This review is spoiler free. When I review things I try to consider what that thing is trying to be. We can judge something for both what its trying to be and how well it achieve that. In comparison to the rest of Monogatari Koyomimonogatari is unimpressive. But its trying to be something very very different from a typical Monogatari series. So because Koyomimonogatari is a series of short episodic ghost stories we shouldnt judge it the same way we judge the other series. To save you some time my three word review for Koyomimonogatari: It was neat. The stories arent particularly interesting but each time the episode wrapped up the inevitable conclusion got a good chuckle out of me or at least a warm smile. It was enjoyable enough without being dramatic or exciting like other Monogatari series. In part I think this is because Koyomimonogatari is completely episodic. If my memory is correct the only time a single story has been covered in one episode was the Ougi Formula arc in Owarimonogatari and even this was done as a special double length episode. The Monogatari storytelling style doesnt work at 14 minutes consequentially to put it quite harshly the series does vaguely feel like an imitation of something it cannot be. The title Koyomimonogatari reveals what the series really is a calendar tale a series of stories that take place over the timeline of Monogatari. The series essentially acts as a recap of the timeline without actually recovering the specific events or arcs weve already seen. And to be fair this was useful. My understanding of the timeline was a bit foggy and Ive actually been trying to keep track of it I dont want people to yell at me about my reviews. In this the series provided an opportunity to look at how the world has changed. It was nice to go back and see Oshino or Mayoi and to see Hanekawa and Senjougahara with their long hair. I liked watching the openings from the old series again. I think Koyomimonogatari was a very clever way of looking back on Monogatari and in that regard it was neat. And in exploring the more everyday events of stuff weve seen before there were some interesting new little perspectives and insights. This was particularly so in episode eight and ten. Episode eleven and twelve are the exception to the theme of the series and present the major plot developments that set up Owarimonogatari Second Season. And I must say its some very dramatic set up. But to keep this review spoiler free I wont discuss them any further. To actually provide some use for this review to any fencesitters out there heres what I know and my advice. I dont know why youd be sitting on the fence now its the ninth fucking series but whatever From my asking around the consensus seems that only the last two episodes are required viewing. Id agree with this. The rest of the series is completely irrelevant to the plot. But theres a couple of interesting episodes and a few that I think are pretty good. Id honestly just say watch the whole thing its so short. But if you insist on not watching it all or you just want to revisit interesting parts of the series again Id argue episode eight and ten touch on some stuff that isnt essential per se but is constructive to the narrative. Otherwise I consider the better albeit nonessential episodes to be one five six and nine. And so for what youd call an epilogue or punch line for this review Koyomimonogatari is a weird little series. Its not bad but Id be hard pressed to present an argument to suggest that it shouldnt be the lowest rated Monogatari series. It really is Monogatari at its least interesting. Until the last two episodes its devoid of tension or drama and theres nothing much in its place except some light comedy. Despite all the criticisms though I really just think it was neat. It really wasnt excellent. Its probably the weakest Monogatari series but it was neat.