Hell yeah, Snail arc. Not only my favorite arc in the entire series, but my favorite anime episodes after the infamous episode 12.
EPISODE 1
After Araragi expressing how lonely he is and in desire for company, in his luck, charming Senjougahara appears. With this alone you know it's gonna be great.
Starting off with ARARAGI CONQUERING #1.
I just want to say this right away, I went into the show completely blind the first time I watched it so I also had no idea that they'd get together at the end meaning I thought she was just pointlessly teasing considering her personality and tropes in anime. If you were in the same boat, Snail Arc is so much better when you rewatch it by paying attention to Senjougahara's cute struggling to make Araragi ask her out.
That being said, I must say the hints and aggressiveness exist and it surprises me how I didn't realize her intentions the first time.
Was it because I still didn't grasp properly what the hell is this show about, was I blinded by generic anime cliches believing nothing will happen, or am I just a dense MC considering everyone wants my dick? I dunno.
Back to happenings, the couple was being [extremely adorable](REMAKE) that .gif had to be made. Also this
It has to be said, Senjougahara showing her affection beneath the constant teasing was done masterfully, being unpredictable and blurring the line between kuu and dere unlike other shows with the same archetype. Senjougahara is love
Back then I also really appreciated the conversation about the quarrels with his sisters mainly because it made me believe the series is gonna have a normal and healthy sibling relationship. Goddamn it all
And once again, Senjougahara swiftly changes the topic and goes into conquer mode.
Her being impatient by flat out asking but still unable to say it straight out was 2cute. Araragi's fuck up not so much though. It did manage to make me cringe, damn you voice amplifier and mouth closeup signifying the answer followed by awkward silence. Though what made me cringe even more is HOW I DIDN'T REALIZE IT MYSELF THE FIRST TIME EITHER Ugh
It's finally Hachikuji time. And from the start, another reason to rewatch the show is to see all the obvious hints like odd pauses while focused on her expression and odd questions about Senjougahara not seeing Snail.
Finally we get our first fight scene and the only fight where our MC wins triumphantly and doesn't get beaten up. Against a middle schooler. I wonder how many people thought this was an action show? Because I know I did.
But wait, you know what's great about all of this? What follows is a misunderstanding which is more complicated than it seems.
Oh is this so much funnier knowing that Senjougahara doesn't know what the fuck is happening.
Of course she's plot-conveniently keeping quiet, but you know what, after finding out Araragi's a vampire, learning about creepy apparitions, having literal crabs and her explanation of her „I am always wrong“ mentality, I can see this being the case. At least I try to.
EPISODE 2
So the first half of the episode are jokes lost in translation(for the first time Japanese style of comedy that explains everything comes in handy here) and FORESHADOWING EVERYWHERE
Most notable part of the episode is definitely Hanekawa seeing Hachikuji. Pretty dark, right?
EPISODE 3
Back when I first watched it, I thought Araragi was just teasing Hachikuji considering she was always the one who started with odd sexual themes so joking about it would be the only appropriate reaction, right? Which would mean that the boob grab happened unintentionally in the heat of the battle and that the „sexual harassment“ part was just pretending, maybe tickling or something, to stop talking about it. Now that I've watched everything, it's really hard to see it that way, really.
Whatever, after Senjougahara finding out that Araragi would gladly and persistently help out anyone with a smile, the highlight is definitely THIS.
Oh man, I won't lie that the awkward english made me cringe, but that actually only improves this adorable moment. After meeting perfection in drawn form(and technically written and voiced), seeing her immediately win after just 5 episodes invoke great feelings of happiness and satisfaction in me. My surprise and broad smile couldn't be contained, what a great scene.
The scene at the beginning of ED wasn't worse either and I'm also pretty sure Arararagi's wish came true considering how many witty kuuderes appear these days. Thank you Araragi and your great taste in women.
What a miracle
Now those were just the things I loved the most about the arc so I wouldn't end up writing too much(which happened anyway). Overall the snail curse plot was executed very nicely, it was intriguing, coherent(coughhanacough), had unique artstyle scenes and a satisfying resolution and conclusion, but I still do dislike some parts of it.
Examples being the entire sexual harassment thing that is actually not as innocent as I thought was, Senjougahara staying illogically quiet about it even with the her mindset excuse and Araragi's family problem(s) ending up solely as a plot device instead of an actual issue which is extremely annoying.
Even then, I just can't ignore how ridiculously I enjoy it with the perfect bantering, surreal park being the setting(I was seriously hoping it would make a return, how saddening), plot, OST, atmosphere, confession and being my most rewatched episodes. Giving it less than a 10 wouldn't be fair.
