Had a talk with my friend last night about the anime. The strength of this anime is really the chemistary between the seiyuu, especially Kamiya Hiroshi and Chiwa Saito. Granted, the anime has it's appeal, but without those two, it would have been a different anime altogether.
Yui Horie was acceptable, but nothing to shout about, and all the other cast was average at best. Hiroshi's interaction with them really personifies what Shinbo wanted to showcase, and basically what people really watches Bakemonogatari for is Araragi.
the fact that we started the anime with Araragi and Hitagi is what really pulls more people in to watch for more. It can't be denied, some of the best and memorable scene in the anime is the one that involves both of them.