Monster
A psychological thriller manga and anime that explores the depths of human evil through the story of a doctor pursuing a former patient who has become a serial killer.
Category
Psychological Thriller
Release Year
1994
Origin
Japan
Tags
psychological thrillercrimemedical dramaserial killermoral complexityEuropean setting
Detailed Overview Information
Basic Information
Full Name
Monster
Aliases
MONSTER, 繝｢繝ｳ繧ｹ繧ｿ繝ｼ
Type
Manga/Anime Series
Release Year
1994
Status
Completed
Origin
Japan
Region
Japan
Creation Information
Creator
Naoki Urasawa
Publisher
Shogakukan (manga), Madhouse (anime)
Original Work
Monster manga series
Genre
Psychological Thriller, Crime, Medical Drama, Mystery, Seinen
Content Information
Synopsis
Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon, saves the life of a young boy named Johan, only to discover years later that Johan has become a manipulative serial killer. Tenma must confront the monster he helped create.
Main Characters
Dr. Kenzo Tenma, Johan Liebert, Nina Fortner/Anna Liebert, Inspector Heinrich Lunge
Setting
1980s-1990s Germany and Eastern Europe, post-Cold War era
Themes
Nature of evil, moral responsibility, redemption, the value of human life, psychological manipulation
Target Audience
Adult readers, psychological thriller enthusiasts, mature anime fans
Media Forms
Comics
Original manga series published in Big Comic Original
Animated Series
74-episode anime adaptation by Madhouse
Books
Light novels, art books, analysis books
Merchandise
Limited collectibles, art prints, character figures
Digital Content
Digital manga, streaming anime, online discussions
Cross Media Adaptations
Live-action film adaptations in development
Commercial Information
Sales
Over 20 million copies sold worldwide
Awards
Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, Shogakukan Manga Award
Critical Reception
Widely regarded as one of the greatest manga and anime series
Cultural Impact
Influenced psychological thriller genre in manga and anime
Market Value
Considered a premium intellectual property
Licensing
Licensed globally for manga and anime distribution
Fan Culture
Fanbase
Dedicated adult audience, psychological thriller enthusiasts, critical acclaim community
Communities
Online forums, academic discussions, analysis groups
Events
Manga exhibitions, academic conferences, film festivals
Quotes
Philosophical dialogue about human nature and morality
Memes
Johan's manipulative quotes, Tenma's moral dilemmas
Fan Art
Character portraits, scene recreations, psychological artwork
Fan Projects
Analysis videos, fan theories, tribute works
Cultural References
Referenced in discussions of moral philosophy and psychology
Social Media
Strong presence in literary and anime communities
Collectibles
Premium manga editions, limited anime releases
Historical Development
1994
Monster manga begins serialization in Big Comic Original
1995
Gains critical acclaim for psychological depth
1997
Wins Shogakukan Manga Award
2001
Manga series concludes after 18 volumes
2004
Anime adaptation by Madhouse begins
2005
Anime gains international recognition
2006
Wins Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize
2010
Considered a masterpiece of psychological thriller genre
2015
Live-action adaptation announced
2020
Continues to influence modern psychological thrillers
Related Links
www.shogakukan.co.jp
www.enjoyip.com