Kayla⋆˚꩜

꩜|| 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘

/) /)

(｡•ㅅ•｡)〝₎₎ About Me ✦₊ ˊ˗

. .╭∪─∪────────── ✦ ⁺.

. .┊ ◟﹫ Hello there!! My name is Kayla—or you can call me Kay! Either works (*^^*)♡

. .┊﹒𐐪 Currently, I am a newly college student studying in psychology.

╰┈➤ My Favorite series, that I’ve always been such a huge fan of, is Monster (2004)! which is also what I mostly write and post for.

`𓏲 ࣪₊♡`┈┈Blog┈┈

╰┈➤ Like I said, I mostly post about Monster. But I do also post for other medias as well—from time to time lolol.

I typically post Art, official content, fanfics, etc!!

`𓏲 ࣪₊♡`┈┈request info┈┈

╰┈➤ Feel free to request!

Just a heads up: I might take a little while to get to them (or might not get to them at all, I’m very busy a lot, so I hope you understand!).

`𓏲 ࣪₊♡`┈┈Links┈┈

╰┈➤ Masterlist (up to date!)

“When you’re in the darkness, you only sink deeper into it… Keep the light shining.” -Kenzo Tenma

Pluto contents (PART TWO, FINAL.)

Includes: Beta art, designs, info of characters, behind the scenes of creating Pluto, Urasawa's thought process, and ROUGH translations by google translate.

Monster contents here

★If you can read Japanese PLEASE correct parts/pages if needed (*ﾉ∀`*)

——> PART ONE, PART TWO.

"Epsilon is basically Johan with long hair!"

(Right page): Interviewer: Tezuka Productions asked you to draw the characters in your own style. How did you decide on each character's appearance?

Interviewer: One thing that struck me is how different characters like Epsilon and Gesicht look compared to Tezuka's original designs. Epsilon, for example, has become an incredibly handsome character. Meanwhile, someone like North No. 2 stays much closer to the original, looking unmistakably like a robot. What was the reasoning behind mixing those two styles?

Urasawa: "How did we end up deciding that...? (laughs). Well, first we started by talking about what a robot even is."

"When we were kids, robots were either like Tetsujin 28-go—machines controlled remotely—or they were like Atom, robots that could think and move on their own."

"Then the next generation came with Mazinger Z, where you merged with the robot by shouting, 'Pilder On!'"

"After that came Gundam, where Amuro climbs inside to pilot the machine."

"And eventually you get to Evangelion, where the pilot synchronizes with the robot while fighting."

"With all those different ideas of what a robot is, we had to ask ourselves: Where does the world of PLUTO exist within that evolution?"

"In Tezuka's original work, humanoid robots like Atom coexist alongside huge, clanking mechanical robots. We spent a lot of time discussing what that actually meant and how we should explain that world."

Interviewer: So you imagined PLUTO as existing during a transitional stage in robot evolution? Once you start thinking about it, it becomes surprisingly difficult to answer. (laughs)

Urasawa: "Exactly. We even talked about ideas like robots carrying other robots inside themselves."

Interviewer: So that's why you deliberately mixed traditional mechanical-looking robots with humanoid ones. And from there you concluded that Epsilon should definitely be human-looking?

Urasawa: "That's right. Epsilon had to be humanoid. And handsome."

"Basically... he's like Johan with long hair. (laughs)"

Interviewer: As a Johan fan, I can't just let that comment slide. (laughs) At the same time, you intentionally kept characters like Mont Blanc and North No. 2 much closer to Tezuka's original robot designs, giving the cast more visual variety.

Urasawa: "Right." The conversation then shifts to emotional storytelling.

Interviewer: There's that scene where Gesicht goes to inform a robot that her husband has died. She's a robot with virtually no facial expressions, isn't she?

Urasawa: "Yes."

Interviewer: And in the stage adaptation of PLUTO, one of the emotional climaxes comes after Gesicht dies, when Dr. Tenma visits Helena.

(The quotation is cut off here.)

"North No. 2!"

The impression that The Greatest Robot on Earth left on my five-year-old self.

Interviewer: We talked a little about this back in Chapter 7, but there's the episode about North No. 2 and the blind musician.

The communication between a blind old man wearing sunglasses and a robot—two characters who can't rely on expressive eyes—became one of the most emotionally powerful scenes in PLUTO, didn't it?

Urasawa: "And then there's the scene where Gesicht goes to tell his robot wife..."

(The interview continues onto the next page.)

(Left page):

"She couldn't process her grief."

Interviewer: "There's that scene where Helena says, 'I can't process this sadness...'"

"Then Dr. Tenma tells her, 'Try crying. That's what humans do.'"

"At that moment, it's as though a dam finally bursts, and Helena breaks down in tears."

"Until then, you've spent the entire story depicting a kind of expressionless sorrow. You keep holding it back, holding it back, and only at the very end do you allow her to cry out loudly."

"Looking back on it now, that sequence is incredibly well constructed."

That idea of 'expressionless sorrow' seems to run throughout PLUTO.

"PLUTO is an incredibly sad story. Just when readers become attached to someone, that character dies."

"And yet the emotional temperature of the series always stays remarkably restrained."

"Because of that restraint, the sadness becomes even more striking."

"It feels like there's something more to it than simply saying, 'The protagonists are robots, so they don't show emotion.'"

Urasawa: "Yes." "The feeling I wanted readers to have... was actually the exact feeling I had when I first read The Greatest Robot on Earth at five years old."

"The challenge was asking myself: 'How can I recreate that feeling for modern readers?'"

"It wasn't a story where justice triumphs with a huge explosion and everyone cheers."

"Instead... there was this strange, indescribable sadness."

"I remember sensing that emotion as a child."

"So I kept asking myself, 'How can I bring that feeling back?'"

(One of the page captions quotes Dr. Tenma.):

"Even pretending eventually becomes real."

From PLUTO, Volume 6, Chapter 47.

"Was Gesicht's true meaning 'expression'?"

Interviewer: So was that why, in order to create that restrained, almost indescribable sadness, you intentionally limited facial acting in North No. 2's chapter?

Urasawa: "No."

"Actually... it was just like the ending of 21st Century Boys with Kenji."

"I didn't realize it until I was already drawing it." (laughs)

"Suddenly it hit me: 'Wait... I'm about to draw the climax between a blind old man wearing sunglasses... and a robot.'"

"Neither of them can really express emotion with their eyes."

"And I thought, 'Wow... I'm trying to do something pretty outrageous here.'"

Interviewer: So it only occurred to you at the last minute?

Urasawa: "Exactly."

"I suddenly realized, 'Neither of them can show facial expressions!'"

Interviewer: At that point, did you think, 'This might be impossible'?

Urasawa: "Not impossible."

"I thought, 'I'm attempting something incredibly reckless.'"

Interviewer: But you also believed you could make it work.

Urasawa: "I did."

"I knew it could work."

"And more than that... I realized I actually preferred doing it this way."

"'Gesicht' apparently means 'facial expression' in German."

Interviewer: Listening to you, it seems you enjoy working within limitations. It feels like what you really enjoy is figuring out how to express something despite those restrictions.

Urasawa: "More than that... I honestly think characters openly pouring out their emotions is kind of uncool."

"That's why, even in the scene where Helena finally cries, I couldn't simply have her burst into tears."

"Instead, it's like telling someone, 'If you don't know how to cry, then just try it. Eventually you'll understand.'"

"You start by making the sound—'Ah...' And gradually it becomes real."

"Even that scene has a twist to it."

"It's not simply a character expressing her feelings."

Interviewer: That's true. In that scene, the one who ends up crying is actually the human reader. Helena herself doesn't know how to 'express grief.' She can only imitate the outward form of crying, and it's precisely that inability that makes Dr. Tenma—and the audience—so emotional.

Urasawa: "It's actually very similar to what I did with Grimmer."

"He wondered, 'What does smiling look like?' So he learned it by copying the outward appearance."

Interviewer: I see. The sadness surrounding Grimmer, whose heart had been broken, really does resemble the sorrow experienced by the robots.

Even so, facial expressions—especially acting through the eyes—are usually considered the most effective way to convey emotion. Yet you're saying it's still possible to communicate deep feelings even when you deliberately remove that tool.

Urasawa: "Well... above all else... Tezuka's original story is simply heartbreaking."

"My only goal was to bring that same feeling into the present day without destroying it."

Then Urasawa suddenly changes the subject.

"By the way...apparently 'Gesicht' means 'facial expression' in German."

Interviewer: Really?! That's incredibly suggestive... almost symbolic. The original Gesicht hardly has any facial expressions at all, yet he's given a name that literally means 'expression.' That's remarkable.

Urasawa: "Tezuka-sensei had a doctorate in medicine, so he knew German."

"Someone once told me, 'You know, Gesicht means "facial expression."'

And I just thought, 'Wow... Tezuka-sensei really was amazing.'"

Interviewer: We don't know whether he intended that symbolism consciously, but it's fascinating.

Urasawa: "I think there were many thoughts embedded in The Greatest Robot on Earth that only Tezuka himself truly understood."

"Nagasaki and I talked about things like that constantly."

"For example... Why don't any of the world's two superpowers—the United States and the Soviet Union—have robots among the seven strongest robots?"

Interviewer: That's true. Instead, the seven come from Switzerland, Scotland, Turkey, Germany, Greece, Australia, and Japan. Considering the story was written during the height of the Cold War, it's surprising that neither America nor the Soviet Union is represented.

Urasawa: "Exactly."

"If Tezuka had included robots from America and the Soviet Union, they could have served as very obvious symbols."

"It would have made the story much easier to construct."

"So why did he deliberately leave them out?"

"Nagasaki and I spent a lot of time discussing questions like that."

Interviewer: That's fascinating. Looking at it that way, The Greatest Robot on Earth really is a work that still leaves room for many different interpretations.

Watercolor illustrations of Epsilon and Atom for manga covers 7 and 8.

"The problem wasn't 'face manga'—it was how people drew faces."

Interviewer: "So in the end, the problem wasn't that 'face manga' itself was bad—it was simply the way many artists were drawing faces."

"When it comes to your own work, however, every time a scene changes you've carefully established where the characters are standing, and the reader is so absorbed in their acting that the pages never feel visually monotonous."

"And when we say 'acting,' we're not talking about the kind of obvious, stereotypical acting you often see."

"For example, a character closing their eyes before saying something important, pausing dramatically, then suddenly opening them."

"You almost never use exaggerated gestures like that."

"Instead, your characters move and speak like ordinary people, and yet that's enough to carry the drama."

Urasawa: "On Manben—the TV program that aired in March—I pointed something exactly like this out to another manga artist."

"There was a scene where one of his characters confessed, 'I killed someone.'"

"Originally, his storyboard showed the character's face while saying those words."

"But he changed it."

"Instead, he inserted a panel showing the character's hand."

"So it became:

first the face... then the hand... then, after you turn the page, the full body."

"The character is facing forward with an expression that's almost crying while speaking."

"What happened was that the camera briefly moved away from the face... and when it came back... you couldn't tell whether the character was smiling or crying."

"That's direction."

"I told him,

'That's excellent staging.'

And he replied, 'Really? I wasn't even conscious of doing that.'"

Interviewer: So although the scene is fundamentally made up of faces and expressions, what really matters is subtle camerawork and understated direction that creates natural-looking performances. That artist wasn't consciously thinking about it—but are you?

Urasawa: "No."

"What I was telling him was that being able to do that without consciously thinking about it is what makes someone a professional."

"If you stop and overthink every single choice... it'll start feeling artificial."

"The important thing is whether that rhythm comes out naturally."

Interviewer: So when you're actually drawing, you aren't deliberately calculating those effects. It's only afterward that you can look back and recognize what they accomplished.

"Exactly."

"Looking back, I can think, 'Ah, I see why that worked.' But when I'm storyboarding, I'm moving too quickly."

"I don't stop to analyze every decision."

"Even with expressionless robots, you can still make 'face manga.'"

Interviewer: In that sense, even robots with almost no facial expressions can still carry an entire manga built around faces.

Urasawa: "That's right."

"And here's something else."

"Since they're robots, you could easily reuse the exact same face over and over."

"I never copied and pasted them."

"Technically, I could have."

"But instead... I redrew every single face."

Interviewer: So even characters like Brau 1589 and Dr. Roosevelt were redrawn every time they appeared.

Urasawa: "Exactly."

"Because... maybe something would come through in my pen strokes."

"If the scene was sad... perhaps some sadness would naturally leak into the drawing."

"I had that hope."

"But at the same time... what I really wanted was the sadness of someone continuing to wear the exact same face, no matter what happened."

"What if someone wanted to remake one of your works?"

Interviewer: If someone approached you someday and said they wanted to remake one of your manga the way you remade The Greatest Robot on Earth into PLUTO, what would you say?

Urasawa: "I'd probably just say, 'Sure, go ahead.'"

Interviewer: Really?

Urasawa: (laughs)

"Well..."

"Maybe not."

"If someone showed up with this really flashy, trendy art style..."

"You know...

one of those artists who only draws beautiful, glamorous-looking characters..."

"Hmm..."

"I'd probably stop them."

"I'd tell them, 'I appreciate the thought...but I don't think it's going to work.'" (laughs)

Even for the english dubbing of the anime adaptation for PLUTO, Patrick Seitz (the eng dub director for PLUTO and MONSTER), specifically casted Keith Silverstein (Johans eng dub) for Epsilon—including a bunch of prior Monster eng dub VA’s—If I recall correctly, he even replied to a tweet commenting about it lolol.

Which makes me wonder, if that’s also the reason as to why they gave epsilon blue hair instead of blond for the anime adaptation—so people wouldn’t confuse him with Johan (?).

But I remember people, including myself, still ending up confused—more as to why Epsilon was blue, when the anime first released its teaser trailer lolol.

Monster characters and their love languages (っ˘з(˘⌣˘ ) ♡

༄𖦹Cast: Tenma, Johan, Nina, Grimmer, and bonus: Eva!!

༄𖦹Info: headcanons + scenarios 

༄𖦹 A/n: whenever I write, I always go with a gender neutral reader, simply so anyone can enjoy—but, whenever I write for female characters specifically, that one slushy noobz audio always pops up in my mind: “one… two… three… I want Yuri!”

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ Kenzo Tenma

Love language: Acts of Service (+ Words of Affirmation).

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ Tenma would mostly be an act of service guy, but sprinkle in some words of affirmation—since c’mon, it’s TENMA, he’s a genuine sweetheart. (ಥ﹏ಥ)

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ As we’ve seen, throughout the series, Tenma doesn’t hold back whatsoever when showing how much he cares for his partner.

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ He also loves cooking for you! especially his favorite Japanese dishes, while also learning recipes of your own favorite foods—even if they're as ridiculously complicated as an upside down pineapple cake!

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ If you're sick, he'll immediately slip into doctor mode, making sure you rest while he takes care of everything else.

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ Despite his demanding schedule as a neurosurgeon, he’ll always find time for you, no matter how exhausted he is. Butt, he might accidentally sleep through some days you had a planned date—he’ll make sure to make it up to you though!

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ Never makes you feel like you're competing with his work. when he's with you, you have his full attention.

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ Genuinely listens whenever you need someone to talk to, offering thoughtful advice instead of empty reassurance.

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ And if you're feeling insecure, he'll remind you of your strengths with complete sincerity.

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ He isn't overly flashy with romance, but every act of kindness speaks louder than grand gestures ever could.

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ Loves quietly while caring for you—bringing you tea while you study, fixing something that's broken around the house, or making dinner after one of your long days.

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ Even after a grueling shift, he'll still ask how your day went before talking about his own.

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ Overall, his job would take up a lot of his time, like a lot, including being exhausted from it… but he’ll always there for you and WILL find the time to spend with you—no matter what!

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ Ex.) By the time Tenma unlocked the front door, the sun had long since disappeared.

His shoulders sagged with exhaustion, his white coat folded neatly over one arm after yet another day that had stretched far beyond his scheduled shift.

You looked up from the couch. "...Long day?"

He offered you a tired smile. "I'm afraid so."

Before you could suggest ordering takeout, he was already rolling up his sleeves. "I'll make dinner."

"Tenma," you laughed softly, "you've been operating all day. You should rest."

"I will," he replied. "After I've taken care of us."

Within minutes, the kitchen filled with the comforting aroma of simmering broth and freshly cooked rice. Every now and then he'd glance over to ask your opinion on the seasoning, quietly pleased whenever you smiled after tasting it.

"I've been practicing your favorite recipe," he admitted. "I think I'm finally getting close."

"You learned this... just for me?"

He looked almost embarrassed. "Of course."

After dinner, the two of you sat together in comfortable silence.

You rested your head against his shoulder before quietly admitting something that had been weighing on your mind.

"I don't think I've been doing enough lately."

Tenma turned toward you immediately. "Why would you say that?"

"I don't know... I just feel like I'm falling behind."

He was quiet for a moment before gently taking your hand.

"I've met many remarkable people," he said softly. "But one of the things I admire most about you is how hard you are on yourself."

You blinked.

"And that's exactly why I want you to be kinder to yourself."

His thumb brushed across the back of your hand.

"You don't have to earn your worth." He smiled—that same warm, reassuring smile that had comforted countless patients.

"You're enough exactly as you are."

In that moment, despite the exhaustion written across his face, you couldn't help but realize something.

No matter how busy the hospital became... Tenma would always find a way to come home to you.

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ Johan Liebert

Love language: Acts of Service

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ I made a post prior back going into more detail about a relation with Johan, but I feel like he would be the type to show and not tell.

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ Showing love through quiet actions, rather than spoken affection.

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ It can vary through things like remembering the smallest details about you: your favorite book, flower, tea, or the songs you hum absentmindedly.

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ Often helps you without ever admitting he was involved;

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ If someone hurts or mistreats you, he has an unsettling way of ensuring they never bother you again—though, he never will comment about it.

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ Johan carries a lot of trauma and baggage, so he wouldn’t be the best at showing his genuine feelings or affections.

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ Rarely verbalizes his feelings, believing actions carry more weight than words.

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ even so, it wouldn’t pass him to show physical affection—but it will be rare,

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ A fleeting brush of his cold hand, a brief kiss to your forehead, or his arm around your shoulders on a particularly difficult day are all rare signs of genuine affection.

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ You may find your favorite flowers on your table or a book you've been searching for, with no words or indicators of who it might be from—but you can already guess who.

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ Has a habit of disappearing for days—or even weeks—after moments of emotional closeness, distancing himself before his feelings become too real.

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ But, he never stops watching over you, even when he's nowhere to be seen.

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ Loving Johan often means learning that his silence isn't the absence of care—it is the result of someone terrified of what caring might cost.

⋆.˚⭑.ᐟ Ex.) You had mentioned it only once.

Several weeks ago, while passing a flower shop during a stroll with Johan, you'd paused for just a moment. Looking through the window.

"These are my favorite." You spoke with small delight, gazing upon the flowers seated behind the glass.

Johan followed your gaze. He offered nothing more than a quiet nod before continuing on his way.

That was all.

No comment. No question. Nothing to suggest he'd given your words a second thought.

You assumed he hadn't been listening.

So when you returned home one evening to find a small bouquet of those very flowers resting neatly on your kitchen table, your steps came to a halt.

There wasn't a card. No signature. No explanation.

Just the flowers, arranged with quiet care in a simple vase.

For a long moment, you simply stared at them. Then, despite yourself, a smile crept onto your face. "...Johan."

You didn't need a note to know who had left them there.

After all, no one else listened as quietly as he did.

You carefully lifted the bouquet, your fingertips brushing over the delicate petals. They were fresh—so fresh so, that whoever had bought them couldn't have left too long ago.

Without thinking, you glanced toward the window.

The street below was nearly empty. A few people wandered beneath the evening lights, umbrellas tucked beneath their arms, but there was no sign of him.

You let out a quiet sigh. "You're still impossible to read..."

The flowers found a place on the center of your dining table, where the fading sunlight caught their colors just right.

For the next few days, every time you passed them, you couldn't help but smile.

It wasn't because they were your favorite.

It was because someone had remembered.

A week passed before you saw Johan again. You found him exactly where you least expected him—leaning against the railing of a bridge, watching the river drift beneath the evening sky as if he'd been there all along.

"You disappeared again."

His gaze remained fixed on the water.

"I had things to do."

You stepped beside him, resting your arms on the railing. "...The flowers were beautiful."

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then, almost imperceptibly, the corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly, then vanished as if they were never there to begin with.

"I'm glad."

You turned to him with a small chuckle, "Im surprised that you even remembered."

"I remember everything you tell me."

The words were spoken so matter-of-factly that they almost didn't register.

Before you could respond, to the uncharacteristically blunt words, Johan looked away again.

"...The things important to you are important to me." He softly mumbled as if he was talking to himself rather than to you.

Then silence settled comfortably between the two of you.

It was never awkward with him. Only quiet.

You wanted to thank him properly, to tell him how much the gesture had meant, but the words caught in your throat.

Instead, you gently reached for his hand.

His fingers tensed for the briefest moment beneath yours.

For a second, you wondered if he'd pull away.

He didn't.

His hand remained still, cool against your own, before his thumb gave the faintest brush across your knuckles.

The gesture lasted only a heartbeat. Then he quietly slipped his hand free. "...It's getting late," he murmured.

You smiled to yourself, a tad bit disappointed. "Yeah, you’re right."

It wasn't much.

For anyone else, flowers and a fleeting touch might have seemed insignificant.

But with Johan...

Those quiet, unspoken moments were his way of saying everything he could never bring himself to voice.

⋆‧°𓏲ּ𝄢 Nina Fortner

Love language: Physical Touch

⋆‧°𓏲ּ𝄢 In a relationship, Nina would love the person wholeheartedly—as if it was her first.

⋆‧°𓏲ּ𝄢 She’s naturally affectionate through gentle n meaningful touches: holding hands, hugs, resting against you, or brushing your hair aside.

⋆‧°𓏲ּ𝄢 Lets you cry on her shoulder without judgment and offers quiet comfort instead of forcing words.

⋆‧°𓏲ּ𝄢 Encourages open communication while always respecting your boundaries!

⋆‧°𓏲ּ𝄢 She isn't afraid to be vulnerable—unlike her twin brother—and slowly opens up about her past, trusting you with her memories.

⋆‧°𓏲ּ𝄢 Loves suggesting cute dates: "my coworker was talking about this new café that opened nearby. We definitely should check it out sometime!"

⋆‧°𓏲ּ𝄢 Nevertheless, she’s happy to be with and spend time with you—no matter the place nor time.

⋆‧°𓏲ּ𝄢 Ex.) The moment Nina saw you, waiting for her outside of the classroom, her face lit up.

"There you are!"

Before you had time to react, she hurried across the walkway and threw her arms around you with enough enthusiasm to make you stumble back a step. She quickly steadied you, laughing softly against your shoulder.

"Sorry..." she mumbled, though the smile on her face suggested she wasn't sorry in the slightest.

Being with Nina was easily one of the happiest parts of your life.

There was only one thing you could never quite get used to: the attention she received.

It didn't matter if the two of you were holding hands, sitting together, or obviously on a date. People still stared. Others were bold enough to walk right up and ask her out—as if you weren't standing right beside her.

You trusted Nina completely. Still... every time it happened, there was an unavoidable sting.

The two of you were walking just outside the university campus, your fingers laced together. Nina absentmindedly traced circles across the back of your hand with her thumb, as the afternoon breeze drifted through the trees.

She glanced over. "Hey," she called your name gently. "Is everything okay? You've been awfully quiet today."

You opened your mouth to answer, but then: "Ahem!" A voice interrupted from a few feet away.

You already knew where this was going—another admirer.

The man scratched the back of his neck before offering Nina an awkward smile. "I saw you across campus and... I just wanted to say that you're really beautiful. And, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to-"

You didn’t even want to hear the rest of the conversation… As your gaze dropped to the ground, your grip also unconsciously loosened—fingers beginning to slip from Nina's.

She noticed immediately. And without hesitation, Nina wrapped both hands around your arm instead, gently pulling herself closer until your shoulders brushed. She looked at the stranger with an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry," she said kindly, "but I'm already with someone."

Then, before you could process what she was doing, she turned toward you and pressed a quick kiss against your cheek.

"I love them," she added without a hint of hesitation.

Your eyes widened in complete shock. Nina to say the least, was typically a little bashful when it came to public displays of affection. Holding hands was one thing.

But kissing you in front of someone who had just confessed to her?

Now that was completely unexpected.

The man's expression soured "...Right." With an irritated mutter, he turned and walked away.

Once he disappeared into the crowd, Nina looked back at you, her cheeks faintly pink.

"You know… I meant every word," she said quietly. "You're the only person I have eyes for." She squeezed your hand. "So... don't compare yourself to anyone else, okay? You're more than enough for me. And I truly hope, that the same thing can be said for me."

A smile slowly spread across your face. “…Thanks, Nina. And of course, you’re all I could then I could ever ask for."

She smiled back, relief softening her expression. "Good." After a brief pause, her cheerful demeanor returned as though nothing had happened.

"Now come on!" she laughed, intertwining your fingers once again. "If we don't hurry, it'll be dark before we get home. anddd, I still want to watch that movie you told me about."

She gently tugged you forward, refusing to let go of your hand for the rest of the walk.

.☘︎ ݁˖ Wolfgang Grimmer

Love language: Quality Time

.☘︎ ݁˖ The first date would be a picnic—no questions asked.

.☘︎ ݁˖ Buttttt, he believes the best way to show love is simply spending meaningful time together, no matter how simple the activity.

.☘︎ ݁˖ He’s an easy going guy, who wouldn’t hesitate to show how much he cares for his partner.

.☘︎ ݁˖ He will always offer encouragement and thoughtful advice whenever you're struggling.

.☘︎ ݁˖ Gives you his full attention whenever you're together, making you feel like you're the only person in the world.

.☘︎ ݁˖ But, since this is grimmer, he can be emotionally distant—not because he doesn't love you, but because years of trauma makes it difficult for him to fully, or at all, express what he's truly feeling inside.

.☘︎ ݁˖ He would take you on hikes to scenic places or if you don’t feel like it you can take a stroll in the park together.

.☘︎ ݁˖ Even if he’s emotionally distant, he’d never ever push you away when you seek affection; instead, he quietly cherishes every embrace, handhold, or moment of closeness.

.☘︎ ݁˖ Finds happiness in life's simple moments: sharing lunch, watching the sunset, reading together, or talking for hours.

.☘︎ ݁˖ Loves making spontaneous plans, even if he occasionally underestimates how ambitious they are.

.☘︎ ݁˖ Ex.) Your lungs burned with every breath.

"...Grimmer," you managed between breaths. "How much... farther?"

He looked back over his shoulder with his usual bright smile. "Shouldn’t be that much longer!"

You'd heard that answer nearly half an hour ago…

Earlier that morning, he'd excitedly woken you up with an overstuffed backpack already slung over his shoulder, eager to leave immediately—that was until you reminded him that people generally ate breakfast before disappearing into the wilderness.

"Oh!" He’d say in pure disbelief, then he'd laughed, scratching the back of his head. "That’s right! Breakfast first, huh."”

Now, after what felt like an endless hike through winding forest trails, you were beginning to wonder whether he had actually known where he was going.

Whenever he noticed you slowing down, he'd stop without complaint.

"We'll rest here for a minute."

Even when you insisted you were fine, he'd shake his head calling out your name.

"Now there, there’s no need for rushing. I want you to enjoy today too."

Finally, the trees began to thin. The forest opened into a vast meadow blanketed in pale wildflowers, the breeze carrying their sweet fragrance across the hills.

Your exhaustion—almost—melted away, "...wow."

Grimmer laughed at your expression before dropping his backpack onto the grass. "We finally made it!"

He unzipped it, revealing neatly packed bread, fruit, cheese, sandwiches, a blanket, and even a bottle of wine tucked safely inside.

"I thought today would be perfect weather for a picnic," he said proudly before rubbing the back of his neck. "...Although I may have underestimated how far we'd have to walk."

You let out a tired laugh as you collapsed beside him, leaning your weight against his shoulder. "It's okay."

He looked at you apologetically. "Really?"

"Mhm." You rested your head against him with a smile. "At least we're finally here."

"Took us long enough, huh?" His warm chuckle vibrated against your shoulder before he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss onto the top of your head.

"Now then," he said, reaching for the basket, "how about some bread, and maybe a little wine too?"

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ Bonus! Eva Heinemann 

Love language: gift giving

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ As we’ve seen throughout the series, through multiple occasions, she always gives the people she romantically likes veryy expensive gifts.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ So, she shows her affection through lavish, expensive presents, rather than heartfelt words.

Believes: the finer the gift, the more obvious her feelings should be!

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ Loves buying designer clothing, jewelry, perfumes, or anything elegant that fits her impeccable taste.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ Will never ask if you want the gift beforehand—you'll be accepting it, whether you like it or not!

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ Secretly, she enjoys gifting you items that subtly match something she owns, so the two of you look even more like a couple.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ Constantly showers you with compliments, though many are mixed with her trademark confidence:

"Of course everyone is staring. You're with me, after all."

"You should consider yourself lucky. Not many people catch my attention."

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ Uses gifts to express emotions she's too guarded to say aloud.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ Since, I feel like it would take awhile for her to genuinely open up to someone, about her true feelings—so she’ll just stick with giving gifts instead. It can be easier than words.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ BUT, once she truly and I mean trulyyy trusts you, her gifts become far more personal, chosen because they remind her of you rather than simply because they're expensive.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ Ex.) Today was the day—yours and Eva’s anniversary.

You'd spent weeks deciding what to give her.It wasn't jewelry. It wasn't even designer clothing. And It certainly wasn't anything worthy of the Heinemann name.

Instead, carefully wrapped in simple paper sat something you'd made yourself—a handmade gift filled with photographs, pressed flowers from your previous first dates together, handwritten notes, and little memories you'd collected throughout your relationship.

You weren't quiet sure how she'd react. Maybe she would've preferred diamonds… you thought to yourself.

When Eva arrived, she was carrying several glossy shopping bags from luxury boutiques.

"I hope you cleared out some closet space," she said with a satisfied smile. "You'll need it."

She set the bags down one by one:

A tailored designer coat. Jewelry—that probably cost more than most people's monthly salary. And a silk scarf that perfectly matched one she'd purchased for herself.

"I thought we'd look nice wearing these together."

You couldn't help but laugh. "...Eva."

"What?" she asked innocently. "It's practical."

You smiled before handing her your much smaller package. "This one's... not exactly expensive."

Eva raised an eyebrow before carefully unwrapping it.

The room fell quiet. To which, it felt as if your heart had stopped in those very quiet moments.

She turned each page slowly, lingering on every photograph and every handwritten memory.

For several moments, she didn't say a word. Until, "...You remembered all of these?"

You nodded nervously, "I know it's not much compared to what you got me."

She closed the scrapbook gently before looking back at you.

"You know… you really are an idiot." Yet, the insult lacked its usual bite. Instead, she stepped closer and carefully held the book against her chest.

A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Well, you know, I’m still going to spoil you with expensive things."

She reached up to fix a strand of your hair. "But…” Her voice softened just enough for only you to hear. "Thank you."

For Eva Heinemann, those two words were worth far more than any diamond she could ever buy.

Why thank you, and hello there!! ヾ(*'▽'*)

Well to start off, it really depends on what you specifically mean by a wannabe Johan Liebert. ^^

If you’re talking about those self proclaimed “sigma male” boys who mischaracterize Johan, yet still claim to be him—then I’d suggest murder.

LOLOL, okay on a real note.

If you mean someone who gives off Johan vibes, then the first thing would definitely recommend for them to go to therapy. While also, setting a healthy boundary with said person—but also showing that you’re still there for them emotionally—if they ever need it. Since they’ve definitely gone through some stuff to act like that. :^

Or they could just naturally be an aloof individual!

Pluto contents (PART ONE)

Includes: Beta art, designs, info of characters, behind the scenes of creating Pluto, Urasawa's thought process, and ROUGH translations by google translate.

Monster contents here

★If you can read Japanese PLEASE correct parts/pages if needed (*ﾉ∀`*)

—> PART ONE, PART TWO .

"From the rough sketches for Episode 1, Part 1. Gesicht pursues the suspect responsible for destroying the super food robot."

Top sketches: "Atom and Gesicht with designs that were closer to their original forms, shown to Mr. Tezuka."

Bottom sketches: "Drawn after receiving feedback from Mr. Tezuka. You can see the process of trial and error."

A/n: I’m honestly glad they went with Urasawa’s own art style in the end, instead of copying Tezuka’s—definitely fits the aesthetic better. ( ᐛ )و

"It was my thirteen-year-old self."

Urasawa: "I was breaking out in hives all over my body. I kept thinking, 'Who exactly is going to criticize me for this?'

Of course, I hadn't gone around surveying Tezuka fans to ask whether they wanted me to do it or not.

So I wondered, 'Who am I so afraid of disappointing?'

Then it suddenly hit me.

It was the thirteen-year-old Urasawa who read Phoenix in his first year of middle school and whose life was completely changed by it.

That boy was saying to me, 'If you do a sloppy job... I won't forgive you.'

The moment I realized that, I finally understood why I'd developed hives."

Interviewer: So in the end, it was a voice coming from within yourself.

Urasawa: "Exactly. If I messed this up, I'd be looked down on by my thirteen-year-old self."

Interviewer: It really seems like you've always been driven by the version of yourself inside you. It's a remarkably consistent way of thinking—but getting hives from the pressure is incredible.

Urasawa: "Yeah... that was rough. They didn't go away for quite a while."

"The structure of PLUTO was decided from the very beginning."

Interviewer: Was making Gesicht the protagonist mainly because his Zeronium body was cool, or because being a detective naturally lends itself to storytelling?

Urasawa: "Well, if you make it a detective story, it naturally becomes a mystery—that was one of the biggest reasons. While Nagasaki and I were talking in those early meetings, we worked out most of the story surprisingly quickly."

Interviewer; What about the episode where a child robot is picked up from a junkyard and brought home? Did you already have that in mind from the beginning?

Urasawa: "Yes. Right at the opening of the first chapter, Gesicht suddenly wakes from a nightmare. We had already decided to begin with that scene from the start.

The entire sequence beginning with the words, 'Five hundred Zeus is fine,' was planned from the very beginning."

Interviewer: What about Sahad, an original character created for PLUTO? Or deciding how much to expand upon Tezuka's original story? Did you struggle with that?

Urasawa: "No. The answer was already hidden in the original story itself."

"There's the story of Dr. Tenma losing Tobio and creating Atom. That's where the answer was."

"And then there's the Robot Law—'Robots cannot injure or kill human beings.' Once you start telling the story of a robot that crosses that line... everything else follows naturally."

Interviewer: I see... So one of the hidden pillars of the story—the parent-child relationships between humans and robots, and between robots themselves—was already present in the original work from the very beginning.

Urasawa: "Exactly. Nagasaki and I figured all of that out in about an hour."

Interviewer: Even considering how well both of you knew the original manga, that's astonishingly fast. You identified not just the themes, but the very heart of the story almost immediately.

"I always felt as if Tezuka-sensei was watching me from about a 45-degree angle above my shoulder. I'd imagine him saying, 'Urasawa, you can't do that.' (laughs)"

"I wanted to draw Phoenix: The Modern Arc."

Interviewer: The story behind the birth of PLUTO has already been covered in detail in places like the bonus booklet that came with the deluxe edition's Volume 7. But I heard that, before that, you actually wanted to work on Phoenix.

Urasawa: "That's right."

Interviewer: Did you want to remake Phoenix?

Urasawa: "No—I wanted to draw its final chapter."

"Every Tezuka fan knows this story, but Phoenix was originally supposed to end with an arc titled 'The Modern Arc' (現代編).

Phoenix begins in the distant past and the distant future. As the series progresses, those two timelines gradually move closer together until they finally intersect. That point of intersection would be the present day—the 'now.' That's where The Modern Arc was supposed to take place, bringing the series to its conclusion.

Tezuka had established within the story that Atom (Astro Boy) would be born in 2003. By then, he expected to be in his seventies, about the age when he would retire from drawing.

His plan was that, in 2003, he would complete Phoenix: The Modern Arc—the culmination of his life's work—and that it would likely be the final manga he ever created.

According to what he had apparently told people around him, Atom's birth in 2003—the 'Birth of Atom' story—was actually meant to be Phoenix: The Modern Arc.

Dr. Tenma loses his son Tobio in a traffic accident, then creates Atom, a being with eternal life. At that moment, the drama of Phoenix would overlap with Atom's story, bringing everything to its conclusion."

Interviewer: So he had envisioned something on that incredible a scale?

Urasawa: "That's the rumor I heard. Isn't it amazing?

I told Nagasaki, 'I'd really love to read The Modern Arc. Maybe I'll just draw my own private version someday.' I even showed him some rough sketches.

Then Nagasaki said, 'I know people at Tezuka Productions. Why don't I ask them?'

In the end, though, we just laughed and said, 'Well... they didn't take us seriously at all.'"

"The pressure gave me hives."

Urasawa: "After that, I heard that because 2003 was officially Atom's birth year, Tezuka Productions had contacted Shogakukan asking if there were any manga artists interested in creating a tribute to Astro Boy.

Katayose asked me, 'We've received that proposal. Are you interested?'

I replied,

'If I just draw some parody or short homage, it'll inevitably feel insignificant compared to Tezuka Osamu's original masterpiece. Wouldn't it take someone with real guts to remake The Greatest Robot on Earth head-on?'

Then everyone immediately said,

'Well... why don't you do it?'

I was like,

'No, no. Absolutely not. That's impossible.'"

Interviewer: So you were very hesitant at first. Around then, you had planned to take a break, but instead you ended up starting the weekly serialization of 20th Century Boys. You'd also only recently finished Monster, after pushing yourself to the limit.

Urasawa: "Then, about a week later, Nagasaki came to see me for another meeting. Somehow he'd heard about that conversation.

We started reminiscing.

'The Greatest Robot on Earth was so good.'

'And remember that detective, Gesicht? He was so cool.'

'Yeah—the German robot.'

We got completely carried away talking about it.

The two of us even remembered little details like Zeronium Alloy.

Before long we were saying,

'Gesicht should be the protagonist.'

'It should begin with a case in Germany.'

'As he investigates, the story unfolds...'

And before we knew it, it felt exactly like when the two of us had been creating Monster together."

Interviewer: You really got caught up in the excitement.

"I realized... I wanted to draw it myself."

Urasawa: "As we kept talking about it, I found myself thinking, 'This is really interesting... I don't want to hand this idea over to someone else. If anyone is going to do it, I want to draw it myself.'

But physically I was exhausted. I remember thinking, 'Could I even draw something like this in the condition I'm in?'

So I wasn't aggressively pursuing it. Besides, I figured there was no way they'd actually approve it.

Still, I thought, 'Why not? There's nothing to lose,' so I drew an image board."

Interviewer: Those were the rough drawings that were still very close to Tezuka's original designs. According to Nagasaki, after he and Satoshi Katayose negotiated several times, Tezuka Productions responded: "We had imagined someone much younger when we talked about an homage, so this came as quite a surprise—but we'd be happy to welcome it."

However, the final approval rested with Makoto Tezuka, and apparently he didn't give the green light for quite some time...

Urasawa: "We sent him those rough drawings just so he could take a look. Then... nothing.

We didn't hear back for ages.

But honestly, we weren't taking it all that seriously anyway, so Nagasaki and I were just saying,

'Well... I guess it wasn't meant to be.'"

Interviewer: Especially after what had happened with Phoenix.

Urasawa: "Exactly."

"Then, after quite a while, I suddenly got word that Makoto wanted to meet me for dinner."

"I thought, 'It's an honor just to have dinner with him.'

I honestly assumed he was going to turn me down in person."

"We had some drinks, talked, and had a really pleasant evening."

"Then, just as dinner was wrapping up, Makoto casually said, 'Well then, Urasawa-san... we're counting on you.'"

"I said, '...For what?'"

"He replied, 'For PLUTO, of course.'"

"I was completely stunned." 'Wait... it's approved?'

"Then he added, 'However, Urasawa-san... those drawings are too much like Tezuka's style. Draw it in your own style. If you do that, you have our approval.'"

"The moment he said that... I just went, 'Whaaaat?!'"

Interviewer: You were completely caught off guard. And once you'd been given permission, there was no backing out anymore. (laughs)

Urasawa: "I wanted to say, 'Hold on a second...'

But I couldn't exactly say, 'Actually, I was only kidding.'

Suddenly it had become completely real. And from that point... I started feeling sick all over again."

"This time... I broke out in hives."

Interviewer: From the pressure?

Urasawa; "Completely."

"I kept thinking, No... this can't be happening.' "I'd spent my entire childhood treating Tezuka's work almost like scripture. And now I was being asked to remake it."

"I was covered in hives. Behind my knees... Everywhere. It looked like layers of welts piled on top of each other."

"The more meetings we had... the worse it became."

"But then, once I finally sat down and started drawing the storyboard... they gradually disappeared."

Interviewer: Was that the moment you finally resolved yourself?

Urasawa; "Maybe. Or perhaps it was that once I actually started drawing... I realized it had become my own work."

"When I was looking at the project as a producer, seeing the whole thing from above... the scale of it overwhelmed me."

"But once I began drawing... I stopped being a producer."

"I was simply a manga artist again."

"I didn't want to disappoint my thirteen-year-old self."

Interviewer: That's a fascinating shift.

You've said before that there's a 'producer' inside you who comes up with exciting ideas, and then the 'manga artist' inside you complains, 'Why did you have to think of something this difficult to draw?' This time it was almost the opposite—the producer was intimidated by the enormity of the project, while the manga artist simply focused on making manga.

Urasawa: "That's right."

"Although... the whole time... I could still feel Tezuka-sensei watching me from about a 45-degree angle above my shoulder."

"As if he were saying, 'Urasawa-san... you can't do that.'" (laughs)

Interviewer: Just imagining that sounds incredibly intimidating.

urasawa: "It was."

"And I was terrified of what the hardcore Tezuka fans would say."

"The people I'd always considered fellow Tezuka fans... I could only imagine them all booing me in unison."

"'Who do you think you are?' I could picture them saying it."

"That's all I could imagine."

Background information:

Unfortunately, like most Monster content, I couldn’t find much information on it’s existence.

But from what I could find online, this was a special release of the Monster vol. 18 (the last book of the series), which would come with a mini replica of the nameless monster book!

It was only ever published in Japanese (ofc), and the replica book is made out of a cardboard material that you’d see in actual children’s books lolol ^^

Both books (front and back):

Vol. 18:

Only thing worth mentioning is on the back page (the left picture) there’s an advertisement for ‘Another Monster’ (which I translated in English).

As well as in the first pages (right picture), there’s basic information of each character and how they’re related to the story.

Obluda:

A complete and colored replica of the nameless monster book. (It’s kinda hard to open without damaging it ><*).

(He can’t resist showing Anna affection,(ಥ﹏ಥ)#TsundereJohan)

Making process!:

I used air dry clay for the hair! ^^

༄𖦹 SYNOPSIS: How the Monster cast would react to you being sick.

༄𖦹Cast: Tenma, Johan, Nina, and Grimmer.

༄𖦹A/N: For reasons unknown, I keep getting crazy sick all the time now… So who wouldn’t want Monster characters to take care of you in times of need! (Writing this, instead of preparing for finals this week… (￣ヘ￣) )

Kenzo Tenma ₊˚.༄

C’mon he’s a famously skilled doctor, what do you expect to happen?

Whether it’s a tiny cold with a pathetic little cough… or a fever so bad you’re convinced you’re about to meet your ancestors. Tenma is already hurrying on his way. Faster than you can say Johan.

The second he walks in, he switches into doctor Tenma mode.

His expression quickly sharpens. He’s focused, calm, and has steady hands pressing against your forehead. As well as checking your pulse and asking precise, clinical questions in that soft, reassuring voice. He lines up your medicine with almost military neatness with carefully measured doses.

And if that medication might have come from Eisler Memorial Hospital… Well, it’s for the greater good!

He won’t even think of giving you crappy drug store medicine, that’ll take maybe even weeks to actually take effect, especially not while you’re already in pain :c

He’ll gently but firmly make you take whatever bitter herbal remedy he insists will help. Probably a homemade Japanese specialty.

But once the hard part is over…

That’s when Doctor Tenma fades.

He settles a cool damp cloth on your forehead, adjusts your blankets, and finally allows himself to just sit beside you. His shoulders relax, with his gaze softening.

And then you get that smile:

The warm one. The one that feels like sunlight through hospital blinds. The one that makes you think maybe tomorrow will be a good day.

He’ll stay longer than he needs to. Pretending he’s “monitoring your symptoms,” when really… he just wants to make sure you’re okay.

₊˚.༄ Ex.) It starts with an email you didn’t mean to send.

“I think I’m dying.”

You meant it dramatically. Your fever had you sweating through your sleep wear while shivering at the same time.

You expected a polite response. But you did not expect a knock at your door late in the night.

When you open it, there he is: slightly out of breath, coat half-buttoned, medical bag in hand. Presumably off of work now.

“May I come in?” Kenzo Tenma asks gently, but he’s already stepping inside.

Within minutes, your living room turns into a mini clinic: Thermometer. Pulse check. Flashlight in your eyes. His dark brows knit together in quiet concentration.

“You should have told me sooner,” he murmurs, not scolding, just worried.

You grumble that it’s “just a fever.”

To which, he gives you that look. The Doctor Look. The one that says please don’t test me.

After making you take medicine (and refusing to let you spit it out), he helps you back to bed. Adjusting your blankets, and placing a cool cloth on your forehead with careful hands that have performed brain surgery. But somehow feel even more impossibly gentle.

When you shiver, he hesitates; then sits beside you. “You’ll be alright,” he says softly.

Not clinical. Not detached. Just Tenma.

And when you fall asleep, you vaguely feel his hand still holding yours—as if letting go isn’t an option.

Johan Liebert ༊*·˚

If it’s just a cold? A mild fever? A cough?

He’s not coming.

He’s a busy man. If he showed up for every sniffle, he’d turn into a miniature Tenma! and that simply won’t do.

You might get a polite “Rest well.”

Maybe…

But if it’s serious?

If your vision blurs.

If your breathing turns shallow.

If the room spins and you swear you see shadows moving in the corner…

Then he appears:

No dramatic entrance. He’s just suddenly there, seated at the edge of your bed like he’s always belonged there.

He checks your temperature with unsettling calm. Asks questions in that soft spoken, almost hypnotic voice. Watching you carefully—not just your symptoms, but you.

Then he leaves without explanation. As if he was only there for a quick checkup. But then he returns with medicine soon after.

Everything is precise: correct dosage. Measured timing. Efficacy.

He doesn’t coddle. Doesn’t fuss. Doesn’t coo sweet reassurances.

But he’ll sit nearby, observing you with faint amusement when the fever makes you delirious. When you mumble nonsense. When you cling to his sleeve without realizing it.

He might even smile.

But here’s the thing:

He stays.

He could leave. He has no obligation to remain. And yet… he does.

Maybe it’s curiosity, maybe it’s from some sort of possession, or perhaps it’s something dangerously close to care. One he would never admit to.

Because, a monster doesn’t have feelings, right? …( Very loud, incorrect buzzer!!!)

༊*·˚ Ex.) Your head feels like it’s full of fog. Every sound echoes. Every light is too bright. You can barely move, barely speak, and the fever makes your thoughts stumble over themselves.

And then suddenly, he’s there.

Johan steps into the room, quiet, calm, like he’s always been part of the space. There’s no knock, no announcement—only the subtle gravity of his presence.

“Are you awake?” he asks softly, though you can barely register the words. His voice is low, smooth, comforting… yet something hidden feels like it’s there in the same moment.

Your vision blurs, and your delirious brain seizes on him. The precise tilt of his head. The gentle way he holds the glass of water for you. The slow, deliberate brush of hair from your fevered face.

‘An angel…’ you whisper in your head.

You reach out, but your hands tremble and fall short. He bends just enough to steady your hand, and in your hazy mind, his movements are luminous, almost too perfect. The warm, steady rhythm of his presence feels like it’s keeping the world from spinning entirely off its axis.

“Drink this,” he murmurs again. You obey automatically. Your lips barely touch the water, and the fog in your mind interprets the gesture as a blessing.

Your fevered thoughts babble nonsense.

“You’re… glowing… save me…” you mutter, voice thick and wavering.

He tilts his head faintly, a hint of amusement slipping through his calm mask. Not a word of correction. Not a hint of mockery. Just precision and care, which in your haze seems almost divine.

He adjusts the blanket around you, leans closer to make sure you’re comfortable, and even the small movements—the way he shifts, the way his shadow falls across the room—are perfectly orchestrated in your fever-addled mind.

“Shh… rest,” he whispers finally, as if his presence alone could shield you from everything else.

And as your eyes drift closed, one thought lingers:

The angel… is still here.

Even though you know, deep down, it’s just Johan. But for a fleeting fevered moment, he felt like something more.

Nina Fortner ‧₊˚♡

The moment she hears you’re sick, she’s already grabbing her bike.

Nina doesn’t just come over causally. She arrives as if you’ve been wrongfully imprisoned and she’s your only chance at escape.

Your white knight, except she’s carrying cold medicine instead of a sword;;

She bursts in with that sharp, worried look she tries to mask as annoyance.

“Really? Now? During midterms?” she sighs, hands on her hips. “Do you want to fall behind?”

But she’s already checking your temperature.

Already opening windows for fresh air.Already tidying your desk so you “don’t stress about it later.”

She teases you relentlessly:

“You’re unbelievable.”

“I leave you alone for one week and this happens?”

“Honestly, I should start scheduling your immune system.”

Yet she never actually leaves.

She brings you notes from class. Sits beside you while reviewing flashcards out loud so you “don’t get too behind.” If you start coughing too hard, her voice immediately softens.

And at night, when you’re half-asleep and feverish, she smooths your hair back with surprising gentleness.

“You’re going to be fine,” she murmurs quietly—no teasing this time.

Nina fights monsters.

A little sickness?

That doesn’t stand a chance!

‧₊˚♡ Ex.) It was supposed to be a productive study night with Nina. Flashcards. Practice exams. Coffee.

Instead, you’re curled up on your bed, textbook open but unread, tissues scattered everywhere.

You send a simple text:

“I’m sick, I have to cancel our plans TT”

Five minutes later, your hear small taps on your window: Nina stands there outside with a determined smile.

When Nina walks in, she’s carrying her tote bag and wearing that determined expression—the one she gets before a big test.

“You look awful,” she says bluntly.

“Thank you,” you croak.

She sets her bag down and immediately gets to work: Medicine lined up. Water poured. Your messy notes stacked neatly.

“You cannot afford this,” she mutters, flipping through your study guide. “This is the worst possible timing.”

“You sound like my academic advisor.”

“Good. Maybe you’ll listen to me now.”

But even while she scolds, she’s adjusting your blanket higher around your shoulders. Her hand lingers at your forehead, checking your temperature.

She clicks her tongue. “You’re warm.”

You attempt to sit up and prove you’re functional.

You sway.

Her hands are on you instantly, steadying you by your arms. “Oh my gosh, sit down.” There’s real worry in her voice now.

She sighs, softer this time, and sits beside you. “Just rest. I’ll read the review questions out loud.”

And she does.

Her voice fills the room, calm and steady, even when you’re barely listening. When you sniffle, she hands you a tissue without looking away from the page.

Eventually, your head tips sideways. You don’t realize you’ve leaned against her until she goes quiet.

“…You’re impossible,” she murmurs, but her tone is fond.

Carefully, she shifts so you’re more comfortable. Her fingers brush through your hair, pushing it off your forehead.

There’s a long pause.

Then she leans down and presses a gentle kiss to your forehead —warm and lingering. Not caring, she might just as well catch a cold.

“You’re going to be fine,” she whispers. “I’ve got you.”

She stays there long after you fall asleep, notes forgotten, one hand resting lightly against yours: like guarding you is just another subject she refuses to fail.

Wolfgang Grimmer ✩˚｡⋆

(Idk why I made his so angsty-)

He brings too much, when he hears the news of you being ill. (C’mon look at his bag full of Kinderheim documents LOL.)

Soup. Tea. Extra blankets. Vitamin drinks you didn’t ask for. Probably a small dessert “for morale.”

If you tease him about it, he chuckles in response.

“It’s better to be prepared.”

In reality, he just doesn’t want to feel unprepared ever again. Like how he was with his son.

He won’t hover obviously, but he’s observant.

He notices when your cough sounds different.

When your breathing is slightly heavier. When you go quiet longer than usual.

He’ll casually ask, “Are you more tired than earlier?”

It sounds simple. But he’s tracking everything. He may look like a big ol’ goof, but we must remember he used to be a spy.

You might tell him he can go home.

He’ll give you a nod. And then somehow he’s still there three hours later, sitting in a chair beside your bed with a book open but unread.

If you wake up in the middle of the night, he’s awake too.

If your condition worsened—even slightly—something in him tightens.

His iconic smile fades. Not dramatically. Just… less. He becomes very still. Very focused.

You might catch him staring at you with an expression that looks almost distant: like he’s fighting off a memory.

He won’t talk about it.

But his grip on your hand will be firmer.

And if you reassure him weakly, telling him you’re fine?

He’ll nod.

Then whisper, almost to himself,

“I know.”

But he won’t fully relax until your fever breaks.

✩˚｡⋆ Ex.) With Wolfgang Grimmer, there’s always that warm smile.

Even when you’re sick. Even when you insist you’re fine but clearly aren’t.

He keeps things light. Gentle jokes. Soft reassurances. Careful hands adjusting your blanket.

Until the moment your fever spikes too high.

Until you stop responding right away.

Until you look just a little too still.

That’s when something changes. He goes quiet. Not panicked, but still. The kind of stillness that feels heavy. His hand presses to your forehead, then your pulse, then your shoulder.

“Hey,” he says softly. Too softly.

There’s a tremor beneath it.

He tells himself it’s irrational. That this is just a fever. That you’re young. Strong. You’ll recover.

He used to be a spy, he’s prepared for anything!

…But grief doesn’t care about logic.

For a split second, one he would never admit out loud, he sees another hospital room. Another small figure he couldn’t protect.

His son.

And the fear hits him like ice water.

He sits closer. Closer than before. His hand wraps around yours, firmer now: grounding himself just as much as you.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he murmurs quietly.

It’s not a command: it’s a plea.

He smooths your hair back from your face, watching for every small movement. Every breath. Every shift beneath the blankets.

And when you finally stir and mumble something sleepy. When your fingers twitch back against his: The tension in his shoulders eases just slightly.

His smile returns. But it’s smaller. More fragile.

He leans forward, resting his forehead briefly against your hand.

“I won’t lose you too,” he whispers, so quietly you never hear it.

And he stays awake the entire night:

CD’s

Two separate CD’s were made and sold (as shown down below) with all the OST from the anime’s production. Including another one, that I do not own unfortunately, that is a remix version of some the OST.

Monster original soundtrack 1

(Released on June 23, 2004.):

Inside the pamphlet includes lyrics to some of the songs. Staff credits, background info on Urasawa, and the song writer of the ending song “for the love of life” by David Sylvian, wrote:

“I was attracted to the Monster material by the moral dilemma faced by its central character. The calm surface of the music giving way to darker undercurrents signifying the conscience of the lead protagonist and the themes of morality, fate, resignation, and free will.”

2. Monster original soundtrack 2

(Released on December 22, 2004.):

The pamphlet inside includes the cast credits and some background shots from the show. Also, it comes with a sticker of the artwork of Nina/Anna on the front. (I just saw that while looking back through it lol.)

3. MONSTER remix -OCTOPUS:

A remix album of the soundtrack album to anime. Remixers include Jazztronik, Free Tempo, and more. Released on October 21, 2004 (or 2005, information online differs).

Track List:

1.GRAIN(Sunaga t Experience Remix)(Sunaga t Experience)

2.GRAIN(CALM Remix)(CALM)

3.NACHT TOUR(Cycle Remix)(Toshiyuki Goto)

4.Drift Mind(Child who dreams mix)(Free TEMPO)

5.Decola(Reggae Disco Rockers Re-production)(Reggae Disco Rockers)

6.GRAIN(Jazztronik Operation)(Jazztronik)

7.angel hand(SIGH&HIGH Bright Size Mix)(SIGH&HIGH)

8.Drift Mind(Deep Euro Mix)(TOMOKI HIRATA)

(I really wonder what these remixes sound like lolol, very interesting merch.)

Vinyl

The vinyl for the monster OST came out fairly recently on May 31, 2024. It unfortunately does not have all of the OST from the show, only some :/// it is not stated if they plan to make another vinyl, with more of the OST.

༄𖦹 SYNOPSIS: During your photography class, your deeply personal photograph of a crushed oleander draws the attention of Vincent—the quiet, observant boy who seems to know far more than he should. As rain falls and tensions rise, an unexpected connection forms between two people who both know what it feels like to stand out, and risk being ruined for it.

༄𖦹 INFO: Vincent/Reader | 2.8k words

༄𖦹 A/n: Just finished the movie, it was super ass. But Vincent was super cute, so here we are lolol! Vincent’s character is very inconsistent in the movie, so I tried my best to characterize him well! Also PLZ write more Vincent fics, there’s like nothingggg (this is so niche oml).