Which isn't saying much
It really really sucks that Monogatari series is so damn problematic because I really like the other parts.
Bakemonogatari had the snail molestation arc, which skeeved me out so much that I couldn't continue with the rest. I haven't watched a shaft show for years because of it. March comes in like a lion is good though, especially after seeing Gintama cut corners for 400 episodes.
monogatari is probably the most interestingly directed anime i have seen so it is actually incredibly unfortunate its so wildly fucked up. the writing outside of the weird parts is actually pretty good too. author just literally could not fuckin help himself and it could be incredible without it.
probably helps that the comic was written by a woman. now that i think about it there's not that many shows I like that doesn't have that shit in it or doesn't have horny shit in it either, or imperialist/fashy shit too.
Like off the top of my head I can only think of Mushishi, Moribito, and ACCA-13.
Anime / manga in general has a huge problem with this due to the industry being so shitty. There's plenty of good shows out there though. Check out Kaiba for something decent for a change.
Only watch Kyoani stuff for this reason. Not worth risking it for other types of anime.
Didn't they do Kobayashis dragon? Wouldn't that mean they're not free from sin either?
I don't know. I haven't watched it lol. Anything with old people in children's bodies is a no go
Both are good shows but within the Shaft-verse I'd honestly give an edge to Madoka(S1 only) for many reasons including the fact it was an original. Nothing wrong with being an adaptation though what matters is the quality and integrity, but looking back I still give Madoka a 9.5+ rating.
It was one of the few shows that deserved the hype it got back in the day and long term the fact it was an original helped validate that as a viable alternative moving forward. In anime like hollywood there is much more pressure to make adaptations because there are obvious benefits of working with something with a preexisting fanbase.
When you look at Madoka you see just how unique the production was kind of like a once in 4-5 years thing, great VAs, great director, great writer, great concept artists, great character designer etc all getting together with this definitely middle of the road(at the time) studio to make a risky original anime with a risky take on a classic genre.
I am also biased because fucking Shinbo Akiyuki which leads back to the OP because he also directed 3-gatsu so there you go. He is a guy with a few misses but some absolute monster classics.
