The duality of perfection: a character analysis of Hanekawa Tsubasa from the Monogatari Series

Hello everyone! This might be like my first ever detailed post, and my first ever character analysis. I decided to do Hanekawa Tsubasa from the Monogatari Series because I really love this series and Hanekawa is the character I relate to the most!

At the beginning of bakemonogatari Hanekawa is depicted as a model student; perfect grades, composed demeanor and was often seen in assisting Araragi with oddities. Araragi often told her that she really did know everything, but she always said: "I don't know everything, I just know what I know."

Her intelligence is one of her most defining characteristics in the show, as she was shown possessing a keen, analytical mind throughout the entire show. (Nadeko Snake, Suruga Monkey, Karen Bee, Tsubasa Family, Tsubasa Tiger, Hitagi End, Ougi Formula, Koyomi Water).

Despite her outwardly perfect appearance and demeanor, Hanekawa's life is fraught with conflict and repression. Hanekawa has been shown in the series to having suppressed her emotions and desires; the reason for that being because she had to uphold the image of a perfect daughter and student. Her home life is a huge contrast to her school life. Hanekawa mentioned before that her parents weren't her actual parents. Throughout Araragi's and Hanekawa's conversation about her home life it was apparent that they were emotionally distant and at times abusive towards her.

Black Hanekawa is an abberration born from Hanekawa's repressed emotions. She manifests during times where Hanekawa undergoes extreme stressed, acting as a vessel of her repressed frustration, anger, and her desire for freedom. Black Hanekawa is almost an opposite of the actual Hanekawa; more assertive, uninhibited and willing to act on impulse that Hanekawa herself would never entertain. By confronting Black Hanekawa and other aberrations, Hanekawa learns to embrace her imperfections and acknowledge her true feelings. This process is neither quick nor easy, but it is essential for her development. Hanekawa's path to self-acceptance is marked by moments of vulnerability, introspection, and gradual change.

Her relationship with the protagonist of the series, Araragi Koyomi is more complex. Araragi is aware of her feelings for him, but he treats her with a blend admiration and caution, which adds another layer to Hanekawa's inner conflict since she struggles with the complexities of their friendship and the unrequited love. Her relationship with him was important to her growth as it made her confront her emotions and vulnerabilities.

Hanekawa's character arc is rich with symbolism and thematic depth. Her alter ego, Black Hanekawa, symbolizes the Jungian concept of the shadow self—the parts of one's personality that are hidden and repressed. Her journey reflects the universal struggle of reconciling one's public image with one's true self. Themes of identity, emotional repression, and the quest for self-acceptance are central to Hanekawa's story, which in my opinion makes her a really relatable character.

Hanekawa Tsubasa is a profoundly complicated character whose narrative is a testament to the complexities of human nature. Her intelligence, diligence, and outward perfection are contrasted by her internal struggles and emotional repression. Through her interactions with supernatural elements and her relationships with other characters, particularly Koyomi Araragi, Hanekawa embarks on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.