Monster - Reviews

Monster:

Monster, something one may glance by at first look due to its name. However it is a truely wonderful story. When I first sat down and began to watch the series i was some what overwhlemed at first when I saw there are 74 episodes. I was even some what prepaired to skip what archs may come. This was not so. Masayuki Kojima wanted to keep the story as origional as he could. This brought forth what was and still is an exceptional anime.     The wonderous tale of a monster with out a name truely enthralls its viewers with how complex its story is, but without mystery. No, with its sheer ability to lead you where ones mind would not go.

Story 10/10

The story was from the views point starts in germany in 1995. Germany is still dealing with the fall of the berlin wall. through out the story you will find that this is often used as a catylist to spring ones character into full bloom, where he be a beautful rose or that of a monster. this being said it only sets events in motion but by no means started or ended them. From my writers point of view I fell this story did not make use to its fullest the key points that make such storys treausure of the world. Where this failed the actualy plot line made up for every thing.

This story slowly builds up the main antaganist the "Monster" as a character you hardly know, and even while half way though you still know so little about him other then he is the embodyment of true fear. Slowly but sure you are fed bits and pices of this monsters past, and in the process gives life and meaning to the different characeters through the story.

I was truely astounded with how all the characers were in some way connected, no one to small. All equaly importnat to breathing life apon this story, allowing you to imerse your self with in its deep plot. I belive it can be said about this anime, that the characters are the story.

Animation 8/10

The animation of Monster was exceptional for its time. granted 5 years later is is avrage, but one must always see art from that times prespective enable to full feel its flow, use of colors, design, and most of all. its makers feel.

At some points i was rather unimpressed with its use of brightly lite rooms. its clear these were meant to bring emphsis to the story and not the art. some seens also seems slopply put togeather as were a person would be standing up then straight on the groundin 1 frame.

Many of the characters were often far to simlar, I truely wonder if japanese think all foreners look the same. you would often see random characers though the story that you swore you saw in the last episode. The photomantage of brothels and whore houses was some what misused too it seems. clearly another moment where the artists try to convey an emotion that was not meant for the sense of sight.

Its highlits as an animation are displayed more though the story the grainy feel of it all is nothing more then another element but to alow the view to feel the story.

Sound 7/10

Now I have never been much into sound. thats not saying i dont understand its importance to give emotion to a scene.  That being said sound was great. the little creeks when they walked, the change of music to how the attuide of the character was, or to set the mood. emphsis on the tone of one when suprised happy, sad. Even the uses of onomonpeia was feeling to it that was captured well.

Story 10/10

What is a plot with out characters and to that what is a character with out direction. monster full knows this and each character is different has his own life, ideas, and goals. none to big or small which aided to the creation of the story of the monster. I could even feel the different type of arch-heros through the story each with his own monster or crule reality he or she must face. No one character is safe from the torment of the world and must find there equallibram.

I belive the true area where the character design triumph is its creation of its main antagnist the monster, Johan. the story is nothing more then a means to make this monster. he is not to be some faceless menice that pleagues the hero. but a beacon of which why this world is so sad. the monster is nothing more then the result of what human kind will do to its self. and so the monster seeing this world uses this weakness and evils to torrment thoes around so they may feel his pain.

Intro...

When a top neurosurgeon decides to save the life of a boy over the mayor of the town, he hadn't anticipated awakening the monster within...

Story: 9

For me, Monster is one of those series which is incredibly long.  While most other series of this length suffer from a storyline which gets subjected to filler, Monster doesn't.  Instead a beautifully woven plot underlies all the episodes, leading like an avalanche trying to gain momentum, before it realises it travelling too quickly, taking everything in its path with it.  For me, the only reason why this series doesn't get the perfect 10 for story, is simply because it was painful to watch the start.  For all its amazing storytelling, beautiful script writing and characters, Monster had an incredibly slow start, one which may put people off.  However, about episode 25, you get the feeling that its finally found its footing and makes you watch more...for no other reason than the intense story pushing you to want to know more.  Fantastic if you get over the initial slow pace.

Animation: 9

A series this long, should suffer from animation deficiencies, which have a habit of cropping up.  However, something which I had noticed was that, out of 74 episodes of brilliant animation, there was only a single time when I thought that they had it wrong.  To be honest, that's not bad and when you add to the fact that the quality of animation didn't disappear, it should be regarded as perhaps on the of greatest animation achievements going.  The pallet chosen, helps to capture the raw drama with which the series unfolds.  Unfortunately, most of the characters were butt ugly, but there's always a dark cloud to every silver lining.

Sound: 9

I must admit, that despite watching the entire series, I can't remember a single piece of the accompanying music.  However, this is not because it was bad, but rather that it perfectly complemented the scene without having an overbearing presence.  Parts which needed the aid of music to create the atmosphere got it, while those scenes where music was not needed had the raw intensity of either silence or crystal clear sound effects.  The voice acting throughout was solid and consistant.  The opening is rather haunting and brilliant match the series and the endings are just creepy, but become more apparent to their meaning as you progress through.

Characters: 10

If there is one thing that Monster does better than all series out there, is its characters.  Never before have I seen a collection of characters with such uniqueness and individuality.  Even characters who share a side plot or only small sections of screen time have time made for their development.  This series is the pinnacle for character development and if anyone says otherwise, they should become part of the villians plans.  The fact how we can chase a character around for literally 74 and like pieces of a puzzle a character profolio is built up and so we feel as though we personally know them.  If everything puts you off, watch this series just for the character development...its surprising as to just how good it is.

Overall: 9.5

Its taken me a while to watch Monster as the slow pace start put me off watching more.  However, as the series and mysteries began to unfold themselves, I felt strangely drawn closer and closer to the story, wanting to know more about the world in which we find ourselves.  Its a truely epic storyline, one which when you've finished watching, you'll need to take a vacation from life to relax afterwards and unwind, but still feel absolutely statisfied with the ending.  A masterpiece of a series.

One of my favorites anime's. I don't have much to say. When you see an anime, it's very common that the end let you down. Well this is not the case at all. Monster always keeped me intrigued, and i think i watched all the series in 3 days. Highly recommended, but only if you have patience, because it can be really slow sometimes (Not that i care)

A really weird experience for me.  I have watched a lot of anime, and have always been a student of Eastern philosophy and culture.  If you are a westerner and have ever wondered what it might be like if our culture was more like eastern cultures, then watch this show.  I admit that I am no judge of what eastern culture is, but this is not how people talk, describe, interact, show emotion, etc... in any place I have ever been.  The dialog and the characters' behavior and reactions match most anime that I have seen.  What makes this so strange to watch for me is that it is set in western countries, and almost all the characters I have seen so far, are supposed to be locals.  The old doctor in the first scenes of the first episode looks to be modeled after Wilford Brimley.  But he talks like he's sitting in a Zen garden.  I highly recommend this very unique anime for any westerner like me.

Heavy benoh plot-nya. Aku memang jarang giler nak layan anime heavy plot. Aku tak suka sangat nak peningkan otak aku. Tapi kali ni disebabkan aku tengok kat Wattpad ada orang kata anime ni best. So aku pun cabarlah tengok. Underated anime and is masterpiece. Aku tak tahu nape anime ni tak popular sangat macam Death Note. Ada satu je aku tak paham tapi malas nak tengok balik jadi aku biarkan. Kepala aku dah pening pasal anime ni