First sets to be released in April and June

Aniplex of America announced its North American release plans for Nekomonogatari (Black) and Monogatari Series Second Season at its Katsucon panel on Saturday. The company will start by releasing Nekomonogatari (Black) and Nekomonogatari (White) in limited edition Blu-ray Disc sets on April 22 and June 24, respectively.

The Nekomonogatari (Black) : Tsubasa Family set will include episodes 1-4 on two Blu-ray discs, a deluxe booklet, pin-up postcard set, and packaging illustrated by character designer Akio Watanabe. It is listed with a store price of US$49.98. Aniplex describes the story:

The story is about an incident that happened before Bakemonogatari ... On his way to the bookstore, Koyomi Araragi encounters Tsubasa Hanekawa whose face is covered with a bandage. The incident allows Koyomi to learn what has been happening in the Hanekawa household, but Tsubasa begs him not to tell anyone about it, saying she'll do anything to keep him quiet. Without revealing her family's circumstances, Koyomi tells of the day's incident - he and Tsubasa buried a “cat” that had been hit by a car- to Meme Oshino. Meme tells Koyomi that he must immediately go to confirm Hanekawa's safety. He heads to her house, only to find... So begins the nightmarish nine days of Golden Week...

Nekomonogatari (White)

The: Tsubasa Tiger set will also include episodes 1-5 on two Blu-ray discs, pin-up postcard set, and packaging illustrated by character designer Akio Watanabe. It is listed with a store price of US$59.98.

Aniplex describes the story:

At the end of summer vacation, upon the morning of the opening ceremony for the second semester, Tsubasa Hanekawa encounters an enormous tiger on the way to school. “White. So white... So purely, blandly white...” Proclaiming Tsubasa as such, the white-furred tiger strides past her and vanishes. After this happens, Tsubasa's house is destroyed in a fire. But this is just the beginning of a series of unfortunate incidents for her and the people around her. Koyomi Araragi decides to save her with help from the former “Kiss-Shot," a legendary vampire.

Aniplex of America announced in June that it has acquired the rights to both Nekomonogatari (Black) and Monogatari Series Second Season. The series premiered in Japan in July, and Daisuki and Crunchyroll streamed the series outside of Japan.

Pre-orders for both sets will open on Tuesday.