Alright, I realize my last post was a tad vague, so I'll ramble a bit about the series.
Monster is a thriller written by Naoki Urasawa (the same guy that wrote Yawara! for you guys like me that love older anime) that was serialized from 1995 - 2000 and I think the anime went from 2004 - 2005. The story starts out in 1986 starring a brilliant young neurosurgeon named Kenzou Tenma who has moved to Germany to futher his career as a doctor. So far, he's had a good life as the 'yes man' for the director of the hospital, doing whatever the director asks: Performing the right surgeries, writing papers to be published under the director's name and even proposing to the director's daughter. Tenma's all ready to be set up for the position of Head of Surgeries when he's faced with a dilemma.
For the past few weeks, his conscience has really been bugging him. 'Doing whatever the director says, getting that spot at the top ... Is that what being a doctor is about?' His doubts are put to the test when a young boy named Johann, the older of a pair of ten - year - old twins, comes into the hospital with a bullet wound to the head at the same time as the mayor of the city. Both the twin's parents now dead, also shot in the head, and his twin sister, Nina, is in shock from witnessing it all. Against the orders of the director, Tenma operates on the boy, losing his fiancee, his position and his reputation, but he does save Johann's life. He keeps his job at the hospital but has no hope of raising his status under the current hospital leaders.
Within a couple days, however, the director is murdered, along with the man who got Tenma's rightful position and the man who would've gotten the job after him. At the same time, the twins disappear, leaving no clue as to who took them or how they left since both of them were either in shock or in a coma. Under the new leaders of the Hospital, Tenma is given the position he deserves and begins to live his happy life once again. Jump to 1995.
Tenma's taking care of a patient named Mr. Junkers who's supposed to be arrested as an accomplice for the murder of an elderly couple after he recovers from a head injury brought on from a car accident. Late on night, Tenma goes to visit Junkers and discovers he's not there. He looks out the window and sees Junkers running. Tenma chases. Finally after the chase, Tenma finds him in an abandoned building, holding his head, cowering on his knees before a figure hidden in shadows. The dark figure greets Tenma and thanks him for saving his life nine years ago to futher his work on earth, but regrets to inform him that he must dispose of 'his puppet' Mr. Junkers now. With that, the man shoots Junkers in the head and slowly makes his way for the door. Although it's been almost ten years, Tenma can still recognize the man's face and Johann gives him a charming smile as he walks out the door.
Okay. I just went through the first graphic novel .... But you should still read it 'cuz I left a lot of detail out! ... Okay? ... Please?
