The wildly popular anime series "Bakemonogatari" is a light novel series written by Nisio Isin. We'll be introducing Shinobu Oshino, a character from the series.
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Who is Shinobu Oshino?
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin / Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
She is both one of the heroines and the antagonist. She appears to be a blonde, golden-eyed girl about 8 years old, but she is a human-like vampire who is approximately 600 years old. She is bound to Oshino Meme not by blood but by name. Her original name is Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade. If she does not regularly receive Araragi Koyomi's blood, she will disappear. By receiving blood, she can regain her original form and powers.
Voice Actor
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
I'd like to introduce you to Maaya Sakamoto, the voice of Shinobu Oshino in the anime. Born in 1980 in Tokyo, Maaya Sakamoto is a member of Forturest. Nicknamed "Maya," she is a voice actress, actress, singer, narrator, radio personality, and essayist.
Lolita girl?
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
She has beautiful pale skin, blonde hair, and golden eyes, making her appear to be about 8 years old. Although she looks like a young girl, she reveals in "Mayoi Kyonshi" that she has actually lived for "598 years and 11 months," and speaks in an old-man's manner. By drinking Araragi Koyomi's blood, her appearance changes in proportion to the power she regains.
Reasons for Popularity
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
As a vampire, she was talkative and appeared haughty, but in reality, she was a sensitive person. However, after the incident in "Bakemonogatari" turned her into a "human-like vampire," she became resentful of those around her, becoming silent and barely speaking. After reconciling with Araragi Koyomi in "Karen Bee," she began to talk a lot again. Shinobu Oshino's jealous and spoiled personality, combined with her cute appearance, make her very popular.
The Unknown Identity of Shinobu Oshino
Shinobu Oshino was originally known as "Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade," the strongest vampire known as the King of Monsters. She was the one who turned Araragi Koyomi into a vampire in "Kizumonogatari," but she also lost most of her powers and name in the same series, and is now a "human-like vampire."
The Unknown Origin of His Name
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
In "Nekomonogatari," Shinobu Oshino was given his current name by Meme Oshino in recognition of his actions when he stopped Tsubasa Hanekawa from going berserk due to a supernatural event. The reason they both shared the surname, Oshino, was to symbolize a connection between Shinobu Oshino and his existence. As for the origin of Shinobu, his original name "Underblade" translates to "heart under the blade" in Japanese, hence the name Oshino Shinobu.
Unknown Location
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Initially, Shinobu Oshino harbored a grudge against Koyomi Araragi and lived with Meme Oshino in the abandoned cram school building. However, after "Tsubasa Cat" caused him to have thoughts, Meme Oshino left town, and he began lurking in Koyomi Araragi's shadow. He can come and go freely, but because he lurks in the shadows he is forced to share Araragi Koyomi's emotions and senses. When he is in the shadows he can use his abilities to a certain extent and can walk in sunlight, but as he was originally a vampire he is active at night.
Favorite Food: Donuts
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Shinobu Oshino's favorite food is Mister Donut, and he loves donuts so much that he'll do anything for them. He especially likes the Golden Chocolate, but also seems to like the Pon de Ring. He sometimes shows his cute side by sulking when Meme Oshino takes his donut.
The Relationship between Shinobu Oshino and Koyomi Araragi
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Shinobu Oshino and Koyomi Araragi first met in Bakemonogatari, and this is where the whole story began. Oshino Shinobu (who was Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade when they first met) had lost both her arms and legs to three vampire hunters, and her heart to Oshino Meme, and was found by Araragi Koyomi in a dying state.
An Unwanted Turn of Events
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Araragi Koyomi donated his blood to the dying Kiss-Shot, and as a result, Kiss-Shot became his servant. Wishing for death, Kiss-Shot expected Araragi to kill her, but he ultimately saved her. Kiss-Shot will live as a "human-like vampire," and Araragi Koyomi will live as a "vampire-like human."
Their Strange Relationship
As a result, Shinobu Oshino and Araragi Koyomi developed a relationship in which they both obeyed and were master. In the end, Shinobu Oshino decided of his own volition to continue living with Araragi Koyomi.
Sad Shinobu's Past
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Shinobu Oshino was originally a human. Her name was Acerola, and she was so beautiful that the emperor bestowed upon her the title of "Beautiful Princess." Acerola was troubled by the fact that people only judged her appearance and not her inner self, so the witch cast a spell on her that made her "transparent on the outside and transparent on the heart." However, her inner self was even more beautiful, and many people began to offer their lives as offerings to her.
The Birth of Kiss-Shot
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Unable to bear watching people die because of her, Acerola sets out on a journey, where she meets a vampire named Suicide Master and becomes his servant. This is the birth of the vampire "Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade."
Kiss-Shot's Abilities
Shinobu Oshino, a "human-like vampire," is a remnant of the supernatural. Therefore, she avoids annihilation by periodically feeding on Araragi Koyomi's blood. Her powers increase slightly at night, a vestige of her time as a vampire. She can still use her "Energy Drain" and "Blade" abilities from her time as a vampire, and her powers return when she drinks Araragi Koyomi's blood.
Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
She has a slender figure, translucent white skin, blonde hair, and golden eyes. Plus, she has large breasts. While she looks like a true queen, she's no queen at all. Her true identity is the King of Monsters. She's known as "the iron-blooded, hot-blooded, and cold-blooded vampire."
The Surprisingly Meaningful Origin of Her Name
There are many theories about the origin of Kiss-Shot's name, but one theory is that she was given the name Kiss-Shot, with the meaning of "devouring people as if kissing." Apparently, she was named by the "Suicide Master" who turned her into a vampire.
The Meaning of Acerolion
The middle part, "Acerolion," was originally named Lola, but the princess herself renamed it "Acerola" and added "Orion." Incidentally, the word "Acerola" is derived from the Spanish word for "steel," so one theory is that "iron-blooded" is a double meaning, combining the "red" of acerola and the "iron" of steel.
The Meaning of Heart-Under-Blade
The last part, "Heart-Under-Blade," is perhaps the most meaningful. In "Monogatari: Bakemonogatari," it's said that the reason is that she has a heart as beautiful as a sword.
Overwhelming Ability
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Her ability is so omnipotent that it's practically absurd. In addition to the typical vampire traits of immortality and the ability to increase the number of allies, in addition to the time travel mentioned above, he also has teleportation and physical optimization (his body is always kept in the best condition possible). His combat abilities are overwhelming, including the ability to create matter that he can imagine, and he claims he could destroy the world in 10 days. His ultimate goal is to defeat the sun.
Her True Identity as a Human
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
She was originally a human from a noble family, but after a series of twists and turns, including being enchanted by the Suicide Master, she became a vampire. Her flamboyant hobbies are said to be a remnant of her time as an aristocrat. Incidentally, she has many mental weaknesses, and while she is sexually open, she is also innocent.
Summary
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Shinobu Oshino's original form was the strongest vampire, Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade. She and the protagonist, Koyomi Araragi, are indispensable to each other, and despite many twists and turns, they ultimately decide to live together of their own volition. Shinobu Oshino is cute both inside and out and has a lot to offer. There are many cute girls in the Monogatari Series, but be sure to check out Shinobu Oshino as well.
