Ep 9. Nadeko Snake - (Part 1)

Koyomi Araragi, a high school student, continues to help those around him deal with supernatural problems. In episode 9 of Bakemonogatari season 1, titled "Nadeko Snake - Part 1," Koyomi encounters his friend Nadeko Sengoku, who is worried about a childish curse she had placed on a shrine. The curse was meant to punish a boy who had rejected her confession of love, but she now realizes it may have unintended and dangerous consequences.

As Koyomi and Nadeko walk through the woods to the shrine, they discuss the curse and its origins. Nadeko reveals that she had always admired Koyomi and his older sisters, Karen and Tsukihi, but had trouble expressing her feelings. Koyomi reassures her that it's natural to have difficulty with romantic feelings, and that there's no shame in being rejected.

On the way to the shrine, the two stop to rest on a bench, where Nadeko falls asleep. Koyomi notices that her body is covered in bruises, which she tries to dismiss as clumsiness. Koyomi does some investigating and discovers that Nadeko has been physically abused by her parents for years, leading to her lack of self-confidence and tendency to keep her feelings hidden.

At the shrine, Koyomi and Nadeko find the boy whom the curse was meant to target lying unconscious with snake-like wounds on his body. Nadeko is horrified at the sight and begins to panic, blaming herself for the incident. Koyomi tries to calm her down, but she rushes off into the woods.

As Koyomi tries to find Nadeko, he runs into Tsubasa Hanekawa, another friend who is also knowledgeable about the supernatural. She suggests that the curse may have been amplified because of Nadeko's strong emotions, and warns Koyomi that the curse could spread to others if left unchecked.

The episode ends with Koyomi finding Nadeko sitting alone in a clearing, crying. He tries to comfort her, telling her that he understands and that he wants to help her. But as he reaches out to touch her, she transforms into a monstrous snake, revealing the full extent of her curse.

Overall, episode 9 of Bakemonogatari season 1, "Nadeko Snake - Part 1," sets up a complex and emotionally charged storyline involving friendship, love, and the dangers of unintended consequences. The episode effectively explores Nadeko's backstory and trauma, adding depth to her character and setting up a tense and foreboding plot that promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.