This is the start of the Monogatari anime series, and if the goal was to make audiences want to know what happens next, they succeeded. The story here isn't all that different from most paranormal high school anime series-it's the execution that sets it apart. The majority of each episode is dialogue. Characters are quick-witted and sharp-tongued, so even less interesting characters are still fun to watch. And then, you have to consider that I'm watching the English sub. The original material in Japanese is apparently chock full of wordplay and manipulation of language, so there's a whole extra layer English speakers won't fully be able to grasp.
As far as negatives, there are a few. Some of the "fan service" is unwarranted and simply doesn't belong. Action scenes in this series are few and far between, but one in particular seemed to be added in as an afterthought, just in case the audience started getting bored (which I wasn't, because action isn't what the show is loved for in the first place). Then, on the other end of the spectrum, some conversations, though entertaining to follow, add little to nothing to character or story development, and therefore seem like filler.
Taking this as a whole, it's worth watching. Again, as a first season, it has definitely piqued my interest, and it's an approach to this genre of anime that I haven't really seen before.
(Also: the music for this season is pretty great.)
As far as negatives, there are a few. Some of the "fan service" is unwarranted and simply doesn't belong. Action scenes in this series are few and far between, but one in particular seemed to be added in as an afterthought, just in case the audience started getting bored (which I wasn't, because action isn't what the show is loved for in the first place). Then, on the other end of the spectrum, some conversations, though entertaining to follow, add little to nothing to character or story development, and therefore seem like filler.
Taking this as a whole, it's worth watching. Again, as a first season, it has definitely piqued my interest, and it's an approach to this genre of anime that I haven't really seen before.
(Also: the music for this season is pretty great.)