Honest Review: Highly underrated horror/thriller anime without ghosts!
Hearing horror/thriller genre would prompt anyone to say – “Death Note” leaving the classic hits to remain underrated. One such highly underrated anime is Naoki Urasawa’s Monster!
The anime sums up the genre nature (horror/thriller) right from the opening music sequence, which is highly eerie and sets up viewers in a mystery mode, and the motion sequence fuels this eeriness. The story is set in Germany post-soviet era and we are introduced to the protagonist – Dr.Tenma emigrated from Japan – and is a promising doctor working in a prestigious hospital in Germany. In short, the actual anime starts after a small incident caused by Dr. Tenma and the consequences he faces due to his act.
What makes this anime interesting?
Story: The anime is celebrated highly for its story flow and character design, without which it would be a disaster. Though we start the story from the protagonist’s view, as the series develops we are introduced to multiple characters, and the viewers are left to struggle with limited information and a higher thirst for the next event of consequence. Thus the anime subconsciously makes the viewer part of the story and keeps us at guess. The story is itself multifaceted and the role of a detective is handed over to the viewer, personally, this is where the anime wins our hearts and mind. Without making the pace monotonous for the viewer, the characters in turn make us question a few things.
Music & Voice: Without any ghosts/vampires or supernatural, this horror/thriller stays raw and real, with the characters facing real issues, and coping to tackle them. Though this is a serious anime, I didn’t feel the lack of power-ups and fighting, this is especially achieved with the great assistance of music and the voice acting. The music holds the anime in many spots and sets the viewer for the about-to-happen events yet remains unspoiled. The voice is far off from a typical anime and suits the character’s age and role with a mix of a German accent. Moreover, it would be more precise to describe this anime as an emotional horror for the sensation this provokes within the viewer than a horror genre.
Artwork/Animation: The anime is set in the post-soviet, berlin wall breakdown era and releases diverse emotions and reactions. For an anime lacking anime-style fight sequences, the artworks capture these reactions and emotions sharp and precise. Even the background, depicting the era is portrayed to utmost detail making us live the moments of the story. The mix of eerie mild music, artwork, and characters mess with viewers’ emotions from joy to fear.
Who should not watch? Honestly, the 75-episode-long anime is slow-paced initially, taking its time to set the story and background. Viewers who have no patience and interest in psychology thrillers should avoid this anime. In case you decide to watch, complete it to the end, and you won’t be disappointed.