First published in 1994 in Big Comic Original by Shogakukan, one of Japan’s largest publishing houses, Monster quickly became a phenomenon, blending suspenseful detective storytelling with rare philosophical depth. By 2019, with over 20 million copies in print, the work had not only cemented Urasawa’s name as a legendary mangaka but also pioneered a new direction for seinen manga, transforming comics into a medium reflecting deep reflections on morality, humanity, and justice.

Bringing Monster to Vietnam was a long and challenging journey. Negotiating copyright with Shogakukan took months, as Urasawa is known for his meticulous content approval. The Japanese publisher required the translation to stay true to the original spirit and reviewed every detail of cover design, promotional materials, and accompanying merchandise. Nevertheless, Shogakukan offered strong support to bring Monster closer to Vietnamese readers, permitting fan events, 3D backdrop exhibitions recreating the manga’s settings, and gift items for each release.

Khuat Quynh Anh, editor of the "Monster" translation project, said: “Monster is a multi-layered work containing philosophical dialogues and deep medical knowledge. Every translated segment demands utmost care to preserve the author’s tone and spirit. This is both a challenging and honourable project for our team."

With the release of Monster, Kim Dong Publishing House aims to convey a message beyond introducing a classic: to honour the humanistic values of Japanese manga and affirm its commitment to developing the seinen manga genre in Vietnam. “We hope Vietnamese adult readers will embrace Monster as a new reading experience- where comics do more than tell stories; they provoke thought and reflection,” she added.

Kim Dong has chosen to release the Deluxe Edition, considered the most complete and high-quality version of Monster worldwide. The nine-volume series features large-format premium paper, sharp printing quality, and includes supplementary materials, original covers, and special illustrations.

This edition is aimed not only at enthusiasts of psychological–crime manga but also collectors and researchers studying Naoki Urasawa’s storytelling art, a treasured work in Japan’s cultural heritage.

Over 30 years since its debut, Monster retains its haunting power. Its launch in Vietnam marks a significant step forward for Kim Dong in expanding its thematic range and affirms the position of manga as a serious art form capable of reflecting humanity and its era.

Japanese books take centre stage at Fahasa bookstores

Thousands of Japanese books, ranging from classic mangas and art books to the latest language textbooks, are on display at bookstores run by the Ho Chi Minh City Book Distribution Joint Stock Company (Fahasa) nationwide, as well as on its e-commerce platform, Fahasa.com.