Anime Pilgrimage RTT

Monster – episode 74

“The Real Monster”

Last week I wrote something very brief for the conclusion of Monster. I quickly scrapped it because I think the series deserves something more. When I reach the end of certain anime, I feel as if the series in question was more of a waking dream. Monster was just that nebulous, with an epilogue episode that very deliberately leaves some questions not so much unanswered as it leaves their answers unrevealed to the audience.

Ultimately, Monster is one of my favourite anime ever. If something can stir as much emotion as this, it’s definitely worthwhile. I laughed (very briefly), I cried (explosively), I convulsed in horror (on several occasions). Monster comes with my highest recommendation.

Epic spoilers – but not every spoiler possible!
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Monster – episode 74

“The Real Monster”

So, who is the real monster? This was the epilogue I hoped for, but what a leading ending!

Spoilers abound in Monster town
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Monster – episode 73

“The Landscape of the End”

Monster is about to come full circle. A deceptively quiet episode of monochromatic proportions. You do not get to choose how you will die; Johan will choose how you die, and when.

You bet there are spoilers!
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Monster – episode 72

“A man without a name”

A game of table turning clouds up Johan’s motives once more. Involves a revelation that’s painfully obvious in retrospect; but will it mean anything?

Spoilers ahead!
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Monster – episode 71

“The Magnificent Steiner’s Rage”

Tears were brought forth. This was a combination of many moments of exhiliration and many, many more of astonishment.

Spoilers to the max; don’t even think about it if you don’t want to be spoiled.
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Monster – episode 70

“The town of slaughter”

Disturbances all around! Setting up the inevitable ending, even as it raises the roof to new levels of terror. I could see some of these developments coming, but part of Monster‘s beauty is the recognition of some events before they’re explicitly stated.

Spoilers ahead for the foreseeable future!
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Monster mania

For months I have been labouring under the impression that Monster is a 78 episode series. Turns out it’s 74 episodes, and that I now hold the ending on my hard drive. It sounds weird to say it, but I’m sick with excitement.

Please note that I am retroactively editing all of my Monster articles to reflect the accurate number. Also, to fight off my normal update OCD, after my Snow Queen post there will be five solid posts of Monster!

Monster – episode 69

“A peaceful home”

It begins in earnest. “A peaceful home” is the beginning of the storm, assuring us that next episode all Hell will break loose.
Several thousand interesting concepts surface over the course of this story: the perfect suicide.
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Monster – episode 68

“Ruhenheim”

Not thrilling as Monster goes, but “Ruhenheim” is a great example of a slow boil that brings back two characters and perfectly sets up the last ten episodes of the story.
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Monster – episode 67

“I’m home”

This show is becoming seriously messed up. No, seriously. This episode was chock full of revelations, so abandon hope all ye who enter not wanting to know what happened.
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