Tags
Araragi, Bakemonogatari, Black Hanekawa, cat, catwalk, Contrapposto, eyegasm, Hanekawa, Monogatari, Neko, Nekomonogatari, Nisemonogatari, Oshino, pas de deux, Pose, posture, S-curve, Shaft, Tsukihi
Nekomonogatari relived Hanekawa’s past and cat history. Personally, I find her as the most underrated character; that’s why it’s nice how Shaft dedicated a short series solely for her. This show may not have the same magical feel that I experienced with Bakemonogatari but it’s evocative how it catwalked us through to the hallmark of Monogatari’s one-of-a-kind perversion—the intricately artsy and titillating poses.
When it comes to posing, Shaft is notoriously known for abusing the human neck anatomy to redefine the art of head-tilts. It’s also amazing how this studio always adds eccentricity to body gestures in order to produce such sophisticated visual kinks.
Take for instance, beneath Araragi and Tsukihi’s fanservicey, incestuous foreplay is the ever-tantalizing pas de deux. Sounds classy, right?
Well, here’s what’s classy about it.
It is broadly renowned that the sign of sexuality in ballet is the heterosexual pas de deux. Through the dramatically elongated bodyline, the man supports, manipulates, and conquers the woman who is visualized as “magically desirable, vulnerable but strong, fragile yet enduring” prize to be won—truly, a perfect metaphor for Araragi’s domination over Tsukihi.
Another common pose that I enjoyed is whenever the body plays with the gravity by putting most of its weight on one leg while resting the other. This creates a relaxing and flowing counter posture, or simply known as contrapposto.
As we had seen with Hanekawa, through contrapposto, she could eroticise a gesture by sensuously revealing her stimulating physique. From her sometimes innocent or sometimes cynical face tracing all the way down to her voluptuous breasts, curvaceous hips, and firm buttocks while placing her weight on one leg and flirty bends the other.
Further, an S-curve—an extension of contrapposto—arguably stands for seductive, statuesque, and sexy posture. Hanekawa’s pose turns even more lewd as she embraced her cat side. Feline creatures are perceived as sexy and wild in popular culture. Having these qualities and a piece of lingerie, Hanekawa uncannily portrays a highly sexualized persona.
This is interesting because if we are going to notice, the more Hanekawa exposes her body, the more she emphasizes her identity and sexuality. Thus, flesh is to femininity. In Black Hanekawa’s case, an over-feminized and revealing body symbolizes liberalism, strength, and power. Whereas in the case of the schoolgirl Hanekawa, a clothed body means conservatism, diffidence, and feebleness. And these could also be read through her poses.
But it’s not just Hanekawa, even Oshino does an S-curve to bring out that cool, masculine swag.
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Here’s another fun Monogatari article that I wrote some time ago:
Lemmas and Submodalities 
Reblogged this on compass on my field trip.
This is really amazing! I have to admit that even though I went to a ballet school when I was a kid for 4 years, I didn’t know about pas de deux. And the S-curve! I’m really curious where can one learn/read about such things. Really interesting post :)
You went to a ballet school, wow that’s so impressive. I never had that opportunity.
I got the idea from reading fashion magazines–Marie Claire and Vogue are favourites of mine. I’m also a huge gymnastic fan. ;)
Well, don’t imagine sth big and glorious, just a small local after-school activity school. My stepfather cut me off after starting learning english… I occasionally search the net for photos of celebrities I like on Vogue, but I should expand my experiences I guess. I really liked this post :)
Aww, thanks ayame. You’re so nice<3 :)
Learning something new every day thanks to anime… :)
And yes, Shaft’s visual adventure with Hanekawa’s bodyline is the most alluring one I’ve seen in many anime.
I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for dropping by! ;)
Thanks a bunch for the insightful article. Your knowledge is quite useful.
It’s always a pleasure to know that my readers get-out something from my articles. Thanks and btw welcome to blogging! ;)
Like Ayame, I took some years of ballet when I was a little girl, but dropped since I really wasn’t into the whole tutu and makeup thing :p But it was fascinating to read about its artistic influences here, and I certainly learned quite a few things that I either didn’t know from before or just didn’t retain. Despite my distate for both sibling scenes, I couldn’t help but think how beautifully the visuals were handled. Hanekawa, too, has always been seductive to me with its lines and movements. Thanks for the provocative read!
Aww, thank you and you’re welcome! It’s my pleasure to write something that certain audience would find interesting. :)
That sure was a lot of words you used just to say “catgirls are hot.”
Seriously, though, interesting article. I like what I’ve seen of Shaft (just SZS at this point.) They have a really interesting art style.
Haha, yeah. Catgirls are hot that they made me think this much.
This is the first time I’d seen you commented on my blog… thanks for reading my post :)
You know, if you happen to become a sexologist after watching the entire Monogatari saga (Which you seem to be bent on doing), I don’t know whether to applaud or fear you.
I suppose the truth will be revealed after the movie and 3rd season.
Huh? Oh why, OG? Monogatari is a kink oriented anime….
so let’s see what’s going to happen in the 3rd season. :)
Whoa, too many new terms for me here. I really didn’t notice all of the S shapes and the outlines of the female form that Nekomonogatari had until you pointed them out. All I can say is that it’s really appealing to the eyes.
Maybe if I’m not blogging, I wouldn’t be able to notice the curves and poses in an elaborate detail. But because of this blog, I forced myself to come up something that seems interesting based on my viewing experience. :)
Shaft always had very interesting visuals and animations. The studio uses the moist bizarre viewing angles and visuals to illustrate an originally simple look. The monogatari series may be ecchi no doubt, but it’s “artistically” ecchi, which is quite a feat.
Yep… I actually couldn’t think of any Shaft anime that has poor visuals, which is quite lovely because it’s really setting the artistic animation really high.
Wow. I haven’t heard of this anime until I stumbled on to your blog, which I’m happy I did!! I remembered the first anime I saw by shaft was Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei, and it was amazing!! Glad to see a company that doesn’t rush in their animating or drawing. I’ve seen tons of anime that look just…wrong…
Either characters are staring into mid air, or their noses or just crooked to the side of their face.
I’m so excited to check this one out!! Thank you for introducing this series !! XD
oh gosh….i wrote stubbled…I meant stumbled T_T so sorry.
I actually haven’t seen Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei but I heard good things about it. My first Shaft anime (or at least I’m aware that it’s Shaft) is Mahou Shoujo Madoka. Since then I started to recognize its works and love this production’s attention to details.
I hope you enjoy Nekomonogatari. If you haven’t seen any Monogatari series, I would suggest to check out Bakemonogatari. I think it’s the best of all the franchise.
P.S. no need to apologize. I fixed your comment. :)
It’s a really great series!! Just those type of slice-of-life animes where you just enjoy the story without any drama or tragedies.
I’m trying to find the download of the anime but to no avail yet T_T maybe I should find it the torrent way….just kinda skeptical that it’ll slow down my computer.
Yes, Bakemonogatari was a really well animated series as well as Mohou Shoujo Madoka!! XD I actually did enjoy the freakiness and tone of the story. It surprised me the first time I watched it, but as I kept watching, I just couldn’t get enough of it. I heard they’re having a second season !! :D
Yes, I believe Bakemonogatari gets a second season and Mahou Shoujo Madoka got a movie in two parts if I’m not mistaken. I hope not.
Btw, I download anime at nyaa torrent or sometimes at Tokyo Toshakan. Nekomonogatari should be there.
Ahhh. You don’t want Madoka to get a movie XD It’s ture that movies OVAs ALWAYS shift away from the original storyline. I guess it turns into a more “entertainment” form :/
Ohh!! Thank you very much!! I will be sure to check those sites out!! :D Yay!! You are sooooo kind!!
Oh no, I do want Madoka to be turned into a movie. :) Actually Madoka the Movie is now on theatres in where I live. But I didn’t go. I’m just going to wait until it’s already downloadable.
Haha, you too… just by reading your comments, I can sense that you’re jolly and easygoing person. :)
Ehhh?? Your so lucky !! It must be so cool to see that in the big scene!
Yeah, i love getting torrents that are high quality. I’m getting into more downloading online than watching my own TV XD
Ahhhhh!! O///O again, you are so nice!! Thank you. I’m very flattered!! *faint* I still wish I was a great writer like you are though :)
Aw, this was a very nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to create a superb article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t seem to get anything done.