Both are Naoki Urasawa at his best. Monster is 18 volumes: a surgeon hunts the patient he saved, who grew up to be a killer. Pluto is 8 volumes, a retelling of Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy arc "The Greatest Robot on Earth".
I say Monster first for the slow burn, then Pluto, which lands harder once you trust Urasawa's pacing.
Anime route: Monster is 74 episodes from Madhouse (2004) and follows the manga closely. Pluto got an 8-episode Netflix series from Studio M2 in 2023.
Pluto made me cry over a robot who just wanted to learn piano. North No. 2 deserved better.
North No. 2 is the chapter I give people to prove Urasawa can break your heart in one sitting.
Urasawa draws faces better than almost anyone. Every background character looks like they have a whole life.
Johan is the scariest character I've read who never raises his voice.
Johan vs Light Yagami for best calm villain. Go.
Johan. Light wants to win. Johan wants nothing, and that's worse.
Okay, this thread convinced me. Starting Monster tonight with tea.
Good choice. Clear your weekend.
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