Review of Monster

*No spoilers* This review is for the anime adaptation of Monster, by Naoki Urasawa. Summary Monster is an anime adaptation of a popular manga by Naoki Urasawa. The story begins as the protagonist, Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a neurosurgeon, makes an imperative decision to save a life based on his morals rather than the social expectations of his employer. The ramifications of this decision thrust Dr. Tenma into chaos, as he is falsely accused of a crime. Kenzo must investigate and apprehend a mastermind criminal: the very patient whose life he saved. This story has wonderful plot twists, phenomenally written characters, and explores themes such as human morality, values,nihilism, relationships, and the human capacity to change. This is one of the best overall quality stories ever told. I strongly recommend Monster if you are interested in these themes or enjoy historical fiction.

Story: 9/10
Monster is a masterclass of storytelling, starting with the opening episodes’ challenging decisions and the ongoing chaos that ensues. The suspense is enticing, but the overall morals and themes explored in the story are what makes it so captivating. It asks questions along the way. Are people good? Are they bad? Are they born that way? It also explores how trauma influences decisions and how people can change and use their values as a guide to decision-making. The main plot focuses on Dr. Kenzo Tenma, who adheres to his values at the beginning of the story. He ultimately sacrifices his wellbeing and lively to do his job: save a life. However, saving this person has major social consequences at the hospital, and this particular patient plays a pivotal antagonistic role in the story by committing crimes through a lens of nihilism. There are many moving parts, and some sections appear convoluted; however, they all stay true to the themes and posited questions throughout the story. Additionally, Monster does an excellent job of leading with its cast of characters rather than emphasizing disconnected plot points and twists. This helps to accentuate the human characteristics of the story and delve deeper into the themes of human morality. It all feels realistic, even in the historical fiction context. There are no superpowers, plot armors, or fan services. The characters face permanent consequences, and this is particularly important to the course of Monster. Ultimately, the plot and storytelling are fantastic.

Characters: 10/10
This anime has the most realistic, fleshed out, and human characters out of any story. This goes beyond the lack of fantasy in the genre and has everything to do with the writing of the characters. They feel like real people: they behave based on their experiences, traumas, emotions, fears, etc. They have the capacity to grow, although they are still held accountable. Characters are also held unabashedly liable for their behaviors, resulting in realistic endings. It is true that not all people have the opportunity to make the changes they want, and that is depicted excellently in Monster. Kenzo Tenma is a protagonist who faces significant consequences for his decisions, and he adheres to and challenges his values which makes the story far more consequential. In contrast, Johan, the antagonist, sets the world ablaze in an effort to convey his nihilistic views. From these two characters, we have a variety of conflicts and opposing themes. Other characters, such as Detective Runge, Eva Heinemann, and Nina, all add to the drama and storytelling. They feel like real people and have their own arcs. Even characters who only appear in a few episodes of this anime have thought-provoking character arcs, regardless of how their tales may end. Most importantly, all the characters posit meaningful questions related to the primary themes: human morality, values, nihilism, relationships, and the human capacity to change.

Art: 7/10
Considering the anime is twenty years old at the time I am writing this review, the art has held up well. The characters have expressive faces, and they convey their emotions appropriately.

Sound: 7/10
The audio in Monster is sufficient. Unfortunately, there have been issues with copyright and changes in the soundtrack for dubbed versions of the anime. This has also impacted the availability of the dubs. The music in the original Japanese version (which I watched with subtitles) was composed by Kuniaki Haishimi. It feels somewhat repetitive, but the anime is long. The sound effects are fitting and above average.

Enjoyment: 9/10
I thoroughly enjoyed this anime and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great story and dark themes. I may not be a nihilist, but I can appreciate a well-written story about nihilism.

Total score: 8.4/10 (excellent)