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A review by trauty
Monster: The Perfect Edition, Vol. 1 by Naoki Urasawa
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Reread #1 — 5 stars
One thing i love about Naoki Urasawa's work is that the first of these double editions really grips you. It just perfectly introduces the characters, the vibe, the mystery, etc.
[ spoilers below ]
In the beginning, around the hospital time, we are introduced to two similar cases - Johan and the mayor, and a Turkish worker and an opera singer. Both situations being 'this person can gain us more favour/money so save them - who cares about the other we need our best on this profitable case'. One thing i love about these scenes is the contrast between aspects.
In Johans case, Johan has come from a 'burgalry'. Both parents dead, sister traumatised, and he himself has been shot in the head. Vs the mayor who was found at his vacation home and had collapsed. One extreme vs one 'it just happened'. One extreme in a crime and trauma sense, one 'nice fancy vacation home'.
This happens previously in the other case where there is specifically a scene transition between the workers' wife and son crying - which then switches to Eva talking about how her and her friend wanted this same dress but there was only one. A family ruined vs a decision which meant absolutely nothing considering Eva has a rich family and its probably one dress of god knows how many she already has.
She also states one of the more noticeable quotes of; 'some lives are worth more than others' which reminds me of a quote later on in the series of 'the only thing people are equal in is death'.
Another thing i love is the contrast between Johan opening Tenma's eyes to how corrupt the hospital is, and finally being the case where he stands up for what he believes in as a doctor - only for Johan to become a serial killer who Tenma then get pinned for as the murderer.
I also adored how the hospital patients tried to help stop the police from arresting Tenma - it really pulled at my heart 😭 also for the volume to end on Tenma helping a pair.
One mentions that you have to pull the trigger twice to ensure death, and i have a feeling that may come into play later on. The fact two 'ensures' death, i feel like theres going to be a scene or two where he shoots only once because he's the type of character- especially with his view as a doctor - who doesn't want to kill.
One thing i love about Naoki Urasawa's work is that the first of these double editions really grips you. It just perfectly introduces the characters, the vibe, the mystery, etc.
[ spoilers below ]
In the beginning, around the hospital time, we are introduced to two similar cases - Johan and the mayor, and a Turkish worker and an opera singer. Both situations being 'this person can gain us more favour/money so save them - who cares about the other we need our best on this profitable case'. One thing i love about these scenes is the contrast between aspects.
In Johans case, Johan has come from a 'burgalry'. Both parents dead, sister traumatised, and he himself has been shot in the head. Vs the mayor who was found at his vacation home and had collapsed. One extreme vs one 'it just happened'. One extreme in a crime and trauma sense, one 'nice fancy vacation home'.
This happens previously in the other case where there is specifically a scene transition between the workers' wife and son crying - which then switches to Eva talking about how her and her friend wanted this same dress but there was only one. A family ruined vs a decision which meant absolutely nothing considering Eva has a rich family and its probably one dress of god knows how many she already has.
She also states one of the more noticeable quotes of; 'some lives are worth more than others' which reminds me of a quote later on in the series of 'the only thing people are equal in is death'.
Another thing i love is the contrast between Johan opening Tenma's eyes to how corrupt the hospital is, and finally being the case where he stands up for what he believes in as a doctor - only for Johan to become a serial killer who Tenma then get pinned for as the murderer.
I also adored how the hospital patients tried to help stop the police from arresting Tenma - it really pulled at my heart 😭 also for the volume to end on Tenma helping a pair.
One mentions that you have to pull the trigger twice to ensure death, and i have a feeling that may come into play later on. The fact two 'ensures' death, i feel like theres going to be a scene or two where he shoots only once because he's the type of character- especially with his view as a doctor - who doesn't want to kill.