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Shinobu’s backstory, originally from her Heroine book, taken from the translation on her wiki page

“Shinobu's past from before she became a vampire is revealed in "Princess Beauty" (うつくし姫 Utsukushihime?), published in Anime Monogatari Series Heroine Book #3: Shinobu (アニメ＜物語＞シリーズヒロイン本　其ノ參　忍野忍Anime Monogatari Shirīzu Hiroin Bon Sono San Oshino Shinobu?)

Shinobu was the only daughter of a noble family in an unspecified kingdom. Her beauty was famous throughout the entire kingdom. Countless people would line up outside her palace everyday just to see her. Anyone who sees her for the first time is shocked that her beauty exceeds any expectations, and they would bring her countless gifts everyday. Despite everyone's love for her, Shinobu was never happy, and she never smiled. She wished people would see what's inside her, instead of just her exterior. One day an elderly witch came to grant her wish. The witch turned her physical appearance invisible, and people could only see her inside.

However, her interior turned out to be far more beautiful than her exterior. Her inner beauty manifested itself as a bright light that enveloped the entire kingdom. After seeing her inner beauty, her father felt extreme guilt for not being able to understand her and see her true self, and killed himself out of this guilt. Her mother was so satisfied by giving birth to such a perfect child, that she felt she had nothing left to do in this world. Thus, she also committed suicide. People were so astounded by her pure heart that instead of giving her material gifts they gave her their most valuable possessions: their lives. If they had things more important to them than their lives, they would give her those instead. (e.g. a musician gave her his ears, a poet gave her his tongue, a sculptor gave her his eyes, and some gave her their children's lives, their grandchildren's lives, etc.). Corpses of those who committed suicide for Shinobu piled up outside her palace. Before long, the pile of corpses grew higher than the palace.

Shinobu was devastated at the result. The witch couldn't turn Shinobu back because she gave Shinobu her knowledge-filled head (the witch beheaded herself). However, Shinobu's tear was able to revive the witch for a small moment, and the witch told her to go on a journey. The witch told her to avoid people, and to never stay in one place for too long. Otherwise, people will get drawn to her heart, and start taking their own lives again. Shinobu became a vampire some time after. No one was able to save her after this experience until 600 years later when she met Araragi.”

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