Kanbaru Suruga is a sporty and lively girl who appears in the "Monogatari" series. Her refreshing appearance is in stark contrast to her outrageously erotic remarks, which even take the protagonist by surprise. We'll explore Kanbaru's charms.
Kanbaru Suruga's Profile
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Kanbaru Suruga is a character in Nisio Isin's novel and anime series "Bakemonogatari." She is a second-year high school student who attends the same school as the main character, Araragi Koyomi. She first appears in "Bakemonogatari" as "Suruga Monkey."
A Devotion to Senjougahara Hitagi
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
He is an active, physically gifted individual with excellent athletic ability. He is the man who has transformed his weak basketball club into a powerhouse capable of competing nationally. She has been in a senior-junior relationship with Senjougahara Hitagi since middle school, and is more than just a senior-junior relationship; she is infatuated with her. Because of this, at first she felt hostility towards Koyomi, who is in a romantic relationship with Hitagi, but after they reconciled she became very attached to Koyomi and has become a reliable junior.
A personality that is, in a sense, at its best
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Contrary to his boyish and refreshing appearance, he has many perverse traits, such as a love of boys' love, and is a masochist and exhibitionist. However, because he fully accepts these things, he doesn't come across as obscene, and even gives off a refreshing impression.
A Rare and Cool Character
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
One of the defining features of the "Monogatari" series is its numerous beautiful girls. Among these unique and beautiful girls, the boyish and athletic Kanbaru is a character who is more likely to be described as cool than cute.
Towards Koyomi...
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
While she certainly has some cool qualities, her straightforward and unpretentious personality also makes her seem adorable at times. Scenes like her earnest crush on Senjougahara and her earnest efforts to impress Koyomi really bring out her feminine side.
Many Gaps
Also, there's a scene where Kanbara, who likes to be completely naked at home, is seen by her grandmother and becomes depressed. Fans are talking about how cute this contrast is, with her willingness to be completely naked, yet her sensitivity to her grandmother's sad face!
Relationship with Senjougahara Hitagi
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Senjougahara Hitagi and Kanbaru Suruga were senior and junior members of the basketball club in middle school. At the time, the two were known as the "Valhalla Combo" and were a very famous pair. Kanbaru was also in love with Hitagi.
Mixed Feelings
Kanbaru wanted to help Hitagi, who was troubled by her physical issues, but Hitagi rejected his request, so he kept his distance. However, when they entered high school, Hitagi, whom he had feelings for, met a boyfriend named Koyomi. Moreover, he was the one who solved Hitagi's troubles.
Erotic Slave!?
At first, Kanbaru felt resentment towards Koyomi out of jealousy and attempted to eliminate him using the supernatural powers within him. However, after the whole thing was revealed and resolved, Kanbaru reconciled with both Hitagi and Koyomi. Since then, they have become very close, but their relationship seems to be quite complicated, as he refers to Koyomi as "senpai's erotic slave."
Kanbaru Suruga and the Monkey's Paw
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Kanbaru Suruga always wears a bandage on her left hand. This is to hide the supernatural power of the "Rainy Devil," a rain demon that resides in her hand.
Using the Ability
Rainy Devil is a demon that grants three wishes in exchange for a person's life. Kanbaru has used this ability twice: first, in elementary school, against a classmate who had harassed him, and again, when he tried to kill Koyomi because he had started dating Hitagi, a girl he admired.
Monkey's Paw
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
When his supernatural powers are activated, his arm takes on a hairy, beast-like form, hence the nickname "Monkey's Paw." However, when Kanbaru's mental state is calm, this power does not activate, and his arm appears to be a normal, slender one beneath the bandages.
The Mother Who Left the Demonic Hand
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
The "Rainy Devil," or rain demon, residing in Kanbaru's left hand was left to her by her mother, Totomi. Her mother, Kanbara Totomi, possessed a strict personality and always treated everyone as an individual, regardless of their position. Suruga, her daughter, saw her as a "strange" character.
Another Letter
Kanbara's mother, Totomi, also left behind a letter along with the monkey's paw. In the story "Suruga Bonehead" from Owarimonogatari, Kanbara confronts and overcomes her past.
Kanbaru Suruga in Owarimonogatari
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
In Owarimonogatari, Kanbaru completely revamped her boyish short haircut and showed off a cute new look with longer hair. He continues to make fierce advances towards Araragi, even offering himself to Araragi, saying, "Enjoy yourself."
A Great Performance
However, despite his playful interactions, Kanbara plays a major role in the main story. When Shinobu is reluctant to meet the First Family, he confronts her head-on, telling her, "No matter how emotionally charged you are, you should meet them," and "No matter how it ends, you must face yourself and settle things."
A Manly Kanbara
After Shinobu is defeated in an argument by the passionate and straightforward Kanbara, this manly Kanbara causes a minor incident, going to bed in a huff. If you haven't seen the second half of "Owarimonogatari," be sure to check out this manly Kanbara.
8 Famous Quotes from Kanbaru Suruga
Contrary to her refreshing appearance, Kanbaru Suruga is an intriguing character who possesses a variety of attributes: masochism, exhibitionism, and a fan of boys' love. She's proud of them. Her lines toward Koyomi are often outrageous. Koyomi responds with a tsukkomi, creating a comedy routine. Their virtuous pairing has become a staple of the story, and Kanbaru's endless stream of vulgar jokes has become a fixture. This time, we'll introduce some of Kanbaru Suruga's most famous quotes.
"Oh, what a coincidence. I agree. I think women's underwear is a work of art. Hey, we have something in common, Araragi-senpai."
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Even though she's a girl, she seems to be particularly interested in elementary school girls' underwear. It seems like she and Araragi-kun only have two options: when they get along, or when they don't.
"We're getting along even better! Just like Araragi-senpai! What a wonderful way to live, not letting the rough waves of the world get the better of you!"
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
This is the moment when a genius pervert and a pervert who has found love in lolis agree on one thing. I'm sure many people love this exchange.
"Senjougahara-senpai will take care of him mentally, and I'll support him physically. Behold, this is a magnificent golden triangle."
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Hmm? ? ? At first glance, it seems like a great idea, but when you think about it, isn't that a bad idea? ? ?
"There are things in this world that are more important than money (school swimsuits and bloomers)."
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
It has a value that cannot be measured in money. Priceless! This phrase shows a stark difference between general opinion and Kanbaru Suruga's own.
"Despite appearances, I'm actually quite a visionary. I anticipated that bloomers would eventually become extinct, so I protected about 150 pairs in advance."
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
It's true, bloomers haven't been around much lately. That being said, Kanbaru certainly has some foresight. Just like Kanbaru Suruga.
"Ah, my chest is a little stiff from all that running. Is there anyone who can give me a massage?"
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
As is clear from the scene at the Kanbaru residence, Kanbaru has quite a nice body. That's a great line.
"Kanbaru Suruga! My job is Araragi-senpai's sex slave!"
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Not knowing who's on the other end of the line, Kanbaru suddenly blurts out a line that's become synonymous with him. It's a phrase as standard as introducing yourself as a hero or saying "Good morning." It seems that the word before "slave" changes slightly, becoming either "meat" or "erotic."
As you grow up, you may come to dislike a manga that you loved as a child, or conversely, you may now find great enjoyment in a novel that you once couldn't understand. If the repetition of these events - growing to dislike the people you loved, falling in love with people you dislike, becoming indifferent to things that were once valuable, and regretting the things you've thrown away - is what life is, and what it means to be alive, then it would be a lie to say that it isn't empty.
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Kanbara sometimes casually utters philosophical or profound words. She's not just erotic or perverted; her genius side is what makes her so appealing.
Summary
She's a rare "cool" female character in the Monogatari series. Be sure to check out Kanbaru Suruga in the story.
