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This is my first review here on MAL, and I wanted to do it with my favorite anime of all time: Monster. I will try not to write too many spoilers

Introduction:
I found this anime completely on accident. I looked On Demand and saw Monster episode 1 and decided to give it a shot. They only supplied the first five episodes at first, and by the time I finished those episodes I wanted more. I usually just watch an anime for entertainment purposes, but Monster actually got me thinking and I couldn't get enough of the story and characters. I have never been impacted by an ... anime as much as I was with Monster.

Story:
The story starts with Kenzo Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon whose future looks bright with his fiancee and a promotion in the works. Until he discovers how corrupt the hospital truly is when he is supposed to save the mayor instead of a boy shot in the head. He ultimately chooses the boy, and with this decision his life changes forever when the director and other doctors at the hospital are killed and he is suspected of the murders. Years later, having put his life back together and is now at a new hospital, he meets with the boy, now a young man, once again. After realizing that this young man, named Johan Liebert, was the one who committed the serial murders, he feels like it is his duty to stop this "monster" he created. Tenma is thrown into a twisted game of cat and mouse and sees how seemingly normal people can transform into horrifying monsters. The writing is exceptional, with all 74 episodes used amazingly. There are moments of shock and awe, and when you get those little doubts that an episode doesn't seem to fit well into the story, you will learn how wrong you were later on in the series.

Art:
The art style of Monster makes the characters more realistic looking then most other animes. Emotion has a lot to do with Monster, and the emotions and expressions on the character's faces are done very well. I wasn't used to this art style at first, but it grew on me and I love how it gave us more realistic looking characters. The backgrounds are very detailed as well, showing us different sceneries from all over Europe. Light and dark is also used a lot in Monster, hiding in the shadows for example. The Art is something you may not be used to at first, but it definitly will grow on you.

Sound:
The sound is absolutely amazing. The opening, as with the art, wasn't something I was used to at first, but as I got more into the series I loved it to death. The music and sound effects in the anime is also nothing short, but amazing. The music definitly helps to make the scene, being hopeful when need be and also being depressing when need be. It also emphasizes the character's expressions of shock and horror, and it will help you feel shocked or horrified with the character.

Characters:
Even though Kenzo Tenma is the protagonist, he is not in every episode. The introduction of a lot of new characters made me wonder if the episodes were filler, but this is where the amazing part comes in: all the character's relate to the story in some way. In an episode where you realize that the character's are actually connected in more of a way then you first thought is one of the biggest shock moments you will have in Monster. You fall in love with some of these characters, even minor characters. The character's are very well-developed and the voice acting is amazing, even the dub is superb in my opinion. I know I have already slightly mentioned Tenma and Johan, but I don't want to give too much else away in terms of everyone else.

Enjoyment:
I never have watched an anime that made me think so much about how cruel reality really can be. Normal people really can turn into monsters. I had moments of awe, shock, horror, and wonder. I enjoyed this anime highly and I am proud to call this my favorite anime of all time. I fell in love with the characters and the story and I hope that you will too!!

Overall:
Obviously no anime can be perfect, and sometimes this one can be a little slow, especially at the beginning. Once the story gets rolling and especially when you realize how it comes together, you won't be able to stop watching it. I know this review was slightly long, but I felt like Monster deserved a longer review. Thank you and enjoy!!