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Monster

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Description

Monster weaves the riveting story of the brilliant Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a famous surgeon with a promising career at a leading hospital. Tenma risks his reputation and promising career to save the life of a critically wounded young boy. Unbeknownst to him, this child is destined for a terrible fate. 6od2k

A string of strange and mysterious murders begin to occur soon afterward, ones that professionally benefit Dr. Tenma, and he emerges as the primary suspect. Conspiracies, serial murders, and a scathing depiction of the underbelly of hospital politics are all masterfully woven together in this compelling manga thriller.

Note: Won the 46th Shogakukan Manga Award in the general category.

Type

Manga

Related Series

Mou Hitotsu no Monster: The Investigative Report (Novel) (Side Story)

Associated Names

Monsutaa

Naoki Urasawa's Monster

Монстр

คนปีศาจ

モンスター

몬스터

Groups Scanlating

Mangascreener

Latest Release(s)

v.1-18 c. by Mangascreener 18 years ago

Search for all releases of this series

Status in Country of Origin

18 Volumes (Complete)
9 Volumes (Kanzenban, Complete)

Completely Scanlated?

Yes

Anime Start/End Chapter

Starts at Vol 1, Chap 1

Ends at Vol 18, Chap 162

Reviews

claudiofd

canucks

Forum

5 topics, 26 posts

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Rating

Average: 8.8 / 10.0 (1976 votes)

Bayesian Average: 8.76 / 10.0

44%

28%

16%

Last Updated

January 20th, 2025 6:59pm PST - 4 months ago

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Genre

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Categories

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Category Recommendations

Boku Dake ga Inai Machi

Mou Hitotsu no Monster: The Investigative Report (Novel)

Zhi Mo (Novel)

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (Novel)

Ayashi no Ceres

Recommendations

20 Seiki Shounen

Vinland Saga

Pluto

Historie

Shin Angyo Onshi

Author(s)

URASAWA Naoki

Artist(s)

URASAWA Naoki

Year

1994

Original Publisher

Shogakukan (1995, 2008)

Serialized In (magazine)

Big Comic Original (Shogakukan)

Licensed (in English)

Yes

English Publisher

Viz (18 Physical Volumes; Complete | 9 Physical Perfect Edition Omnibuses; Complete)

Activity Stats (vs. other series)

(-94)

(-52)

(+12)

(-148)

(+28)

List Stats

On 1257 reading lists

On 1959 wish lists

On 3906 completed lists

On 112 unfinished lists

On 697 custom lists

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Forum Posts Click to view the forum

Monster...anime or manga?

4 months ago

ending (spoilers)

4 months ago

Anime or manga

4 months ago

Monster Live-action

4 months ago

Monster

4 months ago

Comments [ Order by usefulness ]

still one of the best psychological thriller manga I have ever read

by christine_aru
1 month ago

Rating: N/A

I wish I could have an amnesia so I could read this manga for the first time again.

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I Love Monster

by palalaro
2 months ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

Monster is truly a one of a kind story. Some people may say the art is "too simplistic," but I believe it adds to the realism of the manga. Often times I have a hard time enunciating what it is I feel about a work of art that makes me love it so much, and monster is one of them. When I first read it I was in my first year of college and I stayed up late just devouring each chapter in my dorm room. Its just an utterly beautiful story about Dr Tenma grappling with his morals, and doing what he believes is right. Its suspenseful, heartbreaking, and hopeful, it truly takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions. I believe everyone should read this in their lifetime.

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It's not bad

by modnar
4 months ago

Rating: 1.0 / 10.0

As usual, I find the rating a little bit too high, that's the only reason I'm putting "1" on it.

I don't have a conclusive opinion on the whole story yet, but it's definitely an immersive trip that leaves you wishing for more or at least wondering, but there's no "more", so you would have to go through the same story again to get the answers you didn't yet. And that's not too bad.

Ah, I don't usually have interest or agree much with other reviews, but the last one behind, from Manjirin, is a well worded review, I recommend reading

For last, Johan ("Yohan" for me, that's how I hear) will be the anime/manga competition for film's Anton Chigurh. Though you aren't really sure the real role or hand Nina had in all of this... Which is why I'll have to read the whole manga another time! And then Ill make sure to run my mouth here again with more objective conclusions, particularly on the endings.

... Last updated 4 months ago

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An unremarkable but competent action suspense thriller

by Manjirin
7 months ago

Rating: 6.0 / 10.0

Monster is something of an experience and one that I decided to run through concurrently alternating between reading the manga and watching the anime. This is primarily a review of the manga but given that the story is basically identical in both versions (which is to say the anime is a very faithful and complete adaptation) all of what I outline here around the story and plot also applies to the anime.

Right away I can say that this story does not live up to it's acclaim as one of the highest rated manga of all time. This isn't because it's necessarily bad or poorly put together but because it's not all that remarkable or groundbreaking. This is a mostly rudimentary action mystery thriller with elements of a detective story. That's not a bad thing but this is not what the general reception to this work would have you imagine this story would be or how the manga presents itself at the beginning.

The opening chapters of this story were extremely promising and fooled me for a moment into thinking this was the start of some masterpiece of storytelling where a kind hearted, well meaning Japanese doctor in becomes traumatized and tortured by the trolley problem-esque dilemmas of emergency medicine. Being broken after having to save one life over another and so haunted by that to the point of being driven mad. Perhaps mad enough to be motivated to directly confront the inequities inherent in our modern world, leading to extreme, highly immoral courses of action in service to some kind of rationalized greater good and in doing so slowly becoming the titular "monster" himself. Going in blind and reading the first few chapters this is honestly the general direction I thought the story would take and I was prepared to watch the deconstruction of this man Tenma through a complex and tragic story of philosophical and psychological unravelling.

But this isn't the story that unfolds and after the first two volumes or so it became clear this was mostly a mystery suspense thriller. It is entertaining though. The art style on display is signature Urasawa and while it isn't my personal favorite it is very polished and realized and seems to complement the setting and story well. The plot is mostly running around Europe always being a step or two behind the main villain. The series likes to dangle the carrot in front of the reader a lot. It definitely starts to get to the point where you begin to doubt there will be any kind of resolution to the story at all but after 162 chapters there finally is... sort of.

The ending is largely unsatisfying and disappointing in my view which is perhaps all the more egregious given how the story is artificially stretched and padded out in increasingly less plausible ways. There are also all kinds of contrivances employed to keep Tenma's hands clean just when you think he is about to be forced by circumstances to make decisions that go against his sense of morality. The story tries to be deep and while I am sure some readers got the impression that it is, I wonder if they are not mistaking a high degree of polish for depth. To me the overall presentation felt highly polished but the characters, themes and plot came across as largely shallow.

On the characters there is honestly not that much to say. Tenma is an impossibly good guy to the point of frustration. There was so much potential with his character to develop him in so many different and believable ways but he is largely the same character he was at the start of the manga as he is at the end. The villain is easily the worst aspect of the story overall as he comes across totally unbelievable, comically evil and confusingly cruel and the lack of character development is a problem here as well. Some of the other characters have interesting personalities like Tenma's ex, the detective obsessed with Tenma and "the amazing Steiner" and the presence of these more interesting characters is mostly what keeps the story moving.

What this manga ittedly does fairly well is gradually build up the sense of journey and adventure by regularly changing the setting, introducing different characters with different backgrounds and perspectives, Tenma constantly getting caught up in all kinds of unenviable predicaments, and stopping every so often for more exposition and long conversations revealing more behind the various mysteries and conspiracies central to the story. Each segment or sub arc of the manga has a very distinct setting, its own distinct tone and particular group of ing characters and you can't help but get a bit nostalgic for the various phases in the story once you get to the end. To put it another way I would say that if you layer enough shallow elements together and stack one on top of another then you will ultimately come away with some sort of pseudo or false depth and that's what I think you get here with Monster.

To that end it's a competent story that works both as a manga and anime experience however I think most who come in expecting to be blown away as I did will be left wanting more. A lot more.

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Monster

by Bubu harunnie
1 year ago

Rating: 9.6 / 10.0

Já vou ser bem direta que esse mangá eu li por pura recomendação e posso dizer sem dificuldade nenhuma que isso é simplesmente uma obra prima com um final totalmente digno, posso dizer sem problema algum que esse é um dis melhores mangás de seinem e de investigação que já vi, mas agora sem me prolongar vamos avaliar cada aspecto individualmente.
Começando pelo enredo e narrativa é totalmente o ponto positivo supremo desse mangá, já que desde o primeiro momento já prendeu e muito minha atenção e isso se manteve até o momento final com aquela última reviravolta chocante, podemos ver como a narrativa é simplesmente brilhante a partir do momento em que o mangá teve a preparação minuciosa inicial onde o "monstro sem nome" deveria ter morrido, simplesmente o ponto de narrativa chegou em seu ápice mesmo no início fazendo com que diversas duvidas sejam feitas e prendendo a atenção dos leitores logo de início, também sem nem mencionar que a narrativa é tão impecável que simplesmente não tem furo algum de roteiro ou sequer uma ponta solta, dito isso dou-lhe uma nota 10/10 sem ponta alguma de remorso.
Se o enredo da obra já é perfeito então falarei agora sobre os personagens, e já deixo bem claro que é 10/10, todos eles foram super bem desenvolvidos desde o inicio, foram bem tralhados e encaixados corretamente em seus respectivos papéis na obra, também possuem um estilo próprio com suas próprias histórias que em alguns casos são bem simpatizantes e sem duvidas de se orgulhar resumindo é simplesmente perfeito, e claro que vou mencionar johan liebert nesse tópico que sem duvidas é um dos melhores antagonista que eu já vi.
Falando agora sobre a arte e estilo, é muito boa e satisfatória, entretando não é memorável por mas que tenha sim seu ápice e pontos positivos como por exemplo o traço firme, porém não é perfeita sendo assim darei uma nota 8,90.
O mundo e Configuração pressente na obra foi escolhida de forma simples pra facilitar o tema investigativo sendo assim eu diria que foi um simples muito bem feito e planejado dando assim uma nota de 9.37.
O mangá aborda varios temas e mensagens meio filosóficas em varios momentos onde grande parte delas são simplesmente bem encaixadas no tema, como por exemplo a dúvida de "se você soubesse que vai salvar um monstro, ainda sim salvaria?" Esses questionamentos e duvidas pressentes na obra são simplesmente espetaculares por conta disso darei um 10 facilmente.
O desenvolvimento do mangá é prolongado porém de um jeito proposital que permite uma mediana fluidez para o leitor, porém com o ar de misterior e plotwist a cada capitulo esse desenvolvimento pacing ganha mais "forma" tendo um espaço mais amplo para desenvolver todos os quesitos da obra sendo assim totalizando mais uma vez a nota maxima de 10/10 para desenvolvimento pacing.
Concluindo assim posso dizer que fiquei totalmente satisfeita algo que me surpreendeu por eu não ser uma apreciadora do tema de mistério, sem contar que a conclusão foi perfeita interligando o ultimo capitulo com o primeiro onde fala possivelmente os nomes das crianças, a solução de todos os quebra-cabeças da obra é um final bem satisfatorio com aquele plano do suicidio perfeito sem duvidas o melhor arco da história e com certeza o porque você amará o mangá monster apenas apreciem essa obra com sua cabeça plena e sem dúvidas gostará mais do que eu, nota 9.16 para Conclusão e Satisfação.
E calculando então através da média aritmética chegamos a um resultado de 9.63

Enredo e Narrativa: 10/10

Personagens: 10/10

Arte e Estilo: 8.90/10

Mundo e Configuração: 9.37/10

Tema e Mensagem: 10/10

Desenvolvimento Pacing: 10/10

Conclusão e Satisfação: 9.16/10

Nota geral: 9.63/10

in english
I'll be very straightforward that I read this manga purely on recommendation, and I can say without any difficulty that it is simply a masterpiece with a totally worthy ending. I can say without any problem that this is one of the best seinen and investigative manga I've ever seen, but now without prolonging, let's evaluate each aspect individually.

Starting with the plot and narrative, it's totally the supreme positive point of this manga, as it grabbed my attention from the very first moment and this remained until the final moment with that last shocking twist. We can see how the narrative is simply brilliant from the moment the manga had the initial meticulous preparation where the "unnamed monster" was supposed to have died, simply the narrative reached its peak even at the beginning, making several doubts arise and holding the readers' attention right from the start, also without even mentioning that the narrative is so impeccable that there simply isn't any plot hole or even a loose end, having said that I give it a score of 10/10 without any remorse.

If the plot of the work is already perfect then I will now talk about the characters, and I make it clear that it is 10/10, all of them were super well developed from the beginning, were well worked and correctly fitted into their respective roles in the work, they also have their own style with their own stories which in some cases are very sympathetic and without a doubt to be proud of, in short it is simply perfect, and of course I will mention Johan Liebert in this topic which without a doubt is one of the best antagonists I have ever seen.

Now talking about the art and style, it is very good and satisfying, however it is not memorable although it does have its peak and positive points such as the firm stroke, however it is not perfect so I will give it a score of 8.90.

The world and setting present in the work was chosen in a simple way to facilitate the investigative theme so I would say it was a simple but very well done and planned giving it a score of 9.37.

The manga addresses various philosophical themes and messages at various moments where most of them are simply well fitting to the theme, such as the doubt of "if you knew you would save a monster, would you still save it?" These questions and doubts present in the work are simply spectacular because of that I will easily give it a 10.

The development of the manga is prolonged but in a deliberate way that allows a median fluidity for the reader, however with the air of mystery and plot twist in each chapter this pacing development gains more "shape" having a broader space to develop all the aspects of the work thus totaling once again the maximum score of 10/10 for development pacing.

Concluding, I can say that I was totally satisfied something that surprised me because I am not a fan of mystery, not to mention that the conclusion was perfect interconnecting the last chapter with the first where it possibly talks about the names of the children, the solution to all the puzzles of the work is a very satisfactory ending with that perfect suicide plan undoubtedly the best arc of the story and certainly why you will love the monster manga just enjoy this work with your clear head and without a doubt you will like it more than me, rating 9.16 for Conclusion and Satisfaction.

And calculating then through the arithmetic mean we reach a result of 9.63

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Reading . Manga

by Q C4r4j0
5 years ago

Rating: N/A

Just thinking at : Johan liebhert exist and multiplicate him × 2 × 3 etc in this real world.. givesme goosebumps..

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How to not make a series (Anime review)

by Shellshock
5 years ago

Rating: 1.0 / 10.0

Monster is the story about Doctor Tenma. He risks his career and reputation to save a small boy rather than an official. Which leads to Tenma losing his promotion amongst other things. Afterwards a string of murders occur benefiting Tenma so he ends up as the primary suspect. So now he goes on a journey to clear his name and put a stop to the person making these murders.

I don't know how the author makes something with a premise this badass boring, but he did it. It has a very good and nice premise but by far one of the worst executions i have ever seen. It is a series that stumbles on the very first step. Its fucking boring. It isn't just a slow series. It makes the first half of clannad look like fucking sonic. I understand the appeal of a laid back slow paced series. But this shit is beyond excessive. It is like if one piece was all about Luffy using the boat and finding the one piece. Without any of the action, any of the banter, likability, and general entertainment. It literally is a walking simulator without any of the interesting parts. It established the premise and expected that to carry for the rest of the series. I don't understand why they author thought that was a good idea.

The main villain is this autistic dumbass who needs a haircut, who's entire thing is pointing its finger at its forehead. Thats pretty much all it does. It is also really odd that this was the thing that the author decided to pick as a villain. There is the main lackey who is 14% more charming that the main villain. But thats not really an achievement considering the absolute flat characters most of the cast already is.

Un-entertaining and uninteresting should be the description of this series. It is ridiculous how the author made a 6 episode mini series and decided to strech it to 74 fucking episodes. Really the only interesting part about the series is who the main villain talks to the detective and i think that is the only murder the main villain did on screen (kind of). The OST was really the only good part about this series. But its so ill timed as the pump up music. When they walk slightly faster. It is so insane how much OST is wasted on this series

There is an entire episode where the Tenma gets gas. The series is just so blatant of wasting your time and does not hide it a ll. The author could've have made a medicore movie instead he opted for making the most boring anime of all time. The series main point is this philosophical nonsense like its the first series to ever do that but it does so by sacrificing every single thing an entertaining is supposed to be. How am i supposed to question the characters view points when you made them the most flat and 1 dimensional as possible? Just cuz you make them say interesting things doesn't mean the characters themselves became interesting. Lack of variety, Entertainment., Enjoyably. All these parts were missing in this series.

This is a boring series and a bad series. However really the series was just somewhat bad throughout but its really the ending where all these parts which are kinda bad become absolutely awful. the author decides that he's actually biggest asshole on the planet and gives the audience a huge middle finger by giving the most bullshit open ended nonsense he could give. Its like the author decided to put spikes under you finger nails when he's already forcing you to sit in lava. I do not understand the point of this ending. Not only is completly and utterly fucking stupid. It actually restarts the series to episode 1. It basically means that you watched this thing for nothing to change. You are back to where you started.

None of the characters in this series make a lasting impression. Not to you nor to the main characters. You can actually watch a hentai series come back to it and miss absolutely nothing. The only thing that changes throughout this series is B.K. Lunge who is now 4% nicer to his daughter.

This is such a massive disappointment for me. It's almost impossible for me to believe a series this beloved in the community is something i hated this much. This series has about as much depth as a kiddie except a kiddie pool would probably have more depth.

TLDR: This is bad series and the ending isn't giving it any favours. This is what people should watch when you want to know how to not make an anime. This is the 101 on making a bad and boring anime. I was actually gonna give it a 2/10 originally but typing it all out. Wow this is a horribly written series. MAL scoring system does it perfectly. Appalling 1/10

... Last updated 5 years ago

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Monster

by [deleted member]
5 years ago

Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

Story: 10/10
Art: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Quality Polish Edition: 5/10
Enjoyment: 9/10
Overall: 8.6/10

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Disappointing end

by Sburator
6 years ago

Rating: 4.0 / 10.0

Epsodic manga and with a open ending.

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Haunting and addictive

by jackalan
6 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

I still a few years back, I finally gave in to the raves of Urasawa Naoki and read this as his first work. It was a fateful and frightening night of my life. In my head I thought: How good could this be? How great could this mangaka be? And I couldn't stop reading through the night, until my eyes finally gave in at dawn. But as I went to sleep, I was unsettled, worried and eager.

I finished Monster in 2 days. Just marathon and breaks/stops only to do necessary things (eating, hygiene, etc.) I couldn't catch my breath if I'd just pause. Thankfully, at the time, the scalation was completed. Never before did I feel such fearsome presentation: a true thriller that is yet any title to match. And I loved it! The sensations, the mysteries, the daunting yet accelerating task that was to cross the finish line no matter what, through my skins, bones, and unto my mind.

Time es. I have yet to re-read this. I'm afraid I might get too addicted, my heart'd ring as it is shaken. Maybe some other time. For sure, this is one of the best, most impressionable, most memorable, and most mesmerising works I've read. Truly deserving awards and so much, much more.

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