Nisemonogatari - Episode 3

And he finally appears...

All in all, episode three of Nisemonogatari was a game-changer. Never did I think that I would actually be immersed into an episode of this dialogue-heavy series given my previous experience with Bakemonogatari. Events that seemed random at first are now beginning to come together to form a big picture and possibly act as a set up for something greater in the future. For the first time in the series, I'm actually curious about what'll happen next. And since the story is so unpredictable (at least to someone like me who hasn't read the novel yet), I'll be expecting the unexpected.

The introduction of the series' antagonist, Kaiki Deishu, is evidently just a sign of things to come. His similarities to Oshino (as Koyomi pointed out) and his prior meeting(s) with Hitagi add to the impact that he'll bring to the table. His character type matches those levelheaded villains whose complicated words and dark aura leave the main protagonist confused. The surrounding artwork during the period Deishu was on screen matched the mood perfectly; the dark, red light as a result of the setting sun, along with the ominous silhouettes of the tree branches swaying in the wind, emphasized his mysterious but eerie appearance. It'll be interesting to see how Karen and Tsukihi will deal with their foe.

Also involved in this mess are Koyomi and Hitagi, with the latter seemingly still affected by the traumatic experiences she had with Deishu. Wanting to protect her boyfriend from the fiend that is Kaiki Deishu, Hitagi resorts to chaining him to a pile of desks and chairs (explaining what happened in Episode 1). The need to do so is not only an expression of her love for Koyomi, albeit in a weird way, but also implies that the enemy is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. Also, Hitagi doesn't appear to be the only one who has some business with Deishu. According to the synopsis @ MAL, it seems like Nadeko and the Fire Sisters are also involved. This episode itself added Suruga and Tsubasa to the mix, making things more complicated than they already are. However, as a viewer, this may end up being beneficial for my enjoyment of the story.

Aside from the "serious" parts of the episode, the comedic elements were also well done. The conversation between Koyomi and Hitagi was lively, like always. As usual, Koyomi ends up being the victim of verbal assault, courtesy of Hitagi. Her clever words and unpredictable personality reminded me once again how complex (and interesting) of a character she is. Seeing her blush for the first time, as well as hearing her reluctantly apologizing over the phone, may have just been a one-time event. I felt Koyomi breaking the handcuffs in rage and sounding "cool", as Hitagi put it, afterwards is effective in showing that he really cares for his sisters, despite their not-so-good relationship. Only disappointment in the episode was the lack of Nadeko, although that's purely subjective criticism. All in all, an excellent episode that is making me rethink my impression of Nisemonogatari.