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“We stopped looking for monsters under our bed when we realized that they were inside us."-- Charles Darwin

The best stories are those that leave such a big impact on you that it makes you rethink your values and beliefs. Those that shatter your very inner core. Those that look you dead in the eye and force you to face tough subjects most anime choose not to tread near, such as the value of human life, nature vs. nurture and their roles in society, brainwashing, human experimentation, and even that of the self. Monster is one of the few shows that does all of these things, ... which is why it is praised so highly as a classic.

The story of Monster is set in post-Cold War Germany and revolves around a highly respected Japanese neurosurgeon named Kenzo Tenma who seems to have everything going for him. His world takes a complete turn for the worse when he chooses to save the life of a boy who ends up becoming a sociopathic Monster. Tenma then feels that it is his responsibility to fix what he did wrong, but in the process it could mean going against his beliefs and his very nature.

Monster is a psychological mystery with a lot of pieces and questions floating around that builds up suspense in each episode. The plot is meticulously handled. It follows Dr. Tenma but then branches out into multiple supporting character arcs who are all vital to the story in unraveling the main mystery of the “Monster.” The show forces viewers right into these characters’ shoes, as the events unfold in multiple perspectives, which results in some truly strong character building. This is a drastic difference to the story structure of most mainstream anime, but it really works. By going into each character’s story, it gives them an immense amount of depth but also creates a much more layered and complex plot. Through each character, the pieces start to come together and by the end of the show, each character is affected greatly in some way or another. No character comes out as the same person in the end.

The main protagonist, Kenzo Tenma is a representation of the good in people. He holds to his belief that all lives are equal and deserve to be saved regardless of the corruptness of their souls. This is what drives him to do what he thinks is the right thing to do; to save the boy out of the decency of his heart. This decision is the turning point of his life. On his mission to fix what he thinks he is responsible for, Tenma affects those that come into his life and saves anyone that needs saving. He shows us that there is good in humanity and that it is worth saving. His internal struggle is felt deeply as we see how much of a sacrifice it has on his career and happiness, while he is forced to face the monster that he believes he is responsible for.

I think something should be said about what stands as one of the best and most memorable, complex antagonists in anime history. What’s so interesting about the villain in this show is that he doesn’t use extreme weapons or super powers to invoke fear in his adversaries; he uses something very simple yet effective, and that is his mind. He digs deep into people’s fears and insecurities and turns them into monsters using charisma, manipulation, and psychological warfare. He acts as a ghost behind the scenes and watches the mayhem unfold before him. There’s so much more to him than meets the eye however and as more is revealed about him, he becomes an immensely interesting and multifaceted character who is hard not to sympathize with. His appearances are not all too often, and are saved for some of the most intense moments in the show, but when he does appear he completely grabs your attention and you can’t help but feel literal chills down your spine.

Monster not only has thrilling edge-of-your-seat suspense and great character development, but also raises important questions and themes seen in life. What is the role that nurture plays in human lives? How does human conditioning affect people? What creates a monster? Are all lives equal? Are we ultimately responsible for the kind of people we turn out to be? It also delves into the self and what happens when you strip away any sense of identity from a person. Moreover, Monster shows us that the journey is more important than the resolution. It shows that the choices we make ultimately affect those around us, and it is up to us how we choose to act upon them. Even though humans go through so much suffering and trauma, they can either let those negative experiences rule their lives and devour them from the inside out or they can grow through the adversity and come out a stronger person in the end. Everyone has their own inner monster but not everyone gives the monster life.

Monster isn’t your typical anime. It doesn’t have exaggerated characters and over-the-top battle scenes. It’s a superb psychological mystery that relies on its humanist heart to tell a gripping story. If you are engrossed by philosophical topics and appreciate a solid psychological thriller with compelling characters and twists at every turn, then Monster is right up your alley.