The Search for the Greatest Villain of All-Time

Before getting into the brilliance of Johan, I have to first acknowledge the brilliance of Monster. It is nothing short of a masterpiece. An unequaled work of art, and quite possibly the most perfectly written story of all-time. If you have not experienced Monster, you MUST. Its power goes beyond manga and anime, anyone with even a passing interest in dark psychological crime thrillers should have Monster on their reading bucket list.

“The big secret to breaking the rules is to make it look as though you're following them.” – Johan Liebert

There is way too much to Johan’s story to go into detail here, so I have chosen not to. Instead, I will simply tell you who he is, which is actually not so simple.

The brilliance of Johan Liebert lies in what he represents: the darkness of humanity. Monster is not about seeing the end of the world or the fall of society, but rather, the impact that a single person can have on society. He is the unseen evil that lurks in the shadows, manipulating the smallest events to have the largest of consequences. Even more dangerous than his deeds, is the threat of what he could become.

“Being born really isn't that uncommon… Almost everything in this world is meant to die. In this world, a life born is nothing more than an insignificant speck, and shouldn't even be counted as an existence. Death is natural.” – Johan Liebert

Johan was born as a result of a eugenics experiment to create a child who would have exceptional intelligence and a flawless appearance. Psychologically, he is the definition of a nihilistic misanthrope; he genuinely believes that all life is pointless. Altogether, he is terrifyingly complex. Less a killer by his own hand, his most dangerous weapon is his master manipulation of others using his brilliance, charisma, and good looks. He has every ability, and willingness to use that ability, to win people’s trust, learn about their lives, and destroy everything in an instant.

“Hatred is created when people gather. I just poured a little oil on it.” – Johan Liebert

No one is immune to pain or sin. Everyone has their secrets, flaws, and inner demons. Bringing those demons to the forefront is when Johan is at his most sadistic. We live in a world where things can always get worse. And in that world, Johan is the deep-sea diver exploring the furthest depths.

As mentioned way back in the opening article for this series (see here), this is not a list for villains whose intensions are pure but their methods evil. Johan does not care for such trivial things. Johan is the embodiment of evil, and he wishes to communicate a simple message: “The only thing all humans are equal in is death.” – Johan Liebert