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Naoki Urasawa's Monster: Kanzenban #4
Monster Perfect Edition 4
»Ich habe ein Monster gerettet.«
Johann gewinnt das Vertrauen von Hans Georg Schuwald, dem einflussreichsten Mann in Bayern. Er wird dessen rechte Hand und schwingt sich zum Wunderknaben der deutschen Wirtschaft auf. Derweil engagiert Schuwald einen Detektiv, um Erkundungen aus seinem Umfeld einzuholen. Der findet heraus, dass sich eine böse Macht hinter einer Reihe seltsamer Geschehnisse verbirgt. Wird er Johanns Pläne ans Tageslicht bringen? Johann selbst, obgleich er weiß, dass ihm Tenma nach dem Leben trachtet, führt ein ruhiges Dasein – bis er ein tschechisches Kinderbuch findet und in Tränen ausbricht…
Johann gewinnt das Vertrauen von Hans Georg Schuwald, dem einflussreichsten Mann in Bayern. Er wird dessen rechte Hand und schwingt sich zum Wunderknaben der deutschen Wirtschaft auf. Derweil engagiert Schuwald einen Detektiv, um Erkundungen aus seinem Umfeld einzuholen. Der findet heraus, dass sich eine böse Macht hinter einer Reihe seltsamer Geschehnisse verbirgt. Wird er Johanns Pläne ans Tageslicht bringen? Johann selbst, obgleich er weiß, dass ihm Tenma nach dem Leben trachtet, führt ein ruhiges Dasein – bis er ein tschechisches Kinderbuch findet und in Tränen ausbricht…
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
93 people are currently reading
1260 people want to read
About the author
Naoki Urasawa
356 books2,799 followersUrasawa Naoki (浦沢直樹) is a Japanese mangaka. He is perhaps best known for Monster (which drew praise from Junot Díaz, the 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner) and 20th Century Boys.
Urasawa's work often concentrates on intricate plotting, interweaving narratives, a deep focus on character development and psychological complexity. Urasawa has won the Shogakukan Manga Award, the Japan Media Arts Festival excellence award, the Kodansha Manga Award and the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. In 2008 Urasawa accepted a guest teaching post at Nagoya Zokei University.
Series list (not including short stories collections):
- Pineapple ARMY (パイナップルARMY) 1985-1988, written by Kazuya Kudo;
- YAWARA! 1986-1993;
- Master Keaton (MASTERキートン) 1988-1994, written by Hokusei Katsushika;
- Happy! 1993-1999
- MONSTER 1994-2001
- 20th Century Boys (20世紀少年) 1999-2006
- 21st Century Boys (21世紀少年) 2007
- PLUTO 2003-2009, based on Tezuka Osamu's Tetsuwan Atom
- BILLY BAT 2008-2016
- Master Keaton Remaster (MASTERキートン Reマスター) 2012-2014
- Mujirushi (夢印-MUJIRUSHI-) 2017-2018, collaboration with Musée du Louvre
- Asadora! (連続漫画小説 あさドラ!) 2018-ongoing
Urasawa's work often concentrates on intricate plotting, interweaving narratives, a deep focus on character development and psychological complexity. Urasawa has won the Shogakukan Manga Award, the Japan Media Arts Festival excellence award, the Kodansha Manga Award and the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. In 2008 Urasawa accepted a guest teaching post at Nagoya Zokei University.
Series list (not including short stories collections):
- Pineapple ARMY (パイナップルARMY) 1985-1988, written by Kazuya Kudo;
- YAWARA! 1986-1993;
- Master Keaton (MASTERキートン) 1988-1994, written by Hokusei Katsushika;
- Happy! 1993-1999
- MONSTER 1994-2001
- 20th Century Boys (20世紀少年) 1999-2006
- 21st Century Boys (21世紀少年) 2007
- PLUTO 2003-2009, based on Tezuka Osamu's Tetsuwan Atom
- BILLY BAT 2008-2016
- Master Keaton Remaster (MASTERキートン Reマスター) 2012-2014
- Mujirushi (夢印-MUJIRUSHI-) 2017-2018, collaboration with Musée du Louvre
- Asadora! (連続漫画小説 あさドラ!) 2018-ongoing
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
June 23, 2020
I just love this freaking manga series! I can’t say it enough! And the art is fab!!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
August 1, 2022
⭐️4.5
This series is so smart and intricate and well thought out. I find it hard to keep up with all the plot points and backstories at times.
But damn is it good. Like, seriously phenomenal.
It wasn't AS good as the one's before but you have to have good to juxtapose the great or it would all seem mundane.
This series is so smart and intricate and well thought out. I find it hard to keep up with all the plot points and backstories at times.
But damn is it good. Like, seriously phenomenal.
It wasn't AS good as the one's before but you have to have good to juxtapose the great or it would all seem mundane.
December 6, 2025
En este tomo se puede apreciar perfectamente lo manipulador que es Johan con su carita bella de ángel bueno.
Me encanta el rumbo que va tomando aunque todavía me pregunto cuál es el fin de Johan, qué es lo que le mueve a hacer todo lo que hace.
Supongo que el autor nos hará sufrir hasta el final con tanto misterio.
Me encanta el rumbo que va tomando aunque todavía me pregunto cuál es el fin de Johan, qué es lo que le mueve a hacer todo lo que hace.
Supongo que el autor nos hará sufrir hasta el final con tanto misterio.
May 7, 2025
PT Monster é, de facto, uma série verdadeiramente notável.
Não há momentos aborrecidos — o suspense mantém-se constante do início ao fim.
--
EN Monster is indeed a truly remarkable series.
There are no dull moments — the intrigue remains constant throughout.
Não há momentos aborrecidos — o suspense mantém-se constante do início ao fim.
--
EN Monster is indeed a truly remarkable series.
There are no dull moments — the intrigue remains constant throughout.
June 2, 2024
Volume four focuses on unexpected characters; Tenma doesn’t appear until nearly halfway through, and even then the story doesn’t follow him very long. Most of this book is about detectives getting closer and closer to putting the pieces together, and of course always getting nearer to Johan and Tenma (in fact, Johan is extremely accessible now; it feels odd to have him so visible and vulnerable). The ultimate question in this volume is whether Tenma will take action that turns him against his fundamental character. Near the end of the book, in the “Domo” scene, we begin to learn more about Inspector Lunge, as he starts seeing connections between himself and Tenma.
April 7, 2019
So, this is basically the volume where I got really excited to be reading the series again. This used to be one of my favourites because the twists and turns are just crazy and I'm happy to say that not much has changed on that front.
I particularly enjoyed the subplot surrounding the private investigator Richard, who is hired to look into the suicide of Faren, the boy previously (& falsely) to be believed to be Schuwald's son. I get that his characterisation is quite cliché due to the drunk/alcoholic investigator trope, nonetheless, I liked how his addiction was handled within the narrative. It was very easy to root for him to stay sober and finally be allowed to see his daughter again. The way that plot point was resolved was beyond cruel. Urasawa, you're a stone-cold bitch. :D
This is also one of the volumes in which we get a closer examination of Johan's character and can start to speculate about his intentions. Johan offers to help Karl reconcile with his long lost father. He uses the boy's naivety and his desperate wish to find his father, to get on his good side, so that Schuwald will have to do his bidding, if he wants to see his son to be safe. The other big thing that Johan is up to in this volume is the corruption of the local kids (one of his favorite pastimes, oh boy) by convincing them to play a dangerous game to determine if they were "chosen". He doesn't care that children die playing the game, heck, that seems to be his incentive.
Later in the series, we learn how Johan was raised and brainwashed in his youth. How the belief that certain people are more equal and therefore worth more than others was ingrained in his brain, how that's the only thing he believes to be true. Johan doesn't care about human life. He doesn't care about morality. He sees the world as his chess board, to move the pieces around as he pleases, with him being the chess master. It's very interesting to see how early on that psycho part of his nature is shown.
Apart from that, I also enjoyed Nina's storyline and her blossoming friendship with Lotte. I thought she would play a bigger part in the series and was somewhat sad to see that Lotte's character only comes up in regards to the Schuwald subplot.
I particularly enjoyed the subplot surrounding the private investigator Richard, who is hired to look into the suicide of Faren, the boy previously (& falsely) to be believed to be Schuwald's son. I get that his characterisation is quite cliché due to the drunk/alcoholic investigator trope, nonetheless, I liked how his addiction was handled within the narrative. It was very easy to root for him to stay sober and finally be allowed to see his daughter again. The way that plot point was resolved was beyond cruel. Urasawa, you're a stone-cold bitch. :D
This is also one of the volumes in which we get a closer examination of Johan's character and can start to speculate about his intentions. Johan offers to help Karl reconcile with his long lost father. He uses the boy's naivety and his desperate wish to find his father, to get on his good side, so that Schuwald will have to do his bidding, if he wants to see his son to be safe. The other big thing that Johan is up to in this volume is the corruption of the local kids (one of his favorite pastimes, oh boy) by convincing them to play a dangerous game to determine if they were "chosen". He doesn't care that children die playing the game, heck, that seems to be his incentive.
Later in the series, we learn how Johan was raised and brainwashed in his youth. How the belief that certain people are more equal and therefore worth more than others was ingrained in his brain, how that's the only thing he believes to be true. Johan doesn't care about human life. He doesn't care about morality. He sees the world as his chess board, to move the pieces around as he pleases, with him being the chess master. It's very interesting to see how early on that psycho part of his nature is shown.
Apart from that, I also enjoyed Nina's storyline and her blossoming friendship with Lotte. I thought she would play a bigger part in the series and was somewhat sad to see that Lotte's character only comes up in regards to the Schuwald subplot.
May 28, 2020
Another highly suspenseful, fucked up, and so goddamn well written entry into one of the best Manga I've ever read.
This time we mostly focus on a Private Eye called Richard and he begins snooping in on our killer. While doing that we get to learn about him and his situation and family. At the same time it also begins to link to all the characters we know and love. By the end I was in awe how it all came together.
Monster feels so different than most manga. It keeps it's atmosphere and characters so down to earth, so much like real life, it feels so different compared to most manga. I'm blown away by the character development and pacing. I try my best to read these deluxe editions slow but I still speed read through them because there so good.
Obviously a 5 out of 5.
This time we mostly focus on a Private Eye called Richard and he begins snooping in on our killer. While doing that we get to learn about him and his situation and family. At the same time it also begins to link to all the characters we know and love. By the end I was in awe how it all came together.
Monster feels so different than most manga. It keeps it's atmosphere and characters so down to earth, so much like real life, it feels so different compared to most manga. I'm blown away by the character development and pacing. I try my best to read these deluxe editions slow but I still speed read through them because there so good.
Obviously a 5 out of 5.
March 8, 2018
This story line is so good. It feels like I'm reading a TV cop drama if that makes any sense.
I'm writing this after having already read Volume 5 but it doesn't change the fact that this is one of, it not, the best manga series I have read. Now I'm no aficionado by any stretch, but I know my way around a manga series and this one is tops :)
I'd recommend this to adults that read manga. I don't think this is appropriate for teens.
I'm writing this after having already read Volume 5 but it doesn't change the fact that this is one of, it not, the best manga series I have read. Now I'm no aficionado by any stretch, but I know my way around a manga series and this one is tops :)
I'd recommend this to adults that read manga. I don't think this is appropriate for teens.
April 1, 2023
This part of the story still added to the overall narrative and invested more time in character development, which didn't blow me away, but still made this an action packed narrative a joyous ride. Things got so much darker!
Remember the innocent and naive surgeon Tenma once was? Well those times are gone for sure! He's too wrapped up in drama now and while he maintains his humble nature and will to do good, he's definitely willing cross lines (use guns! Unthinkable a couple of episodes ago!) that he didn't before. To be honst, he's got too many people hunting him now to really play it fairly. His ex Eva is definitely still the troubled, psychotic woman we met her as and he remains the main suspect in a murder case we originally thought he was uninvolved in...
Nina remains one of my favourite characters. I'm such a fan of Johan's sister and I'm glad she's getting her own storyline in all this. She now met Lotte, another cool female character, but also goes through some hardships, which we really can't blame her for.
This whole thing felt like it was moving everything forward and while it's a strange mix of feelings I'm having towards this, because while specific chapters aren't super thrilling, the overall narrative is extremely engaging and I love how there are constantly little pieces added to the puzzle that I am so eager to solve. This is definitely turning into something way more complex than I originally thought it'd be and I'm so here for it!
Remember the innocent and naive surgeon Tenma once was? Well those times are gone for sure! He's too wrapped up in drama now and while he maintains his humble nature and will to do good, he's definitely willing cross lines (use guns! Unthinkable a couple of episodes ago!) that he didn't before. To be honst, he's got too many people hunting him now to really play it fairly. His ex Eva is definitely still the troubled, psychotic woman we met her as and he remains the main suspect in a murder case we originally thought he was uninvolved in...
Nina remains one of my favourite characters. I'm such a fan of Johan's sister and I'm glad she's getting her own storyline in all this. She now met Lotte, another cool female character, but also goes through some hardships, which we really can't blame her for.
This whole thing felt like it was moving everything forward and while it's a strange mix of feelings I'm having towards this, because while specific chapters aren't super thrilling, the overall narrative is extremely engaging and I love how there are constantly little pieces added to the puzzle that I am so eager to solve. This is definitely turning into something way more complex than I originally thought it'd be and I'm so here for it!
November 1, 2022
This was my least favorite so far. It felt like a filler book in the series. It felt like we didnt really get too much further into the mystery or getting to know any of the characters. Will definitely still be continuing on with the series though!
July 28, 2020
Aunque lo estoy disfrutando mucho, estoy empezando a tener la sensacion de que se está repitiendo bastante. Espero que no vaya a más, que queda más de la mitad.
January 19, 2020
Історія продовжується на високому рівні. Нема що додати чи відняти. Урасава добре знає, коли натиснути гальма, а коли навпаки зупинитись, щоб вдатись у довгі діалоги між персонажами. Зокрема, у цьому томі з'являється новий, дуже цікавий герой, який поки ще живий і, можливо, буде фігурувати у наступних томах. Що мені найбільш вирізнилось у цьому томі, то поступове розкриття особистості Йогана, мотиви й логіка якого досі лишається загадковими. Зважаючи на це, лінія із Карлом варта особливої уваги, та й мене зараз питання впливу й ваги авторитету для дітей хвилює не менше, тому маю персональний мотив для вподобання. Якщо підсумувати, то тут більше психологізму, аніж динаміки, тому готуйтесь до інтриги й важкої атмосфери, аніж до стрільби й перегонів. Утім, останнього тут стільки, скільки потрібно для трилера, хоча в цьому томі відчув деяке буксування, відволікання на другорядні лінії.
February 28, 2023
Urasava gerçekten büyük sanatçı. Sadece manga türü açısından değil tüm çizgi anlatım sistemleri için böyle. Epey sisin dağıldığı temposu yüksek bir cilt. Masum çocuklar üzerinden bazı travmatik temalar işlemek gibi zorlukları ipte yürür bir cambaz gibi kotarıyor. Ürpertici ama abartılı değil. Biraz Sleepers biraz Mindhunter… Az sayıda renkli sayfa yine akıl çeliyor. Çok güzel. Belki de yüzlerce sayfa siyah beyazdan sonra oruç tutmaya müteakip alınan ilk yudumun eşsizliği gibi bir etkidir :) “must read” seri umarım hızla tamamlanır ve başka Urasava’ları da Türkçe okuruz.
Ek: Dedektif Lunge ve “Ben Tenma’yım” tadında metot oyunculuğu tripleri de biraz “şey”di, ne bileyim, gülümsetti.
September 30, 2021
Sabiendo todo lo que he avanzado en esta saga, es muy difícil escribir algo sin arruinar la experiencia de futuros lectores, así que sólo plasmaré que este es uno de los tomos más emotivos hasta ahora, me desgarró el alma, así como me hizo reflexionar en lo frágil que puede ser la paternidad, las consecuencias que desencadena no respetar los derechos universales básicos. Y uno entiende ahora, porqué Johan es un Monstruo.
July 11, 2017
Dropped this one a star because it didn't follow the typical characters I like as much but this is getting so detailed and intricate and I cannot wait to continue this.
November 15, 2025
”Look at me! Look at me! Look how enormous the monster inside of me has grown…”
The master storyteller is here again to claim his name, and I couldn’t help but stand up and applaud. I’m in awe, well-fed, and satisfied. Thank you, sensei.
But there’s still room for more. And I can’t wait to unravel everything.
All in all, this particular passages summarizes this volume:
Tenma: Johan… if you stay in darkness, you’ll sink into it. Move into the light.
Vietnamese girl: You’re the one [Tenma]… you look like you’re the one sinking into that deep darkness.
There are so many great scenes especially that part with the old man in the forest; some parts making my heart burn, some making my eyes wet, some stirring my lonely heart. That’s simply what he makes you feel with his work. And it’s a wonderful experience, every time.
March 9, 2022
Uf, este manga envejeció genial.
November 5, 2024
johan planeó mi nacimiento y que yo leyese este libro
December 4, 2024
Pretty big step-up for consistency of the series, as it comes into a continual arc with great new characters all around. I now feel far less mediocre over the end of Volume 3 as the full arc up to this point in context is fantastic.
The little expansions and hintings at something beneath the surface with Johan - which we knew was there, but had virtually no detail on prior - is starting to come up, amidst the drama of everybody else around him. The way characters we come to know - or are already familiar with - bump into each other without ever managing to happen upon their actual target is infuriatingly hilarious.
I don't believe anything in Vol. 4 spoke as emotionally powerfully as anything in previous volumes thus far, as Vol. 1 was simply splendid, Vol. 2 kept the heart, and Vol. 3 had perhaps some of the highest highs of the series (despite falling in the middle of other mini-arcs that didn't always uphold it), but the sheer consistency of the arc and what it is clearly building up to something worth really praising. It was emotional, though, in fairness. I had a solid handful of moments of very heightened emotional reaction (most in Rage at Johan), but yeah. Good stuff.
I doubted a friend who said I'd just have to read on to Volume 5 immediately. My doubt was silly, because I absolutely did continue to Vol. 5 immediately. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to read some more.
The little expansions and hintings at something beneath the surface with Johan - which we knew was there, but had virtually no detail on prior - is starting to come up, amidst the drama of everybody else around him. The way characters we come to know - or are already familiar with - bump into each other without ever managing to happen upon their actual target is infuriatingly hilarious.
I don't believe anything in Vol. 4 spoke as emotionally powerfully as anything in previous volumes thus far, as Vol. 1 was simply splendid, Vol. 2 kept the heart, and Vol. 3 had perhaps some of the highest highs of the series (despite falling in the middle of other mini-arcs that didn't always uphold it), but the sheer consistency of the arc and what it is clearly building up to something worth really praising. It was emotional, though, in fairness. I had a solid handful of moments of very heightened emotional reaction (most in Rage at Johan), but yeah. Good stuff.
I doubted a friend who said I'd just have to read on to Volume 5 immediately. My doubt was silly, because I absolutely did continue to Vol. 5 immediately. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to read some more.
October 30, 2018
Another fine volume of the Perfect editions of Monster by Naoki Urasawa. Like the other volumes in the series the cover is a a french fold style cover with images scattered about it as if portraits or paintings on the wall. In addition unlike most manga I like the smoky semi-clear page that highlights the image behind it as you begin reading the volume on larger then average manga pages of pristine paper. I simply love all of the little details one does to make their manga more unique then the next. :)
It turns out Tenma is not the only person who realizes the influence Johan has had in several acts of evil when a former detective gains clarity about some of his old unsolved mysteries and the truth he discovers pulls more into the web of danger that Tenma has been so efficient at avoiding till now while he sought to fix an error of decisions from so long go.
As a matter of fact one of the best part of this series in my opinion is the very human characters who each have flaws that can either be exploited or used to greater affect as alliances form. The only question being which monster inside which character will ultimately win in the end?
One of my favorite moments (of many) is when Dr. Reichwein is almost pushed in front of a train and when the attempt fails chases the guy down and although beaten by the man's friends still ends up fighting back and ultimately getting the info he richly deserved. :)
It turns out Tenma is not the only person who realizes the influence Johan has had in several acts of evil when a former detective gains clarity about some of his old unsolved mysteries and the truth he discovers pulls more into the web of danger that Tenma has been so efficient at avoiding till now while he sought to fix an error of decisions from so long go.
As a matter of fact one of the best part of this series in my opinion is the very human characters who each have flaws that can either be exploited or used to greater affect as alliances form. The only question being which monster inside which character will ultimately win in the end?
One of my favorite moments (of many) is when Dr. Reichwein is almost pushed in front of a train and when the attempt fails chases the guy down and although beaten by the man's friends still ends up fighting back and ultimately getting the info he richly deserved. :)
February 21, 2023
C'era una volta, in un villaggio un mostro che non aveva un nome. Il suo più grande desiderio era averne uno. Allora si mise in viaggio...
Questo volume per me è perfetto. La presenza di Tenma è minore, ed è dato risalto alle strategie di Johan. Ho molto apprezzato la sua presenza, si nota meglio la dualità insita nella sua persona e la scena con Richard mostra le sue malefiche doti da manipolatore. Forse più che Richard quello che mi impressiona maggiormente è l'impatto che Johan ha sui bambini... Adoro come Urasawa riesca a trovare l'equilibrio tra le molte storie e personaggi che inserisce ogni volta, e leggere alcune recensioni che parlano di "filler" per me è assurdo, perché i filler nei manga o anime non hanno alcun senso, sono fastidiosi, introducono personaggi piatti destinati a scomparire dalla trama senza mai più essere menzionati. Non si può dire che questa opera contempli uno stile del genere...
Questo volume per me è perfetto. La presenza di Tenma è minore, ed è dato risalto alle strategie di Johan. Ho molto apprezzato la sua presenza, si nota meglio la dualità insita nella sua persona e la scena con Richard mostra le sue malefiche doti da manipolatore. Forse più che Richard quello che mi impressiona maggiormente è l'impatto che Johan ha sui bambini... Adoro come Urasawa riesca a trovare l'equilibrio tra le molte storie e personaggi che inserisce ogni volta, e leggere alcune recensioni che parlano di "filler" per me è assurdo, perché i filler nei manga o anime non hanno alcun senso, sono fastidiosi, introducono personaggi piatti destinati a scomparire dalla trama senza mai più essere menzionati. Non si può dire che questa opera contempli uno stile del genere...
July 29, 2022
4.5/5 stars
Every single chapter just furthers the suspense and the plot, weaving a bigger spider web as things become more and more interconnected. It completely gripping to see what is going to happen next and how it will weave into everything else. With each volume, Johan becomes a greater enigma that makes it impossible to see what his true intentions really are. Really excellent plotting and character work are being done here.
Every single chapter just furthers the suspense and the plot, weaving a bigger spider web as things become more and more interconnected. It completely gripping to see what is going to happen next and how it will weave into everything else. With each volume, Johan becomes a greater enigma that makes it impossible to see what his true intentions really are. Really excellent plotting and character work are being done here.
February 18, 2021
Dr. Tenma kommt in diesem Band zwar nicht so oft vor, aber dafür ist dieser Band genial aufgebaut, was die Verstrickungen und Geheimnisse um Johann betrifft. Zum ersten Mal hat man Johann aus der Fassung geraten gesehen und das hat mich sehr neugierig gemacht, was im fünften Band auf mich warten wird. Ich liebe diese Reihe immer noch und kann es kaum erwarten weiterzulesen!
June 30, 2023
This is my favourite volume so far. The story keeps me on the edge of my seat the whole time and I'm constantly afraid about the fate of the characters. This volume had also some incredible hard hitting emotional moments. This is just a phenomanal series !
December 2, 2018
So addictive and complex!!
July 27, 2019
Oof, still only about half way through this epic series!
August 19, 2022
Flawless
September 11, 2022
Me había olvidado la desesperación que me da este manga aaaaaaa
Que desagradable el inspector
Que desagradable el inspector
Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews