Light novels
The Monogatari series was first written by Nisio Isin as a series of short stories without illustrations for Kodansha's literary magazine Mephisto.[7] The first three stories were printed in the magazine's September 2005, January 2006, and May 2006 issues, respectively; they were later collected in a light novel volume entitled Bakemonogatari (化物語) on November 2, 2006.[8] A second volume of Bakemonogatari, containing two new chapters, was released in December 2006.[9] Both volumes were published under the Kodansha Box imprint and featured original art by Taiwanese illustrator Vofan, who would illustrate all following releases.
A prequel story to Bakemonogatari entitled "Koyomi Vamp" (こよみヴァンプ) was published in the February 2008 issue of Pandora magazine. It was later released as a light novel volume entitled Kizumonogatari (傷物語) in May 2008.[10] The next story arc, Nisemonogatari (偽物語), was released as two volumes in September 2008 and June 2009.[11][12] The first volume of Nekomonogatari (猫物語), subtitled Kuro (黒), was released in July 2010, and consists of a prequel story to Bakemonogatari entitled "Tsubasa Family" (つばさファミリー).[13]
The second Monogatari saga, referred to as the "Second Season", released between 2010 and 2011, delves further into Koyomi's relationship with each of the heroines. The second volume of Nekomonogatari, subtitled Shiro (白), was released in October 2010.[14] It was followed by five story arcs published in five volumes: Kabukimonogatari (傾物語) in December 2010,[15] Hanamonogatari (花物語) in March 2011,[16] Otorimonogatari (囮物語) in June 2011,[17] Onimonogatari (鬼物語) in September 2011,[18] and Koimonogatari (恋物語) in December 2011.[19]
The third Monogatari saga, referred to as the "Final Season", released between 2012 and 2014, deepens the history of the character Ōgi Oshino, a supposed relative of Meme Oshino. It is composed of four story arcs published in six volumes: Tsukimonogatari (憑物語) in September 2012,[20] a collection of 12 short stories entitled Koyomimonogatari (暦物語) in May 2013,[21] three volumes of Owarimonogatari (終物語) in October 2013, January 2014, and April 2014,[22][23][24] and Zoku Owarimonogatari (続・終物語) in September 2014.[25]
The fourth Monogatari saga, referred to as "Off Season", released between 2015 and 2017, contains side stories focusing on various characters. It is composed of four story arcs published in four volumes: Orokamonogatari (愚物語) in October 2015,[26] Wazamonogatari (業物語) in January 2016,[27] Nademonogatari (撫物語) in July 2016,[28] and Musubimonogatari (結物語) in January 2017.[29]
The fifth Monogatari saga, referred to as "Monster Season", released between 2017 and 2021, follows Koyomi's life as a university student. It is composed of six story arcs published in six volumes: Shinobumonogatari (忍物語) in July 2017,[30] Yoimonogatari (宵物語) in June 2018,[31] Amarimonogatari (余物語) in April 2019,[32] Ōgimonogatari (扇物語) in October 2020,[33] and two volumes of Shinomonogatari (死物語) in August 2021.[34][35]
The sixth Monogatari saga, referred to as "Family Season", began in 2023. So far, only two volumes have been published: Ikusamonogatari (戦物語) in May 2023,[36] and Tsugimonogatari (接物語) in October 2025. Tsugimonogatari had initially been announced for release in 2015, as part of Off Season.[37][38][39] Two further novels, Torimonogatari (鳥物語) and Ootorimonogatari (鳳物語), have been announced, with no release date given yet.[40]
In 2015, Vertical licensed the novel series for English release.[41] The company began its paperback line with Kizumonogatari on December 15, 2015,[42] and later released the Bakemonogatari novels in three volumes: the first in December 2016, the second in February 2017, and the third in April 2017.[43] As of December 2020, the novels in the series up to Zoku Owarimonogatari have been translated.[44]
The English audiobook version of Kizumonogatari was released on May 25, 2016, by Bang Zoom! Entertainment with narration done by Keith Silverstein, Eric Kimerer, and Cristina Vee.[45] The audiobook for Nekomonogatari (White) was released on April 9, 2019, with narration done by Cristina Vee, Eric Kimerer, and Erica Mendez.[46] The audiobook for the three volumes of Bakemonogatari was released on March 24, 2020, with narration done by Eric Kimerer, Cristina Vee, Erica Mendez, and Keith Silverstein.[47]
The Japanese audiobook version of the entire series began release by Kodansha via Audible on February 17, 2021. Each novel features narration by the voice actors/actresses of the anime adaptation. It released one novel each month until June 16, 2023, with the second volume of Shinomonogatari.[48][49]
