Review of Monster

Yep, here we are at long last. With an episode count of 74, I was always a bit put off from picking this one up, since it was obviously a substantial investment, and given what I knew of the story to start, I was certain this one would drag me in and not let go. Monster is the kind of show that weaves together its narrative slowly, spending a lot of its first half essentially testing the Dr. Tenma's resolve, something he clearly struggles with throughout, before throwing him and everyone he has gathered around him into a gauntlet as Johan's preparations come to fruition. Evenwhen they start putting together the pieces of the complex puzzle behind these characters and their actions both within and before the events of the series proper, though, it always feels like we're several pieces short of the set. Whether it's motivations, past actions or the placing of a specific character relative to another, this show keeps you guessing throughout, sprinkling reveals at various key points.

There's so much to this series to appreciate, but I'll focus on a few key factors. For one, Johan doesn't function as a villain in the same way that others have. He is a mastermind, his presence often more felt than seen as other characters carry out his plans, but it's more than just that. There's always a sense that you're waiting for the other shoe to drop, not just because he has influenced so many other characters, but because his absence somehow feels more oppressive. He's human, yet he feels entirely untouchable and acts in ways that even other brilliant characters from the show can barely keep up with.

For another, nothing ever feels fully left behind in the series. Even characters who are largely isolated to their regions and roles come back into the story at various points, and when new people are introduced, no matter how sleazy, duplicitous, or morally compromised, there's usually some sense of common cause. After all, there's a monster out there.

Lastly, the central mystery and how it builds out is probably my favorite aspect of the show. Both Kinderheim 511 and The Red Rose Mansion loom large over the series, and while we are still missing pieces in the end, the picture we produce from both is chilling. Learning the pasts of these characters, many of whom only know bits and pieces of what they’ve been through and are learning the rest along with us, is what drives so much of the latter series narrative between action scenes. Even the action seems driven by the mystery, often functioning as the culmination of a series of events and choices that led up to a given confrontation. The role that obsession plays in this series, in particular, will have me thinking about it for a long time.

As for a score, honestly, I find it hard to fault this show for anything. The only problems that come to mind are nitpicking. No piece of media is perfect, but this series has cemented itself as one of the all-time greats, and it’s already carved out a place among my favorite anime.