Review of Monster
Monster is an intense psychological thriller about a Japanese neurosurgeon named Dr. Kenzō Tenma, who moves to Germany to advance his career. One day, he’s forced to make a moral decision that changes his life forever. His hospital prioritizes powerful, high-society patients over ordinary ones, and as their best surgeon, Tenma is expected to comply. However, when a Turkish construction worker dies because Tenma was ordered to operate on a politician instead, he begins to question the system and his role in it. When a similar situation arises again, Tenma decides to defy the hospital director and saves the life of a gunshot victim—ignoring the mayorwho also needed urgent surgery. This decision ruins his career. But that’s only the beginning: the life he chose to save turns out to have horrific consequences. Unknowingly, Tenma has saved someone capable of immense evil—the “monster” of the story.
From there, the anime evolves into a deep, slow-burning mystery as Tenma goes on the run, trying to stop the terror he helped unleash. Monster asks difficult philosophical and psychological questions—about morality, the value of human life, guilt, and whether saving a life always means doing the right thing.
One of Monster’s greatest strengths is its writing. The story is carefully crafted, with every character given depth, time, and purpose. You truly get to understand the different perspectives of the people involved, and no one feels like a throwaway side character. Every storyline is woven together masterfully and resolves in a satisfying way. The pacing is deliberate and slow, but it rewards patience with rich storytelling and emotional impact.
Some anime fans say Monster feels “boring” in an era of short-form content like TikTok and Instagram reels. But I urge anyone interested to be patient and stay attentive—it’s absolutely worth it. Others describe the anime as depressing or overly dark. Given how the antagonist manipulates and corrupts the people around him, that perception makes sense. But over time, it becomes clear that Monster is not a nihilistic work. It ultimately affirms life and human decency, even as it explores the darkest corners of human nature.
As someone from Germany, I was especially impressed by how accurately Monster portrays Germany and the Czech Republic during the 1980s and 1990s. The research, atmosphere, and historical context are spot on. It reflects real social and political issues of the time, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the Eastern Bloc, Turkish immigration, the neo-Nazi movement of the 1990s, and the lingering legacies of both National Socialism and the East Germany.
Characters like the former U-boat sailor, "The Baby", Helmut Wolf, Petr Čapek, the Red Rose Mansion, and the 511 Kinderheim all reflect real psychological, political, and historical tensions of that era. Unlike some other anime that idealize or romanticize the German setting, Monster presents a grounded, realistic portrayal of the country's complex postwar identity.
I hope I haven’t spoiled too much—but more importantly, I hope this review has sparked your interest in this incredible series. Out of all the anime I’ve seen, Monster is my absolute favorite. It’s a true masterpiece, and I give it a perfect 10 out of 10.