Review of Monster

Monster is slow. Like really, really slow. It took me two attempts to finish after I gave up just after the halfway mark, and suffice to say re-watching the first half for the second time was not entirely enjoyable. However, now that it’s done, I can safely say that Monster contains not only some of the most interesting characters I have ever seen, but also one of the greatest stories I’ve ever experienced in any medium. Monster’s strongest point is its utterly captivating synopsis and subsequent first arc. While there are definitely stronger points spread throughout the series, it’s rare to find a premise so interestingthat just reading the description can make you feel more excited and intrigued than actually watching most shows. The initial premise is that of a doctor rebelling against his ‘immoral’ orders and making the ‘moral’ choice to save the life of a child over a mayor, only to find out later that that very same child has grown up to become a ruthless, cold, and calculated killer. A monster. Thus the two main characters are established and a psychological mystery thriller ensues.

A completely righteous and prodigal surgeon, Dr. Kenzou Tenma’s initial dilemma is brilliantly implemented by simultaneously showing his conviction and despair early on. Did he make the correct decision to save Johan’s life? Should he go against his oath as a doctor and kill the monster? Is he responsible for the trail of dead he follows in his pursuit? Tenma doesn’t know the answers, but he feels responsible enough and thus dedicates his life to try and track Johan down. While he is a strong character and we can understand his anguish and conviction, it can seem at times that Tenma is almost too righteous and focused on his goal. After his initial downfall from a renowned surgeon to a fugitive, he stays pretty much the same for the rest of the series. He never really expresses much emotion, always saying the right things to people, always giving medical attention to everyone he sees, always speaking in the same low and somber voice, with the occasional gasp being the loudest he gets. There is one part during the end of the Munich arc where his moral dilemma about causing harm as a doctor, which was in the background for a while, goes through an arc of its own, and it was engaging while it lasted. Also, while his childhood growing up in Japan is hinted at being explored a few times early on, it never shows up again after that, which is a shame. Again, Tenma is great, but there are times when he feels one-dimensional.

Despite having no fantastical/supernatural elements, Monster manages to create not only one of the most terrifying antagonists of all time with Johan Liebert, but also a greatly disturbing look at the world precisely because everything is grounded in reality. He is shown as a young, handsome man with blonde hair and melancholic eyes. He carries himself with grace, speaks softly and slowly, and practically oozes danger and malice to the audience, and Tenma by extension, as we are among the few who know of his true nature. His completely average appearance coupled with his complete disregard for human life is precisely why he has such a strong presence. Whenever he appears there is no telling what he will do. We as the audience are just as in the dark as the characters in the show. He is completely unpredictable, with his antics and killings seemingly random and indiscriminate, and his complex past and the history of how he became a monster is woven into the growing conspiracy and scale of the plot as we learn more and more about what happened to him. His calm and collected nature also serve as an excellent contrast to moments where he really does lose control. Seeing Johan start screaming and shaking in fear for the first time is a truly harrowing experience.

One point about Monster that I haven’t heard many people talk about is the setting and how it is used in the story. Having Tenma chase Johan across the entirety of German and even into the Czech Republic while slowly putting together the pieces of a massive conspiracy makes the plot feel more like an epic. Throughout his journey, Tenma stops in various places and ends up helping out everyone from a small village doctor to a struggling young surgeon. While these episodes might feel like filler to some, they work to showcase not just Tenma’s character and his desire to help those around him, but also the different people who populate Monster’s Germany since this series is, inherently, about people. During the first half of the series they are fairly common as Tenma has few friends and little knowledge about Johan, and they act as uplifting side stories to contrast all the death and tragedy from the beginning. The Munich arc comprises the middle of the story and acts as a change of pace and tone that will last until the end of the series. Many new characters are introduced that will assist Tenma on his journey, and we go many episodes initially without even seeing Tenma, instead focusing on the impact that Johan has on these other characters.

The massive supporting cast of Monster is another great strength to the series, although there are some that appear for only a few episodes that can make the story feel slow for some people as we spend a lot of time learning about such minor characters. It reminds me of Hunter x Hunter’s exhaustive character writing during the Chimera Ant arc, where even the most minor of side characters gets more backstory and development than the protagonist of most anime. While ambitious, it is one of the elements that holds Monster back from almost universal appeal. There are enough unique characters for everyone to have a favourite. Johan’s sister Nina acts as a third main character, going through tragedy after tragedy because of her brother, all while trying to piece together the lost memories of their shared childhood. Inspector Lunge, a meticulous and obsessive detective who is convinced that Tenma and Johan are one and the same, and Grimmer, an always positive and caring former spy with a terrible past, are my favourites.

Monster utilises a more realistic looking art style that focuses on detailed facial expressions and character designs grounded in reality. While the colour pallet can be said to be somber and grim, that is in order to reflect the general tone of the series. I say general because there are definitely happy moments with brighter and warmer colours, showing that instead of aiming for an intentionally dark and oppressive look the colours have all simply been subdued to create a consistently dulled and natural style. The music in Monster is also beautifully thematic. It makes use of piano and violin to create incredible atmosphere, easily switching from melancholic and thoughtful to tense and haunting through the speeding up of the violin and the integration of crashing cymbals. The OP is also phenomenal. Just don’t watch it all 74 times or you’ll probably ruin it for yourself.

Monster is a subjective masterpiece. While the story and characters are arguably the best in the medium, whether you can enjoy exceptionally slow burners will determine whether you manage to enjoy it to the fullest. I will also mention here that, while it didn’t bother me at all, I can see why some people have called Monster’s dialogue and direction over-dramatic at times. While there are a few minor details like this that prevent Monster from being technically perfect and pleasing everyone, it is certainly one for those with more patience than me who will be gripped from start to finish. I haven’t even mentioned the various themes expertly communicated within Monster, such as identify, nihilism, and humanity. If you enjoy the task of pondering over what you’ve watched, then definitely watch this. If you don’t, slug though it anyway, because the experience is worth it.