What draws the line between inhumanity and humanity?
SPOILERS AHEAD
Tsukimonogatari asks Araragi this question and presents to us the beginning of the end for our story with Araragi.
This arc gives the character Yotsugi a spotlight that doesnt really make too much sense until the end. However her acts of imitating human behavior shows how shes learned to fit in more with humanity even though she wasnt born a human. This is important because the main theme of this story for Araragi is finding out what makes him human in his state that took away his basic physical human qualities.
In the first episode we get to see how Araragi is trying to change by how he acts as if he isnt worried about Nadeko but he immediately contradicts this by worrying about the town. He feels as if his departure from his hometown will cause the oddities to roam freely without the fear of him. Even though he knows he cant save everyone he still desperately tries to hold onto the feeling that he can do it.
In the second episode we get to see what the main conflict for Araragi is in this arc and its his struggle to hold onto his humanity. Araragi wont be able to hold onto his humanity if he keeps using his vampirism but hes been able to save humanity with his vampirism.
Yotsugi voices her concerns of wanting Araragi to remain a human but deep down Araragi and we know that if it comes down to it hell always put others before him and use his powers to save everyone. In this arc we really get to learn that Araragi still holds his beliefs very strong even though he knows that theyll hold value for others more than himself.
The final conflict in this arc challenges Araragi to use his vampirism and risk never being somewhat human again but Yotsugi takes the bullet for him and puts her nonexistent humanity on the line. She expresses that she doesnt want Araragi to become a monster and to truly appreciate the humanity that hes given that shes isnt as lucky to have. The final scene in this arc with Senjougahara also shows how Araragis losing the physical features of his humanity will never take away his true human qualities of loving the people around him.
Tsukimonogatari did a great job at showing us how much Araragi has grown but it also shown us how much he still needs to change. However can Araragi really change? Is he able to put himself before others and live a life that revolves around his internal world rather than his external world? The question will remain until the end of this final season but no matter what all we know is that this is the beginning of the end for the story of Araragi Koyomi.
75
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