Episode 1

* Screenshot
* Title

**Hyoma** (兵馬, *Hyōma*) is the first episode of the Mononogatari anime series.

## Synopsis

Hyoma Kunato, who harbors a hatred for tsukumogami, is forced to live with a house full of them and their enigmatic mistress, Botan Nagatsuki.

## Summary

Hyoma finds his brother Hayato and sister Kusui being killed by a tsukumogami. In their last breaths, the two manage to push Hyoma away and save him from the tsukumogami.

"Marebito" is a name given to entities from the land of the dead - a foreign real where souls run rampant - which find their way to the land of the living. They are spirital beings capable of possessing old inanimate objects to manifest a physical form. In that form, they are known as tsukumogami.

Hyoma corners a tsukumogami, and explains that he is enforcer of House Kunato, one of the three Saenome Houses. Zohei faces a tsukumogami and guesses it ended up in their world by chance by possessing an old coin and all that must be very confusing for the tsukumogami. Two officers are observing, but as one is new, the other tells him to just watch and Zohei keeps the law and order from beings that are not normal for them. Zohei tells the tsukumogami he can take custody of its spirit for a while and then return it to the world it came from. As the tsukumogami is large, Zohei asks it if it can come down to his level and the tsukumogami kneels down. Zohei then seals the spirit and it takes the form of the possessed object, a batch of old coins. Zohei tells the new police officers that this is quite common and they have been doing it in the shadows for ages. The other officer explains that they have been working with the government and Zohei is part of a clan known as Saenome. The police officer then wonders about his grandson who went after another similar tsukumogami. Zohei explains he is professional and they usually resolve things with a talk, and not a fight. They go check on Hyoma, but he punches the tsukumogami and smashes it against the wall, and then proceeds sealing it. Zohei is disappointed and call someone asking them if they can take Hyoma for a while as that may help him.

Later, Hyoma that the target haven't been a tsukumogami for a while and couldn't take a proper human form. That would mean it doesn't know how to use that form well and probably isn't aware of its own strength. That is why, Hyoma decided to strike quickly and seal it, to prevent any potential damage. Hyoma believes he did the right thing, even if it was a bit violent. Zohei disagrees and explains that using force should be their last option. The Marebito are dragged here against their will and are disoriented at first. Becoming a tsukumogami, they all act different. While there are indeed some troublemakers, some want to go home and others to blend in here. Saenome's job is to hear them out and guide them. However, Hyoma attacks each tsukumogami without asking questions and seals them against their will. Hyoma still believes he is doing the right thing and explains that the tsukumogami can turn against you in any moment and had seen with his own eyes the fatal consequences of a careless reach out to them. Zohei realizes that Hyoma is still hating the tsukumogami. Zohei hoped that Hyoma would outgrow it, but as he never listen, he leaves him no other choice. Zohei calls again the one he called before and confirms he wants to proceed with what they talked. Zohei asks Hyoma if he is aware of the existence of "special exceptions". Hyoma confirms that its a tsukumogami with certain freedom in exchange for conditions they assign them. Zohei confirms and states the person he talked to is such tsukumogami. Its a tsukumogami family serving a human master. Hyoma can't believe that humans and tsukumogami are living together. Zohgei explains that in two days, Hyom will go and live with them under the pretext that he is observing them. If Hyoma refuses, he will be stripped of his Saenome qualification.

Having no choice, Hyoma packs and heads to Kyoto. He will be staying at Nagatsuki Family, and the head of the family is Botan, who is about his age. Zohei believes that interacting with them each day will help Hyoma and be able to see the nature of the tsukumogami. Meanwhile, Yu and Suzuri, defeated another tsukumogami. The tsukumogami wonders why are they hunting fellow tsukumogami. They seal him, stating its what they do and then decide to head home. Nagi is with Kagami and remembers that Hyoma is coming today and rushes home.

Hyoma enters the Nagatsuki house and is greeted by Haori and Kushige. Haori explains that she is watching the house while their master is away. Hyoma wonders where is Botan. Meanwhile, Botan is at school and realized she forgot about Hyoma coming. Haori states that Botan is a student and is at school right now, but everyone else is here. Nagi, Kagami, Yu and Suzuri then come and stand behind Hyoma. Haori explains that the Nagatsuki family consist of six tsukumogami and their master Botan. Hyoma wants to be clear and reveals that he despises tsukumogami and can't trust them. He will be observing them from a distance and doesn't need any welcoming from them. Nagi wonders if he is venting on them because he is stressed, but Hyoma states he is more suspicious of them using Botan for their own needs. In that moment, everyone's face gets serious and Nagi tells Hyoma to take back what he said. As Hyoma refuses, Nagi attacks him and Hyoma blocks his punch with his luggage.

Nagi wants to fight Hyoma and tells the rest to not intervene and Haori and Kushige decide to let them fight. Nagi creates swords, but states he will be using the other side of the blade to not kill Hyoma. Hyoma notes that the tsukumogami can turn into the objects they posses. He tells Nagi that since they know his grandpa, he also promises to not destroy them. Angry, Nagi attacks, but Hyoma breaks his swords. Suzuri is surprised he broke them, Kagami explains that he didn't break them, but erased them, which is the power of the Saenome. Nagi continues to attack and Hyoma blocks all of his attacks. Yu notes that neither of them is serious at the moment. While the two fight, Yu receives a message that Botan is skipping class and will be back any minute now. She informs Haori, who then orders everyone to restrain Hyoma and Nagi. In a moment, Haori, Yu, Suzuri and Kagami jump in and attack Hyoma, knocking him down. Kagami realizes that everyone went for Hyoma and no one for Nagi, who seeing that states he feel sorry for Hyoma. Hyoma state that tsukumogami can indeed not be trusted. Botan shows up and Hyoma barely speaking introduced himself while still lying on the ground. Botan asks the tsukumogami what happened, but they all act distracted.

## Characters

* Hyoma Kunato
* Hayato Kunato
* Kusui Kunato
* Zohei Kunato
* Haori
* Yu
* Suzuri
* Nagi
* Kagami
* Kushige
* Botan Nagatsuki