MONSTER
"The only thing humans are equal in is death."
Monster - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Doctor Tenma, for you all lives are created equal, that's why I came back to life. But you've finally come to realize it now, haven't you? Only one thing is equal for all, and that is death.
— Johan Liebert
Context:
Johan says this to Tenma during their first reunion in years, after Johan has just murdered a patient in front of the doctor. This is the moment Tenma realizes the horrifying consequences of his past decision. It occurs in Episode 4, "Night of the Execution".
Meaning:
This quote encapsulates the central philosophical conflict of the series. It is Johan's direct refutation of Tenma's core belief. Johan twists Tenma's act of humanitarianism into the cause of all subsequent suffering, arguing that the ultimate equalizer isn't the value of life, but the finality of death.
The only thing that's equal for all... is death.
— Johan Liebert
Context:
This is a recurring sentiment for Johan. A notable instance is spoken by Eva Heinemann in a moment of despair, reflecting Johan's philosophy that has begun to poison the world around him, highlighting the emptiness of her material wealth in the face of fear and mortality.
Meaning:
A concise and chilling summary of Johan's nihilistic worldview. It dismisses all notions of equality in life—justice, opportunity, worth—and reduces existence to a single, inevitable endpoint. This belief justifies his amoral actions, as he perceives life itself as meaningless.
How weak the mind is when it wants to forget. Maybe you didn't forget. Maybe you're lying. Is it a lie you tell everyone around you, or perhaps a lie you tell yourself?
— Johan Liebert
Context:
Johan often uses this psychological tactic on various characters to break them down. It speaks to the themes of repressed memory that are central to Nina's character arc and the secrets held by many people Tenma encounters on his journey.
Meaning:
This quote reveals Johan's deep understanding of human psychology and his ability to manipulate people by exploiting their deepest fears and self-deceptions. He targets the fragile nature of memory and the lies people tell themselves to cope with trauma, using it as a weapon to destabilize his victims.
Munch-munch, chomp-chomp, gobble-gobble, gulp.
— Narrator of "The Nameless Monster"
Context:
This line is repeated whenever the story of "The Nameless Monster" is told, most chillingly when heard on a recording from Johan's childhood. It becomes an auditory motif for the horror at the heart of the series.
Meaning:
This phrase, from the storybook that shaped Johan's psyche, is a childish yet terrifying representation of consumption and the destruction of identity. The monster eats people to steal their names and stories, symbolizing Johan's own void of self and his parasitic effect on the lives of others.
Don't just follow orders! You're men, not machines! In your hearts, you know what's right, the answer is sitting there, waiting for you. Are you brave enough to look inside yourselves?
— Wolfgang Grimmer
Context:
Wolfgang Grimmer shouts this in a moment of crisis, trying to stop people from succumbing to paranoia and violence. It is a defining moment for his character, showcasing his inner strength despite his traumatic past. This occurs during the Ruhenheim arc, near the end of the series.
Meaning:
This is a powerful statement about individuality and morality, delivered by a man who was psychologically conditioned in Kinderheim 511 to suppress his own emotions. It's a plea for humanity against blind obedience and a testament to Grimmer's own struggle to reclaim his feelings and do what is right.