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.

Few jokes lost in translation later, we get 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 strugging 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 catch them properly in my first watch. 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, quite irrelevant really.

Back to the happenings, the couple is being [extremely adorable](REMAKE) that .gif had to be made. Also Senjougahara granting him a wish and eliminating anything sexual in the process narrowing it down to what she wants herself just because Ararararagi is an awkward MC trope(not exactly though)? Clever girl.

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

Now I gotta mention how I really appreciated the conversation about the quarrels with his sisters because Araragi himself knew it's just a small problem that shouldn't be eating him up like it does, but it also 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.

...and she's getting impatient, but still unable to say it straight out. 2cute

And then Araragi's fuck up made me cringe(damn you voice amplifier and mouth closeup signifying the answer and the awkward silence afterwards), but what made me cringe even more is HOW DIDN'T I 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.

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 most definitely did.

Now, you know what's great about all this? What follows is a misunderstanding that is more complicated than it seems. And 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 knowing he's a vampire and that she had crabs, I can see this being the case