Review of Monster

Sadness and happiness... in both lies a horrifying monster, disguised as an angel... Sadness and happiness... This two words mean such a thing in our lives. Sadness, bring us fear, depression, anger, in which towards to the darkness. In other hand, happiness. It bring us joy, a smile, grateful things, peaceful things, and love. There are two kinds of people in our society. Ones who lives in a light and the other ones who lives in the dark. The meaning of dark is somewhat very heavy because we don't know what is our biggest fear. There is someone who live happily in the darkness. Not knowingwhat is his purpose, his true meaning of life. Sometimes there are a question about nihilism. "Where do we come from?" "Why do we here?" "Where do we go when we die?" What is our purpose to live? The more we asked about us the more frightening will be. Of course there is something that lives in our sociality, politics, media, religion, and ourselves. the ones who called "Monster".

There is so much complex things happen in the story, and everything is connected in one linear fate. How the twins is actually shocked the whole Europe and nobody knows about this. Here we are introduced a brilliant brain surgery in Germany. Especially in Dusseldorf. Eisler Memorial Hospital. An ordinary doctor who always saving patient lives. He is grateful about it. He is Dr. Tenma. Everything went extremely well until he had to prioritize an opera singer over a Turkish man. This makes Tenma questioning himself: "Are all lives equal?"

Of course every one lives are equal. And Tenma choses his decision very well, prioritizing a boy over a mayor since the boy came first. However, I was wrong. And Tenma also wrong. What is actually happening? The boy was saved but the mayor died. Are there no brilliant doctors like Tenma? Tenma didn't know who is he saving. After he is stepped down from his current position makes him dilemma and depressed. It getting worse when Tenma gets word from the police that Director Heinemann, Dr. Oppenheim and Dr. Boyer have been mysteriously killed. Most polices and detectives investigates the cause of murder but none of them know the twins are gone. Unexpectedly, he is appointed as a Chief of Surgery. Nine years later, Tenma learns that the doctors' murders were committed by the boy he saved when the now-grown boy. A beautiful but a horrifying name Johan. It wasn't his real name. No one knows who is his real name. A man with no name just suddenly kill Tenma's patient. No reason why. He killed it perfectly, nobody knows. And makes Tenma actually have a multiple personalities. Johan, is unknown where he is come from, his origin, how he became a "Monster". The mystery of his past is the focus of the plot. He is called a monster, the next Adolf Hitler and the devil himself. He possesses charisma and intelligence but is also cunning, manipulative and deceitful; while he is seemingly kind, compassionate and loving to children, he is actually cold and cruel. He uses his talents to manipulate and corrupt others, often with no apparent end than to cause suffering and destruction. His goal is to kill everyone that knows of his existence. This makes Tenma have to stop him from becoming an ultimate massacre that endangered many lives. During his journey, to stop Johan. He also meets with many person from different backgrounds, who at first seem unrelated to the overarching plot, but every person and their allocated story plays a role into solving the mystery of the “Monster”. That is precisely what makes this show ingenious. The story-telling and plot are perfect not just structurally but also substantially. This series is actually a perfect horror story. Like The Exorcist or The Shining. There are no jumpscares but you can feel the aura of ultimate evil that actually made this show creepy. Our ultimate fears didn't come from unknown. But comes from ourselves. There are no great enemies, because our biggest enemies is ourselves. Ignorance and anger, selfishness. Humans are actually greedy when it comes about our emotions and lusts. That's what make this show perfect.

The art and the background actually very good and so enjoyable. I'm surprised that most of the background are mostly accurate and very minor goofs. The tone of color mostly grey and white that you will feel somekind of "loneliness" and alienation. Which make it fits very well with the story.

Music plays very important role to the series. Perhaps this show are actually have a lots of beautiful moments in soundtrack. You can feel the sadness, vacantness, disturbances, frightening. Especially the ending. 'For the love of life' by David Sylvian you can feel sorrowfulness and happiness. 'The Angel Hand' which is actually Johan's theme always make me cry. Like it's title. Johan is very kindful person that inside his heart is a living 'Monster' that more evil than the devil itself.

One of the most powerful aspect of the series is the character. If I was Tenma, I will be very grateful that I can met various people from various background. Everyone has a character development. One thing that pretty special is how Tenma's life from high standards suddenly loses everything. From a great person become a horrible person because the act of 'Monster'. Despite he lost everything, He is a humanitarian who cares about the lives of others, and his kindness influences those he meets. His surgical skills earn him the position of chief neurosurgeon. He is a perfect character.

On the other hand, Johan. He is absolutely the greatest villain of all time. He not always killed people with his gun. He killed people using a words. A manipulative words that causes split between others. Word is his most powerful weapon. He can control everything even a "Bank of Europe" is under his command. He even destroy Kinderheim 511 using a word. "I just pour an oil on the fire." A perfect and inhuman character. He is truly a "Monster".

Overall this anime is considered masterpiece. Making this show truly deserves a 10 for my life after Your Lie in April. Both are truly a show that can change my life. Your Lie in April gives me a realization how I should accept myself and learn to move on. While Monster over a realistic story gives me how I should view on this world. How I should appreciate it. We always meet many kind of person in this world. Some of them good. Some of them are bad. We might find an inspiration from a great person. Making me to realize that the world is such a colorful life. In the end: "It was in the reign of George III that the aforesaid personages lived and quarrelled; good or bad, handsome or ugly, rich or poor, they are all equal now."

A truly must watch anime. No question asked. Over 74 long episodes. There is a journey...