I disagree with the "she was protecting Araragi". There's not really a line in the novel that hints towards this. It is true however that she has antipathy towards Nadeko and understands her personality a bit better than the other characters, but that also comes from the similarities they both have, like she herself said in this episode about the time she sat curled up in a corner never saying a Word. It might be a bit clearer in the novel that this is the case.
2021-11-11 13:14:08 +0000 UTC
Shinobu was protecting Koyomi at the end of this episode. When Nadeko came to Oshino in Bakemonogatari, Shinobu observed her the whole time and saw right through her. She also observed her through Koyomi during their interactions in Nisemonogatari. Shinobu is the 600-year-old vampire and former princess who has seen it all. She knows the victim card when she sees it. Keep in mind that Nadeko is THE most sexually aggressive character toward Koyomi, yet she never makes any attempt to develop their personal relationship. Everyone but Koyomi can see how boldly aggressive Nadeko is, almost to a predatory level. Nadeko goes as far as to use apparition crises to get Koyomi's undivided attention, but won't help herself in any way so that she can keep his attention as long as possible. She uses the cute girl victim card to deflect everyone else, but she uses it as bait for Koyomi. Shinobu sees through all of that and is protecting Koyomi from it by directly confronting Nadeko and exposing her facade to her face.
2021-11-11 11:03:14 +0000 UTC
I wouldn't say she doesn't want Araragi to help so he doesn't get hurt. From her conversation with Kuchinawa at the shrine it seemed like she doesn't want helo because she _wanted_ and felt like she _needed_ to attone, because she really felt guilty for what she did. She felt like she deserved anything that came her way in result of her killing the snakes, like, just imagine how a 13-year-old kid would feel going by themselves to a desolate and unkept shrine, hunting snakes in the tall grass just to cut them up with your bare hands. Imagine how disgusting and scary it could be. And it wasn't even an energetic and delinquent kid, but a delicate and spoiled one.
Nadeko certainly divides fans, but I simply love her character and will try getting more into why I think this in the next two episodes, along with some info from the novels.
Great reaction as always, man!
