Review of Monster

I'm honored to give my review for such an amazing anime. Monster is a pure masterpiece, very close to the perfection. I would say that this anime is not a typical one, like many anime series and even seinen that are action-packed, have magic, supernatural powers, time travel and some other unrealistic elements used in anime. This anime series actually tried to be more like live-action than anime. When you watch it you really have a feel like you're watching a serious thriller full of suspense. From that point, I could say that Naoki Urasawa want to be different from other artists and if youask me he really succeeded.

Monster is a unique series that actually try to explain the connection between good and evil that is often very hard to recognize. The story in series is full of suspense, mysteries and drama.

What I find interesting about this series is that the picture book that appears in the ending credits is an important subject in the story.

Monster is often compared to Death Note. I have finished both series and Monster is much better in my opinion. First: Monster is more complex while Death Note is focused on only one thing: find Kira, though the story in DN, has a faster progress than in Monster. But I could watch Monster all day regardless of the length, the story is so fantastic. And it's ridiculous to compare Light and Johan because they are so different in many ways. Light as a highly intelligent student has made a big mistake in his strategy at the beggining (I'll write about this when I'll review Death Note). Johan is genuis and he doesn't need supernatural powers to kill and manipulate people. I also find some characters in DN, too arrogant and annoying. Moster is in many ways better than Death Note. Those two series are completely different by themes and story. The only common they have is a deep nature and both are thrillers filled with mysteries and drama (that's probably the only reason to compare those two series).

Story: 10

This is by far the best storyline I've ever saw among all the fictions. Every episode and character is connected to the story, no single filler. I'm amazed how Naoki succeeded keeping it balanced through 74 ep-long series. It's interesting how some of the history's most important figures like Hitler and Soviets had an impact on the certain characters. The story is set in Central Europe but mainly in Germany.The story has some historical references, but it's not really a historical tale either, it tells how some of the eastern countries suffered from communism and Soviet Invasion. Many characters are Slavens and Germans what I like because it's rare to see their names in anime.

Art: 10

Naoki draw the characters to look realistic as far as they can. The art is not focused on the big eyes that are typical for animes and there are no kawai characters with green or pinkish hair, characters are really suitable for realistic anime like this. Although art is not specific it is very well done.

Sound: 10

Sound effects and music are really trustworthy for those genres. While I was watching the Ruhenheim arc in Monster, ny mom was reading the book and by sounds she recognised that I was watching something like thriller mixed with mild horror. Soundtracks are so awesome escpecially the ''Faith'' and ''The seeds of time'' are EPIC!

Character: 10

More than 30 complex characters, none of the characters is useless. Johan is by far the most fascinating antagonist in the whole anime history. He is a master-mind and I'm amazed by his way of manipulating and playing with people. Tenma is one of the best protagonists I've seen so far. He understood the roguery of the politic game that unfortunately exists in the real life also. He lost his job, fiance and everything to find Johan and solve the mystery. He did the right thing despite the fact that he saved the life of the serial killer.

Enjoyment: 10

I enjoyed every second in this anime. Although the first few eps. were not that epic later I became so hooked, every moment kept me on the edge of seat.

Overall: 10

The best anime I've ever seen. Even my parents who consider that nothing good can come out from anime got interested for Monster. Soon we'll watch it together and I hope they'll understand the real value of Monster. This series can teach you a lot about life.

Warner Bros's New Line Cinema is planning to release the live-action film since 2009 but it's still in progress. Let's hope we'll see it someday on our screens and in cinemas. Maybe if they'll make the movie good and epic as anime then more people could recognise this phenomenal series.

I can't believe that some people complain about its length -.- Personally I couldn't imagine it shorter, every episode perfectly fit the follow of the story.