Monster follows Dr. Kenzo Tenma, who works as a brain surgeon in a hospital in Dusseldorf after the fall of the Berlin Wall in the mid-1990s.
He goes against orders and operates on a little kid, Johan Liebert, who was shot in the head by his twin sister Anna. As a result, he is unable to attend to the city mayor, who later dies under the operating table of a colleague. Years later Tenma encounters again the young boy and discovers that he has become a really dangerous serial killer. After this, starts the man hunting.
Why you should watch it
Mainly because:
Writing: The pacing is a slow burn that cleverly captivates the audience with moments of shock, amazement, and depravity, expertly paired with well-executed moments of anticipation and suitable denouement. Once the backdrop and many of the characters have been established, the series embarks on a tremendous rollercoaster of action, suspense, and character development. As the underlying mystery unfolds, viewers will rarely feel as if they have missed an essential piece of information, instead of finding themselves glued to the screen.
Monster's dialogue isn't squandered on nonsense. The tense atmosphere is heightened by skillfully constructed lines that provide insight into the personalities of the protagonists while also casting mistrust shadows. The intelligent interconnection of all the characters, particularly near the show's climax, gives a clear idea of the great work performed.
Great characters: The depth of Monster's characters is perhaps its greatest quality, with the main cast representing some of the genre's strongest protagonists, while the supporting cast is often defined considerably better than the regular cast in many other series. The show does an exceptional job of bringing its characters to life, and while viewers will be "wowed" by the brilliance of the key roles, they may find themselves developing attached to the lesser characters throughout the course of the series.
The complicated relationship between the Tenma and Johann is the series' centerpiece. Tenma's emotional, physical, and psychological transformations guide the spectator through a tangle of personal and social morality dilemmas. This is accomplished admirably without losing Tenma's core humanity or succumbing to didacticism and contrasts sharply with Johan's manipulations and calculations, which strike the spectator as cold and terrifyingly realistic.
The supporting cast does an excellent job of heightening the intensity and seriousness of Tenma and Johan's relationship. They're all well-crafted and executed, and they frequently feature demons and conflicts that remind the spectator of what exactly exists at the intersection of good and evil.
Enjoyment: From its brilliant characters with outstanding development to its well-paced story and realistic setting, Monster will leave you on the edge of your seat. Finding a show like this is a real treat, and whilst 74 episodes may seem daunting, it is utterly worthwhile in light of the great journey taken. The show’s dramatic storyline and intrigue-filled atmosphere will keep you guessing, thinking, and feeling. The complex issues and relationships addressed throughout mark this as one of the most unique anime to appear in many years, and the questions it asks should be confronted by everyone at least once.
Monster is a true rarity in anime. The quality of its story, cast, and production have earned it widespread acclaim, even garnering its plaudits from the “hate what’s popular” clique. It is both entertaining and enlightening, and the sheer depth of the series has led to it being widely regarded as a modern classic of anime.
Rating
Overall Monster is one of the greatest anime that I have ever seen and for this reason, it is in my top 10 anime ever.
9.0/10.0
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