==WARNING; POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD==
This anime is strong, maybe the best atmosphere in any pyschological anime/movie I've ever watched. Call me funny, but everytime Johann monologue or dialouge appears, it gives me the cold and thrilling feels. Yes, for me, it's that good.
Story 9/10
I didn't give the story 10 points because I think the weakest point is on the ending. Maybe some of you think that the ending is very genius, but trust me, it isn't. Or maybe I've put my expectations too high (Comparing to HBO serials like Breaking Bad, or hollywood movies that are highly rated because of it's ending). But else than that, it's really amazing. I told all of my friends that this is an "HBO series in Anime". The story is slow paced, which I really like, it develop the Kenzo Tenma characters and others (Johann, Anna, Lunge) even wider. It will never stop to amaze you, at least before the last episode of this series.
P.S. : Guillermo del Toro, which is known as a director of HBO has submitted the live action HBO series based on Naoki Urasawa's Monster. Yes, it is that good.
Art 9/10
The art is really outstanding! Well, I realized that when it's the scene of Anna Liebert as child says "Kill him, kill him." Wow! the face really frightening me. Or even the scene when a kid forced to walks on a local prostitution site, you don't need to imagine more, because the art already gives you more than what you expect.
Basically, if I can compare the arts in atmospherical ways to top dark psychological thriller anime nowadays (Death Note, Pyscho Pass) I will give Death Note an 8 score, Pyscho Pass getting a 7, and Monster getting a 9. Watching Death Note and Psycho Pass or even NGE didnt give me that thrilling feels, or only disgusting feels because how much gore shown in it.
Sound 10/10
Now this is the part that I love the most about this anime. The soundworks is so amazing, supporting every aspect of the movie. Peaceful town? Yes. Frightening atmosphere? Absolutely. Opening and Ending? Both of them are good, especially the ending one. I still remember the ending music, and I can't get it out of my head. It really match the "Nameless Monster" theme. Perfect.
Character 10/10
Since there is so many characters in it, I will point out only the Important ones.
- Kenzo Tenma is a well developed character, you can really the way he thinks. A neurosurgery doctor, to a depressed adult young man who maybe wanted to end his own life, you can really feel what he really feels.
- Johann Liebert is a top class made character. Well maybe you can feel and know what Tenma thinks, but what's better than that? An unpredictable ruthless monster who done his job with mindblowing ways. This character is #1 for my all time favorite characters.
- Anna Liebert. I hate to say this, maybe she is the weakest part of the characters section. I know she is weak and strong in a way, but his presence did not give me any new ways to see the series. Her point of view is just somewhat mediocre.
- Inspector Lunge, he is listed as my 3rd favorite characters on this anime. He stands to what he believes, he is a strong and realistic minded character. You can hate him, or love him, it's just the matter of your point of view.
- Eva Heinemann is a supporting characters for me. Rather than main as what MAL shows on the page, I think she gives an impact to the show, but not that much. She's just like a bridge and connects things and scenes up.
Enjoyment 9/10
Why do I only give it a 9 out of 10? Because the unimportant part of the series that really gives little impacts, or almost none which takes 5-10 episodes. I think it should add more Important stories, more like Johann's raising from his dead with his sister, rather than old couple that have trouble back at the farm.
Overall 9.5/10
I give it a 9.5 because nothing is perfect. For me, masterpiece is a 9, and this show is beyond it. One of the best "Dark Psychological Thriller" anime I've ever watch, or maybe it's the best. But I remind you, that this show is not a casual show like Psycho Pass (Which I think is overrated, sorry though). This is how Dark Psychological Thriller anime should be made, call me a fanboy, maybe I'm just a bit overrated it, but hey, it's my opinion.
I put a 10 scores so much on MAL not because I think its perfect, it's just because I just like to do so, if I enjoyed it, why don't give it a free click to raise its popularity? :)
P.S. This is my first review, please comment me on my profile :)
