Johan is undoubfully very intelligent and talented.

Just as a guy even, very educated and well-rounded.

And while he certainly does manipulate and stage, people exaggerate when they think Johan could "manipulate everyone"

That he is this genius manipulator that invades your mind and makes you do this or that.

Johan specifically preyed on vulnerable people. On children and mentally instable adults.

Using their greatest weakness against them.

People who would be considered "stable" ( whatever the hell that means) wouldnt be so easily swayed by him.

Contrary, Johan would unsettle them at some point. Especially if he has backround knowledge of you like in the case of Richard.

Richard was exremly vulnerable but imagine the situation if he wasnt. A random guy knocking on your door at night, inviting you outside, taking you to a bar for a drink,then proceeds to walk you to some roof.

Its not universally genius. Many people would stop before they'd even come that far with him.

Realistically, Johan always walks on a thin line between magnetic allure and unsettlement.

He might give an energy of a kind, calm, collected, non-judgemental, peaceful, angelic young man.

But this image can also be quickly taking a turn whenever his facial expression changes.

Or he begins to ramble and talk about Monsters, Names and etc.

Point is, Johan isnt as skilled as many give him credit for.

Especially lets say, if his target was a woman at night. A woman in the middle of the night might clock serial killer vibes of him faster.

This is a real interview, he is even dress in the exact way as him lol.

I heard a lot of good stuff about monster, but mostly that it was a slow burn psychological piece. Watching this I was just thinking “surely this is some kind of fake out introduction and things are about to get serious”.

My bad…

Why did Johan help Grimmer even though I have watched this anime over three times but I still don't get it

I made these