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Naoki Urasawa’s critically acclaimed psychological thriller,Monster, is a gripping saga of suspense, multifaceted characters, and complex ethical issues. Concurrently, the anime adaptation by Madhouse Studio has also been praised for its faithful representation of Urasawa’s original work. However, bringing the essence of the manga into its anime adaptation wasn’t a piece of cake for the animators.
Shigeru Fujita, the lead animator for the series, has revealed that bringingMonsterto life was far from an easy task since Naoki Urasawa was fully involved in the creative process. From providing strict directives to checking the end product — Urasawa’s contribution along with the dedication of the animation team, brought the story to life.
Shigeru Fujita’s Journey withMonster
In an interview during the 24th edition of theParis Manga Salonin 2017, Shigeru Fujita spoke at length about the difficulties of designing and animating such complex work likeMonster; from its characters to the overall storyline. Having worked as an animation teacher for more than 11 years, Fujita is also known for his notable works likeGhost in the Shell 2: Innocence,Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust,The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,Blue Exorcist: The Movie, and many more.
The interview was conducted by Alexis Orsini forLa Base Secrète, a French website dedicated to Naoki Urasawa, and it gives a rare look behind the scenes of one of anime’smost compelling adaptations. According to Shigeru Fujita, Urasawa’s instructions were exceptionally detailed, particularly when it came to the protagonist, Dr. Kenzo Tenma. As the series went on, Urasawa insisted on maintaining a specific pose for Tenma, as he stated,
After a certain point of the series, he had to hold himself with his head down and a slouched back. It’s the kind of instruction that were passed on to the whole staff, that’s why the series is uniform.
Dr. Tenma undergoes a significant transformation throughout the series, both emotionally and physically. Fujita remarked that Tenma was most difficult character to animate along with Johan Liebert due to the many stages of changes he goes through.
“He treats his secondary characters with the same depth”: Monster Writer Naoki Urasawa’s Unique Storytelling Style Became One of the Biggest Inspirations for Arcane
Tenma’s design had to change as his psychological state did, from the well-groomed surgeon at the start of the story to a ragged and bearded man who was fully determined to hunt Johan. Thus, animating Tenma’s physical transformation needed constant adjustments.
The Challenges of Animating Johan Liebert inMonster
According to Fujita, animating Johan Liebert’s character was by far the most difficult inMonster, even more than Tenma. Created as a good-looking yet cold individual, the dual nature posed an enormous challenge for them. His facial expression had to remain subtle, without excessive changes to spread an air of mystery. In his own words,
Johan, because he’s both attractive and cold: two complex things have to be expressed at the same time. The hardest resides in his facial expressions: they only change very slightly, in a nearly imperceptible way. It’s even more difficult since Naoki Urasawa asked for particular attention on this.
Additionally, even the tiniest detail, such as lowering his eyelids by one millimeter, was scrutinized to ensure the right emotion was conveyed. Johan’s calm facade often hides the terrifying nature lying within, and animating these subtle, and contradicting emotions was a challenge in and of itself. The character’shaunting presenceis partly due to how carefully his expressions were animated.
Apart from Tenma and Johan, Fujita also expressed his fondness for supporting characters like Grimmer, Richard, Eva, Dieter, and Dr. Rudy Gillen. Though not as central to the story as the two main protagonists, they also play vital roles in fleshing out the complex world ofMonster.
Moreover, he shared that one of the standout moments for him was the face-off between Tenma and Johan. As he animated the scene, he felt the full weight of Tenma’s emotions, a feeling that he hopes audiences also experienced when watching the show.
“But deep inside, I knew that it would be a hit”: Naoki Urasawa Had the Last Laugh After His Editors Advised Him Not to Write ‘Monster’ Claiming it Was Destined to Fail
Shigeru Fujita’s dedication to animatingMonsterwent beyond technical precision, as he often found himself emotionally invested in the characters and their stories. While challenging, the end result left a lasting impact on fans and critics alike. Thanks to the careful guidance ofNaoki Urasawaand the skill of animators like Fujita,Monsterbecame a shining example of what happens when storytelling and animation work in unison.
Monsteris currently available to watch and read on Netflix and Viz Media, respectively.
Moumita Chakraborty
Articles Published :930
Moumita Chakraborty is a seasoned Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 900 published articles. Passionate about the vibrant world of Japanese anime, she brings sharp analytical skills and cultural insight to every piece. From dissecting intricate plotlines to spotlighting the latest trends and releases, Moumita’s work resonates with both casual fans and seasoned otakus. Her writing aims to connect with fellow anime enthusiasts while contributing meaningfully to the ever-growing anime community.
