This show is a prime example that anime is not "just for kids," that it's a legitimate form of entertainment that can take various shapes and that can be just as realistic and believable as any other form of media.
The story itself is absolutely wonderful, with various twists and turns that make your heart explode and stop and... god, I wish I could relieve that first time experiencing them all over again.
The art leaves some to be desired, but overall, the technique is fantastic and personally, I prefer it over the current trends in anime character design. Some of the visuals are particularly striking and relevant to the story (for example, the picture book that is quite central to the plot).
The music fits the show very well without dominating it – and the intro will forever be a classic in my mind.
Though most people consider this show notable because of the titular Monster, Johan, I do believe that most of the other characters are also worth praise: Tenma, Nina, Lunge, all of them grow and develop before our very eyes. And Johan, of course, is wonderfully terrifying.
Overall, I think this show is a must-watch and a masterpiece.
