araragi. She wanted to hide her true dream so hard, that she accidentally denied the whole world. So in some sense, we could say that sometimes your dreams outweigh even the whole world. It may not hold water for every single one of us, but for many it does. It is the one singular thing that we want. The one we know may not make us happy, not even the most happy of all the options, but the one we want.
Okay, my text is turning weird, so I think it's time to wrap up this season. Oh wait, It's still not time for that. I will first wait for the Bluray and torrents to come so I can watch it in HD again, and then make a full-sized text (WITH PRETTY PICTURES, SO ALL THE BETTER). Even though this, as the final text of this series' singular episodes is already quite long. The format of the coming text will probably be little different, with me analyzing different theories I have in detail, so it will be a long-ass text. Most probably the longest that I've written so far. But, I haven't even begun my whole Monogatari retrospective yet, so we'll see.
TL;DR?
Err... Nothing is irreplaceable, and Kaiki's obvious is obvious to everyone but him.
maanantai 30. joulukuuta 2013
maanantai 23. joulukuuta 2013
M.S.S.S Episode 25
WHAT, IN, THE, ACTUAL, FUCK?
Surprisingly Complex: M.S.S.S 25
There was so much stuff here. And the ending is the worst (best) cliffhanger in a long time.
First off, we never got to know what was in the closet, and I think it's a good thing. Of course, there was something there, and you can know what was there (It will be told in the next episode probably), but for now at least, all we know is that it's something that Kaiki looks at with disgust. But even if I never get to know what it is, I'd be content, but would probably get the information just in case.
So... Kaiki vs Hanekawa, the battle of the minds, or more like conversation. Hanekawa also again talks with her cunning undertones (referenced from my last post) and almost gets the information she wants. But, that's just theorem.
The real meat comes from Hanekawa's analysis of Nadeko being so deep in the pool that is her self that she cannot see other people anymore, only reflections of her own self as other people. "No matter what is said, their words will not reach them", you should have heeded those words, Kaiki! It's not that she couldn't be deceived, but that she wouldn't want to believe in the deceit. She would deny the deceit wholeheartedly, and probably go on a rampage. She didn't want to kill Araragi and co., she just concluded that she wanted, in her own insanity. It wasn't about killing them, it was about her own deceit of herself of killing them. Sounds like a tangent, but it was like her love towards Araragi, she clung onto it not because she loved him, but because she concluded that way. Not by introspection, but by pure delusion of a world she thinks she wants.
Chronologically, the next step is Senjougahara admitting that Kaiki never lied to her. Where does such a frivolous idea come from? Ironically, from the truth. It's just the use of right words. It's true that Kaiki never lied to her, but it is true that he deceived her. If for example, she was pleading if Kaiki could help her, he would say yes. BUT, the point is not if he can, but if he will. It's not the things he says, but the things he doesn't say.
Then we enter the world of theorem and hypotheses. It is revealed that Kaiki has done things before to benefit Senjougahara that were of little or no gain to him at all. He wiped out the cult Senjougahara's mother was involved in, he had driven Senjougahara's parents to a point of a divorce because Senjougahara would have no future otherwise. Who is a good guy, who is a bad guy? That question is a ruse. No person is good or evil, people just do things that are perceived either selfish or altruistic, and they do them of their own reasons. Kaiki believes this, and thus justifies everything he does solely on the fact that it is to his interest, no matter the real reason behind it.
The real abstraction comes from the fact that last time he tried to help someone, it was an enormous failure, granting him next to no money, and the subject to be "saved" was too weak to accept the rescue. Maybe it's just some kind of karma, that Kaiki cannot save people. It is not touched here, but I think that all this has something to do with Kanbaru's mother. But it's not brought up because Yotsugi either didn't exist back then or doesn't want to offend Kaiki.
This leads to an interesting part about Kaiki's conscience. Maybe he failed to actually help Senjougahara, even though he tried, and that led to him making a compromise of driving her parents to divorce because it was the only way to let her have a future. Something similar may have happened with Kanbaru's mother. It's a possibility. What if he actually blames himself for a lot of things, he just never shows it? He has motivations beyond money, that much is known. But does it come from actual altruistic intent, or from just paying back something that he regrets? It is surprisingly hard to actually answer that.
So, with all this in mind... When Kaiki goes and executes the plan, he seems to be deliberately helping someone, which has been proven to cause failure in the past. He seems to regret those failures, and that's why he wants to set things straight. Sadly, it seems that the plan has gone awry. Kaiki really isn't very good at helping people...
TL;DR?
Kaiki has more to redeem than meets the eye...
Surprisingly Complex: M.S.S.S 25
There was so much stuff here. And the ending is the worst (best) cliffhanger in a long time.
First off, we never got to know what was in the closet, and I think it's a good thing. Of course, there was something there, and you can know what was there (It will be told in the next episode probably), but for now at least, all we know is that it's something that Kaiki looks at with disgust. But even if I never get to know what it is, I'd be content, but would probably get the information just in case.
So... Kaiki vs Hanekawa, the battle of the minds, or more like conversation. Hanekawa also again talks with her cunning undertones (referenced from my last post) and almost gets the information she wants. But, that's just theorem.
The real meat comes from Hanekawa's analysis of Nadeko being so deep in the pool that is her self that she cannot see other people anymore, only reflections of her own self as other people. "No matter what is said, their words will not reach them", you should have heeded those words, Kaiki! It's not that she couldn't be deceived, but that she wouldn't want to believe in the deceit. She would deny the deceit wholeheartedly, and probably go on a rampage. She didn't want to kill Araragi and co., she just concluded that she wanted, in her own insanity. It wasn't about killing them, it was about her own deceit of herself of killing them. Sounds like a tangent, but it was like her love towards Araragi, she clung onto it not because she loved him, but because she concluded that way. Not by introspection, but by pure delusion of a world she thinks she wants.
Chronologically, the next step is Senjougahara admitting that Kaiki never lied to her. Where does such a frivolous idea come from? Ironically, from the truth. It's just the use of right words. It's true that Kaiki never lied to her, but it is true that he deceived her. If for example, she was pleading if Kaiki could help her, he would say yes. BUT, the point is not if he can, but if he will. It's not the things he says, but the things he doesn't say.
Then we enter the world of theorem and hypotheses. It is revealed that Kaiki has done things before to benefit Senjougahara that were of little or no gain to him at all. He wiped out the cult Senjougahara's mother was involved in, he had driven Senjougahara's parents to a point of a divorce because Senjougahara would have no future otherwise. Who is a good guy, who is a bad guy? That question is a ruse. No person is good or evil, people just do things that are perceived either selfish or altruistic, and they do them of their own reasons. Kaiki believes this, and thus justifies everything he does solely on the fact that it is to his interest, no matter the real reason behind it.
The real abstraction comes from the fact that last time he tried to help someone, it was an enormous failure, granting him next to no money, and the subject to be "saved" was too weak to accept the rescue. Maybe it's just some kind of karma, that Kaiki cannot save people. It is not touched here, but I think that all this has something to do with Kanbaru's mother. But it's not brought up because Yotsugi either didn't exist back then or doesn't want to offend Kaiki.
This leads to an interesting part about Kaiki's conscience. Maybe he failed to actually help Senjougahara, even though he tried, and that led to him making a compromise of driving her parents to divorce because it was the only way to let her have a future. Something similar may have happened with Kanbaru's mother. It's a possibility. What if he actually blames himself for a lot of things, he just never shows it? He has motivations beyond money, that much is known. But does it come from actual altruistic intent, or from just paying back something that he regrets? It is surprisingly hard to actually answer that.
So, with all this in mind... When Kaiki goes and executes the plan, he seems to be deliberately helping someone, which has been proven to cause failure in the past. He seems to regret those failures, and that's why he wants to set things straight. Sadly, it seems that the plan has gone awry. Kaiki really isn't very good at helping people...
TL;DR?
Kaiki has more to redeem than meets the eye...
sunnuntai 15. joulukuuta 2013
M.S.S.S Episode 24
Cool stuff happened in this episode, so... Hmm... Prepare your anuses for more Hanekawa, my favourite theory subject.
Surprisingly Complex: M.S.S.S Episode 24
HANEKAWA! Kind of compresses my feelings about this episode. And now we actually got Kaiki's opinion on her. Which may seem pointless now, when she's finally become a real person, but! He did raise an eye-opening (for me, at least) question for her. Why doesn't she ask questions? How does she know so much, when the very basis of information gathering is asking questions. It also led me to another question, DOES Gaen really know everything? Of course, I haven't watched Suruga Devil yet, which probably will touch upon that, but nonetheless.
Sidenote: Has Hanekawa really become a true human? Yes, look at her hair. If she was bothered with the fact that her hair looks abnormal, she would've dyed it.
Sidenote: Has Hanekawa really become a true human? Yes, look at her hair. If she was bothered with the fact that her hair looks abnormal, she would've dyed it.
Why doesn't Hanekawa ask questions? The answer seems obvious. She doesn't need to, right?. But looking from another point of view, it may not be true. What if she DOESN'T know? That is exactly what I need you to think about. What if, by her nature, Hanekawa feels that asking questions doesn't give her the information she wants? What if ACTING she knows actually provides her with more in-depth information, which she can use to actually figure out what she wants to know?
Taking this episode for example. When she was ASKED if she wanted to ask a question, she didn't, like she already knew. Like she already knew the whole story, she refused. It's brilliant. She knows that by actually asking, she won't get all the pieces of the puzzle she needs, just the ones she's asking for. Even her tagline: "I don't know everything, I just know what I know" is a smokescreen, to fool the other person to think that she knows more than she does.
It also goes even further. How much did we actually know about Hanekawa before Nekomonogatari Shiro? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. She's so good at gathering information and hiding her own that we didn't even notice how mysterious a character she was. She never told us anything, and I find that goddamn brilliant. By hiding what she knows and acting in a certain way, she has fooled all of us to thinking that she actually knows so goddamn much.
Of course, there is a point to this. She also does know a lot, you know she does, but her actions and every aspect of her implies that she knows, almost literally, everything. So while she actually might know more about the matter at hand than the other one, even if she doesn't, the other wouldn't notice her lack of knowledge before she actually knows about the equal amount or more than the other. I find it super-fascinating. I'm proud of this theory.
Of course, there is a point to this. She also does know a lot, you know she does, but her actions and every aspect of her implies that she knows, almost literally, everything. So while she actually might know more about the matter at hand than the other one, even if she doesn't, the other wouldn't notice her lack of knowledge before she actually knows about the equal amount or more than the other. I find it super-fascinating. I'm proud of this theory.
So what about the person that is said to know so goddamn much, as everything? Izuko Gaen... We've seen her twice, and in neither case was her omniscience actually proven. I do think that it is possible that she knows everything, but I prefer another theory, right now at least. What if she didn't know everything, but she just could read minds? It might seem stupid, but think about it. Rarely the things we see in this series are what they actually appear to be. The ability to read minds would give her an insurmountable amount of information, and her bragging about knowing everything gives even more. When she says: "I know everything", you cannot prove her wrong. Why? Because if you ask her a question that you know an answer to, she can read your mind to know the answer. If in turn you ask her a question you don't know the answer to, she may have that information by reading minds. It's quite simple. Of course, this one is pure theory.
Addendum: Actually, combining these two theories make the first meeting between Gaen and Hanekawa tad bit more logical. Gaen could see right through Hanekawa, as she could read her thoughts.
Addendum: Actually, combining these two theories make the first meeting between Gaen and Hanekawa tad bit more logical. Gaen could see right through Hanekawa, as she could read her thoughts.
TL;DR?
HanekawaHanekawaHanekaGAEN.
maanantai 9. joulukuuta 2013
M.S.S.S Episode 23
The suspense! What may be in Sengoku's closet? Will Kaiki be violently murdered, by Gaen's followers or Nadeko? What is Kaiki's 100-visit wish? Next time, on DRAGONBALL Z!
Surprisingly Complex: M.S.S.S Episode 23
The opening tore my mouth open from laughter and amazement. This series never ceases to amaze me with it's superfluous yet ridiculously fitting trolling. But yeah, maybe we've got something to talk about.
Actually, I'm not too sure about that. I read on MAL a nice idea of Gaen trying to convince Kaiki to leave just to make him stay, and provide him with some money so he can do his job properly. It was the only cool one I at least found, but what did I think about?
There were some nice scenes that threw some very subtle backstory in there, like the little prompt that had Kaiki thinking: "She probably means Izuko" when Ononoki talks about Gaen. So it's not obvious that it would be Izuko? Also, the fact that Ononoki is "keeping an eye on Kagenui" may have something behind it. We've previously seen Kagenui as easily the most extreme of our specialist trio, so maybe she's been somewhere beyond the correct path at some point? Hmm?
Also, Izuko's plan to make Shinobu a god isn't out of nothing, and it explains why the charm with the snake god's soul was in Araragi's house. The question lies in the fact did either Araragi or Shinobu know of this plan. It also mystifies the existence of Ougi, as she was the one that is behind this scheme. What is her goal? Prove something to someone?
We've also seen some promotional material for this arc and the had Oshino in there. Definitely a thing to look forward to. It could easily seem that the specialist trio, or even the college quartet would soon meet. Interesting times ahead of us.
Sadly, I spoiled myself, much to an accident of a forum poster. They had written a word that loosely implies what kind of an object is inside the closet, but I will not spoil it.
Also, when Kaiki broke in to Nadeko's house... Did hewallrun and pull himself up to a second floor window with one hand? My god, this guy is agile. I've noticed that the whole specialist trio is agile. Maybe it's part of the job.
TL;DR?
If you think that this series has ever failed, this opening WILL make it up to you.
PS. Kind of jubbled, maybe someone makes some sense out of it.
Surprisingly Complex: M.S.S.S Episode 23
The opening tore my mouth open from laughter and amazement. This series never ceases to amaze me with it's superfluous yet ridiculously fitting trolling. But yeah, maybe we've got something to talk about.
Actually, I'm not too sure about that. I read on MAL a nice idea of Gaen trying to convince Kaiki to leave just to make him stay, and provide him with some money so he can do his job properly. It was the only cool one I at least found, but what did I think about?
There were some nice scenes that threw some very subtle backstory in there, like the little prompt that had Kaiki thinking: "She probably means Izuko" when Ononoki talks about Gaen. So it's not obvious that it would be Izuko? Also, the fact that Ononoki is "keeping an eye on Kagenui" may have something behind it. We've previously seen Kagenui as easily the most extreme of our specialist trio, so maybe she's been somewhere beyond the correct path at some point? Hmm?
Also, Izuko's plan to make Shinobu a god isn't out of nothing, and it explains why the charm with the snake god's soul was in Araragi's house. The question lies in the fact did either Araragi or Shinobu know of this plan. It also mystifies the existence of Ougi, as she was the one that is behind this scheme. What is her goal? Prove something to someone?
We've also seen some promotional material for this arc and the had Oshino in there. Definitely a thing to look forward to. It could easily seem that the specialist trio, or even the college quartet would soon meet. Interesting times ahead of us.
Sadly, I spoiled myself, much to an accident of a forum poster. They had written a word that loosely implies what kind of an object is inside the closet, but I will not spoil it.
Also, when Kaiki broke in to Nadeko's house... Did hewallrun and pull himself up to a second floor window with one hand? My god, this guy is agile. I've noticed that the whole specialist trio is agile. Maybe it's part of the job.
TL;DR?
If you think that this series has ever failed, this opening WILL make it up to you.
PS. Kind of jubbled, maybe someone makes some sense out of it.
sunnuntai 1. joulukuuta 2013
M.S.S.S Episode 22
Kaiki on the roll again!
Surprisingly Complex: M.S.S.S Episode 22
Okay... So. I think it would be absolutely hilarious if this scheme went so far, that on the day of graduation they go to the shrine, and there's Nadeko and Kaiki waiting. Araragi goes wtf, but doesn't say anything, because Nadeko introduces Kaiki as her best friend. That would be the shit. But, I think that part will come actually at another time. Where as... I think the final scheme will involve a shitload of people coming to the shrine. Like, a thousand or something.
So, we got some interesting information on Kaiki and some interesting analysis on Nadeko. I was actually wondering about Kaiki's love life sometime, and this episode did deliver on that. It was a quick sidenote, but it fits Kaiki's character pretty well. It's a thing that was, nothing more.
On the Nadeko issue. Kaiki puts it pretty well, with the fact that she was forced to be cute. And that she is hiding something in that closet. Something, something. It's probably like this huge closet, that is otherwise empty but there's like one object in the middle of it. What that object is, I have seriously no idea.
And what did I tell you about the disguise? So noire, so noire. Of course it had to be. I thought it would've needed a fedora, but it's still pretty awesome. Kaiki looks good in a trench coat, that's for sure.
It was fun to also have Kaiki be so damn suspicious of Hanekawa. When they meet, it will be certainly superb. Because if he hears Hanekawa's story, oh my the amount of fake. And I just really want to see Hanekawa post-NekoShiro. And when you really think about it, Hanekawa is ALWAYS in the sidelines, she's almost never left out, so if some outsider heard these things, he would be like: "Why does Hanekawa know all this?"
Oh the Kaiki - Nadeko dialogue in the end. Nice to see Medusako again. She's a jolly little lass, ain't she? That was probably the most enthusiastic "I totally love him and that's why I'll kill him!" I've ever heard. If I even have heard that line too many times. Somehow how these things are set up, it makes me think immediately that the scheme will include a lot of people, but..! I could be deceived.
And here we also see the insane logic of Medusako. Why be in a relationship when you can just have unrequited love? I love it.
Best line ever: "Is he (Araragi) a criminal?", coming from the professional con artist.
TL;DR?
There's always Hanekawa.
PS. BTW, sorry that I haven't put pictures in like the past half a year. It's not that I don't want, I just don't want to take low quality screencaps from streams.
Surprisingly Complex: M.S.S.S Episode 22
Okay... So. I think it would be absolutely hilarious if this scheme went so far, that on the day of graduation they go to the shrine, and there's Nadeko and Kaiki waiting. Araragi goes wtf, but doesn't say anything, because Nadeko introduces Kaiki as her best friend. That would be the shit. But, I think that part will come actually at another time. Where as... I think the final scheme will involve a shitload of people coming to the shrine. Like, a thousand or something.
So, we got some interesting information on Kaiki and some interesting analysis on Nadeko. I was actually wondering about Kaiki's love life sometime, and this episode did deliver on that. It was a quick sidenote, but it fits Kaiki's character pretty well. It's a thing that was, nothing more.
On the Nadeko issue. Kaiki puts it pretty well, with the fact that she was forced to be cute. And that she is hiding something in that closet. Something, something. It's probably like this huge closet, that is otherwise empty but there's like one object in the middle of it. What that object is, I have seriously no idea.
And what did I tell you about the disguise? So noire, so noire. Of course it had to be. I thought it would've needed a fedora, but it's still pretty awesome. Kaiki looks good in a trench coat, that's for sure.
It was fun to also have Kaiki be so damn suspicious of Hanekawa. When they meet, it will be certainly superb. Because if he hears Hanekawa's story, oh my the amount of fake. And I just really want to see Hanekawa post-NekoShiro. And when you really think about it, Hanekawa is ALWAYS in the sidelines, she's almost never left out, so if some outsider heard these things, he would be like: "Why does Hanekawa know all this?"
Oh the Kaiki - Nadeko dialogue in the end. Nice to see Medusako again. She's a jolly little lass, ain't she? That was probably the most enthusiastic "I totally love him and that's why I'll kill him!" I've ever heard. If I even have heard that line too many times. Somehow how these things are set up, it makes me think immediately that the scheme will include a lot of people, but..! I could be deceived.
And here we also see the insane logic of Medusako. Why be in a relationship when you can just have unrequited love? I love it.
Best line ever: "Is he (Araragi) a criminal?", coming from the professional con artist.
TL;DR?
There's always Hanekawa.
PS. BTW, sorry that I haven't put pictures in like the past half a year. It's not that I don't want, I just don't want to take low quality screencaps from streams.
Tilaa:
Blogitekstit (Atom)