In all the settings,the ultimate antagonist Johan's presence was treaded slowly but still felt very forceful.Sound direction deserves high praise regarding this special presence.Johan's moves,which slowly open themselves to us,combine with an intense subjective perception tool that is sound effect.With this gratified ominity and emotionless countenance,Johan's hollow humanity contrasts with Tenma's gullible trust in people.Throughout the series there are numerous contrasts between characters which posits a fundamental question and that is the research of a stable identity,an identity which you can build on towards simple pleasures.
While i don't agree with criticism of 'side stories' as drawn out extentions of the main clash,i agree those chould've been more compact.In this way the world which carriers of ultimate relevant tension shaped by could have been more impactful.Main failing of the series,from my perspective,is how the background of all the explosive events has been painted as monotone,rather passive figures.Especially the use of repetitive character design and silliness of their constant passivity render them unconsequential in the eye of the viewer.In light of Tenma's ethical maxim "all lives are equal" this background could've been more lively,both in terms of design and content.In direct opposite to this there is a cast of side characters with unpredictable passions,diverse dispositions and motivations,just like in real world.Another thing this series has done well is that despite all the location changing character pov remains immersive enough so that we can identify with that person at that point of their life.Prime example of this can be seen in Martin's story.Martin is a guilt-ridden character and as such constantly in conversation with himself.This use of "subject who's in conversation with himself" builds up a myriad of possiple closures and brings out excitement.Another aspect of these well written character studies is that the way it compliments the main problem at hand.Their dark exposition brings out the worst of human impulses,as well as the possibility of striving towards meaningful creations with whatever may be available in time and space.As this is the juxtaposition of the philosophies of two main characters,they should be threated as part of the main story.
There is a daring attempt to explore bare human condition without positive reinforcement,without role models which made Monster unique in the medium for me.What is the meaning of existance against the background of seemingly unacknowledged and random misery?Outside interventions into Johan's perspective are always things like creating super soldiers,to defeat the enemies of master race etc.However Johan's worldview always remains as a kind of universal nihilism.Johan tries to show that drive towards destruction-even of oneself-is the ultimate human condition that is superior to feeble beliefs of humanity.In various instances Johan was engaged in little destructive plays with no ulterior motives,for example rooftop play.In all these Tenma acts as a counter agent,a challenger.Johan is not actually a pure evil or a beast with only impulses,on the contrary he sees the world as the monster.That's what he means when he says "the monster is in front of me".The monster which Johan speaks of is of course not an entity,it's reality itself that's been attempted to be suppressed in futility.Against this,both Tenma and Grimmer give their answer by consistently acting with an intent to relate to others and in Grimmer's case by clinging to one memory he has(Amazing Steiner)and mold that into something helpful.
The ending of the series is a divisive issue and i find it natural because due to severity of the questions it wrestles with,ending can only be open one.Everyone can come up with their own interpretation and in this way it becomes a living thing.I think in the end,unlike that naive Tenma from years ago,Tenma made a conscious decision to uphold his view by treating Johan not as a monster but as a human being.This is a definitive conclusion for both of them because Johan found a reason to believe in the good parts of human nature.
Lastly,music in the series is fittingly dark.Although the visuals in the op is uneventful it conveys the feeling of hopelessness very well.Sound choices are excellent,they create a feeling of certain tone of suspense that is trademark of Monster in my opinion.
