Monster

The second anime to top our "male”, master anime list is a more of a thriller. While Death Note can be described as a psychological chess battle Monster is best described as a psychological thriller. With a plot so disturbed, yet simultaneously subdued and engaging that you can’t look away even when you know you should. Its author stands as one of the greatest seinen mangaka’s to date. Yet even with multiple highly regarded works this one most often tops his list. His masterpiece and magnum opus-monster music).

Monster is a critically acclaimed anime series based on the manga of the same name by Naoki Urasawa. The series follows the story of Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a renowned neurosurgeon who becomes entangled in a complex web of crime and intrigue after facing a moral dilemma of whether to save the life of a young boy. His decision on that day set in motion a series of haunting events that forever altered his life. As Tenma discovers the true nature of Johan, he becomes consumed with chasing down the boy to prevent him from committing further tragedies.

Production of Monster began in 2004 and was a collaboration between Nippon Television Network Corporation, VAP, and Madhouse Studios. The series was directed by Masayuki Kojima and featured character designs by Kitaro Kousaka. With a total of 74 episodes, Monster is known for its dark and psychological themes, as well as its intricate plot and well-developed characters.

It was crucial for the animators to stay true to Urasawa's original vision while still making the story accessible to a wider audience. So, a challenging aspects of adapting “Monster” from the manga series faithfully was capturing the dense and intricate storyline of the manga into a coherent and engaging series. This required careful planning and coordination between the director, scriptwriters, and animators to ensure that each episode flowed smoothly and maintained the tension and suspense of the original story.

In addition to the animation, another challenge was accurately portraying Urasawa’s unique art style.To achieve this, the production team employed a combination of traditional animation techniques and modern digital technologies. With animators using hand-drawn keyframes and in-between frames, which were then digitized and colored using computer software. This allowed the animators to achieve a high level of detail and fluidity in the character movements, as well as bring a richness to backgrounds on the screen.

Another key aspect of the production process was the casting of voice actors for the series. In order to bring the characters to life and convey the emotional depth of the story, the production team selected a talented group of voice actors to lend their talents to the project. Notable cast members included Hidenobu Kiuchi as Dr. Tenma, Mamiko Noto as Nina Fortner, and Nozomu Sasaki as Johan Liebert.

Overall, the production of Monster required careful attention to detail, expert craftsmanship, and a deep understanding of the source material. The series has been praised for its mature themes, complex characters, and thought-provoking storyline, making it one of the most beloved and enduring anime series of all time. Whether you are a fan of the manga or a newcomer to the world of Monster, there is no denying the impact of this groundbreaking series in the world of anime and has clearly earned its position as ABSOLUTE CINEMA.