The Anime of SHAFT

If there's one anime studio that has come out with some of my favorite shows over the years, it's SHAFT. Here's a few examples of incredible shows that are pretty weird, but ultimately some of the best anime ever made. These shows are very popular and definitely not for everyone, but maybe you'll give them a shot!

Monogatari

So far, Monogatari has been comprised of four TV shows:

- Bakemonogatari (15 episodes)

- Nisemonogatari (11 episodes)

- Nekomonogatari: Kuro (4 episodes)

- Monogatari Series Second Season (26 episodes)

I've seen all of the first three and about half of the most recent show. Monogatari is a show full of Japanese humor, word-play, and seemingly endless conversation. It primarily dealt with the main character, Araragi, dealing with the oddities in girls he came across. The show ranges from mundane to super exciting, but it always remains interesting. It's a bit of a challenge to try and explain this one, but recently, more of a straight plot seems to have been developing.

I'm gonna say this probably isn't a good first anime for someone, but it's a really fun group of shows. The characters are what really makes it stand out, though. I won't spoil any of their traits or anything, in case you decide to check out the show, but take a look at the cast of characters that Araragi (the picture at the top of this post) comes across.

Everyone in Monogatari is really quirky, and the show can get absolutely absurd, but it's a fun time, and if you can handle long conversations and overlook the occasional joke that will go over your head, then it's worth a shot.

Next up is one that may just be their most popular over here in the States, Puella Magi Madoka Magica. It's SHAFT's take on the magical genre of anime. That means it takes concepts of things like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura and subverts them. Madoka is one of the darkest shows I've ever seen. It's got one series and some movies:

- Puella Magi Madoka Magica (12 episodes)

- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part I: The Beginning Story

- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part II: The Eternal Story

- Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part III: Rebellion

The series deals with a young girl named Maokda and friends of hers fighting against witches that are just really bizarre. Well, that's what SHAFT would have you believe the show is about. The show is really tragic, it just has a cutesy and almost childish exterior. Madoka Magica's promotional posters and look feels like a facade compared to the actual tone of the show. Just after a couple of episodes, the tone takes a 180.

It's a super good show, though, and the only show of the three I'll write about tonight that have an English dub. Also it's got one of the strangest "villains" ever. This is what happens when you take a concept for a younger demographic and hand it to SHAFT.

So make a contract, and try Madoka out. It's a super short show, and if your heartstrings can handle the emotional impact, it's definitely one of the best shows out there.

Finally, I'd like to discuss one of SHAFT's older series, Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei. SZS is comprised of three series and two OVA series:

- Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei (12 episodes)

- Zoku Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei (13 episodes)

- Goku Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei (3 episodes)

- Zan Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei (13 episodes)

- Zan Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei Bangaichi (3 episodes)

SZS deals with a despair-ridden high school teacher and his class of quirky, and I mean quirky characters. The episodes are really all over the place and full of humor. If Monogatari is full of Japanese humor, then SZS is bursting with it. It's a really fun show that I actually marathoned, though. There's a lot of stuff packed into these short seasons, and there should be some more soon, I hope. SZS is just one of those shows where you have to blindly go in, because I really can't give you expectations for it. It's all kinds of crazy, and even gets dark. It's also very random.

Honestly, for some people, it might even be shocking. I'd advise anime fans to check it out, but I would definitely not use this to introduce people to anime. SZS is for an audience that's well into watching anime.

That's all for tonight. Check out these and other SHAFT shows!

- It's Clear