Meme Oshino is a mysterious man in his 30s who travels all over Japan, investigating oddities and teaching the main characters how to deal with them. He's known for his wild blond hair, flashy aloha shirts, and a laid-back attitude that hides his sharp mind and powerful skills. Meme Oshino keeps a neutral stance and doesn't pick sides. He prefers to stay out of direct fights but has shown impressive strength when needed. He believes in helping people help themselves, and while he doesn't admit to saving anyone, he always gives the right push or advice. Meme leaves a strong impact even when he's not around, and his unique personality brings a special balance to the Bakemonogatari series.
Meme Oshino has messy blond hair and always wears bright aloha shirts, making him stand out. He is slim and looks like a cool, good-looking guy. He is usually seen with a cigarette in his mouth, but he never lights it.
Meme is mysterious, calm, and often teases others with his words. He keeps a neutral position in all matters and never takes sides. Meme is a bit of a machine-phobe—he doesn't use phones and dislikes modern technology. He calls himself an "authority on monsters," but prefers being a "balancer" or "negotiator" instead of a monster hunter. He hates the word "help," saying he only "lends a hand" for someone to save themselves. Meme always acts like he knows more than he lets on, and his catchphrase is, "You're pretty lively, did something good happen?"
Meme Oshino graduated from a university with a focus on Shinto studies. He was in the same occult club as Kagenui Yozuru and Kaiki Deishū, with Gaen Izuko as their senior. Meme was known as a genius, was always surrounded by women, and had a reputation for being "careless," though everyone admits he is really skilled. Even in his student days, he loved to wear aloha shirts. Meme claims to be related to Oshino Ōgi, but according to Kaiki Deishū, he is a lonely person.
Meme Oshino is a professional at dealing with oddities and supernatural beings. He almost never fights, but when he does, he is extremely strong. During the “Spring Break” incident in the Kizumonogatari story, he easily stopped three vampire hunters who attacked Koyomi Araragi. He once stole a vampire’s heart without the vampire even noticing. Meme is very smart and quick to find out the true cause of strange problems.
Meme acts as a mentor to Koyomi Araragi and other main characters, teaching them how to handle oddities. His advice often helps them solve their problems, although he claims he is not "saving" anyone. He has a special connection with Oshino Ōgi, whom he calls his cute niece. He was university clubmates with Kagenui Yozuru and Kaiki Deishū.
"You seem pretty lively. Did something good happen?"
"That's not something to take lightly. You finally fought for yourself. I respect you, Araragi."
"Araragi, what are you planning to do, pushing down my cute niece like that? You're pretty lively, did something good happen?"
"You shouldn't be doing anything suspicious with a junior when you have a girlfriend."
"I'm not saving you; you just managed to save yourself, Araragi."
"Well done."
Teaching About Oddities
In Bakemonogatari, Meme Oshino lives illegally in a rundown cram school building. He teaches Koyomi Araragi and his friends everything they need to know about oddities and how to solve their problems. Meme always helps by giving knowledge or advice, never by direct action or fighting unless absolutely needed.
Leaving the Town
At the end of the "Tsubasa Cat" arc, Meme quietly leaves the town and does not appear much after the story arc "Karen Bee." While he is gone, it turns out he sometimes sent information about oddities to Shinobu. Other professional oddity experts, like Kaiki Deishū and Kagenui Yozuru, are also revealed to have been Meme’s university clubmates.
South Pole and Dramatic Return
In the "Ougi Dark" arc of Owarimonogatari, it is revealed that Meme was sent to Antarctica by Oshino Ōgi. He is found by Tsubasa Hanekawa and returns just in time to help Koyomi Araragi and Oshino Ōgi when they are in deep trouble with the darkness known as "Kuroyami." Meme’s recognition of Oshino Ōgi as his niece allows her existence to become real, and the dangerous darkness disappears. As always, Meme says he didn’t save anyone—Koyomi managed to help himself.
Meme always has a cigarette in his mouth, but in the anime, he never lights it because it would be tough to animate. However, in the comic version, he is sometimes shown smoking.
Ononoki Yotsugi once said Meme has a "curse" that keeps him from staying in one place for long. More details about this are unknown.
💬 Community Discussion
Talk about this anime with people who actually care.