Nekomonogatari Kuro
Tsubasa Hanekawa runs into a cat-oddity — the one prequel story set before Bakemonogatari.
July 2010, Kodansha Box shipped a single prequel to Bakemonogatari: "Tsubasa Family" (つばさファミリー, Tsubasa Famirī), the one and only story packaged inside Nekomonogatari (猫物語; "Cat Story"), subtitled Kuro (黒; "Black"). Nisio Isin wrote it, Vofan did the illustrations, and that's the entire volume. Three years later, Shaft turned it into a four-episode anime series — Tomoyuki Itamura directing, same crew as Nisemonogatari — and it aired back-to-back on December 31, 2012.
- Source Material
- Nekomonogatari Kuro light novel volume
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Nekomonogatari (Kuro) is a prequel to Bakemonogatari, focusing on the character Tsubasa Hanekawa and her connection to a cat oddity. The story is titled "Tsubasa Family" and delves into events that occurred before Koyomi Araragi's involvement with supernatural phenomena. The volume was released as part of the "Second Season" saga, which released between 2010 and 2011 and delves further into Koyomi's relationship with each of the heroines. The anime adaptation consisted of four episodes that aired back-to-back on December 31, 2012, produced by the same staff as Nisemonogatari, with Tomoyuki Itamura replacing Tatsuya Oishi as director.
In Their Own Story
The narrative centers on Tsubasa Hanekawa, a classmate of Koyomi Araragi, and her encounter with a cat oddity that manifests from her own emotional and mental issues. As a prequel to Bakemonogatari, it explores the origins of the cat apparition that later appears in the main series. The story follows Hanekawa as she deals with the supernatural phenomenon, which acts as a proxy for her internal struggles. The volume consists of a single story arc, "Tsubasa Family", and was published in July 2010 as the first volume of Nekomonogatari.
Reader's Guide
Nekomonogatari (Kuro) is a single-volume light novel released in July 2010 under Kodansha Box imprint. It is part of the "Second Season" saga of the Monogatari series, which released between 2010 and 2011. The volume contains the story arc "Tsubasa Family", which serves as a prequel to Bakemonogatari. The anime adaptation, produced by Shaft, consisted of four episodes that aired back-to-back on December 31, directed by Tomoyuki Itamura. The series was later licensed for English release by Vertical, with the audiobook for Nekomonogatari (White) released on April 9, 2019, narrated by Cristina Vee, Eric Kimerer, and Erica Mendez.
Did You Know?
- Nekomonogatari (Kuro) was released in July 2010 under Kodansha's Kodansha Box imprint.
- The volume consists of a single prequel story to Bakemonogatari entitled "Tsubasa Family".
- The anime adaptation consisted of four episodes that aired back-to-back on December 31, 2012.
- The anime was directed by Tomoyuki Itamura, who replaced Tatsuya Oishi as director for Nisemonogatari.
- The English audiobook for Nekomonogatari (White) was released on April 9, 2019, narrated by Cristina Vee, Eric Kimerer, and Erica Mendez.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nekomonogatari Kuro?
This arc serves as the first of two stories focusing on Suruga Kanbaru, centering on her relationship with a black cat oddity. Unlike most episodes that follow Araragi, this narrative uniquely unfolds from the perspective of the supernatural creature itself.
When does Nekomonogatari Kuro take place in the timeline?
Chronologically, these events occur before the main story begins and precede the Nisemonogatari arc. It details Kanbaru's childhood encounter with a stray cat that eventually leads to her possession.
Who is the protagonist of this arc?
While Suruga Kanbaru is the human host featured, the primary narrator and de facto protagonist is the black cat oddity attached to her. The story explores the tragic history of the lost animal seeking a home within the judo prodigy.
What kind of powers does the oddity possess?
The black cat grants Kanbaru enhanced physical abilities, including superhuman strength and agility that complement her judo skills. These powers manifest through claws and feline reflexes, allowing her to fight other supernatural entities effectively.
How is the conflict resolved in Nekomonogatari Kuro?
The arc concludes with the cat oddity fully integrating into Kanbaru's body rather than being expelled or destroyed. This symbiotic resolution allows them to coexist permanently, marking a successful harmony between girl and monster.
More in Arcs & Media Timeline
Elsewhere in the Monogatari Series universe
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