Tags
Araragi, Bakemonogatari, Fanservice, Hachikuji, Hanekawa, Hitagi Senjougahara, Kanbaru, Karen, Karen Araragi, Koyomi Araragi, Mayoi Hachikuji, Nadeko Sengoku, Nisemonogatari, Oshino, Sengoku, Senjougahara, Shaft, Shinobu Oshino, smeyes, Suruga Kanbaru, Tsubasa Hanekawa, Tsukihi, Tsukihi Araragi
If last week we were blown away by Kanbaru’s seductiveness, then surely this week has a different picture. With just a flick of a switch, all of a sudden Senjougahara is back on track. This girl doesn’t need to get naked to slobber her fanbase because all she has to do is to . . . *smeyes*. . . And voila! She has imprisoned us with her sadistic glares.
Smeyes is popularized by Tyra Banks. It is short for smile with your eyes. You don’t literally smile but you create some sort of an expression or you put emotions into your eyes that would surely absorb your viewers. And, it is effectively done if you intensified your smeyesing by some striking poses. As Tyra said, smeyes and you’ll get a second date—uhm, duh…
Okay, so way back in Bakemonogatari, we had been engrossed by the Senjougahara Fascination because of Hitagi’s straight-face yet fierce look flourished by some odd and arty poses such as the infamous head-tilts. It is so captivating to see how she unleashed all her seriousness, naughtiness, sincerity, and vicious love through those sexy blue eyes.
So, if there’s a difference between Kanbaru and Senjougahara’s fanservice that is, Kanbaru got stripped right before the viewers’ eyes, while Senjougahara stripped the viewers right before her very own eyes. So truly, as they say, the eyes are the windows to the soul… and the secret curtain is smeyesing!
Speaking of the soul, I loved this recent episode. It unveiled that soulful Araragi-Senjougahara relationship that made me fall in-love with Bakemonogatari. Staying true to their classic freeze-framed relationship, it all started with Senjougahara torturing Araragi and reminding the consequences of dating her. It was linked to the first episode and brought into our attention that she kidnapped her boyfriend in order to protect him from the creepy guy named Kaiki.
And although it was never resonated on her cold voice, Hitagi’s desire to guard Koyomi was oddly and sadistically shown how she handcuffed and chained her boyfriend. But, we all know that Koyomi is just such an adorable and a kind-hearted boyfriend to play as masochistic with his girlfriend. Most of all, what I truly liked about this couple is they know how far they can stretch each other’s boundaries and respect each other. Senjougahara’s sensitive and feminine side is so cute as she blushingly confirmed that she finds Araragi’s stubbornness to save everyone cool and how she would still love him even if she’s a man.
Gosh, I just really heard my heart went dokidoki and echoed with badump! effect after that scene.
Lastly, the cliff-hanger sounds so exciting; I like the idea of having Senjougahara and Hanekawa teaming-up together… that should be really fun.
Lemmas and Submodalities 
Aside from stripping, Kanabaru has slowly become less appealing to me. She used to be independent but now she’s another member of the Araragi breakfast club.
Senjougahara on the other hand, I’ve said this every time I either sum up an episode with her in it or anything -gatari related. Hitagi Senjougahara has been giving masochists raging ring boners since her debut. As for me, I can’t deny being charmed by her seductive evilness…but I’ll never fall in love with a woman like her as far as I’m concerned. Then again I’ve never met a girl like her in real life so who knows?
I have similar thoughts about Kanbaru. She’s supposed to be a lesbian, a tough-hot-chick, but then all of a sudden she became Araragi’s stripper. But as for Senjougahara, she still has that tough girl persona that you would really respect and her sadistic-ness is really lovely and charming as you said. And yeah, I don’t think I want to meet someone as sadistic as her. Like who wants to get staplered by the way?
Methinks that Kanbaru is trolling the lot of us. She isn’t over the reasons why she grabbed onto the Rainy Devil. As a healthy female, she is aware of her potential sexual prowess. She isn’t using it to bed the boy. She is sowing seeds of confusion. She is still a very pissed off character. She’s just gotten better at hiding and directing it.
That’s my take. I could be wrong.
That’s how I took it. Kanbaru is merely toying with Araragi, if anything she finds his reactions amusing.
Oh yes, I don’t disagree to the fact that Kanbaru’s character is just trolling on us. But, I also do not want to dismiss the obvious, that the series itself is extremely sexualizing Kanbaru and making it so hilarious. They stripped her and made her do some funny stunts, but at the end of the day she still lost to Koyomi. So where’s the prowess in there? Hence, I felt like she’s being used as a total bait to fanserve, and by making us aware that she knows her sexual prowess was being made as an excuse to exploit her–so quite an irony of the message that’s meant to be delivered.
But of course, this is just my opinion. ^^
I don’t care how high of an endurance Araragi has, it still disturbs me. I see you feel the same way I do about Kanbaru in the 2nd season. What a letdown. If there’s one thing I can’t stand is a lesbian going straight for no good reason. I mean, so he endured a trashing from her monkey arm. The one who brought her back to reality was Senjougahara, not him.
Speaking of Senjougahara, what the heck did Araragi do to make her fall in love with him? It still baffles me to this day. All he did was endure her abuse and that’s supposed to make her fall for him? Just because he didn’t chicken out? Seriously what is it with anime girls immediately falling in love with guys whose only accomplishment is either saving them once or endured the girl’s abuse. If getting a girlfriend were that easy in real life, I would be dating a professional boxer right now.
Furthermore, it’s the hip paranormal specialist guy who helped expel the crab god from Senjougahara. Araragi only introduced her to him. Geez! and now he’s being praised like a god by every single girl he’s “saved”. Ugh. Even though I called the girls on this show intelligent they STILL have some mediocrity in them. sheesh.
Lol, lesbian going straight for no good reason… Perhaps she’s not just being lesbian anymore. I mean it’s always nice to keep your options open, that’s why it’s fair enough to say that Kanbaru is starting to become a bisexual haha.
As for Senjougahara, falling in love with Araragi, I think I can understand that. Although at times, he’s a perv, I see Araragi as a kind hearted guy who’s willing to risk his life for his friends and family. So I guess that character and the fact that he’s a masochist.
Anyway, looks like you’re so infuriated by Araragi. I think he’s a way much better version of a Shaft-guy compared to Makoto of Denpa Onna.
I don’t hate the guy as a character, I just don’t feel he did much to earn this much royal treatment. All he did for the most part is get burtally abused time and time again.
Huh, I guess I’ll cut Kanbaru some slack due to your well crafted pro Kanbaru argument. Oh well, being bi also works I guess.
So put your life on the line nets you lots of good looking women. Man, maybe I’d have more luck with women if I were a video game character because kindness alone can only get you so far.
Yeah, I guess I know where you’re coming from. That’s also one thing I don’t like about harem in general. They’re giving the guy so much royal treatment.
Lol, I guess you can always give a try to be an “Araragi” for one day and see if it will work for you, but wait you might net a Senjougahara… you don’t want that, right. ^^
I knew you’d understand me Snippy.
Netting a Senjougahara would be hazardous to my health.
Of course. ^^ I believe you’re up for the likes of sweet characters like Yune.
I laughed out loud when Araragi called out to Hitagi on the street and she was just like “NOPE”.
I really love Araragi and Hitagi’s relationship. Hitagi is sharp around the edges, but has a really nice, caring side that can truly be appreciated by someone like Araragi. Their personalities complement each other so well. It’s a deep and multi-layered relationship that serves as the pulse of Bakemonogatari and Nisemonogatari.
People say that Hitagi is nothing more than a tsundere-esque sadistic b****. In reality, she’s the coolest character ever.
I also disagree to those who say stuff like that about Hitagi. It’s true that she does fanservice, but her character’s worth is more than that, she’s the type of lead that you wouldn’t really go after her flesh in order for her to fanservice the viewers, but actually her dialogues and characterizations do the most part in crafting that. I’d rather say that for me, she funservices.
or scare-services. IRL their relationship is total unhealthy. I really think she is a mad abuser. I don’t know- I’ve said it before: Bakemonogatari had interesting stories, but not the emotional depth. Nisemonogatari starts losing even the story… on the one hand due to the emphasis on the fanservice and on the other hand due to the prolongation of its playful, ironic slice-of-life part, which I seriously question, if it gives me anything in return…
The Kanbaru issue is another pain in the ass, since they are using all the wrong stereotypes on her again, even questioning or completely forgetting her self-proclaimed lesbianism in Bakemonogatari.
Hmm.. I have no problem with Koyomi-Hitagi relationship, I guess from the get-go I already accepted that I’m looking at the fictional world. And when it comes to the emotional depth, I totally buy it whenever Hitagi softens because it’s something that doesn’t happen all the time and once it happens it’s poignantly presented. Friendship, caring, and the kind heart of Koyomi is also there. That’s why I’m agreeing with Kevo that this is a multi-faceted series and emotionally in-depth. But of course, it’s undeniable that the violence is there…
As for the Kanbaru issue, I’m not really complaining how she’s being making fun of as a lesbian. Just because she’s lesbian doesn’t mean she can escape the ridiculousness in anime. Other genders have also experienced equal amount of hilarity, I believe. I also don’t have trouble with the fanservice of this series. My issue is more on how they’re redefining the character, specifically Kanburu. She’s supposed to be the kouhai who’s running after her senpai, not after her senpai’s boyfriend. Plus, they sort of breaking away the toughness that she had and transforming it into an overly perverted persona. As OG said, she’s turning into Koyomi’s breakfast club.
I noticed something interesting about the way Senjougahara stares at people, but somehow I never made the connection to her eyes. I suppose it was just something I didn’t pay attention to at first. I did like the scene with the girls images in Araragi’s eyes, though.
I already noticed her stares way back on Bakemonogatari. She has that fiercest and sexiest look among the female leads, and I really love it.
I admit. I saw that episode of America’s Next Top Model where Tyra Banks was talking about smeyesing >.<
Though, I never would've thought I'd see it discussed in an anime post.
As for Gahara-san's (lol at that nickname) eyes, they're one of the sharpest, yet very expressive eyes that doesn't abuse "anime eyes" in the least..if that makes sense. As for Hitagi in general, I always saw her as being at the extremes of everything, personality-wise. Which is why I agree that her teaming up with Hanekawa would be awesome ^^
Lol, I also got this term while watchingg ANTM, but what Tyra said is really actually true though. The eyes make a lot of difference. The term smeyes sounds also funny that’s why I decided to use it on this post. ^^
Hitagi is Sadistic and Hanekawa (the human) is masochistic. I think they’ll be a good combination… here’s hoping that those two will have their moments together since we haven’t seen that in Bakemonogatari.
I’m soooo fascinated by Senjougahara and that episode made her even more irresistible. >.<
Yes, yes, I'm also looking forward to Hanekawa-san and her working together. Well, if they're working together that is. Their personalities are so different and yet they seem to blend well with each other and have mutual understanding.
Gosh yes!! And also, I wish if they are going to have moments together, Hanekawa is going to untie her hair. Those two will be so cute.
Smeyes works for smiling, so what about all the other expressions Senjougahara is able to convey through her eyes? She can be downright scary sometimes and I’m sure her eyes play an important role there, too, as well as here with the smeyes.
Well, whatever it is, I’m going to have to pay more attention to her eyes from now on. Didn’t realize they had the effect they do.
Oh no, smeyes also works for other expressions not just smiling. Here’s a video if you’re interested to smeyes. ^^
http://vodpod.com/watch/2787721-smeyes
Yeah, go ahead and pay attention to her eyes and to the eyes of the other girls on the series, you might notice that Hitagi’s eyes is the fiercest and cutest (haha, of course I’m just biased).
This episode reminded me of why I love Hitagi. I was a bit surprised to see her back down after Hanekawa told her something on the phone though, she always seems so ferocious.
I guess almost all the viewers of this show have a Senjougahara Fascination…. It also makes me wonder what Hanekawa did to tame Hitagi.
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