Ask John: Why is Monogatari Suddenly So Common in Anime Titles?

Question:
I’ve noticed the use of the word “monagatari” in quite a few anime in this year alone. Here is a list of the titles I am aware of: Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari OAV, Genji Monogatari Sennenki TV show, Gokyoudai Monogatari TV show, Umi Monogatari ~Anata ga Ite Kureta Koto~ TV show, Bakemonogatari TV show. Why so many? Why the need to use the word “monogatari”? Is it to set these titles apart from other anime? “Monogatari” just means “story,” right?

Answer:
I am regretful that I’m not immersed into Japan’s anime production and fan community enough to know whether there’s been some sort of recent fascination with the word “monogatari” or its implications that explain its frequent appearance lately. However, I’m not sure that’s necessary. While the word “monogatari” has been appearing in numerous contemporary anime titles, I think the explanation is merely coincidence. The word “monogatari,” which means “story” or “fable” is the Japanese equivalent of naming an anime “The Story Of,” or “Tales Of.” There’s a certain profound simplicity to straightforward titles. Calling something, “The Story of X,” like “Umi Monogatari” (Sea Story) prepares viewers for precisely what to expect. At the same time, the word evokes a sense of the fantastic. For example, “Tale of the Holy Knight in the Parallel Universe” (Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari) evokes an anticipation of epic fantasy. Titles like Bakemonogatari and Katanagatari are merely exemplary of author NisiOisin’s fondness for manipulating words.

The evocations of the word “monogatari” may explain why, in fact, it’s actually used quite frequently in anime titles. Five 2009 anime productions all having the word “monogatari” in their title is a lot, but it isn’t actually unusual in the history of anime. This list is not complete, but just to provide some illustration, here’s a sampling of other anime with titles including the word “monogatari.” Note that 1983 and 1986 also had five titles including the word “monogatari.” Even 2006 had four titles using the word “monogatari” if we include the second Galaxy Railways television series. The prevalence of the word “monogatari” in 2009 anime isn’t really unusual. It’s just more noticeable to international fans because we’re steadily becoming more aware and conscious of original Japanese titles.

Aru Machikado no Monogatari (1962)
Kurohime Monogatari (1967)
Senya Ichiya Monogatari (1969)
Dobutsumura Monogatari (1970)
Konchu Monogatari: Minashigo Hutch (1970)
Andersen Monogatari (1971)
Don Chuck Monogatari (1975)
Manga Ijin Monogatari (1977)
Manga Hajimete Monogatari (1978)
Pink Lady Monogatari (1978)
Perrine Monogatari (1978)
Anne Frank Monogatari (1979)
Entaku no Kishi Monogatari: Moero Arthur (1979)
Jean Valjean Monogatari (1979)
Ai no Gakko Cuore Monogatari (1981)
Shin Taketori Monogatari: Sennen Jouo (1981)
Helen Keller Monogatari: Ai to Hikari no Tenshi (1981)
Ochamegami Monogatari: Korokoro Polon (1982)
Shiroi Kiba: White Fang Monogatari (1982)
Alps Monogatari: Watashi no Annette (1983)
Manga Aesop Monogatari movie & TV series (1983)
Serendipity Monogatari: Pure-tou no Nakamatachi (1983)
Kojika Monogatari (1983)
Soya Monogatari (1984)
Manga Doshite Monogatari (1984)
Ai no Wakakusa Monogatari (1986)
Ai Shoujo Pollyanna Monogatari (1986)
Maple Town Monogatari (1986)
Manga Naruhodo Monogatari (1986)
Ultraman Kids no Kotozawa Monogatari (1986)
Murasaki Shikibu Genji Monogatari (1987)
Digital Devil Monogatari: Megami Tensei (1987)
Meikyu Monogatari (1987)
Harbour Light Monogatari: Fashion Lala Yori (1988)
Chiisana Ahiru no Aokina, Ai no Monogatari: Ahiru no Quack (1989)
Ochame na Futago -Clare Gakuin Monogatari- (1991)
Trapp Ikka Monogatari (1991)
Chirorin Mura Monogatari (1992)
Apfelland Monogatari (1992)
Tezuka Osamu no Kyuyaku Seisho Monogatari (1992)
Heisei Inu Monogatari Bow (1993)
Huckleberry Finn Monogatari (1994)
Nana Toshi Monogatari (1994)
Gokinjo Monogatari (1995)
Cinderella Monogatari (1996)
Popolocrois Monogatari (1998)
Yoshimoto Muchikko Monogatari (1998)
Dual! Parallel Lun-Lun Monogatari (1999)
Ai no Wakakusuyama Monogatari (1999)
Ajimu Kaigan Monogatari (2001)
Little Monica Monogatari (2002)
Ginga Tetsudou Monogatari ~ Galaxy Railways (2003)
Kyogoku Natsuhiko Kosetsu Hyaku Monogatari (2003)
Fuujin Monogatari (2004)
Tokyo Daigaku Monogatari (2004)
Eikoku Koi Monogatari: Emma (2005)
Kagihime Monogatari Eikyuu Alice Rinbukyoku (2006)
Saiunkoku Monogatari (2006)
Binbou Shimai Monogatari (2006)
Wellber no Monogatari ~Sisters of Wellber~ (2007)