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 MangaChat: Monster, the Anime (on SyFy)
Written by Park Cooper
Barbara and I, having read the series, have been watching most of the episodes of the anime MONSTER, by the co-creator of the beloved manga/anime MASTER KEATON, via the cable channels of SyFy and Thriller.
Barb: Wanna have a quick chat about Monster on SyFy and Thriller?
Park: Sure! ...I miss the music for Master Keaton, but if I don't compare them, Monster's theme music is fine... Monster, like Hunter x Hunter, is also indeed benefiting from the TV Factor... adds structure.
Barb: As I get older, I get more and more into japanese voice work. I miss the idea of hearing Johan in Japanese...and hearing that victim who said "the monster is coming"...but the populist in me wants Monster to be a big hit, so I'm watching it... the story somehow seems more believable as an anime... better pacing...
Park: At first I thought I was going to hate the girl who does the voice of Eva, but when he walked out on her, I thought she started developing a bit of edge to her voice. So I said, "Okay, well maybe the way the voice actress is playing it is that Eva gets her edge as a result of being dumped for the first time in her life, not that she exactly had edge all along..." It's funny that we have higher expectations for manga plots than for tv. But you know, I think we do. When those plots don't exactly have the supernatural in them. Or sci-fi, etc. Although Monster sometimes pushes the envelope just a little.
Barb: Some people might find it a little low-key, at first....if only they could have gotten to episode 4, where it hits the fan, a tad sooner. Now, the pace is okay for me, but CSI types might inititally find the pace a little slow....
Park: Yes. I think you have summed that up well. The pace is also pushing it, but it's within my Okay Range, yes.
Barb: ...Oh, Eva! I'm looking forward to hearing her all bitter....but I'm sad that she won't be in japanese either.....
Park: Yes. Actually... that's an interesting point. there IS more edge in everyone's voices in Japanese.
Barb: The way I feel is, it's here, it's free, it's good....and I want it now, so thanks, TV....
Park: Sometimes in english dubs I feel like everyone's last job was announcing clearly and sensibly for commercial voiceovers, and that now they're stuck in that tone.
Barb: I dunno if I'd rewatch it in Japanese when it comes out...when it's a mystery/suspense thing, when you're done, you're done....
Park: Tenzo's doing all right... although I nearly called him Keaton...
And I agree with you about rewatching it... But... don't you want to hear Johan? In Japanese?
I do.
Barb: I suppose someone's posted it online in Japanese, but I like legal showings best....and I hate watching things on the computer....
Park: Now, in Fruits, the voice work was about as good in each language. That's one of the secrets to its success besides the direction.
Understood.
Barb: Okay, having the same (?) guy that did the voice of Master Keaton doing Dr. Tenma is a real draw for me....
Park: But Johan is one of those characters where it really matters in Japanese. In Yu Yu Haakusho... who cared, really? I liked Kuwabara in English, anyway, so whatever.
On the other hand, the first two seasons of Yu Yu were very much watch-with-half-an-eye/ear.
Barb: A lot of Fruits lovers might disagree with you, but I think Fruits had above-average American voicework.... And yeah, about that last thing you just said....
Park: But Johan... Akito... Orochimaru...
Barb: Yeah, exactly! Japanese voice actors do incredible villains.... Remember how in fruits, I kept having you switch back and forth from Japanese to English for Akito's voice? I mean... what a choice!
Park: Japanese bishonen villains care as much for human life as they care what you think of their lifestyle-- nothing!
Barb: Yeah, and Johan's one of them...
Park: Which brings us back to... exactly.
Barb: So, Monster's direction....
Park: Hm. Well, I've seen worse. But I've seen better.
Barb: I really haven't noticed it....
Park: It makes no mistakes, but it's flashy as a one-dollar bill.
Barb: Oh, until that one episode with Johan in the hospital....that was really well done.... The direction is a little old school....
Park: I noticed the use of close-ups on Mr. Junkers' freaking out... and the lighting on-- yeah exactly. The lighting use in the parking garage. I guess we'll pull out direction when we need it, like the string section in PSYCHO
Barb: It's all so low-key... it could crank up the hysteria a little more....
Park: (...PS if your name was Mr. Junkers I don't care if you've got a weapon of mass destruction strapped to your back-- I couldn't possibly take you seriously. I'm so glad the J is silent)
Yes, actually. That would have helped us understand Tenzo going frozen, a little more DUN-DUN-DUUUNNN would. As the twins would say. Okay, any last thoughts?
Barb: I mean, in its spiritual ancestor, Master Keaton, which every GOOD anime fan should watch, the intelligent, low-key direction worked well with the material, but here, I guess, being an American and into flashy things, I could use a bit more YAARGGGH!
My final thoughts? Watch it. So far, either a high B or a low B plus....
Park: Yeah, I agree. I think I'll give it a low B+.
Barb: Anime for grown ups! Come on, people, you gotta love that!
Park: P.S. I'm looking forward to the Magnificent Herr Steiner
Barb: P.S.S. Oh, God, yes, my favorite character!
(MONSTER is brought to America by Viz Media.)
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