Let me just say that the casting choices done for the Va's was Genius. Many industry veterans. A highly skilled, passionate and versatile cast here. Just excellent, nearly every casting choice had great Va's who indefinitely added far more personality and character to their roles than many other anime productions can't hold a candle to - Truly great stuff and such diverse and well selected casting choices I'd just like to talk about some of my favourites, so I won't go through the trouble of listing and talking about them all.
Hiroshi Kamiya as Koyomi Araragi:I absolutely love what Hiroshi Kamiya Brings to the table, having watched Sayonara zetsubou sensei, Tsukoyomi moon phase and even Arakawa under the bridge, I've grown attached to his wacky expressionism, his exaggeratedly dramatic modulation of his voice and also seriousness when the scenes demands it. Like Sugita Tomokazu and his signature role in Gintama, as well as productions like Arakawa under the bridge as Hoshi, and his role in Kyo Ani's Suzumiya Haruhi, Hiroshi Kamiya is MADE for comedy, in fact I find it kind of odd when he's casted in roles such as in Angel beats imo. The Monogatari series simply wouldn't be the same without him period. An incredibly comical and versatile voice actor.
Chiwa Saito as Hitagi Senjogahara:Again Another industry veteran here, that's sometime unrecognizable in her roles until you see the credits role. Regarding her role as Senjogara, I feel her performances were absolutely priceless, from the Tsundere/Yandere routine were used to, to the fragile and girly side, I'm absolutely sold on her role. There's one scene in Bakemonogatari where she breaks down, loosing her Tsundere composure and just crying in such a fragile and heartbreaking way. Absolutely priceless. From shameless out right lies, to death threats to the softer intimate moments, her performance offers so much character like Hiroshi Kamiya does for Araragi. An irreplaceable Voice actor essential to the monogatari series.
Sawashiro Miyuki as Suruga Kanbaru:Another industry veteran, roles ranging from Arakawa under the bridge, Harmony, Kimi ni Todoke, Kokoro Connect, Angel Beats.. I mean the list just goes on and on. Kanbaru is probably on of my favourite all time anime character because of Sawashiro Miyuki's performance. To me, she's really great at voicing more boyish and lax characters, though can play a more serious and confrontational role such as in Arawaka under the bridge or Harmony. In the Monogatari series while her performance is can be extremely energetic, shameless and proud or extremely heated and white hot in terms of passion. Her performance can absolutely sell the hilariously perverted and shameless lines Kabaru has and it's just awesome. Her back in forth scenes with Hiroshi Kamiya's Araragi just take the cake. Another favourite voice actor of mine along with others such as Hiroshi Kamiya.
Kitamura Eri as Karen Araragi:Not the most familiar with her work as a voice actress though thankfully I have seen quite a few of her roles such as in Angel beats, Sindonia no Kishi, Toradora, Tokyo Ravens, Sora no Woto, Kyousougiga & Blood +. Honestly, she seemingly voices herself quite differently production to production so I never really quite can pin down her voice in quite a few of anime I've seen until the credits roll. Her role as Karen in the Monogatari series while somewhat small comparatively speaking is perfect. Her snarky, cocky and boyishly proud voice acting was great and her performance was also young and youthful, perfect for her role as a 14 year old Karen. There's also Moments where Karen can unexpectedly sound girly, contrasting her usual sharp, somewhat nasally and edgy voice.
What I'm trying to say is - Cuteness overload
Those being my favourites, other honourable mentions would be Mizuhashi Kaori as the unnerving and ambiguous character that Ougi is, and another one of my favourites would be Sakurai Takehiro's role as the mysterious vagabond Oshino Meme. Having watched his more prominent roles in Bakemonogatari and Kizumonogatari, I personally love his slick, ambiguous laxness he portrays when voicing Oshino. In short the Monogtari series is without question the best casted Anime series I've ever watched period. Nothing has come as close as having this many excellent voice actors which some I didn't even name that did an an incredible job even as supporting characters. Just great stuff all around.
Original Soundtrack & SFX - Thoughts & Impressions
Along with the great voice acting cast and directing alike, this has the most expansive and diverse soundtrack I've heard in an anime to date. Every little scenario or instance has it's own texture and vibe, from tradition classical piano ensembles, to a more jazz influenced sound that can be lively or melancholic, to the soothing use of long tones of synth, to an international style of percussive elements or perhaps grand encapsulating compositions the string and brass sections with monks singing choral pieces, to lonely and cheeky woodwind sections, so so much variety and texture here.
Oh yeah you know the female voice actors? the main characters pretty much all do vocals on the
OP and ED themes, and hell, I'm absolutely in love with almost all of their voices, really great contrast, since almost every song's lyrics allude to what will happen in the series so you ought-a pay attention, and the fact that they are actually song by the voice actors who voice the same characters takes the cake. Some great Alternative pop rock tunes here, really lively stuff, it sometimes even has some Jazz influences as well. Some of my favourite songs include Staple Staple, White lies, Covered with Wounds, Mein Shatz (My Treasure in English) and Mousou Express ("It's Already So Love" in English)
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| Haneoka Kei |
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| Satoru Kosaki |
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| Yota Tsuroka |
