Review of Monster

Who's the real monster? Story: Brilliantly told story of a descent into a professional and personal hell for a neurosurgeon who only wants to do the right thing, or at least, what he perceives to be right. Moral ambiguity is the name of the game, and the show wins every time through ingenious dialogue and captivating capers, while also giving you a taste of what Tenma is struggling with. The intelligence of the characters nor viewer is never insulted with mindless drivel, and a sensation of real danger for the characters will keep you watching. There is some "filler," but doesn't become too much or distracting. Art:Dated, but matches the feel of the series. Dark, gritty, unpolished, it's not something that's particularly appealing to the eye, but adds to the atmosphere of the series. You can appreciate the direction they were going for.

Sound: Finally, a dub that doesn't blow chunks. Subbed or dubbed, this is well-performed. The music is eerie, atmospheric and tense. The opening is fantastic. They did their due work in the little things, like footsteps on different materials, gunfire, and even breathing when appropriate. It gives the viewer a finer sense of immersion and realism.

Character: A shining point of the series. The character development of Tenma is superb, and no single major character is overlooked; everyone becomes a stronger or different person throughout the show, and has their own tribulations to overcome, or virtues to enhance or discard. The contrast of certain characters adds another layer of thought and interesting dynamics, further enhancing the already strong hand this series plays. Simply masterful.

Enjoyment/Overall: I binged all 74 episodes in three days. Needless to say, I loved it. This is a masterpiece, and a landmark of storytelling in animation. People gush about this show, and rightly so. It has that "it" factor, where everything just works together to enhance the viewing experience. There are no kawaii babes, or jiggling boobies, or flashy sword techniques, or inhuman or exaggerated powers. There's enough animations with all that jazz. Everyone is just human. It feels organic. This show is firmly grounded in reality, and it's all the better for it. This took a step outside the sphere of what is commonly perceived in anime, and created something beautiful that I can't recommend highly enough. A must-watch.