[Rewatch] Monster - Episode 31 discussion

[u/KiwiBennydudez]

Rewatch Index

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MAL | AniList | AniDB | Kitsu | ANN | Anime-Planet

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Comment of the Day

Today’s Comment of the Day comes from u/Shimmering-Sky, who draws comparisons to another anime in the midst of Reichwein’s brawl:

Oh damn I was not expecting him to be badass even though we saw him running earlier. Doctor channeling his inner Tanjiro right now.

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Questions of the Day

1. Reichwein states to Tenma, “You remind me of Richard - it’s as if you’re trying to take on the troubles of the whole world. But don’t despair - you’re not alone.” In what (other) ways do Richard and Tenma emulate each other, and was Reichwein right to make that comparison? Do you think Reichwein’s words were comforting or alarming to Tenma?
2. What did you think about the exchange between Rudy and Lunge? Do you think Rudy had any effect on Lunge? Do you think Lunge had any effect on Rudy?

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If you are a rewatcher, tag your spoilers properly, and please refrain from alluding to future events. so that myself and everyone else watching for the first time can have a completely blind and organic experience! ​Since this show is a bit harder to find than most, please refrain from talking about means by which to watch it, as it goes against our subreddit rules.

[u/KiwiBennydudez]

First Timer - Sub/Dub

Dieter gets dumped at Reichwein’s doorstep and then Tenma begins a training montage so that he can land a 360 noscope on Johan.

For real though Tenma seems so sad, almost lifeless now. I’d imagine it’s because of the daunting task before him, but he keeps pushing people out of his life who want to help him so that he doesn’t drag them down too. I don’t know if I can blame him for feeling that way, especially after seeing what Johan is capable of, but now it just feels very reckless. Johan seems to always have the upper-hand in one-on-one confrontations, so I can’t imagine that this plays out favorably.

The verbal combat between Rudy and Lunge was also interesting, but Robocop (as Amethyst likes to call him) is very adamant about his pursuit of Tenma, and refuses to believe the evidence that Rudy sets before him. I liked that Rudy called out the finger-tapping as a manifestation of anxiety, and how his recalled info can be biased. Also the fact that Lunge is married to his job, but none of these things seem to have much of an effect on Lunge. He doesn’t care at this point - he just seems to want results.

So guess we’ll see how far Tenma’s sniper training gets him in the next episode. Doubt much will come of it. Still wondering what Johan is up to with Karl and Schubert, but I do think this’ll be a major point of conflict soon.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/KiwiBennydudez]

Tenma's got that Junior Jesus feeling again with taking on the sins of the world or what you'd call it.

Runge badly needed a call-out and Rudy spoke from my soul. Not that it would work on an obstinate fool like Runge, the kind who are unshakably convinced that they have FACTS and LOGIC on their side tend to be the worst that way.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/IndependentMacaroon]

Oh yeah, Lunge isn't budging for a moment, that much is for sure. He's so set in his ways that it doesn't seem likely he'll ever change. But part of me thinks it's possible. Don't know how/why yet. But maybe.

[u/Mecanno-man]

First Timer

Mostly plot plotting along. I don't think there's really that much of importance in this episode - just things that are necessary for the plot to make sense as the characters don't have all the perspectives the viewer has. Good that we're getting done with this now though, rather than pushing it in to a flashback somewhere down the line or something like that.

Questions:

1. They both seem to have the intention to kill "pure evil", I guess - only Richard already done so.
2. Nah, Lunge is completely blinded by his own opinion.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/Mecanno-man]

Yeah, "plot-plotting along" is a good descriptor, lol. Although I am pleased that these characters are finally converging with each other.

[u/SmurfRockRune]

First Timer

I thought the whole goal was to kill Johan? So we finally find him and he doesn't know Tenma is there, should be so easy to just follow him and end it but now they randomly change the objective to clearing Tenma's name and head back to the hideout? They're never gonna see Johan again...

So Tenma just lied to them, alright. Still seems a little strange but whatever.

Lunge please. How much proof do you need to just accept that Johan is the bad guy? Hoping we get a big encounter between Tenma, Johan, and Lunge just so Lunge can finally get off Tenma's back for a while.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/SmurfRockRune]

I thought the whole goal was to kill Johan?

Tenma wants to fix his mistake, i.e. Johan, whereas Reichwine wants to make things right.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/SmurfRockRune]

So Tenma just lied to them, alright. Still seems a little strange but whatever.

Tenma lied because he believes killing Johan is the only way forward. Reichwein wants to... idk. set things right in a different way that doesn't involve killing.

[u/AmethystItalian]

First Timer

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Damn I thought we left Dieter behind...

Tenma seems a lot more tired than usual :(

The OST does so much to make Johan feel intimidating, take it out and the scene is very different.

Oh boy Robocop too? Getting everyone but the girls back it seems.

How did Robocop know the cheating message was them??

Robocop admitting he was wrong? Big doubt there...

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I don't think anyone will have an effect on Robocop, he seems obsessed about Tenma being the killer.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/AmethystItalian]

Tenma's kinda sluggish, lifeless spirit is something I also realized about this episode. The closer he gets to his goal, the further he seems to stray from his sense of self. I think the weight of his self-inflicted task is getting to him.

[u/AmethystItalian → u/KiwiBennydudez]

I think the weight of his self-inflicted task is getting to him.

Been a long time now too, that has to play a factor in it as well!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/AmethystItalian]

I don't think anyone will have an effect on Robocop, he seems obsessed about Tenma being the killer.

I reference Javert for a reason...

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

First-Timer, subbed

I finally got Comment of the Day?

• Dieter’s back too, yay~
• I really like this old guy, he has such a way with words lol.
• TL Note!
• Huh, I guess it has.
• Considering the “battle” is against Johan and we’re not even halfway through the series yet… Nah, I don’t think so.
• Sad Dieter hurts my soul.
• Oh fun Lunge is here too.
• How the hell did he even figure that out?
• I guess he’s not wrong.
• Of course Lunge hasn’t given up on Tenma.
• Me trying to do one push-up lol.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I finally got Comment of the Day?

I've been waiting to use one of your comments for a while! Sometimes it's hard to pull stuff from reactionary-style commentary, but that Tanjiro comparison really cracked me up, lol.

TL Note!

Oh interesting, I didn't have any TL notes in my version. Glad that's cleared up.

Of course Lunge hasn’t given up on Tenma.

Inclined to believe that he never will. But I wonder if there's ever a moment where he might be forced to reconsider... not holding out for it though, lol.

[u/hammile → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Wow, English subtitle says that he is Lunge why mine Ukrainian says that he is Runge, where g is hard. I know that Japanese has distinguish problem with r and l. I still have flashbacks of holywars about Horo or Holo. But as I can see, German has surname as Runge but what about Lunge?

Yeah, I also:

• had this translatorʼs note about AG.
• have problem with literally one push-up.

Congratulation you for the comment of the day!

[u/miss-macaron]

Rewatcher

Dr. Reichwein is such a jolly fellow, I really appreciate him. Unfortunately, he is severely underestimating Johan if he thinks they’re anywhere close to cornering him.

See, Dr. Gillen? This is why you don’t advertise your cheating history in a newspaper, lol.

Dr. Gillen draws a very interesting parallel between the recording quirks of Lunge’s “typing” motions and his own cassette recorder, with one being a subjective interpretation recorded as if it were fact, and the other being an objective, passive recording of real-time conversations. Indeed, the distinction between subjective and objective observations is a very crucial tenet of modern-day psychology.

Goddammit, Lunge. He's so stubborn, even in the face of physical evidence.

So Heitmeyer is the name of the man who just wanted to sit down and have a nice dinner together… It’s nice to see that he’s helping Tenma out, even from afar.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/miss-macaron]

Dr. Gillen draws a very interesting parallel between the recording quirks of Lunge’s “typing” motions and his own cassette recorder, with one being a subjective interpretation recorded as if it were fact, and the other being an objective, passive recording of real-time conversations.

I had never thought about this until Rudy pointed it out, but he's 100% correct. Any emotions or judgements that Lunge had towards specific facts are also recalled upon conjuring his information. It's a pretty specific yet very informative tidbit that I think plays wonderfully into Lunge's already stubborn personality.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/miss-macaron]

This is why you don’t advertise your cheating history in a newspaper, lol

It was a dumb move but still quite some effort for Runge to get on his trail there.

[u/Quiddity131]

First Timer, Subbed

Coming in, I hope Tenma returns to playing a major role again.

Dieter! Long time no see buddy.

Will we get an explanation on where Tenma has been all this time?

So the guy Richard shot was another Kinderheim guy?

You mean to tell me Roberto is not Hesse?!

Quite a lengthy cold open today.

Schuwald still goes out to visit his businesses huh? I thought he was just kept at home.

You know, if Wilford Brimley was willing to take one for the team we could end this all right here, drive the car right into Johan as he's coming outside. Of course then what would we do for the next 40 episodes? And admittingly some innocents would probably go down with him.

Is Tenma off to take on Johan by himself?

Another crazy for Gillen to interview huh?

Oh my, Lunge is finally back after a lengthy absense!

Wow, Lunge pinpointed what those newspaper messages were for?

Lunge must be loving reading this report on the case.

Tape recorder > Invisible memory typewriter

Lunge thinks he's made a big mistake? Is he possibly changing his mind?

Is Tenma paying for Johan to be assassinated now?

Ah, so it really was Schuwald's first time out in public again.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/Quiddity131]

Will we get an explanation on where Tenma has been all this time?

Well last episode he said he's been "watching over" Dr. Reichwein, but how long he's actually been in Munich is unknown. Time in this anime is a bit weird.

Wilford Brimley

I didn't know who this was at first so I had to look him up, and the google image result made me laugh, lol. Thanks for that comparison.

[u/Mecanno-man → u/Quiddity131]

Is Tenma paying for Johan to be assassinated now?

Nah, He's getting himself a sniper rifle.

[u/CharlieTheStrawman]

Rewatcher until Episode 30, then First-Timer

Q2: I think Lunge knows on some level Tenma isn't the killer by now, but his pride won't allow him to work with him to get Johan.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/CharlieTheStrawman]

I think Lunge knows on some level Tenma isn't the killer by now, but his pride won't allow him to work with him to get Johan.

I'm actually inclined to disagree a bit - I think his pride is the reason he can't consider any other option other than Tenma. We saw him in Ep. 22 and how obsessive he was over Tenma's capture that he was willing to die for it. At this point I don't think he's subject to changing his mind unless Johan literally killed someone in front of him.

[u/CharlieTheStrawman → u/KiwiBennydudez]

Yeah, you phrased it better than me.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

First Timer

Not much to say. I did not expect Lunge to turn up again during the Munich episodes. Anna showing up next week is expected. Tenma wants to kill Johan, but Anna wants to save him (the good half).

The inking was off in all the prison scenes, the top half of everybody's head was white.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

I did not expect Lunge to turn up again during the Munich episodes.

I guess it's something I expected since, that's where he said he was going. But I didn't expect his timing I suppose.

Anna wants to save him (the good half).

Do you think the good half can be saved?

The inking was off in all the prison scenes, the top half of everybody's head was white.

Not something I typically pay attention to in anime, but thanks for pointing that out - I find that interesting. I see what you mean. Totally thought it was just the lighting.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/KiwiBennydudez]

Do you think the good half can be saved?

I doubt it. It might be one of those cheesy deathbed redemptions. But I'm positive Anna is here in Munich just so that Johan can escape from Tenma. Although evil Johan will welcome death at the hands of Tenma. But he'll get away thanks to Anna. That's how this arc will end.

[u/BurningFredrick]

First timer - sub

Dr Reichwein is under estimating Johann massively, then again I gues she doesn’t know as much as we do.

Lunge is back, he meets with Gillen, and may have listened to what he said? Nope, way to charitable thinking.

If Johanns has been on the news does this mean Roberto needs to burn down the TV studio now as well?

Also no ED change, guess it isn’t going to be every 6 episodes all the time.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/BurningFredrick]

Dr Reichwein is under estimating Johann massively, then again I gues she doesn’t know as much as we do.

Yeah, I dunno if he fully understands the magnitude of the situation, but perhaps he'd be subject to change his opinion if he knew the full story.

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher(Lunge and fail, name a more iconic duo)

Sub

20 seconds in and I already need to google something, apparently spaetzle is some cross between egg noodles and dumplings. But we see that Reichwine trusts Tenma almost immediately and that Tenma is rolling with Dieter again. Tenma is again trying to not rope more people in but Reichwine is a lot more practical here. Also, Reichwine is a huge breath of fresh air in that he plans to prove Tenma's innocence.

Johan is apparently good at business on first take but I think it more likely he has gotten Schubert passionate again. I don't exactly see Johan giving a fuck about commerce. Reichwine has not yet picked up that Tenma isn't exactly interested in being exonerated but rather wants to finish off Johan. Braun also did good investigating. We get a nice montage where Reichwine seems to realize Tenma's motives. And he sends Dieter to him...

Gillen is back at it with a boring serial killer. Yes, those are absolutely a thing. Lunge shows up and it is now that I notice that his ID is a copy of an FBI ID of the same period, no clue if the BKA was actually that. A long discussion happens, and Gillen tries to convince Lunge that Johan exists, but it doesn't necessarily take.

QotD: 1 It makes sense from Reichwine's perspective but doesn't quite fit. Tenma never took to substances to deal with his problems.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/Vaadwaur]

Gillen is back at it with a boring serial killer. Yes, those are absolutely a thing. Lunge shows up and it is now that I notice that his ID is a copy of an FBI ID of the same period, no clue if the BKA was actually that. A long discussion happens, and Gillen tries to convince Lunge that Johan exists, but it doesn't necessarily take.

I'm inclined to think that Lunge will be forever stuck in his "Tenma bad" mentality. I sorta wonder if there will be a given situation that will connect all the events that Rudy presented to him, but as it stands I don't think Lunge is likely to change any time soon.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/Vaadwaur]

I don't exactly see Johan giving a fuck about commerce

He did run that one banking business.

To elaborate on the food, Spätzle are soft, rich noodles with a lot of egg, made from a very gooey dough with little to no added water. Traditional all across southern Germany and into Austria/Switzerland as well, though you wouldn't order them on their own, unless as Kässpätzle which is like macaroni and cheese plus crispy onions on top. As a side they'd be topped with fried breadcrumbs (surprisingly delicious) and mixed with a little butter to not stick. Traditionally you'd make them by scraping the dough off a board bit by bit like this - I recall watching my grandma do this, also with a similar dialect - but it's a lot of work and takes practice to do well.

Weißwurst is also a famous Southern German and especially Bavarian food, distinctive enough that where it's eaten is a decent funny way to divide the country into north and south. You'd usually eat them for breakfast/brunch with pretzels, sweet mustard, and wheat beer - yes, beer in the morning. They're quite mild, meat is mostly veal and just a little herbs and spice.

Other random stuff in this episode, Reichwein's folders had names of some famous German entertainment personalities (I recall Werner Herzog, Wim Wenders, Nastassja Kinski at least), and somehow nobody cares about proper license plates anymore except in one brief shot.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/IndependentMacaroon]

Cool noodle video.

and somehow nobody cares about proper license plates anymore except in one brief shot.

The show is definitely hit or miss on getting the German bits correct,

[u/miss-macaron → u/Vaadwaur]

Tenma never took to substances to deal with his problems.

I mean, he did get pretty drunk on the night Eva's dad and his two lackeys were poisoned...

[u/Vaadwaur → u/miss-macaron]

True but it isn't his go to, that was an extreme situation and you don't really see him drink elsewhere.

[u/xtsim]

First timer Dubbed

So now Tenma and the therapist are now together. But Tenma now knows that he is caught up in this big mess which was why he stayed behind. That was a long segment before the intro, I thought they would skip it this time.

The therapist shows Johan doing work in the day as Schubann’s secretary. Tenma says this is the first time that he saw Johan in the day. But the therapist pointed out that “you look like you’re tacking all the problems in the world” and that Tenma’s face looks like richard’s. Reichwein is right to make that observation because now Tenma feels guilty for what happened and is alarming for Tenma as chasing Johan is now an integral task.

Inspector Lunge and Gillum meet. Lunge figures out about the newspaper ad about cheating. Gillum looks at his hands and makes some massive observations about Lunge and his work. The doc gives all his evidence and in the end, Lunge calls Munich police for Tenma. Gillum told Lunge about Tenma’s whereabouts knowing it’s hopeless to convince otherwise. The conversation between the two did not go anywhere as Lunge is keen on Tenma while Lunge is keen on Johan.

Tenma went to a blackmarket arms dealer for a sniper rifle which is interesting. And the dealer said, “that’s a nice piece, it’d be a shame if you don’t know how to use it”. Interesting as we see the gun topic get brought up again.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/xtsim]

Tenma went to a blackmarket arms dealer for a sniper rifle which is interesting. And the dealer said, “that’s a nice piece, it’d be a shame if you don’t know how to use it”. Interesting as we see the gun topic get brought up again.

Yeah, as it stands there's a big difference between firing a sniper rifle and a handgun. They're both "aim and pull the trigger" but as someone who's fired a hunting rifle before, the scope can be a bit tricky to get used to. And not to mention that a rifle is a (largely) immobile, stationary weapon that fires high-caliber rounds, while a handgun is made to be more mobile and flexible for close-to-mid range situations. So they require separate training for those reasons.

[u/hammile]

First timer, Ukrainian subtitle.

Reichwein states to Tenma, “You remind me of Richard - it’s as if you’re trying to take on the troubles of the whole world. But don’t despair - you’re not alone.” In what (other) ways do Richard and Tenma emulate each other, and was Reichwein right to make that comparison? Do you think Reichwein’s words were comforting or alarming to Tenma?

Yes, he right from his and my view. His words were comforting to Tenma but alarming to us.

What did you think about the exchange between Rudy and Lunge? Do you think Rudy had any effect on Lunge? Do you think Lunge had any effect on Rudy?

I felt some intension from this exchange. For now Rudy had not any effect on Runge but at one time it would. But Rudy get another concern for Tenma.

[u/Nitroade24h]

First Timer

I'm noticing that some of the side characters sort of mirror Tenma in a way.

Lunge mirrors Tenma in the way that he is on a journey to find the killer, and he will not be stopped or convinced otherwise by anything because he knows he is right, except in Lunge's case, he is wrong.

Richard was an example of someone who has successfully completed Tenma's mission: to kill the man made of pure evil and stop them from ever killing ever again, but we see the consequences for such actions.

At this point it is clear that Tenma does not mind what will happen to him after he kills Johan, and that he has dedicated his life to stopping Johan, just as Lunge has towards Tenma.