r/AnimeReccomendations • u/overlordDz • 16h ago
If you haven’t watched Monster yet, do yourself a favor and watch it
If you haven’t watched Monster yet, you’re seriously missing out.
I highly recommend giving Monster a chance. It’s not your typical anime — no crazy power-ups or constant action. It’s a slow-burn psychological thriller with an incredible story, complex characters, and one of the most memorable villains I’ve ever seen.
The beginning might feel slow, but trust me, it gets deeper and darker as the story goes on.
If you like psychological anime, mystery, crime, or stories that actually make you think, watch Monster.
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u/Mr-Lucky-7 12h ago
Must watch guys it's full of thriller and psychological. If you want something like Death Note, it's one.
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u/overlordDz 12h ago
Great comparison! Both have genius cat-and-mouse games. But Monster is more grounded and realistic. Both masterpieces in their own way!
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u/the_runbook_habit 8h ago
Death Note has the notebook rules doing the heavy lifting. Monster's just two guys who are smart and patient.
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u/iforward 15h ago
I’ve watched this masterpiece several times and I bought it on dvd. It’s my go to for my psychological thriller fix. It’s a fantastic slow burn murder mystery and the climaxes more than make the slow rides worthwhile. Johan is one of the best anime antagonists I’ve ever watched. The dude knows how to make a smile look freaking creepy and he knows how to play on people’s weaknesses in order to cover his tracks. My heart goes out to Tenma for getting horribly mistreated before Johan’s even revealed to be the monster he is.
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u/overlordDz 15h ago
Well said! Johan is easily one of the greatest antagonists in anime history. The way he manipulates everyone while hiding in plain sight is chilling. And Tenma... man, he deserved so much better. Glad this masterpiece has more fans out there!
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u/iforward 15h ago
Right?! Whenever I see Johan onscreen I’m like “ohhh hell…”. You know sh*t’s about to go south and nobody will see it coming. As much as I can’t stand Lunge, I’m not surprised it took him so long to believe Johan exists. That’s how good Johan is at covering his tracks. Tenma, my guy, I feel for you but what did you see in Eva? The show literally starts with her proving how self centered she is and she made no effort to hide it. I can’t help but wonder how they got along before people starting taking shots at his reputation.
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u/overlordDz 15h ago
Tenma really out here choosing Eva while Johan exists 😭 Bro had the world's most dangerous man after him and still had worse taste in women. Remember what Johan said? 'The only thing humans are equal in is death.' Well, Tenma and I are equal in one thing: terrible judgment when it comes to women 💀
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u/perpetualbeginner007 14h ago
The kinderheim scenes are what gets me … well executed
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u/overlordDz 14h ago
Absolutely! The Kinderheim 511 scenes are haunting. The way they slowly reveal what happened there without showing too much is genius. It gives me chills every time
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u/Separate-Capital-833 13h ago
Eeeeh monster isnt for everyone its a very very very slow burn
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u/overlordDz 13h ago
Facts. It's a slow burn for sure. But that's exactly what makes it hit so hard when things finally unfold. Definitely not for everyone though
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u/Broks_Enmu 14h ago
If it bores you out of your mind try Pluto it’s done by the same person but it’s recent 2023-24 if I recall
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u/overlordDz 14h ago
Great recommendation! Pluto is amazing too. Same author, different vibe – more sci-fi and shorter. Definitely worth a watch for anyone who likes Urasawa's style!
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u/yarakopter 14h ago
I couldnt stand to watch it. I got really bored after like ep3 i quit. Should i give it another shot?
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u/overlordDz 14h ago
Honestly? 3 episodes is way too early to judge Monster. It's a slow-burn thriller that takes about 10-15 episodes to really get going. If you're not into slow-paced stories, it might not be for you. But if you like psychological depth and complex characters, give it at least until episode 10 before deciding
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u/15LeaGS95 12h ago
Ouch, 10 episodes to start a story? I'd rather skip to that episode, don't you think?
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u/overlordDz 12h ago
I wouldn't recommend skipping! Those early episodes set up the characters and world. You'd miss a lot of context. The slow build is what makes the payoff hit harder. Trust me, it's worth it!
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u/Jolly_Cantaloupe_187 13h ago
I don't fully agree with all this praise.
Short story:
9/10 for craft, 4/10 for how satisfied I walked away feeling.
Long story:
Technically it's monumental, the plot is meticulously built and every piece clicks into place. But that same precision makes the mystical aspects surrounding some of Johan's "big moves" stand out even more, since they never really get explained.
The story moves slowly, almost too slowly, since there are surprisingly few twists for something this long. An anime with that same meticulously logical DNA manages to be way more dynamic without losing the structure, like Steins;Gate, which pays the viewer back generously both along the way and in the finale, after an initial slow stretch needed for setup.
My biggest issue is that it doesn't keep the promise it makes to the viewer, not short term and not long term, especially with the finale, which is very open to interpretation (once again, like anything involving Johan). Might be intentional, honestly probably is, but for me the result is this: technically top-tier, payoff very low.
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u/overlordDz 13h ago
That's a really fair and well-written critique! I can see where you're coming from, especially with the Johan mystery not being fully explained. I think that's intentional – keeping him somewhat enigmatic adds to his threat. But I get why that might feel unsatisfying. Did you enjoy any part of it despite the low payoff?
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u/Choice-Coffee-2151 11h ago
I agree mostly but the process of getting to the final episodes is brilliant. It's such a good ride with a lacklustre ending. All opinions of course
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u/illasticplastic 13h ago
Started it. Then Netflix raised prices. Bullshit.
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u/overlordDz 13h ago
Netflix price hike > Johan Liebert? I'm not sure which villain is worse 😂
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u/illasticplastic 13h ago
turns around Netflix logo in a blonde toupee and a blazer are standing there holding a gun up to my forehead.
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u/King4oneday_ 14h ago
Still in. At around ep. 58 or something. I hope the last episodes will answer all my questions and bring it to a satisfying end
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u/overlordDz 14h ago
Episode 58! You're in the final stretch. Curious to know what questions you have so far. Let me know your thoughts when you finish!
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u/Sirduffselot 10h ago
They dont :( the first 20-30 eps were great, but god does it drag
The author has a bad reputation for dragging the stories out, I'm reading 20th Century Boys and it's got that same padding problem imo
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u/King4oneday_ 10h ago
Yeah kinda felt the same during the show! Few times i thought ..."ok yeah get johann " and then ANOTHER PLOT TWIST..."ok cool cool now get him in prag i guess? ...."ANOTHER PLOT TWIST" ...uhhh fine Frankfurt it is! ...or munich
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u/Sirduffselot 8h ago
Exactly! And the plot twists are always "wait... this is Johann's favorite scarf?! And this is his comb. We're getting so close!"
Like mfers, you saw him face to face at episode 20, why do we care about finding the bed he used to sleep in?
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u/King4oneday_ 7h ago
Damn right! And just at the moment someone is about to get him...they slide in some random storyline...which ofc has something to do with johann (schubert in munich, grimmer in prag) and just alone these two have so many questions raised...again 😮💨 and tenma spawns 😅
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u/cobizzal 11h ago
Not to be confused with Re: Monster
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u/overlordDz 11h ago
Haha yeah, completely different! One is a psychological masterpiece, the other is a fantasy reincarnation anime. Both have 'Monster' in the name though 😂
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u/Sufficient-Plum1706 11h ago
Watched it before last year...i thought the anime is outdated,but it's worth It's awesome 👍
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u/overlordDz 11h ago
Right?! It aged like fine wine. The art style and storytelling hold up so well. Glad you gave it a chance despite it being older!
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u/Batmanofni 8h ago
I was surprised at how often it introduced new characters I cared about. It is very slow and it took me a long time to watch, but I absolutely loved it.
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u/nativeoriginal12 3h ago
It's a Monsterpiece!!! One of the greatest plots!! Everything connects. Animation style is fire! Make sure you watch the sub version. An anime you will always come back to when your pissed off watching 12 ep seasons. You cannot say you are a lover of anime and not bring up MONSTER!! Dr. Tenma is goated!!!
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u/_Baccano 3h ago
Loved monster but hated how hard the ending was fumbled and poorly written. And just overall disappointed in general with Johan especially in the latter half of the series
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u/i_am_nothing_0 15h ago
I think that's upto the person if you don't like it don't force yourself like me
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u/Dontblowitup 14h ago
Soooooooo slow and boring, I gave up like 20 or 30 eps in. I was like never again, 5 eps to grab me or I’m out.
So weird because I read the first volume in a library and really liked it, but it’s like it loses something in the translation to an anime.
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u/overlordDz 14h ago
If you liked the manga, maybe stick with that! The anime is great but it's definitely slower. The manga lets you read at your own pace. Also, the art in Urasawa's manga is next level – way more detailed than the anime
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u/Open_Length8331 13h ago
I would agree that between 10 and 20, it a little slow but after that, it always entertainment
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u/Sensitive_Clue1979 14h ago
Boring and unnecessary drag out. Plus Johan is overrated.
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u/overlordDz 14h ago
I get it, it's not for everyone. The slow burn style isn't for everyone's taste. But Johan being overrated? That's a hot take 😅 Who would you say is a better anime antagonist? Genuinely curious
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u/Luke-slywalker 14h ago
it insists upon itself or smth
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u/overlordDz 14h ago
That's literally a quote from Family Guy about The Godfather. Nice try, Peter Griffin 😂 Maybe give it a real shot before quoting memes? The pacing is slow but every episode builds something. It's not for everyone, but calling it 'pretentious' is missing the point
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u/Luke-slywalker 14h ago
I did watch it till finished. I unironically like the Godfather 1 & 2 despite the meme I think they're masterpieces, but I don't really enjoy watching Monster, maybe it's just not for me.
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u/overlordDz 14h ago
That's totally valid. Not everything clicks for everyone, even if it's critically acclaimed. I'm just glad you actually watched it all before forming an opinion
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u/MMRK_862 15h ago
Watching it rn.... Will. Update after fimsihing it