Wakaranai

Rating:    

Alright, now we’re talking! After dropping the ball last week and neglecting to actually animate last week’s episode, it seems SHAFT have found their feet again and back to the usual Bakemonogatari standard (which isn’t exactly stellar to begin with but it’s a hell of an upgrade from a slideshow). Perhaps some of the fan-letters they got for SZS finally sunk in (like the one reminding them that the reason it’s called animation is because it moves!). This episode was actually pretty good, both in terms of its visuals and content. We delve into Tsubasa Hanekawa this time as we move into the Tsubasa Cat arc, and, following the usual format, there’s a bit of bleed-through from the previous arc in the form of a conversation with the super-sweet Nadeko. I like the way Tsubasa’s arc chronologically ties into the show; rather than simply being another problem for supernatural-councillor Arararagi to stumble into Tsubasa’s story already has history with him. It’s a good choice of arc to end the tv broadcast on because it caps it off well, Tsubasa being the first character we were introduced to, and the final one to be fully explored.

Tsubasa herself is a pretty interesting character, and this episode definitely adds a lot more depth to her. As usual she is grappling with a pretty serious emotional issue which Araragi is privy too - domestic abuse. It was really fascinating to see why she plays the role of the ‘good girl’ and for her to suddenly gain this sympathetic side. Because she’s a character we’ve already got to know as friendly, warm and well-adjusted it gave the revelation much more impact. Her problem is, of course, manifesting itself in the supernatural - this time in the form of a very werewolf-esque cat transformation story.

It really is very much like a feminine werewolf story, the principle of having an inner beast that can take over and act on its own ties in directly with the primal roots of the werewolf mythos. But the story of the unstoppable and senselessly violent wolf is very much a masculine one. The lore taps into the timeless fear civilisation has of the potential violence and destruction of man without restraint or sense. Tsubasa’s story is parallel to that, with an interesting slant. Instead of mauling her prey, she sucks out their energy, and her transformed self has a conscious menace to her, her ability to talk gives her a playful cruelty that a mindless predator can’t be accused of. She transforms into a cat, rather than a wolf, the feline qualities of her transformation expressed feminine sensuality. The cat may be more feminine, but it is still an appropriate substitute for the wolf - albeit more precise and stealthy, it is still a formidable hunter. I’m not sure if this is what the author of the novels was batting for, but I think it’s a really interesting take on the werewolf tale. There’s probably some Japanese cultural motiff in this arc that I’m totally missing, but that’s what I take out of the premise.

Tsubasa is probably the most layered character in the show we’ve seen thus far, and I already love her arc. This episode demonstrated some of the best assets of Bakemonogatari: its moe qualities, outlandish visuals and cool music. I say outlandish visuals is an asset, but that only occasionally holds true. This is one such occasion. The flashback of Neko-Tsubasa’s crime-spree was made really captivating by the strange and experimental visuals. Nadeko’s appearance was utterly adorable, her soft and shy voice instantly soothing. Tsubasa was totally compelling, and her nekomimi form is such a great character backflip - cute, sexy and devious all rolled into one charming cat-eared package you wouldn’t want to bump into in a dark alley.