Monster, Chapter 12: The Red Rose Mansion

Naoki Urasawa's Monster #12

by Naoki Urasawa

Bersama Grimmer, Tenma mulai mencari gadis yang dituduh melakukan pembunuhan di Praha itu. Sementara, Milosh, anak laki-laki dari panti asuhan, yang percaya bahwa Grimmer tak bersalah, dibawa ke lokalisasi! Kian mendekati kebenaran, Tenma tak punya bukti. Dan polisi berhasil...!

Genres: Manga, Comics, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Monsters, Graphic Novels

206 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1999

About the author

Urasawa 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

Reviews

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal. De mis favoritos porque es donde más hace presencia Johan y lo malvado que es.

Hay algo que me gusta muchísimo, y es que aunque Tenma sea el protagonista de esta historia siempre hay un montón de personajes laterales que nutren la historia y tienen su debido protagonismo así sea de un solo capítulo, pero esto marca de alguna forma el camino a seguir en la trama.

Otra cosa, la mayor parte del tiempo Johan no aparece de forma física, no está presente pero todo el tiempo se habla de él, se investiga, se le busca y eso atemoriza de cierta forma porque no sabes qué hará cuando aparezca y cuál es su siguiente paso.

Y aquí está la respuesta, en este tomo se avista nuevamente la maldad que hay en su interior, la crueldad en su punto más culminante por todo lo que le hace a un niño. Si el tomo 7 (el de Richard) es de mis favoritos por lo que ocurre... este también lo es porque aquí hay otra víctima de este villano, una más inocente e ingenua para su edad y aún así Johan no duda en romperle la psiquis y desestabilizarlo de la peor forma.

[daph pink ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

I don't see the logic in what lunge is doing; he's a really shady figure who frequently shows up in the most unexpected moments but never really establishes his significance. This book doesn't contain as many unexpected or exciting scenes, but I still find it fascinating how subtle, slow revelations keep us intrigued about what's going on. When they were deciding how to assist Tenma, I experienced a range of emotions from seeing all the individuals he has met and how influential he has been.

[Gabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

After this volume I dearly want to hug my boys.
For me the most emotionally challenging part so far (can I give 6 stars?)

[Rahul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery deepens. It feels to me as if this story is a black hole of mystery which is pulling me inside it. More new question get arise than the answers one need to know. Dr. Tenma is in jail. I am really sad. What will happen now ? Let's see.

[Laras · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is often repeated by people who know Tenma that he can't be a killer because he is so kind, friendly and always ready to help. But is it really the case in real life? Not rarely people describe a murderer as a kind and friendly person who lives happily with their family and have good relationship with neighbors. But it's nice to see depicted here how people can still believe in humanity, that not always people suspect a good act as fake. And how people Tenma has helped are ready to help him in return shows that it's not futile to be kind to other people. Heartwarming.

[Mustakim · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8/5

[Kesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't mentioned it yet but I really love the mysterical and psychological aspect of this manga.

[Christina Pilkington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lunge is back. Uggh. He's one of my least favorite characters but at least there's now something interesting happening with his story line.

We don't get as many shocking or thrilling moments in this volume, but I love all the slow, little reveals that we keep getting that just makes you even more curious as to what is going on.

Be prepared for some very, very dark scenes. And a graphic one, too. This is definitely an adult series!

Great character development! Especially in the case of Grimmer. You can really see his emotional journey in this volume. It was beautiful to watch.

Not my favorite in the series, but I still loved it!

[Iman Danial Hakim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manga marathon.

[Isadora Bombonatti]

Que dor no coração! Go team Tenma!!

[Ostrava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuck.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Hanieh Sadat Shobeiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

کاش می‌شد ده ستاره داد...

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

[Katerina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glad things are happening and we get so much information!
Last panel with Tenma , just Aaggh

[ooh_mee · Rating 5 out of 5]

seeing all the people tenma has met along his journey and how impactful he’s been elicited such emotions out of me whilst they were planning on how to help him. also eva heinemann you will always be famous!! by far one of the best volumes.

[Harold Ogle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommendation: another great installment in this gripping thriller.

Critique: Monster really draws on "The Fugitive" (the TV show, not so much the film) and, by extension, "Les Miserables." In Inspector Lunge, we have a Javert-like character who is obsessed with finding Dr. Tenma. He is brilliant, but frustratingly obtuse about recognizing that Tenma is not guilty of the crimes. It's clear that he doesn't care about guilt, but because Tenma has been convicted, he is a criminal and must be captured. His target, Tenma, is like Dr. Richard Kimble of "The Fugitive" because he is a brilliant doctor who, in the course of his ongoing hunt for the real murderer, constantly finds himself in situations where his medical training comes in handy, helping random people in every city. But it's like if Richard Kimble had operated on the one-armed man so that he didn't lose his arm, and then the two-armed patient went and killed Kimble's wife. Tenma is obsessed with finding and stopping Johan because Tenma is the one who saved Johan's life, and he feels responsible for every murder Johan has committed and every suicide he has caused since.

The book is grim. This is not a surprise in a series about a serial killer, but the grim tone comes primarily from the tawdry, evil brokenness that the various people in the book exhibit time and time again. Good people are very, very rare in Monster.

Review: Lunge goes on vacation, surprising everyone. But it is part of his obsession, as he goes to the Czech Republic to continue his investigation in an unofficial capacity as a private citizen. He talks to the chief of police in Prague, who asks him to give advice on a puzzling case. A bunch of his detectives were murdered, and the chief suspect, Detective Suk, has gone missing. But there is a mysterious second suspect: a blonde woman. Lunge notes the similarities to the murders around Tenma, and continues his investigation of the children's book. Going through the author's notes, he finds a book of sketches of the pregnant mother and her twin children. The last page of the book says "I will choose the name Johan." Meanwhile, a bunch of kids living in an orphanage, upset that their friend Grimmer is a suspect,
decide to find the blonde woman. Tenma encourages Grimmer to go back to the orphanage to check on the boys, and Grimmer reveals that, because he was raised and abused in 511 Kinderheim, he has never been able to feel or express emotions. He was taught to emulate them, and so tragically the Grimmer character keeps asking Tenma for advice on what emotion he should be displaying. The kids, who have drawn many pictures of Grimmer smiling, report that one of them - Milosh - has gone missing. Lunge, meanwhile, has visited Detective Suk's mother: she reveals that she was visited by a pretty blonde, but that he was a man, not a woman. People believe it's Anna, when it is actually Johan in disguise! Tenma and Grimmer track down "Anna," who has taken Milosh and very quickly manipulated the boy into considering suicide. But they've arrived too late: "Anna" and Milosh have disappeared. Grimmer tells the story of how he was a spy and agreed to marry an infatuated woman as a cover. They had a baby, and the boy died from SIDS despite Grimmer's attempts to save him. Unable to feel grief, Grimmer infuriated his wife, who eventually divorced him. "Anna" has taken Milosh to the red light district, where "she" tells him his mom is. Milosh goes into the red light district and is accosted by junkie whores and contemptuous pimps. The experience of not being wanted breaks Milosh, and Tenma and Grimmer find him as he is about to commit suicide off of a bridge. Grimmer tells him he is wanted, the boy is not convinced at first, and Grimmer finds himself crying.
Inspector Lunge manages to track down Detective Suk, who is convalescing in a Prague hospital, but Suk refuses to say who he thinks the real murderer is. On his way out, Lunge confronts an undercover cop and tells him to let "his boss" know two words, "Rose Mansion," which gets Lunge an audience. Captain Lanke is the chief of the secret police. Lunge tells Lanke that he knows that the author of the children's book, Franz Bonaparta, owned that mansion. Lanke is terrified of the mansion, revealing that an entire crew of political prisoners and researchers alike who were at the mansion just disappeared. Lunge discovers that part of the mansion has been walled off, and he breaks through that wall.
Meanwhile, Tenma has tracked down Franz Bonaparta's old publisher. The publisher reveals that his daughter was scared of Bonaparta, even though he seemed completely unassuming and gentle. Bonaparta was also a neurosurgeon. WHen they last met, Bonaparta seemed re-energized, and pitched two stories: one about a monster falling in love, and another about a door that must not be opened. After Tenma leaves, the publisher reports to the police that the known murderer Dr. Tenma was there!
Past the wall, Lunge finds a mostly-empty ballroom that smells of ethanol. He is convinced that many people died there. Above the fireplace is a picture of the woman from the sketchbook.
Back at the orphanage, Grimmer and Tenma observe Milosh socializing, and Grimmer notes that Milosh is getting along better than he ever did. They go to visit Suk's mother. This gets Grimmer thinking about how Suk will end up on the run and never able to see his mother again. So Grimmer decides to make himself the primary suspect so that Suk won't have to be on the run again; he doesn't mind being hunted himself - he's lived as a spy on the run most of his life. Shortly after they part, Tenma is apprehended by the Czech police.
We get a series of flashbacks from Herr Schuwald, of his younger years spent with Margot Langer, who revealed that her real name is Helenka. Dr. Reichwein is trying to get Herr Schuwald to take better care of himself, but the Herr says he can't, not while the monster exists. He recounts how he went back to Czechoslovakia in 1980, looking for Margot, and found her friend, who was taking care of the twins. Later, Dr. Reichwein agrees to see a friend of one of his patients, who turns out to be the now-alcoholic Eva. They are both shaken when the TV announces that Tenma has been arrested.
They're not the only ones; a support group of people meets regularly to share their experiences of having their lives saved by Dr. Tenma. They are all convinced on his innocence, and they agree to pool their resources to pay for his legal defense. Meanwhile, Eva has stuck with Dr. Reichwein as he's boarded a train for Prague. She reveals that she despises Tenma for ruining her life, and yet she is the only one who can provide testimony that might exonerate him. The book ends with her laughing hysterically.

[Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And I will keep on doing what I am doing to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." 2 Corinthians 12-14

"He never sleeps. He says that he will never die. He dances in light and in shadow and he is a great favorite. He never sleeps, the judge. He is dancing, dancing. He says that he will never die.” - Blood Meridian

I tend to be a sucker for strong concepts. Give me a good hook for a story and I'll read it, even if it doesn't entirely grab me in the end. Much of the time, I'm disappointed when a concept is misused or the author/artist doesn't explore the concept's full potential, merely touching upon it to get the readers hooked and then going on about their own interests or in the worst-case scenario, destroying the momentum that's been built. But Monster is different, as it's the rare series that delivers on its concept, while also being a very fast paced, entertaining story.

I've tried to expand my horizons in the world of comics and read foreign comics, and manga has been on that list of foreign comics to read. I've read several manga such as Lone Wolf and Cub, Akira, Bastard, and Death Note which I've enjoyed to various degrees, but the name Naoki Urasawa has come up with almost religious reverence in the circles that I've come across in the manga fandom. I'm happy to say that Urasawa is a writer-artist combination who proves to be as skilled of a storyteller as he is a draughtsman.

Urasawa shows himself to be a master of pacing, a master of suspense, and a master storyteller. While Monster starts off slowly, Urasawa keeps the audience invested with deft plotting and intricate attention to character, before taking the audience on a wild ride from beginning to end. Much of his skill also comes from his sense of the mystique, giving us little niblets of a much grander mystery that keeps his audience coming back for more. It is this ability that kept me coming back for more. I was impressed with the psychological progression of the characters, how their beliefs change throughout the story, and how they grow from the experiences that they go through during the events of the story.

Urasawa's art is likewise skilled, it is cartoon-like, while also being filled with character and personality. All his characters have distinct designs, and a character rarely looks similar to the other. An issue I often find with manga art is that all the characters look like children, and at their oldest late teens to early 30s. I wouldn't be surprised if Urasawa was influenced by the artwork of Katsuhiro Otomo, as he shares his eye for detail and distinct characteristics of his characters. Though Urasawa's art often runs toward the gothic. My friend Dave put it nicely when he said that this series has such an ominous and otherworldly feel that it sometimes feels fantastic.

Proof of this idea is with the main antagonist Johan, the titular monster, someone who is so detached from the rest of humanity that it seems that he is something otherworldly. Like Anton Chigurh or The Joker, Johan's evil is something that is so incomprehensible to the human psyche, that even when his motives are clear we are still unable to penetrate why he does what he does. What makes him so frightening isn't that he's particularly malicious or sadistic, it's that he is completely indifferent towards the lives around him, including his own. Urasawa plays his cards beautifully by never showing Johan too much or stooping to cliches where he taunts the heroes, he proves to be more of a force of nature than a cartoon bad guy.

Much of the series explores the relationship of protagonist Dr. Tenma and Johan and how both effect the world around them. They're not merely enemies, but existential opposites who are forced to collide. As Robert McGee pointed out, a protagonist's journey is only as good as the forces that antagonize him. Tenma's journey is ripe with struggle as he uncovers the mystery of who Johan is and all the forces that seek him for good or ill. Yet what allows Tenma to win is the fact that he chooses to hang on to being good, despite being in a world that is so transparently corrupt, becoming just as incomprehensible to the people who want to exploit or use him for their own ends.

I was also very surprised with the depth of the side characters that Urasawa introduced and how many stories he weaved into the story without losing the threads of the main plot. While they might seem frivolous at first glance, Urasawa always manages to find a way to weave them back into the main story somehow, where no detail is lost in the abyss. Much of the emotion that I felt through the series came from the side characters often, and Urasawa proves to be as gifted with characterization as Stephen King, creating characters with depth and nuance that gives the story its heart despite all the horrors that happen in it.

I continually stand in awe with how Urasawa manages to connect all these seemingly loose threads together to create one big story. It's rare that a story delivers on its core concept so adroitly, yet Urasawa does this and then some. He puts many comic creators around the world to shame, and he has fun doing it. His boundless imagination and his sense of set up and pay off will keep readers entertained as the story moves along as it does, culminating to an ending that is as oddly fitting as you could be with this story.

It's rare that a story explores evil with such nuance and creativity, we see all aspects of human evil be laid to bare through this series without reservation, rather it be the casual indifference of Johan, the selfish opportunism of the neo-Nazis, or the banal cruelty of the scientists from Kinderheim 511. One can also see the film Halloween being an influence on this series considering how Johan is much like Michael Myers, especially with the ending which I won't spoil here. Good might have triumphed today, Johan might be stopped, but he'll never truly be gone...

After all, evil never really dies, does it?

[Blair Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goings-on a-plenty in Monster 11 and 12. New interesting characters and settings, the mystery of the twins is explored (and deepens), a bit of nostalgic murder, and we learn both what Johan's afraid of, and what Inspector Lunge likes to drink while on vacation.

I seem to remember that the first time I read the series, it dragged a little during this section, but I'm not finding it so now. I'm really having a great time with the re-read leading up to reading 17 and 18.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would just like to note that I found the cliffhanger from this volume much more upsetting than that in Catching Fire, which I read on the same day. But it is good to see that Johan's attempts to isolate Tenma (which parallel what he has done/is doing to Schuwald) have not been entirely successful: the final scene of Tenma's former patients rallying around their Herr Doktor warmed the cockles of my cold, cynical heart.

[Joevarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you find yourself interested in psychoanalysis, this manga is for you. The best of psychological thriller manga for me. This mangaka really knows how to build up our curiosity which makes this manga quite amazing.

[Peachy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Long Vacation (ch 96) was so exciting as chapters where Inspector Lunge play a major role are wont to be, and because I'm just so intrigued by The Nameless Monster! I know this would be asking for a miracle, but I'm wondering if Lunge might finally start thinking of Johan Liebert as a real person rather than one of Tenma's personas given everything Tenma and Gillen already told him and how his name just kept cropping up, Agent Suk's case, and the storybook. Speaking of, I seem to recall that he just happened upon the book by chance when he decided to hang out with Tenma's Japanese acquaintances, so I am amused that he decided to visit Prague to investigate it further. I thought his fascination with it was due to a more curious and childish side of him.

How old was Grimmer if the storybook seemed to have been written for/about the Liebert twins specifically?

The Detective Boys (ch 97) made my heart ache so much because Grimmer cannot even realize how much he did for the children and how much they love him. Tenma, who used to have such kind words of hope, mostly only gazed at him sadly. I liked the silence they shared in the park, Tenma's gentle words, and how Grimmer was as close to vulnerable as he can get. In spite of how lost or empty both men seemed here, one could tell they still had some shred of humanity and compassion. I suppose the fact that they were feeling somewhat down was a testament to that since that would be a natural response to their plight.

Inspector Lunge was also shown displaying a seemingly more compassionate side of him. But he was shown to also be able to school his features, demeanor, and mindset according to the situation much like Johan and Grimmer. Nevertheless, I am still hoping to see a more genuine and considerate side of him sooner or later.

The Most Cruel Thing (ch 98) was similar to the last chapter, but this time with the added thrill of finally being on someone's trail, someone who as usual was several steps ahead of them.

I like that Grimmer made a face when Tenma said "the most cruel thing". I am hoping that Milosh would hear Grimmer calling out for him!

The Border Town (ch 99) made me cry too. Grimmer's dialogue was a bit too overstated, but it did not take away from a heartbreaking chapter.

The Rose Mansion (ch 100) was so intriguing! There existed something that terrified even the Czechoslovakia Secret Police, and Inspector Lunge really just wanted to see that something for himself.

Captain Ranke was not The Nameless Monster's author's true identity, right?

I liked the An Unopened Door (ch 101) because I am so intrigued by the author of the book! I am loving the mysteries and secrets in this arc.

I wonder if the author was actually Johan and Anna's dad. And I am amused since this was the first time Tenma was reported to the police not counting Gillen who decided to help him escape after realizing his innocence. This really seems to me a testament to the fact that he's slipping away slowly and becoming a monster.

A Long Farewell (ch 102) made me sad and confused, but hopeful. Grimmer could have stayed and helped Tenma with his investigation... Anyway, his display of compassion and acknowledgement of his fear were further proof that he was still human!

I loved Look for Helenka (ch 103) because some of the characters I've been wondering about for volumes now were back!!!

A part of me is hoping that either Lunge or Johan would rescue Tenma...

The People Left Behind (ch 104) made me cry!!! I expected to see Inspector Lunge here to be honest. And the man who taught Tenma how to shoot a gun. Along with the other underground patients. Eva was silly at best and irritating at worst because it was her confession about the tie that really secured Tenma as the prime suspect for the murders.

I loved volume 12's quick pacing.

[Rowan Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

TLDR: Another solid volume in the series. Not as good as the previous one, but the bar was high. 4/5 stars.

Longer Review: Initially, I debated giving a 4.5 star review. The story is pretty good for a set up volume. I feel Naoki is trying to set up a lot of his events for the ending (as there are only 18 volumes, so we are 2/3 through after this volume).
One cautionary note, there can be some disturbing content in this volume due to some events that occur. You would need to look at spoilers to know what it is, but I'll write that here: There are some disturbing scenes in Chapter 4. A boy goes to an area with prostitutes and has his faith in humanity corrupted there. That said, it actually conveys what the author wanted to convey (in my opinion) and I think it is one of the best ways to show a child losing their faith in others. By this point, I don't think it is much worse than some of the other volumes in terms of disturbing content, but I do think a cautionary warning could be of help here. The characters are developed quite well and the developments feel natural. I feel this volume is a set up for events coming up, and yet it still has a lot of developments throughout. The ending cliffhanger is amazing as well. Overall, it is a pretty good volume.
Spoiler stuff for me to read later: I love Grimmer. He is a lovable character and I genuinely feel excited when he is around in the same way that I get excited for Tenma or Johan. The chapter showing how Johan nearly destroyed Milosh's faith in humanity was amazing and it is a great way to develop Johan's character. We see the effect that he has on people. We also can see how Grimmer and Tenma are great foils for Johan because they can restore Milosh's faith. The chapter showing everyone react to Tenma's arrest is also very powerful. It really helps to reestablish just how great Tenma is.
A solid volume, 4/5.

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review of the entire series.

Synopsis: Dr. Tenma brings a boy named Johan back to life, unknowingly resurrecting a monster from the brink of death who ends up throwing the world he knows into a cesspit of despair and chaos.

Review: One of the most horrifying yet humanistic crime thrillers ever told, managing to capture the absolute worst of humanity while showing how we can also be the most kind, compassionate and heroic creatures that have ever lived. The complexity of human nature, the small deeds that change the world around us little by little, the hero and the monster that lives inside all of us, how our actions shape the next generation, the controversy of nature vs. nurture, Monster brilliantly portrays it all in a stunningly engrossing and emotional manner.

Interweaving dark conspiracies, hospital politics, serial murders and controversial indictment, the dark tale of Tenma, Johan and all of the unfortunate souls caught in between their battle of morality is an unforgettable experience.

[Agung Wicaksono · Rating 5 out of 5]

Di volume ini, Johan yang mengaku sebagai Anna Liebert menunjukkan kemampuannya dalam memanipulasi anak kecil supaya si anak tersebut terpengaruh dengan pemikiran Johan. Ia adalah Milosh, anak yang tinggal di panti asuhan, yang diberikan kata-kata negatif oleh Johan tentang eksistensinya. Johan mengatakan kepadanya bahwa hidup ini tidak ada artinya dan kehadiran Milosh di dunia tidaklah diinginkan. Kemudian, Milosh yang sering mencari ibunya, ditunjukkan Johan ke arah tempat prostitusi. Di sana, Milosh melihat hal-hal dewasa dan kesuraman dunia sehingga ia ingin bunuh diri. Bersyukur, Tenma dan Mr. Grimmer yang mencari Milosh, bisa segera menemukannya sehingga mereka mencegah tindakan nekat Milosh.

Selain itu, dr. Tenma berhasil ditangkap oleh kepolisian Praha dan dimasukkan ke penjara. Ia masih dituduh sebagai pembunuh berantai dan kepolisian Jerman akan menjemputnya. Namun, di sisi lain, para mantan pasien dr. Tenma yang dulu berhasil disembuhkannya, menyaksikan kejadian tersebut dan mereka berniat untuk membuktikan bahwa ia tidak bersalah.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grimmer was one compelling character too and he was significant in the development of the plot so it saddened me a bit that his character arc had probably come to an end in this volume. Besides that, Dr Reichwein emerged as one of the main supporting characters who consistently helped Dr Tenma and I hope that nothing unfortunate befalls him. It was also moving to see how many lives Dr Tenma saved over the course of his career. He was doing his job as a doctor but it was his kindness that left a mark in the hearts of everyone he had met, particularly his patients. That plot twist was unexpected, after being on the run for so long Dr Tenma was finally apprehended but since Detective Lunge had his eyes opened that Johan was in fact a real person and not a persona within Dr Tenma, there might still be hope left.

[Sevgi Helin · Rating 2 out of 5]

6-11 arası hızlanan tempo yine düştü. Kitapta bir sürü açık var. Bir kere, neden ve nasıl 327847923 kişi birbirinden ayrı ve çoğu zaman habersiz bir şekilde aynı kişiyi arıyor? Daha önce de söylemiştim; Kenzo neden firari? Ama sonra kitabın sonuna gelince, sondaki 'Kenzo hepimize iyilik yaptı, onu kurtarmalıyız' diyen farklı farklı insanları görünce şunu anladım: Bu kitapta esas eksik olan şey, beni her okuduğumda şaşırtan Japon yazarların karanlık dünyasına sahip olmaması. Sadece bu seriyi okuyarak söylüyorum, o şekilde göz önüne alın, ama Urasawa'nın Monster gibi bir kitap yazacak, bu konuyu kuvvetli işleyecek karanlık bir ruha sahip olmadığını düşünüyorum - Junji Ito'da olan gibi. Öbür taraftan, böylesi de benim hassas ruhuma daha uygun; daha iğrenmeden, korkmadan, merak içinde sakince okumamı sağlıyor.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

September 2023. Over September (and wrapping up on the 30th) I read this complex political conspiracy thriller drenched in guilt, corruption, but with a hope for finding the goodness and kindness in some everyday people across age, background, race, and nationality.
What starts as choosing a surgery for the first in need over the wealthy as a statement about the equality of all people spirals into over a decade long story with an expansive cast of characters, serial killings, and ethical debates that crosses cities and countries in its scope.

Reminded me a bit of Ira Levin’s The Boys From Brazil with the decades after upswell of political radicalism with its roots in WWII conflict (also an excellent book) and the element of conspiracy thriller at its core.

Absolutely looking forward to checking out his other series. Borrowed these through Sacramento Library and the Link+ System that let me borrow volumes from all over California libraries.
Naoki Urasawa’s Monster.

[Federico Elías · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gusta cómo la historia no tiene ningún apuro en contarse y aún así no se siente estirada al pedo, sino que va cocinándose a fuego lento. Ahora las consecuencias de los actos de Tenma comienzan a florecer en una simple cadena de causa y efecto, mientras que Lunge sigue consagrándose como mi personaje favorito de la historia. Son todos los personajes, por separado o en su conjunto, los que mueven la trama, y no sólo el protagonista y el villano.
Johan es perverso, lisa y llanamente perverso, no necesita una sola bala para hacerte sentir incómodo.

[Estibaliz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to this great series after a little while, and though I have to confess I found some parts of the plot a little bit convoluted (or maybe it was just because it's being a little while, and the plot sure is elaborated), this volume is as great as usual.

Grimmer was stellar, Tenma's story took an unexpected turn that was shocking, even though also not shocking, and the final chapter, where everyone whose lives were changed by the doctor in a positive way comes together to try and help him, was just so moving...

Urasawa is, indeed, a great storyteller.