Ep 1. Hitagi Club (Part 1)

The show Bakemonogatari follows Koyomi Araragi, a high school student who finds himself entangled in the realm of supernatural beings known as "oddities". The first episode, titled "Hitagi Club (Part 1)", sets the stage for the series by introducing the main character as well as his first encounter with an oddity.

The episode begins with Koyomi walking home from school when he catches a glimpse of a girl falling down the stairs. He quickly rushes to her aid only to realize that she is weightlessly floating in mid-air. The girl, who introduces herself as Hitagi Senjougahara, frightens Koyomi with her hostile demeanor and odd behavior. As he helps her to her feet, he notices that she is noticeably thin and almost weightless.

After some conversation, Hitagi reveals to Koyomi that she is afflicted with a curse that has made her weightless. She warns him to leave her alone and keep her condition a secret, threatening him with violence if he doesn't comply with her request. Despite her hostile attitude, Koyomi feels drawn to her and decides to investigate her condition further.

Throughout the episode, Koyomi seeks advice from his friend and mentor Meme Oshino, a supernatural specialist who advises him on how to handle oddities. Meme warns Koyomi that Hitagi's condition is not a simple curse, but rather a powerful oddity known as a "crab". He advises Koyomi to be cautious around Hitagi and to avoid getting too close to her.

Despite Meme's warnings, Koyomi continues to seek out Hitagi and learns more about her troubled past as well as the true nature of her affliction. He discovers that the crab oddity has taken residence inside Hitagi's body, and that the only way to save her is to confront the crab and defeat it. Thus, Koyomi must confront the supernatural world and overcome his own fears in order to save Hitagi's life.

The episode is filled with dynamic animation and surreal, dreamlike imagery that captures the supernatural world of Bakemonogatari. The characters are well-written, with Hitagi's abrasive personality contrasting with Koyomi's more reserved demeanor. The episode hints at a deep backstory for both characters, setting the stage for future episodes.

Overall, "Hitagi Club (Part 1)" is a strong first episode that introduces the central conflicts and themes of Bakemonogatari. It sets up a compelling story that will keep viewers engaged throughout the course of the series.