Review of Monster

It might look silly that I ranked every single item a 10, but that's really how I feel about Monster. It's a masterpiece for several reasons. If you want to watch an anime series that is directed toward a mature audience -- not the kind of "mature" that involves gore or sex -- this anime is for you. It's a mystery, a thriller; it has elements of action alongside heavy moments of psychological horror. Naoki Urasawa's Monster is really unlike any anime I have ever seen. Anybody who is familiar with his work will know that his art style is a bit more Western at times; andunlike a lot of anime and manga, Monster takes place in Europe, which surprisingly adds some very unique thematic elements to the story.

First of all, there are no characters with superpowers -- no epic battles, no token cute/dumb female love interests, etc. No cliches. Everything that you find common among the anime medium is absent from this work.

I like anime because of the complex and unique stories, and Monster is no exception. While at first it seems like the basic mystery/drama story, it quickly becomes a psychological horror, with a large focus on historical and borderline supernatural themes.

The story begins shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall, but the majority of the tale takes place 10 years later, when the Wall has finally fallen. The time period plays a very important role in the way the story unfolds, and the historical references -- to communism, the differences between East and West Germany, the Nazi Party and Hitler -- add an incredibly realistic-yet-creepy feel to the story.

While having a good grasp on European history certainly adds to the Monster experience, everything in the story is explained so well that any reader/viewer should not have any trouble grasping the story line.

The masterpiece lies in the story line. Urasawa has a true gift when it comes to complicated stories with twists and turns -- where every detail matters; every word holds importance and meaning; every seemingly loose end is masterfully tied up. As a writer myself, I cannot even begin to express how difficult it can be to create a complex story the likes of Monster. Everything is thought out and planned, and even when you become confused -- or think something seems too coincidental -- you later realize that there was a reason for that.

The artwork has a slightly less Eastern feel -- sort of a trademark of Naoki Urasawa. You never see a character morph into a strange-eyed face with tear/sweat drops to signify a certain emotion, or anything like that. Character emotions are perfectly depicted in a realistic fashion, and because of the story's realistic feel, you almost forget that you are watching an animated series. If any anime series could be converted into a live-action television show (as long as they stay true to the story), Naoki Urasawa's Monster is that series.

Beyond that, the tone of the entire story is dark and mysterious. At times, you're not sure what Johan, the antagonist, really is. Urasawa leaves you feeling that there's something supernatural about him, only to remind you later of his human condition. The protagonist, Dr. Kenzo Tenma, transforms in many ways throughout the story, but always manages to stay true to himself.

It's even difficult to call the supporting cast a "supporting cast" -- every character has their own story, and their own fascinating qualities; and not only do they have their own histories, but everything they do affects the story as well.

The complexity of Monster is nearly impossible to portray in a simple review. The art is emotive and clean; easy to absorb and fall in love with. The tone is dark, mysterious and, at times, horrifying. Basically, everything about Monster, to me, is amazing.

I would honestly put Monster up there with my favorite Hollywood blockbusters, bestselling novels, award-winning films and television shows, etc. In fact, in most cases it's not even "up there" with them -- it's better.

This series is a must-watch for not just anime fans, but for anybody who considers themselves a fan of art, literature and truly masterful storytelling.