View source for Monster (manga)

{{Short description|Japanese manga series and its adaptations}}
{{Distinguish|Monsters (manga){{!}}''Monsters'' (manga)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name         = Monster
| image        = Monster manga volume 1 cover.jpg
| caption      = First {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volume cover, featuring Kenzo Tenma
| genre        = {{ubl|[[Crime fiction|Crime]]<ref name="VizPE">{{cite web|title=Naoki Urasawa's Monster Manga Series Returns to Print in New Perfect Edition Release from Viz Media|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2014-06-25/naoki-urasawa-monster-manga-series-returns-to-print-in-new-perfect-edition-release-from-viz-media/.75936|website=[[Viz Media]] via [[Anime News Network]]|access-date=10 June 2019|date=25 June 2014|quote=MONSTER: THE PERFECT EDITION is the ultimate version of the acclaimed psychological crime thriller.|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607200744/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2014-06-25/naoki-urasawa-monster-manga-series-returns-to-print-in-new-perfect-edition-release-from-viz-media/.75936|url-status=live}}</ref>|[[Mystery fiction|Mystery]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.viz.com/monster|title=The Official Website for Monster|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|access-date=27 October 2017|archive-date=28 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028093611/https://www.viz.com/monster|url-status=live}}</ref>|[[Psychological thriller]]<ref name="VizPE"/>}}<!-- Note: Use and cite reliable sources to identify genre/s, not personal interpretation. Please don't include more than three genres (per [[MOS:A&M]]). -->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type         = manga
| author       = [[Naoki Urasawa]]
| publisher    = [[Shogakukan]]
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher
| NA = [[Viz Media]]
}}
| demographic  = {{Transliteration|ja|[[Seinen manga|Seinen]]}}
| magazine     = [[Big Comic Original]]
| imprint      = Big Comics
| first        = December 1994
| last         = December 2001
| volumes      = 18
| volume_list  = List of Monster chapters
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type         = novel
| title        = Another Monster
| author       = Naoki Urasawa
| publisher    = Shogakukan
| publisher_en =
| demographic  =
| imprint      =
| published    = 21 June 2002
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type         = tv series
| director     = [[Masayuki Kojima]]
| producer     = {{Unbulleted list|Hiroshi Yamashita (#1–10)|Toshio Nakatani (#11–74)|Manabu Tamura|Takuya Yui|[[Masao Maruyama (film producer)|Masao Maruyama]]}}
| writer       = Tatsuhiko Urahata
| music        = [[Kuniaki Haishima]]
| studio       = [[Madhouse (company)|Madhouse]]
| licensee     = {{English anime licensee
| AUS = [[Siren Visual]]
| NA  = [[Viz Media]]
| SEA = [[Odex]]
}}
| network      = [[Nippon TV]]
| network_en   = {{English anime networks
| CA = [[Super Channel (Canada)|Super Channel]] 
| US = [[Syfy]], [[Chiller (TV channel)|Chiller]], [[Funimation Channel]]
}}
| first        = 7 April 2004
| last         = 28 September 2005
| episodes     = 74
| episode_list = List of Monster episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}}

'''''Monster''''' (stylized in [[all caps]]) is a Japanese [[manga]] series written and illustrated by [[Naoki Urasawa]]. It was published by [[Shogakukan]] in its [[Seinen manga|{{Transliteration|ja|seinen}} manga]] magazine ''[[Big Comic Original]]'' between December 1994 and December 2001, with its chapters collected in 18 {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volumes. The story revolves around [[Kenzo Tenma]], a Japanese surgeon living in [[Düsseldorf]], Germany whose life enters turmoil after he gets himself involved with [[Johan Liebert]], one of his former patients, who is revealed to be a psychopathic [[serial killer]].

Urasawa later wrote and illustrated the novel ''Another Monster'', a story detailing the events of the manga from an investigative reporter's point of view, which was published in 2002. The manga was adapted by [[Madhouse (company)|Madhouse]] into a 74-episode [[anime]] television series, which aired on [[Nippon TV]] from April 2004 to September 2005. The manga and anime were both licensed by [[Viz Media]] for English releases in North America, and the anime was broadcast on several television channels. In 2013, [[Siren Visual]] licensed the anime for Australia.

''Monster'' was Urasawa's first work to receive international acclaim and success; the manga has sold over 20 million copies, making it one of the [[List of best-selling manga|best-selling manga series of all time]]. The manga has won several awards, including the 46th [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] and the [[Japan Media Arts Festival]]. Its anime adaptation has been called one of the best anime series of its decade.

== Plot ==
{{Expand section|This is just the premise, the rest of the plot remains to be written|date=February 2024}}
{{Main|List of Monster characters{{!}}List of ''Monster'' characters}}
Dr. [[Kenzo Tenma]] is a young Japanese [[neurosurgery|brain surgeon]], working at Eisler Memorial Hospital in [[Düsseldorf]], [[West Germany]]. Tenma is dissatisfied with the political bias of the hospital in treating patients, and seizes the chance to change things after a massacre brings fraternal twins [[Johan Liebert|Johan]] and [[Anna Liebert]] into the hospital. Johan has a gunshot wound to his head, and Anna mutters about killing; Tenma operates on Johan instead of the mayor, who arrived later. Johan is saved, but Mayor Roedecker dies; Tenma loses his social standing. Director Heinemann and the other doctors in Tenma's way are mysteriously murdered, and both children disappear from the hospital. The police suspect Tenma, but they have no evidence and can only question him.

Nine years later, Tenma is Chief of Surgery at Eisler Memorial. After saving a criminal named Adolf Junkers, Junkers mutters about a "monster." Tenma returns with a clock for Junkers, he finds the guard in front of Junkers' room dead and Junkers gone. Following the trail to the construction site of a half-finished building near the hospital, Tenma finds Junkers held at gunpoint. Junkers warns him against coming closer and pleads with him to run away. Tenma refuses, and the man holding the gun is revealed to be Johan Liebert. Despite Tenma's attempts to reason with him, Johan shoots Junkers. Telling Tenma he could never kill the man who saved his life, he walks off into the night, with Tenma too shocked to stop him.

Tenma is suspected by the police, particularly [[Federal Criminal Police Office (Germany)|BKA]] [[Inspector Lunge]], and he tries to find more information about Johan. He soon discovers that the boy's sister is living a happy life as an adopted daughter; the only traces of her terrible past are a few nightmares. Tenma finds Anna, who was subsequently named Nina by her adoptive parents, on her birthday; he keeps her from Johan, but is too late to stop him from murdering her adoptive parents. Tenma eventually learns the origins of this "monster": from the former [[East Germany]]'s attempt to use a secret [[orphanage]] known as "511 Kinderheim" to create perfect soldiers through psychological reprogramming, to the author of children's books used in a [[Nazi eugenics|eugenics]] experiment in the former [[Czechoslovak Socialist Republic|Czechoslovakia]]. Tenma learns the scope of the atrocities committed by this "monster", and vows to fix the mistake he made by ending Johan's life.

== Production ==
Urasawa revealed that he pitched the idea of writing a manga about the medical field around 1986, but could tell his editor was not enjoying the idea. So he jokingly proposed a story about women's judo, and that lead to his first solo work ''[[Yawara!]]'' (1986–1993).<ref name="alltheanime"/>

The original idea for ''Monster'' came from the 1960s American television series ''[[The Fugitive (1963 TV series)|The Fugitive]]'', which had a strong impact on Urasawa when he saw it at the age of eight. In the story, a doctor is wrongfully convicted of murder, but escapes and searches for the real killer while on the run from the police.<ref name="alltheanime"/> He said that his editor was adamant that the series would not do well, and tried to stop him from creating it.<ref name="alltheanime">{{cite web|last=Osmond|first=Andrew|url=https://blog.alltheanime.com/interview-naoki-urasawa/|title=Interview: Naoki Urasawa|publisher=[[Anime Limited|All the Anime]]|access-date=15 February 2023|date=6 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215054558/https://blog.alltheanime.com/interview-naoki-urasawa/|archive-date=15 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Japanese medical industry was strongly influenced by the professional practices in Germany, thus it seemed natural to the author to set ''Monster'' in Germany. [[Post-war]] Germany was chosen so that the [[neo-Nazi]] movement could be included in the story.<ref name="crunchy">{{cite web|last=Coats|first=Cayla|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2019/02/06-1/interview-all-you-need-is-a-white-piece-of-paper-and-pen-a-conversation-with-monster-and-21st-century-boys-creator-naoki-urasawa|title=INTERVIEW: All You Need is a White Piece of Paper and Pen: A Conversation with Monster and 20th Century Boys Creator Naoki Urasawa|date=6 February 2019|website=[[Crunchyroll]]|access-date=15 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510234120/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2019/02/06-1/interview-all-you-need-is-a-white-piece-of-paper-and-pen-a-conversation-with-monster-and-21st-century-boys-creator-naoki-urasawa|archive-date=10 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> When he started the semimonthly ''Monster'' at the end of 1994, Urasawa was already writing ''[[Happy! (sports manga)|Happy!]]'' weekly and continued to serialize both at the same time. When ''Happy!'' ended in 1999, he began the weekly ''[[20th Century Boys]]''. Writing both ''Monster'' and ''20th Century Boys'' at the same time caused him to be briefly hospitalized for exhaustion.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schley|first=Matt|title=Monster's Naoki Urasawa Celebrated in Career-Spanning Exhibition|url=http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/monsters-naoki-urasawa-celebrated-in-career-spanning-exhibition/|website=[[Otaku USA]]|date=11 February 2016|access-date=15 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508154039/https://otakuusamagazine.com/monsters-naoki-urasawa-celebrated-in-career-spanning-exhibition/|archive-date=8 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Media ==
=== Manga ===
{{Main|List of Monster chapters{{!}}List of ''Monster'' chapters}}
Written and illustrated by [[Naoki Urasawa]], ''Monster'' was serialized in [[Shōgakukan]]'s [[Seinen manga|{{Transliteration|ja|seinen}} manga]] magazine ''[[Big Comic Original]]'' from December 1994 to December 2001.<ref>{{cite web|last=Macdonald|first=Christopher|title=Monster to be Animated|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-02-06/monster-to-be-animated|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=4 December 2022|date=6 February 2004|archive-date=4 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204084618/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-02-06/monster-to-be-animated|url-status=live}}</ref> Shōgakukan collected its 162 chapters into 18 {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volumes released from 30 June 1995 to 28 February 2002.<ref>{{cite web|title=MONSTER|url=http://www.s-book.com/plsql/com2_series?tid=2387|website=s-book.com|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|access-date=4 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908001046/http://www.s-book.com/plsql/com2_series?tid=2387|archive-date=8 September 2007|language=ja}}</ref> [[Takashi Nagasaki]] is credited as "co-producer" of the manga's story.<ref name="Nagasaki">{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Monster Anime Premieres on Syfy's Ani-Monday Tonight|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-10-12/monster-anime-premieres-on-syfy-ani-monday-tonight|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=12 October 2009|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=21 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221075037/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-10-12/monster-anime-premieres-on-syfy-ani-monday-tonight|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Monster'' received a nine-volume {{Transliteration|ja|[[kanzenban]]}} re-release between 30 January and 29 August 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MONSTER 完全版 1|language=ja|url=http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/book?isbn=9784091817907|publisher=[[Shōgakukan]]|access-date=15 February 2023|archive-date=26 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126173322/https://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/book?isbn=9784091817907|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=MONSTER 完全版 9|language=ja|url=http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/book?isbn=9784091818096|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|access-date=15 February 2023|archive-date=19 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119081938/https://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/book?isbn=9784091818096|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Monster'' was licensed in North America by [[Viz Media]], who published all 18 volumes between 21 February 2006 and 16 December 2008.<ref name="Perfect Edition">{{cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|title=Viz Media to Release Ranma 1/2 Anime on BD/DVD|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-08-10/viz-media-to-release-ranma-anime-on-bd/dvd|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=10 August 2013|access-date=10 August 2013|archive-date=13 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813102615/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-08-10/viz-media-to-release-ranma-anime-on-bd/dvd|url-status=live}}</ref> They released the {{Transliteration|ja|kanzenban}} version of the series, titled ''Monster: The Perfect Edition'', between 15 July 2014 and 19 July 2016.<ref name="Perfect Edition"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Monster: The Perfect Edition, Vol. 1|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/monster-vol-1/11174|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|access-date=15 February 2023|archive-date=4 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304114125/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/monster-vol-1/11174|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Monster: The Perfect Edition, Vol. 9|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/monster-vol-9/11181|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|access-date=15 February 2023|archive-date=17 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317001628/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/monster-vol-9/11181|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Anime ===
{{Main|List of Monster episodes{{!}}List of ''Monster'' episodes}}
The manga series was adapted into an anime by [[Madhouse (company)|Madhouse]], which aired between 7 April 2004 and 28 September 2005 on [[Nippon TV]]. Directed by [[Masayuki Kojima]] and written by Tatsuhiko Urahata, it features original character designs by long-time [[Studio Ghibli]] animator [[Kitarō Kōsaka]] which were adapted for the anime by Shigeru Fujita. The music was composed by [[Kuniaki Haishima]], including the opening theme "Grain".

[[David Sylvian]] was commissioned to write the first ending theme, "For the Love of Life", on which he collaborated with Haishima. In the cover notes to the official soundtrack he said, "I was attracted to the ''Monster'' material by the moral dilemma faced by its central character. The calm surface of the music giving way to darker undercurrents, signifying the conscience of the lead protagonist and the themes of morality, fate, resignation, and free will."<ref>{{cite web|title=For the Love of Life|url=http://www.davidsylvian.net/releases/tracks-poems/60-tracks-davidsylvian/823-for-the-love-of-life.html|publisher=davidsylvian.net|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=11 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311202730/http://www.davidsylvian.net/releases/tracks-poems/60-tracks-davidsylvian/823-for-the-love-of-life.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was used for the first 32 episodes. The second ending theme, "Make It Home" by [[Fujiko Hemming]], was used for the remaining 42 episodes. It is the only song Hemming sung in her career.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:フジコ・ヘミング、究極のオールタイム・ベスト『COLORS』10/20発売　最新ミュージック・ビデオが公開|url=https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/294142|publisher=Spice|access-date=1 May 2024|language=ja|date=20 October 2021|archive-date=2 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502020511/https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/294142|url-status=live}}</ref>

The credit sequence features illustrations from the book ''Obluda, Která Nemá Své Jméno'' (The Monster Who Didn't Have A Name) by Emil Scherbe which was published by Shogakukan on 30 September 2008.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:MONSTER完全版 別巻 なまえのないかいぶつ|url=https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/books/09179027|publisher=[[Shōgakukan]]|access-date=24 August 2020|language=ja|archive-date=24 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824021054/https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/books/09179027|url-status=live}}</ref>

An English dub of ''Monster'' was produced by Salami Studios for [[Viz Media]], which had the North American license to the anime. The show aired on [[Syfy]]'s Ani-Mondays with two episodes back-to-back each Monday night at 11:00 pm EST, beginning 12 October 2009, as well as on its sister network [[Chiller (TV channel)|Chiller]].<ref name="Nagasaki"/> A DVD box set of the series, containing the first 15 episodes was released 8 December 2009. However, due to low sales of the first box set, Viz decided not to continue releasing the remaining episodes on DVD and later dropped the license.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bertschy|first=Zac|title=ANNCast – Risky Viz-ness|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anncast/2013-07-17|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=17 July 2013|access-date=30 July 2013|archive-date=25 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725052807/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anncast/2013-07-17|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Monster'' began airing on Canada's [[Super Channel (Canada)|Super Channel]] on 15 March 2010,<ref>{{cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|title=Monster to Run in Canada, Deltora Quest in Australia, NZ|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-27/monster-to-air-in-canada-deltora-quest-to-air-in-australia-new-zealand|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=27 February 2010|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=26 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226000620/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-27/monster-to-air-in-canada-deltora-quest-to-air-in-australia-new-zealand|url-status=live}}</ref> and on the [[Funimation Channel]] on 3 April 2010 on weekends at 12:30 am.<ref>{{cite web|title=VIZ on FUN Channel – Yes, you heard right.|work=[[Funimation]]|url=http://blog.funimation.com/2009/04/viz-on-fun-channel-yes-you-heard-right/|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222153134/http://blog.funimation.com/2009/04/viz-on-fun-channel-yes-you-heard-right/|archive-date=22 February 2012}}</ref> The series was also available digitally from several internet retailers. [[Siren Visual]] licensed the series for Australia in 2013, and released it in five DVD volumes beginning in November 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hayward|first=Jon|title=Siren Visual Acquires Monster|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-05-17/siren-visual-acquires-monster|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=17 May 2013|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=16 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716050049/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-05-17/siren-visual-acquires-monster|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Netflix]] began streaming the series internationally on 1 January 2023, premiering the first 30 episodes;<ref>{{cite web|last=Russell|first=Bradley|title=Netflix has added two classic anime shows – but several episodes are missing|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/netflix-episodes-missing-hajime-no-ippo-monster/|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|access-date=5 January 2023|date=3 January 2023|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104080037/https://www.gamesradar.com/netflix-episodes-missing-hajime-no-ippo-monster/|url-status=live}}</ref> the entire 74 episodes were made available for the following month.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mateo|first1=Alex|title=Netflix Streams Monster Anime|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-02-01/netflix-streams-monster-anime/.194414|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=9 February 2023|date=1 February 2023|archive-date=9 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209214813/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-02-01/netflix-streams-monster-anime/.194414|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Live-action adaptations ===
In 2005, it was announced that [[New Line Cinema]] acquired the rights for an American [[live-action]] film adaptation of ''Monster''. [[Academy Award]]-nominated screenwriter [[Josh Olson]] (''[[A History of Violence (film)|A History of Violence]]'') was hired to write the screenplay.<ref>{{cite web|last=Macdonald|first=Christopher|title=Live Action Monster Movie Screenwriter|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-07-08/live-action-monster-movie-screenwriter|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=12 June 2021|date=8 July 2005|archive-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612113719/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-07-08/live-action-monster-movie-screenwriter|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Josh Olson to Adapt Manga Comic Book Monster|work=[[MovieWeb]]|url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/63/8463.php|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511191704/http://www.movieweb.com/news/63/8463.php|archive-date=11 May 2008}}</ref> No new information on the film was released since.<ref>{{cite web|last=Manry|first=Gia|title=Universal, Illumination Get Film Rights for Urasawa's Pluto Manga|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-10-20/universal-illumination-get-film-rights-for-urasawa-pluto-manga|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=12 June 2021|date=20 October 2010|quote=New Line Cinema acquired the film rights to ''Urasawa''{{'}}s manga Monster in 2005, and a writer was attached to the project, but no new information on the film has been released since.|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031143537/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-10-20/universal-illumination-get-film-rights-for-urasawa-pluto-manga|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, it was revealed that [[Guillermo del Toro]] and American [[Pay Television|premium television]] network [[HBO]] were collaborating on a pilot for a live-action TV series based on ''Monster''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike|title=Guillermo Del Toro Is Hatching A 'Monster' Of A Series at HBO|url=https://deadline.com/2013/04/guillermo-del-toro-is-hatching-a-monster-of-a-series-at-hbo-482065/|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=24 April 2013|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=7 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807005254/http://www.deadline.com/2013/04/guillermo-del-toro-is-hatching-a-monster-of-a-series-at-hbo/|url-status=live}}</ref> Co-executive producer [[Stephen Thompson (writer)|Stephen Thompson]] (''[[Doctor Who]]'' and ''[[Sherlock (TV series)|Sherlock]]'') was writing the pilot, while del Toro was to direct it and be an executive producer alongside [[Don Murphy]] and [[Susan Montford]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Guillermo del Toro Develops Monster Manga as Possible HBO Show|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-04-24/guillermo-del-toro-develops-monster-manga-as-possible-hbo-show|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=24 April 2013|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=16 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716122854/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-04-24/guillermo-del-toro-develops-monster-manga-as-possible-hbo-show|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, del Toro told Latino-Review that HBO had passed on the project and that they were in the process of pitching to other studios.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chavez|first=Kellvin|title=Exclusive: Talking 'Crimson Peak' With Guillermo del Toro|url=http://lrmonline.com/news/exclusive-talking-crimson-peak-with-guillermo-del-toro|website=Latino Review Media|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110123208/http://lrmonline.com/news/exclusive-talking-crimson-peak-with-guillermo-del-toro|archive-date=10 November 2016|date=16 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Saabedra|first=Humberto|title=Guillermo Del Toro Offers Update on Status of "Monster" Adaptation|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/10/16/guillermo-del-toro-offers-update-on-status-of-monster-adaptation|website=[[Crunchyroll]]|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119014450/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/10/16/guillermo-del-toro-offers-update-on-status-of-monster-adaptation|archive-date=19 November 2020|date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|title=Guillermo del Toro: Live-Action Monster is 'Out of HBO'|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-24/guillermo-del-toro-live-action-monster-is-out-of-hbo/.94409|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=12 June 2021|date=24 October 2015|archive-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612114504/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-24/guillermo-del-toro-live-action-monster-is-out-of-hbo/.94409|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Manga ===
''Monster'' has been critically acclaimed. It won an Excellence Prize in the Manga Division at the first [[Japan Media Arts Festival]] in 1997;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.j-mediaarts.jp/en/festival/1997/manga/|title=Manga Division 1997 (1st) Japan Media Arts Festival Archive|publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]]|language=ja|access-date=15 February 2023|archive-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206073620/http://archive.j-mediaarts.jp/en/festival/1997/manga/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Grand Prize of the 3rd [[Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|last=Macdonald|first=Christopher|title=Tezuka Award Winner Announced|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-05-10/tezuka-award-winner-announced|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=10 May 2005|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=28 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928023710/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-05-10/tezuka-award-winner-announced|url-status=live}}</ref> It also won the 46th [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] in the General category in 2001;<ref name="ShogakukanAward">{{cite web|url=http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html|script-title=ja:小学館漫画賞: 歴代受賞者|publisher=[[Shōgakukan]]|language=ja|access-date=19 August 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094941/http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html|archive-date=29 September 2007 }}</ref> and the Best Manga Series at the [[Lucca Comics Awards]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|last = Hodgkins|first = Crystalyn|url = https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-11-01/naoki-urasawa-asadora-manga-wins-lucca-comics-award-for-best-series/.179085|title = Naoki Urasawa's Asadora! Manga Wins Lucca Comics Award for Best Series|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|date = 1 November 2021|access-date = 15 February 2023|archive-date = 10 August 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220810180811/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-11-01/naoki-urasawa-asadora-manga-wins-lucca-comics-award-for-best-series/.179085|url-status = live}}</ref> The [[Young Adult Library Services Association]] placed ''Monster'' on their 2007 Great Graphic Novels for Teens list.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 Great Graphic Novels for Teens|publisher=[[American Library Association]]|url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/63/8463.php|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117035505/http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/greatgraphicnovelsforteens/annotations/07ggnt.cfm|archive-date=17 January 2011}}</ref> Viz Media's English release was nominated several times for [[Eisner Awards]], twice in the category [[Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia|Best U.S. Edition of International Material – Japan]] (2007 and 2009) and three times in Best Continuing Series (2007, 2008, 2009).<ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Japanese, World Manga Nominated for 2007 Eisner Awards|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-04-19/japanese-world-manga-nominated-for-2007-eisner-awards|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=19 April 2007|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=11 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211012746/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-04-19/japanese-world-manga-nominated-for-2007-eisner-awards|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Manga Listed Among Eisner Award Nominees for 2008|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-04-14/manga-listed-among-eisner-award-nominees-for-2008|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=14 April 2008|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=23 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823123905/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-04-14/manga-listed-among-eisner-award-nominees-for-2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Manga Nominated for 2009 Eisner Awards|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-07/manga-nominated-for-2009-eisner-awards|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=7 April 2009|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=11 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511090132/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-07/manga-nominated-for-2009-eisner-awards|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, when [[Oricon]] conducted a poll asking which manga series the Japanese people wanted to see adapted into live-action, ''Monster'' came in fifth.<ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Survey: Slam Dunk Manga is #1 Choice for Live-Action|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-03/survey/slam-dunk-manga-is-no.1-choice-for-live-action|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=28 May 2009|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=1 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601193818/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-03/survey/slam-dunk-manga-is-no.1-choice-for-live-action|url-status=live}}</ref> At the 2009 Industry Awards held by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, the organizers of [[Anime Expo]], ''Monster'' won the award for Best Drama Manga.<ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=SPJA Industry Award Winners Announced at Anime Expo|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-07-03/2009-spja-industry-award-winners-announced|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=3 July 2009|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=3 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203223913/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-07-03/2009-spja-industry-award-winners-announced|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''Monster'' manga has over 20 million copies in circulation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.narinari.com/Nd/2005044270.html|script-title=ja:浦沢直樹原作の「MONSTER」がハリウッドで実写映画化。|date=5 April 2005|publisher=NariNari|access-date=28 November 2013|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062908/http://www.narinari.com/Nd/2005044270.html|archive-date=22 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Writing for ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', [[Pulitzer Prize for Fiction]] winner [[Junot Díaz]] praised the manga, proclaiming "Urasawa is a national treasure in Japan, and if you ain't afraid of picture books, you'll see why".<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Junot Díaz|title=The Psychotic Japanese Mastermind|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1820177_1820178_1820114,00.html|date=3 July 2008|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=9 June 2019|archive-date=9 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609031626/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1820177_1820178_1820114,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[About.com]]''{{'}}s Deb Aoki called ''Monster'' a multi-layered suspense series and satisfying mystery that stands up to repeat readings, although it is sometimes a "little hard to follow".<ref>{{cite web|last=Aoki|first=Deb|url=http://manga.about.com/od/recommendedreading/tp/2008BestManga.htm|title=2008 Best Continuing Manga List|publisher=[[About.com]]|access-date=23 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328183945/http://manga.about.com/od/recommendedreading/tp/2008BestManga.htm|archive-date=28 March 2013}}</ref> Reviewing the ''Monster'' manga for ''[[Anime News Network]]'', Carl Kimlinger called Urasawa a master of suspense "effortlessly maintaining the delicate balance of deliberate misinformation and explicit delineation of the dangers facing protagonists that only the finest suspense thrillers ever achieve."<ref name="ANN vol 5">{{cite web|last=Carl|first=Kimlinger|title=Monster GN 5 – Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-5|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=9 February 2007|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=5 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705164347/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-5|url-status=live}}</ref> He commented that even the stories and characters that had felt unrelated to the greater picture are "eventually drawn together by Johan's grand plan."<ref name="ANN vol 8-9">{{cite web|last=Carl|first=Kimlinger|title=Monster GN 8–9 – Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-8|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=27 September 2007|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=30 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730203218/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-8|url-status=live}}</ref> Kimlinger deemed the art "invisible perfection," never "showy or superfluous," with panels laid out so well that it is easy to forget how much effort is put into each and every page.<ref name="ANN vol 5"/> Though he did not find the characters' physical designs attractive,<ref name="ANN vol 10">{{cite web|last=Carl|first=Kimlinger|title=Monster GN 10 – Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-10|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=12 October 2007|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=29 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729014226/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-10|url-status=live}}</ref> he praised their expressiveness, writing that the characters "wear their personalities on their faces, communicating changes in their outlooks, psychology, inner thoughts and emotions with shifts in expression that range from barely perceptible to masks of rage, hate and fear."<ref name="ANN vol 5"/> ''UK Anime Network'' gave the first volume a perfect score based on the engrossing story, but felt the artwork, while appealing, was not "groundbreaking".<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825111653/http://www.uk-anime.net/manga/Monster_Vol._1.html|url=http://www.uk-anime.net/manga/Monster_Vol._1.html|title=Manga Review: Monster Vol. 1|access-date=29 August 2021|archivedate=25 August 2011}}</ref> On the other hand, ''Active Anime'' felt the art improved across the manga's serialization.<ref>{{cite web|title=Monster vol. 17 (Advanced Review)|url=https://activeanime.com/html/2008/10/20/monster-vol-17-advanced-review/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215850/https://activeanime.com/html/2008/10/20/monster-vol-17-advanced-review/|archivedate=3 March 2016|website=Active Anime|access-date=29 August 2021}}</ref>

A.E. Sparrow of ''[[IGN]]'' described ''Monster'' as a "[[Alfred Hitchcock|Hitchcock]] film set to manga" and felt its real strength comes from its huge cast of interesting characters, who each have "a unique story and history to relate".<ref>{{cite web|last=Sparrow|first=A.E.|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/10/monster-volume-15-review|title=Monster: Volume 15 Review|website=IGN|date=13 May 2012|accessdate=29 August 2021|archive-date=29 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829234706/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/10/monster-volume-15-review|url-status=live}}</ref> Carlo Santos, also for ''Anime News Network'', called ''Monster'' "a one-of-a-kind thriller" and suggests that one of the most overlooked qualities of it is that "amidst all the mystery and horror, there are moments of love and hope and all the good things about humanity."<ref name="ANN vol 14-15">{{cite web|last=Santos|first=Carlo|title=Monster GN 14–15 – Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-14|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=27 June 2008|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=25 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825043817/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-14|url-status=live}}</ref> Though she praised the manga for its "cinematically precise" art, never confusing the reader, and making each person visually distinct despite the large cast of characters,<ref name="ANN vol 16">{{cite web|last=Brienza|first=Casey|title=Monster GN 16 – Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-16|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=14 September 2008|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704201842/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-16|url-status=live}}</ref> Casey Brienza from the same website felt that too much time was spent developing minor characters "who are likely to be dead or forgotten just a few dozen pages later," and that the series' ending "went out with a whimper."<ref name="ANN vol 16"/> Brienza noted that "there is nothing satisfactory ever revealed to fully account for [Johan's] supremely scrambled psyche," but concluded that as long as the reader does not look for "deep meanings or think too hard about whether or not it all makes sense in the end" they will enjoy it.<ref name="ANN vol 17-18">{{cite web|last=Brienza|first=Casey|title=Monster GN 17–18 – Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-17|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=18 December 2008|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=9 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809170753/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-17|url-status=live}}</ref> Leroy Douresseaux of ''Comic Book Bin'', praised ''Monster''{{'}}s finale and wrote that the manga is "worth reading again and again. It's perfection".<ref>{{cite web|last=Douresseaux|first=Leroy|url=http://www.comicbookbin.com/naokiurasawasmonster018.html|title=Naoki Urasawa's Monster: Volume 18|website=Comic Book Bin|access-date=29 August 2021|archive-date=29 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829234707/http://www.comicbookbin.com/naokiurasawasmonster018.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Anime ===
''[[THEM Anime Reviews]]'' called the anime adaptation "complex" and "beautiful", stating that it features "sophisticated storytelling and complex plot weaving, memorable characters, godly production values and excellent pacing".<ref>{{cite web|last=Laeno|first=Dominic|url=http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=969|title=Monster Review|publisher=[[THEM Anime Reviews]]|access-date=9 January 2009|archive-date=17 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217184829/http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=969|url-status=live}}</ref> Darius Washington of ''[[Otaku USA]]'' named ''Monster'' one of the ten best anime of the past decade.<ref>{{cite web|last=Washington|first=Darius|title=Monster: Box Set 1|url=http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/SearchAudience/News1/Monster_Box_Set_1_3218.aspx|publisher=[[Otaku USA]]|date=28 June 2010|access-date=2 September 2013|archive-date=2 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502231427/http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/SearchAudience/News1/Monster_Box_Set_1_3218.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Carl Kimlinger enthused that "It cannot be overstated how brilliantly apart from the anime mainstream this unsettling, fiercely intelligent, and ultimately uncategorizable journey into darkness is."<ref name="eps3145">{{cite web|last=Carl|first=Kimlinger|title=Monster Episodes 31–45 Streaming – Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/episodes-31|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=10 July 2011|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=24 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824103925/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/episodes-31|url-status=live}}</ref> He praised Madhouse's animation for not only keeping up the dark "cinematic quality of Urasawa's art" but also improving on it, as well as Kuniaki Haishima's score for adding "immeasurably to the series' hair-raising atmosphere."<ref name="ANN anime">{{cite web|last=Carl|first=Kimlinger|title=Monster DVD Box Set 1 – Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/dvd-box-set-1|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=4 January 2010|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=22 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722072700/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/dvd-box-set-1|url-status=live}}</ref> Though he noted Viz Media's inability to acquire the original ending theme song due to licensing problems, Kimlinger also called their English dub of the series one of the best in recent memory.<ref name="ANN anime"/>

Kimlinger praised the series, for "its fidelity to Naoki Urasawa's original manga", commenting that "there isn't a scene left out, only a handful added in, and as far as I can tell not a line of dialogue changed or omitted. Given its faithfulness, fans of the manga will know that the series won't get any better than this, this is as good as the series gets." As well as for its frequent habit of giving the spotlight to newly introduced characters instead of the main cast.<ref name="eps3145"/><ref name="ANN anime"/> He also described the ending of the series as, "we feel vaguely let down when what we should really be doing is glorying in the somewhat messy, yes, but exhilarating final throes of one of last decade's great series". Nonetheless, he considered such an ending to be expected, since "as ambitious and complicated and just plain huge as ''Monster'' is, no conclusion is going to be entirely satisfactory. Someone is bound to get short-changed, loose ends are bound to be left dangling, and even if they weren't, the simple truth is that no climax could ever live up to the series' build-up".<ref>{{cite web|last=Carl|first=Kimlinger|title=Monster Episodes 61–74 Streaming – Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/episodes-61|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=11 October 2011|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=25 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825062603/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/episodes-61|url-status=live}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.ntv.co.jp/monster/|Official anime website at Nippon TV}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{Official website|https://www.viz.com/monster|Official manga website at Viz Media}}
* {{Anime News Network|manga|1511}}
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q100944081}}

{{Monster}}
{{Navboxes|list=
{{Naoki Urasawa}}
{{Big Comic Original}}
{{Shogakukan Manga Award - General}}
{{Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize}}
{{Masayuki Kojima}}
{{Madhouse}}
}}

[[Category:2002 Japanese novels]]
[[Category:Anime and manga about crime]]
[[Category:Anime and manga set in Germany]]
[[Category:Anime series based on manga]]
[[Category:Comics about serial killers]]
[[Category:Fiction about suicide]]
[[Category:Fiction about wrongful convictions]]
[[Category:Fictional criminologists]]
[[Category:Madhouse (company)]]
[[Category:Medical anime and manga]]
[[Category:Mystery anime and manga]]
[[Category:Naoki Urasawa]]
[[Category:Nippon Television original programming]]
[[Category:Odex]]
[[Category:Philosophical anime and manga]]
[[Category:Psychological thriller anime and manga]]
[[Category:Seinen manga]]
[[Category:Shogakukan manga]]
[[Category:Viz Media anime]]
[[Category:Viz Media manga]]
[[Category:Winner of Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize (Grand Prize)]]
[[Category:Winners of the Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga]]