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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
This was so good, and annoyingly ended on such a cliffhanger. I am going to have to hunt down the next book. Set in Germany, starting off pre the end of the Berlin wall, it's about Dr Tenma, from Japan who is working at a hospital. He's going out with the director's daughter, the director is using his papers and taking the credit, so he's unknowingly playing the game and is destined to go far. But then one night a family of deserters from the east are attacked and shot. The parents die, the little girl is ok, but the little boy is shot through the head. Dr Tenma is about to go in to operate when he is told that the mayor is coming in as he has collapsed. The director wants all attention on the mayor, who had said he was going to put a lot of funding into the hospital. Tenma is told to switch cases, but the boy was first so he doesn't. It's the ruin of his career, but he thinks he has done the right thing as all human life is equal and saving lives is his priority. Although as the years pass, perhaps saving that particular boy's life wasn't such a clever idea....
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
So, this was my original review of the series, which I felt was inadequate. I reviewed it a 2nd time, which you can find here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1653708006?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
You can still read the original here, though. Spoilers ahead.
As of late, I've been hunting for manga that are cuts above the average, ones that really take all the elements of good storytelling and weave them into something original, remarkable, and altogether very thought-provoking. In my search for these types of "perfect manga," I looked at many lists that manga enthusiasts have created of their favorites, and often I found that the more serious seinen side of manga (and anime) wound up near the top of these listings. Unsure of what I was really in the mood for, I quickly wrote down about forty titles (maybe that was a bit excessive, haha) and did a bit of synopsis research on the ones that had caught my eye the most.
And I am so glad that the first manga I started off with was Monster.
Set around the time in Germany of the Berlin Wall (before and after its fall), the story of Monster follows, for the most part, brilliant Japanese doctor Kenzo Tenma, who falls into a web of "behind-the-scenes" danger after following his conscious as a doctor and doing the right thing: saving a little boy's life despite the politically-driven demands of his superiors. He gives up a lot to do what he knows is right, and that act made me really respect him right off the bat. However, that decision brings about horrors that he could never have anticipated.
And now comes the hard part of my review: keeping it spoiler free!
The concept of this manga (doctor/scientist creating a "monster") may sound very similar to [b:Frankenstein|18490|Frankenstein|Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1381512375s/18490.jpg|4836639], but it is loosely based off of the classic and is separate both in world and plot from Mary Shelley's work. I like to think of Monster as a hypothetical "what if" continuation of Frankenstein, Dr. Tenma being a second major doctor-type to encounter Victor Frankenstein's monster, albeit one more sinister, and deal with the strife that results from becoming involved with such a being. Again, Shelley's and Urasawa's stories are indeed separate, those are simply my thoughts on the connection between the two.
Constantly throughout Monster, Dr. Tenma must question his actions on his quest for the hidden truth: Is he really a good person, a good doctor? Does a malicious action for the good of humanity make him evil despite the circumstances? He's caught in a very bad place, and he must discover who he truly is deep inside, whether he is just as terrible as the monsters he opposes or not. The main reason that I believe Dr. Tenma is a great main character is his moralistic standing and adamant disposition towards unveiling what lies beneath the matter he is involved in. Dr. Tenma is also not afraid to take risks and be bold, and is driven by his more humane sense of justice as he interacts with other people. I don't want to go into too much more detail, but Dr. Tenma as the main character is a high point of this series, without a doubt.
There are quite a few more main characters who stick out to me, especially the main antagonist who is one of the best villains I've ever seen/read about (who I, sadly, cannot talk about as it would be pretty much spoiling), but I'd like to focus on one man in particular: Inspector Heinrich Lunge. Like Tenma, Lunge is also a type of genius, but in the way of solving crime. He is a member of the German BKA sent to solve a murder case, and Lunge is a very perceptive and devoted man who, surprisingly, shares a connection with Dr. Tenma: he, too, wants to know the truth. The real truth, not cover-ups or false information, and Lunge will obstinately search and sift until he has the proof he needs to rightly accuse and capture who he's after. Duty above all else is his way, and he actually reminds me of a more realistic (but still eccentric) L from Death Note, in the way that both elite sleuths obsessively go after their prime suspect and employ very unorthodox, yet perceptive ways of thinking and acting. L, of course, was created long after Lunge was, but both are certainly rather frightening examples of efficient "absolute justice." And, likewise, both detectives have gained my respect over the course of their respective stories (even though I don't agree 100% with their methods). In another way, my morphing feelings toward Lunge throughout Monster is somewhat like how I felt about Inspector Chelmey by the end of Professor Layton and the Unwound Future. Chelmey is tiers below Lunge in seriousness of character, however, but the Unwound Future did have me surprised with how good it was, just like how I felt about Monster by the end. Monster is definitely better than the third Layton game, though (still, the Unwound Future is worth a play through if you've got the means!). How my feelings changed on Lunge, though, would reveal too much, so I'm leaving it at that.
How the web of characters in Monster come together is done really well, too. There are times when you might think that Urasawa has derailed into some boring side story with another character that is going to be left behind and forgotten, or instances that make you believe a side character is gone for good, but every event comes together in one way or another and paints the bigger picture for all to see. Characters that you think may only be there for a short time will be popping back up again in later chapters, even playing some major roles, so stay sharp while reading and memorize who is who and what they stand for. Even (most) characters who appeared to be flat before are more dynamic later on, which I really appreciate.
Speaking of events, the plot of Monster practically blew me away when it kicked into its "groove" (around chapter 23, if memory serves correctly). I think the story is so shocking and scary at times for me because it's not a far cry from reality, from the terrible truth of what governments or hidden groups are capable of doing behind the veils of secrecy. Especially how Monster also deals with the Nazis, that also really gets you thinking. The plot twists in the story are well-placed, and keep you on your toes. And when Monster becomes emotional, so do you, and I nearly came to tears at certain parts (most notably and appropriately, I'd say, near the end).
Perhaps the only thing that I didn't enjoy was the overuse of scientific terms whenever Dr. Tenma was performing surgery or there was talk about different parts of the body. It's educational, yes, and pertains heavily to Tenma's profession, but for the most part I just had to take Urasawa's word for everything said or else I would've spent hours looking up a lot of terms. Perhaps if you're more into biology and surgical procedure than I am, you'll enjoy those parts a lot more.
As an aside, I'd like to applaud Urasawa for the illustrated fairy tales he created to play key parts in the plot. Only one story is recurring, but they're all superb. The stories are dark, they make you think, but above all else they make you want to find out more about the mystery surrounding them. And they could all legitimately pass for classical fairy tales, too.
I actually heard someone complaining about the art style of Monster a few weeks ago, and I was surprised because I really enjoyed it. One of the neat things about the artwork is how expressions are drawn, and you can really discern a lot from changes in the characters' faces, both subtle and explicit. Monster seems to do that more effectively than a lot of other manga I've read, and the rest of the art in general is pretty good and fits the story.
At its core, Monster begs the same question that Shelley's Frankenstein did: who is the real monster? The more you progress, the more you question, and the ending is satisfyingly uneasy (as odd as that sounds). Overall, this is a psychological thriller at its best, and Naoki Urasawa digs deep into the human heart and the wrongs of society, presents a gripping mystery concerning Nazi Germany and leads you along the winding road to uncovering the truth of the "monster." I hope to continue reading Naoki Urasawa's manga, such as 20th Century Boys and Billy Bat, because he's a real master at storytelling and is one of the better mangaka I've encountered. Monster really impressed me, and I hope it impresses you too.
You can still read the original here, though. Spoilers ahead.
Spoiler
Important Note: This is a review for the whole of Monster.As of late, I've been hunting for manga that are cuts above the average, ones that really take all the elements of good storytelling and weave them into something original, remarkable, and altogether very thought-provoking. In my search for these types of "perfect manga," I looked at many lists that manga enthusiasts have created of their favorites, and often I found that the more serious seinen side of manga (and anime) wound up near the top of these listings. Unsure of what I was really in the mood for, I quickly wrote down about forty titles (maybe that was a bit excessive, haha) and did a bit of synopsis research on the ones that had caught my eye the most.
And I am so glad that the first manga I started off with was Monster.
Set around the time in Germany of the Berlin Wall (before and after its fall), the story of Monster follows, for the most part, brilliant Japanese doctor Kenzo Tenma, who falls into a web of "behind-the-scenes" danger after following his conscious as a doctor and doing the right thing: saving a little boy's life despite the politically-driven demands of his superiors. He gives up a lot to do what he knows is right, and that act made me really respect him right off the bat. However, that decision brings about horrors that he could never have anticipated.
And now comes the hard part of my review: keeping it spoiler free!
The concept of this manga (doctor/scientist creating a "monster") may sound very similar to [b:Frankenstein|18490|Frankenstein|Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1381512375s/18490.jpg|4836639], but it is loosely based off of the classic and is separate both in world and plot from Mary Shelley's work. I like to think of Monster as a hypothetical "what if" continuation of Frankenstein, Dr. Tenma being a second major doctor-type to encounter Victor Frankenstein's monster, albeit one more sinister, and deal with the strife that results from becoming involved with such a being. Again, Shelley's and Urasawa's stories are indeed separate, those are simply my thoughts on the connection between the two.
Constantly throughout Monster, Dr. Tenma must question his actions on his quest for the hidden truth: Is he really a good person, a good doctor? Does a malicious action for the good of humanity make him evil despite the circumstances? He's caught in a very bad place, and he must discover who he truly is deep inside, whether he is just as terrible as the monsters he opposes or not. The main reason that I believe Dr. Tenma is a great main character is his moralistic standing and adamant disposition towards unveiling what lies beneath the matter he is involved in. Dr. Tenma is also not afraid to take risks and be bold, and is driven by his more humane sense of justice as he interacts with other people. I don't want to go into too much more detail, but Dr. Tenma as the main character is a high point of this series, without a doubt.
There are quite a few more main characters who stick out to me, especially the main antagonist who is one of the best villains I've ever seen/read about (who I, sadly, cannot talk about as it would be pretty much spoiling), but I'd like to focus on one man in particular: Inspector Heinrich Lunge. Like Tenma, Lunge is also a type of genius, but in the way of solving crime. He is a member of the German BKA sent to solve a murder case, and Lunge is a very perceptive and devoted man who, surprisingly, shares a connection with Dr. Tenma: he, too, wants to know the truth. The real truth, not cover-ups or false information, and Lunge will obstinately search and sift until he has the proof he needs to rightly accuse and capture who he's after. Duty above all else is his way, and he actually reminds me of a more realistic (but still eccentric) L from Death Note, in the way that both elite sleuths obsessively go after their prime suspect and employ very unorthodox, yet perceptive ways of thinking and acting. L, of course, was created long after Lunge was, but both are certainly rather frightening examples of efficient "absolute justice." And, likewise, both detectives have gained my respect over the course of their respective stories (even though I don't agree 100% with their methods). In another way, my morphing feelings toward Lunge throughout Monster is somewhat like how I felt about Inspector Chelmey by the end of Professor Layton and the Unwound Future. Chelmey is tiers below Lunge in seriousness of character, however, but the Unwound Future did have me surprised with how good it was, just like how I felt about Monster by the end. Monster is definitely better than the third Layton game, though (still, the Unwound Future is worth a play through if you've got the means!). How my feelings changed on Lunge, though, would reveal too much, so I'm leaving it at that.
How the web of characters in Monster come together is done really well, too. There are times when you might think that Urasawa has derailed into some boring side story with another character that is going to be left behind and forgotten, or instances that make you believe a side character is gone for good, but every event comes together in one way or another and paints the bigger picture for all to see. Characters that you think may only be there for a short time will be popping back up again in later chapters, even playing some major roles, so stay sharp while reading and memorize who is who and what they stand for. Even (most) characters who appeared to be flat before are more dynamic later on, which I really appreciate.
Speaking of events, the plot of Monster practically blew me away when it kicked into its "groove" (around chapter 23, if memory serves correctly). I think the story is so shocking and scary at times for me because it's not a far cry from reality, from the terrible truth of what governments or hidden groups are capable of doing behind the veils of secrecy. Especially how Monster also deals with the Nazis, that also really gets you thinking. The plot twists in the story are well-placed, and keep you on your toes. And when Monster becomes emotional, so do you, and I nearly came to tears at certain parts (most notably and appropriately, I'd say, near the end).
Perhaps the only thing that I didn't enjoy was the overuse of scientific terms whenever Dr. Tenma was performing surgery or there was talk about different parts of the body. It's educational, yes, and pertains heavily to Tenma's profession, but for the most part I just had to take Urasawa's word for everything said or else I would've spent hours looking up a lot of terms. Perhaps if you're more into biology and surgical procedure than I am, you'll enjoy those parts a lot more.
As an aside, I'd like to applaud Urasawa for the illustrated fairy tales he created to play key parts in the plot. Only one story is recurring, but they're all superb. The stories are dark, they make you think, but above all else they make you want to find out more about the mystery surrounding them. And they could all legitimately pass for classical fairy tales, too.
I actually heard someone complaining about the art style of Monster a few weeks ago, and I was surprised because I really enjoyed it. One of the neat things about the artwork is how expressions are drawn, and you can really discern a lot from changes in the characters' faces, both subtle and explicit. Monster seems to do that more effectively than a lot of other manga I've read, and the rest of the art in general is pretty good and fits the story.
At its core, Monster begs the same question that Shelley's Frankenstein did: who is the real monster? The more you progress, the more you question, and the ending is satisfyingly uneasy (as odd as that sounds). Overall, this is a psychological thriller at its best, and Naoki Urasawa digs deep into the human heart and the wrongs of society, presents a gripping mystery concerning Nazi Germany and leads you along the winding road to uncovering the truth of the "monster." I hope to continue reading Naoki Urasawa's manga, such as 20th Century Boys and Billy Bat, because he's a real master at storytelling and is one of the better mangaka I've encountered. Monster really impressed me, and I hope it impresses you too.
3/4/21-- I remembered really enjoying the first volume of the perfect edition, but the first "regular" volume is truly such a fascinating setup for the series. It's been a bit over 4 years since I first started this series, and I didn't have strong feelings on it overall and ended up never returning to it after vol 5 (of the regular version). However, for a couple of years now, I've been of the belief that I would enjoy this more upon a re-read. If this first volume is an indication of what's to come, I think I was correct.
---------
Spoiler text is a summary of the volume as a point of reference to look back to so that I know what happened in each volume.
1995: Tenma is still head surgeon at the hospital. Murders of couples continue to happen and the same detective/investigator suspects Tenma. A patient, suspect in some of these events, begins talking about a monster coming. Tenma comes to visit him while off duty, but discovers him running away. He follows him to discover him being held by a man at gunpoint. Tenma realizes that this man is the boy he treated 10 years before, who went by the name Johan back then. Johan kills the man and lets Tenma go.
---------
Spoiler text is a summary of the volume as a point of reference to look back to so that I know what happened in each volume.
Spoiler
1985: Dr. Tenma is an extremely talented surgeon, working his way up the success ladder. He's dating the daughter of the hospital's director. However, this director is rather corrupt and favors important people such as politicians. One day, fed up with the director's politics, Tenma decides to treat a young boy (who came in with his sister) instead of an important politician. The other doctors fail to save the politician, but Tenma saves the boy. He loses favor with the director and Eva no longer wants to be with him. The boy goes missing. The director of the hospital is killed(along with other important men), and a series of murders happen. A creepy detective begins investigating. With the corrupt leaders out of the way, Tenma is promoted to head surgeon.1995: Tenma is still head surgeon at the hospital. Murders of couples continue to happen and the same detective/investigator suspects Tenma. A patient, suspect in some of these events, begins talking about a monster coming. Tenma comes to visit him while off duty, but discovers him running away. He follows him to discover him being held by a man at gunpoint. Tenma realizes that this man is the boy he treated 10 years before, who went by the name Johan back then. Johan kills the man and lets Tenma go.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes