Kenzou Tenma
main character
TV
8.8
My TrackerPLANNING
Episode: 0 / 74
My Score:
Anime DetailsFINISHED
- Format
- TV series
- Episodes
- 74
- Episode length
- 24 min
- Total watch time
- 29 h 36 min
- Status
- Finished
- Aired
- April 7, 2004 – September 28, 2005
- Season
- Spring 2004
- Source
- Manga
- Studio
- MADHOUSE
- Director
- Masayuki Kojima
- Original creator
- Naoki Urasawa
- Music
- Kuniaki Haishima
- Age rating
- R — Mild Nudity
- Country
- Japan
- AniList score
- 88/100
Estimated watch time
29h 36m
⚡ 15 days at 5 eps/day
Tags & Tropes
Crime95%Seinen93%Detective92%Philosophy91%Ensemble Cast90%Primarily Adult Cast86%Noir85%Revenge85%Twins85%Urban85%
TVFINISHED2004 SPRING8.8 / 10 AniList score
Monster
MONSTER• MONSTER
Synopsis
Dr. Kenzo Tenma is a renowned Japanese brain surgeon working at a leading hospital in Germany. One night, Dr. Tenma risks his reputation and career to save the life of a critically wounded young boy over that of the town mayor who had been planning to support the hospital financially. A string of mysterious murders begin to occur soon after the operation, and Dr. Tenma emerges as the primary suspect despite no incriminating evidence. A doctor is taught to believe that all life is equal; however, when another series of murders occur in the surgeon's vicinity, Dr. Tenma's beliefs are shaken as his actions that night are shown to have much broader consequences than he could have imagined. Leaving behind his life as a surgeon he embarks on a journey across the country to unravel the mystery of the boy he saved.
Should you watch Monster?
Monster has been exceptionally well received, with an average AniList score of 88/100 — 88% of 92,851 ratings are 8/10 or higher.
It ranks #20 highest-rated anime of all time, and #1 highest-rated anime of 2004, and #2 most popular anime of 2004 on AniList.
Of the 191.9K AniList users who started it, 4.9% dropped it, so it is rarely abandoned; 112.5K have finished it.
At roughly 29 h 36 min in total, it is a long commitment — about 5 weeks at an hour a day.
Best for viewers who enjoy Drama, Horror, Mystery — especially crime, seinen, detective, philosophy.
Continue the story
Read on from Chapter 39 (Vol. 5)
Season 1 covered Chapters 1 through 38 across 12 episodes. Production I.G followed Naoya Matsumoto's manga closely with punchy sound design and comedic timing.
Manga arc guide →Where to Watch Officially
Availability, audio and subtitles vary by region and service.
Episodes
74 episodes are listed.
Main cast & voice actors
Creators & key staff
- Original creator
- Naoki Urasawa
- Director
- Masayuki Kojima
- Series composition
- Tatsuhiko Urahata
- Character design
- Shigeru Fujita
- Music
- Kuniaki Haishima
Related entries
Opening & ending themes
Openings (1)
- OP1“GRAIN”
Endings (2)
- ED1“for the love of life” · eps 1-5
- ED2“Make it Home” · eps 33-38
Theme data from AnimeThemes.moe.
If you like Monster
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Monster FAQ
How many episodes does Monster have?
Monster has 74 episodes of about 24 minutes each, roughly 29 h 36 min in total.
How long does it take to watch Monster?
About 29 h 36 min back to back. At two episodes a day it takes 37 days; at one hour a day, about 30 days.
Is Monster finished?
Yes. Monster has finished airing — the final episode aired September 28, 2005.
Is there a season 2 of Monster?
No sequel is listed for Monster as of October 2026. You can continue the story in the original manga.
Is Monster based on a manga?
Yes. Monster adapts the manga by Naoki Urasawa. See the continuation guide on this page for where the anime ends in the source.
Who animated Monster?
Monster was animated by MADHOUSE and directed by Masayuki Kojima.
Who sings the opening of Monster?
The opening, "GRAIN", is performed by an uncredited artist.
Where can I watch Monster?
Monster is listed on Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video. Availability varies by region — check the streaming links on this page.