Office by Alex Penny
Maybe you’ve read some of my translations of excerpts from the Monogatari novels that I found interesting. I have here by far the longest except, one that I thought was too long for a Tumblr post. That’s why I posted it in Metanorn, the blog of which I am a part.
If you thought there was something missing in the fight between Kagenui and Araragi in the Nisemonogatari anime finale, or if you thought the violence was too tame, please go take a read!
Unexpected that Koyomi actually wins. Though I guess if Hitagi only throws scissors, must be easy to figure her out.
(Source: r-l-ecclesia, via fuckyeahshaft)
“If you say that being fake is evil, I will be that evil. If it is bad to deceive, I will be the bad guy.”
Even if I’m making a hypocritical judgment.
Even if I’m making a hypocritical decision.
Even if his opinion of Araragi Tsukihi is hypocrisy, Araragi Koyomi will gladly be that hypocrite.
I’m not Oshino Meme.
I’m not Kaiki Deishuu.
I’m not Kagenui Yozuru.
Of course, I’m not the Fire Sisters or the Valhalla Combo.
Araragi Koyomi is - Araragi Koyomi.
“I don’t care about being liked. I’m fine with being a horrible human being,”
I said - with a posed look.
- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 12 (emphasis mine)
One of my favorite parts of Nisemonogatari was how the characters would steal each other’s catchphrases. Hitagi did it to Mayoi, too.
“Kagenui, no brother would let out his little sister’s embarrassing secret [that she’s not human]. I don’t even care about checking on something like that.”
“……. ”
To put it in words that Hachikuji Mayoi might use, this is the courage to continue keeping a secret.
“Because it’s for family, I can lie. I deceive them. I make trouble for them. I annoy them. I can borrow something from them and not return the favor. But still, I think that’s okay.”
- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 12 (emphasis mine)
r-l-ecclesia: Hello again~ I'm quite curious if that was what Shinobu said in the LN when Koyomi headed out to protect Tsukihi. If I'm not mistaken, in the anime she agreed to help because Tsuki means moon and the moon has been good to her. Did SHAFT leave something out or change it entirely?
In the anime adaptation, Shaft cut plenty of dialogue and merged a few others, but it never added any new lines. The only new content they added was the final shot after the credits in the final episode.
For the heck of it, since it was so close to the chapter end, I decided to translate the conversation that immediately follows the conversation in this post. Hope you enjoy:
“Was it Tsukihi?”- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 11, final lines.
“Hm?”
“The name of your tiny little sister.”
“Wow, you remembered her name? I’m shocked to see you remembering a human’s name.”
“Hmph, even if I remember names, it’s not like I can tell you guys apart. Plus, she has a rather good name.”
“A good name? Really?”
“I like the Moon (Tsuki) in her name. The Sun is my enemy, but I’ve received a lot of help from the Moon. So it wouldn’t be bad to return the favor here.”
Well, that’s just her made up excuse.
Speaking, Shinobu stood up in the basket and looked back at me, almost making me lose my balance.
“…very well, thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me.”
“In that case, I’ll buy you donuts again next time. I can’t buy you every single kind, but my allowance should allow a trayful for each of us.”
I’ll accept your kindness, Shinobu said, with her face twisted in a wicked smile as if asking to be seen.
It was a horrible smile.
The smile of an enemy of justice.
“But you know, I have a personal grudge to take care of as well.”
“Hm? A personal grudge?”
“That’s right. That girl who treated me - me, the legendary vampire! - like an old lady needs to be taught a lesson about what a difference in level there is between us.”
This isn’t so bad that I can’t handle it.
If I get to touch my little sisters’ breasts as much as I want starting tomorrow by going through this, it’s a small price to pay.
- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 12
“Where are you going? In order to do what?”
“To them. In order to fight.”
“For what?”
“For my little sisters.”
“What do you gain from that?”
“I gain nothing. I just lose a bit of my time.”
…
“If your choice is to fight, I guess it can’t be helped - if you were to die, I would end up dying along with you. In order to protect myself, I can’t not fight alongside you.”
“…are you saying you’re going to help me?”
“Don’t get the wrong idea; I don’t want to do this - I really really don’t want to do this. I couldn’t care less what happens to your tiny little sister. I can’t help but help you in order to protect myself.”
“Your tsundere act is getting a bit tiresome.”
I said - and started laughing.
“Hmm- didn’t you want to die? Weren’t you a suicidal vampire?”
“Hmph, I’ve already forgotten about that early phase of my character. And I won’t be so reserved like the middle phase either. Right now, I’m just a donut-loving mascot character.”
- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 11
“You can laugh after stealing the first kiss of your only 2 sisters? Are you even human!? You have less integrity than a hamster! This couldn’t be by accident!? You were aiming for it from the start!? You must have done it while she was sleeping in Karen’s case too, right!?”
“No, you’re mistaken. In your case, it was when you were sleeping, but in Karen’s case, it was when she was sick.”
“You’re the worst! Everyone, here is the worst human in the world! Here’s a criminal who sexually abuses his family!”
- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 11
To be honest, Hanekawa told me this once.
During the events of Golden Week.
“Araragi-kun. You might be able to be a star, but you’re unable to be a hero.”
It was difficult to hear.
But her words were true.
Hanekawa’s words were always true.
I’m not an ally of justice.
I’m not an ally of humanity or ally of monsters either.
I’m their ally.
I’m just a regular older brother.
- from Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 11
“Karen-chan.”
I said, turning around. Karen was about to sit down where I had been sitting until now.
“Yes? What is it, Nii-chan?”
She said, looking back at me.
“Could you die for me?”
“Yes, I could die for you. So what do you want?”
… Her answer was as expected, but she still looked so cool… You’re definitely a carbon copy of Kanbaru. Really, if she weren’t my little sister, I think I might have fallen for her. If only she weren’t my little sister…
“Then, could you die for Tsukihi?”
“…yes, obviously.”
- Nisemonogatari Volume 2 “Tsukihi Phoenix” Chapter 11 (emphasis mine)
