It's not the destination but the journey. First and foremost, I approached the anime series Monster with my expectations set quite high, driven by the praise bestowed upon it by the fanbase. Despite its flaws and some minor personal nitpicks, I found myself truly enjoying Monster, especially due to the captivating way the story was constructed. Throughout its 74-episode runtime, the narrative took several detours, leading to some of the most satisfying plot points. What I particularly love about Monster is its ability to seamlessly transition from one episode to another, shifting between following Tenma in a police case and observing the mundane lives of children or students. Many other shows have attempted this type of storytelling before, but Monster stands out by masterfully binding and connecting these seemingly unrelated plot points, forming a bigger picture that cohesively comes together like a giant puzzle of art—something I genuinely adore.
Moreover, the story boasts a diverse array of characters, with many of them possessing unique personalities and quite the physical presence, cough cough Dr.Becker, Roberto, Rosso, and Julius. Jokes aside, Monster offers a myriad of fleshed-out, detailed characters, and I honestly couldn't find anyone who felt shallow or two-dimensional. Side characters alone, I generally enjoyed seeing what happened to the two fake detectives that Jonah hired, or Eva and her relationship with her bodyguard Martin. Even mundane characters, everyone played their role. Whether it's the gardener, nurse, or bartender, each character played a crucial role, further enriching the story.
Kenzou Tenma and Anna Liebert, in particular, stood out to me. I'm not shipping them (yes I am), but Their dynamic was fascinating, and I wished we had seen more of it. Their relationship, especially when Dieter or even Julius was around, exuded an inexplicable sense of family. Considering the trials and hardships each character underwent, it was genuinely heartwarming to witness them enjoy each other's company.
One of my favorite aspects of the show was its emphasis on the monster inside Jonah and the book "Monster With No Name." Through the book's illustration alone, the show gradually reveals glimpses of Jonah's broken character episode by episode through the ending theme song.
The setting and location of Monster also left a profound impact on me, as the majority of the plot unfolded in two countries—Germany and the Czech Republic. The anime incorporated numerous references to both countries' politics and culture, significantly contributing to the plot's depth and the series' overall development. This skillful world-building, particularly in a real-world context outside of Japan, resonated with me.
Despite my high expectations, I found satisfaction in how the story ultimately unfolded. The manner in which it tied together various plotlines, including Anna and Jonah's past, along with the character development of Tenma, Grimmer, and especially Lunge and Ava, was executed with finesse. Unfortunately, I anticipated a grand finale, and the open-ended ending left me with lingering questions. In conclusion, Monster checked all the boxes for a near-perfect story, yet it didn't entirely resonate with me "emotionally". Perhaps the show's darker nature contributed to my somewhat detached response. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly understand and appreciate why Monster garners such immense praise, setting itself apart from other shows. 8.5/10
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