Monster

Saori Mugino is portrayed as a devoted single mother, navigating the challenges of raising her fifth-grade son, Minato. Early on, we see signs of Minato's troubling behavior, such as cutting his own hair and returning home with only one shoe, hinting at deeper issues at play.

One fateful night, Minato goes missing, which deeply alarmed Saori. In her frantic search, she makes numerous calls and ultimately discovers him hiding in an abandoned train tunnel, a place that becomes significant in their story.

Saori suspects that Minato's teacher, Mr. Hori, may be abusing him and approaches the school for answers. However, her concerns are met with indifference from the school faculty, who do not take her seriously.

After a tense confrontation, Saori learns that Minato is potentially bullying another student named Yori. This revelation sparks Saori's determination to reach out to Yori's family to understand the situation better.

Saori visits Yori’s home to gather insights into her son's behavior. There, she discovers that Yori, despite his quirks, is protective of Minato, revealing a complex relationship between the two boys.

In a turn of events, Mr. Hori is dismissed from his teaching position. However, he soon reappears, leading to tension and confusion regarding his role in Minato's life and the unfolding events.

During a tense encounter with Mr. Hori, Minato falls down a flight of stairs while trying to evade him. This accident triggers further concern for his safety and shakes Saori's confidence in the school's ability to protect her son.

The narrative shifts to Mr. Hori, unveiling his suspicions regarding Minato's behavior. He reflects on troubling incidents, including Minato's aggressive actions towards other students, adding layers to the conflict.

Hori's visit to Yori's home reveals challenging truths about Yori's father, Kiyotaka, who battles alcoholism and delusions. This adds complexity to Yori's situation and highlights the environment affecting both boys.

Under pressure from school staff to keep quiet to protect the institution, Mr. Hori resigns. This resignation marks a turning point where the stakes for both himself and Saori escalate significantly.

Plagued by media backlash and personal turmoil, Hori contemplates a drastic act from the school rooftop. His mental state deteriorates as he grapples with the consequences of the situation involving Minato.

During a storm, Hori discovers a typo in Yori's homework that hints at Minato's involvement. This revelation motivates him to reconnect with Saori, yet he finds that Minato is still missing.

Hori and Saori embark on a desperate search, returning to the train tunnel. Their grim discovery of a discarded poncho inside an abandoned railcar signals a tragic turn, leaving them searching for answers.

The story shifts back to Minato, who reflects on his friendship with Yori amidst bullying challenges. This exploration reveals the emotional depth of their bond and Minato's struggle with his feelings.

After a stormy confrontation with Yori's father, Minato finds Yori abandoned in a bathtub. Seeking refuge together in their secret hideout, the boys emerge rejuvenated, running joyfully through a field, hinting at hope and new beginnings.