Monster ep.35

January 6, 2005 | 7 Comments

While nothing much happens in this episode, this is still the usual solid drama that unfortunately is not watched by many people. Admittedly, when I started blogging this, I wasn't sure if I want to keep watching to the end since 70+ episodes are quite a commitment to make. But after watching plot after plot unravels, I have to say that this series definitely ranks as one of my favourite anime series which I intend to follow to its end. It's rare to see an anime series that doesn't rely so much on the flashy animation (although the animation and character design are still miles better than some junks that have been released this winter season) but on its intelligent story and plot. And now that the series is halfway through its completion, I think the pace will improve considerably.

The episode begins with Runge observing a group of Japanese businessmen greeting each other. It turns out that he's there to meet someone called Yamamoto but due to the fact that the guy is on holiday, he ends up talking to his colleague, Iwai. The topic obviously is none other than Runge's favourite: Tenma. It seems he wants to get an impression of what Tenma is like from other Japanese people who knew him. Later on in his hotel room, Runge displays a rather creepy behaviour where he tries to get into Tenma's mind by pretending to be a Japanese. He, however, is interrupted from his psychobabble when his daughter rings, telling him that she wants to meet him so he can see his grandson. Because of this, the two then arrange a time and place to meet.

However, after finding out that Tenma has a strained relationship with his family, Runge changes his mind about meeting his daughter. Instead, he left her all alone waiting in the cafe while he accompanies some Japanese businessmen to a Karaoke bar. In this place, he realises that Tenma probably feel like he doesn't belong with other Japanese businessmen and therefore, has no place to return to. He also eventually meets Yamamoto, who proceeds to show him the nameless monster storybook. After translating the story from its original Czech language, Runge realises that the book contains a small paragraph similar to a message that Johan once wrote: "Look at me, look at me! The monster inside of me has already grown this large."

In the second half of the episode, Dr.Reichwen tries to warn Johan's new adopted parents, the Lieberts, after a serial killer that Rudi interviews tell the psychologist that the next thing Johan will do is killing these two. Unfortunately the Lieberts refuse to believe a word that Dr.Reichwen says and choose to live in denial. This causes Dr.Reichwen to become angry and decides to talk directly to Schuwald. Meanwhile, Tenma is seen sneaking into the library that will be visited by Schuwald and Johan soon. While trying to scout a perfect sniping location, however, he's interrupted by Lotte who asks him to help her grab a Czech dictionary from the shelves. Once Lotte leaves, Tenma manages to hide himself on top of the shelves before the security closes the library that night.

Impression:

Upon watching this episode, I can't help but thinking that Runge is one sad, pathetic man who has difficulty to separate himself from work to pay attention to his family. It's sad to see his daughter waiting patiently to show off his grandchild only to be left waiting with no sign of Runge's appearance. I think it's one thing to be good at what you're doing but it is quite another to do it at the expense of your social interaction with your family and friends. Runge seems to live in his own denial world where the only guilty party is Tenma and the only future he sees is his job. I find that to be very disturbing regardless of his reason. The same thing can be said about the Lieberts' refusal to see what's in front of them and to acknowledge that there's something wrong with their 'son'.

I do wonder if such thing is possible to do in real life though. What I meant is, to be consumed so completely by the lies that you've created, to the point that you start believing the lies yourself. Clearly when Dr.Reichwen left the Lieberts' house, we are meant to believe that the Lieberts choose to live in their own denial world regardless of what Dr.Reichwen has told them. They do not even bother to either investigate or become anxious after the truth has been revealed. Anyway, the series is clearly gearing up towards some kind of explosive moment very soon. With Tenma ready to snipe Johan and the storybook's complete narration about to be revealed, I think the series is about to become more exciting than it already has at the moment. I personally can't wait for it.

© memento 2003