The Prologue: The Train Station Incident

Lore & Background

The boy saved is later revealed to be Johan Liebert, a figure shrouded in mystery who becomes the series' primary antagonist. By saving Johan, Tenma inadvertently spares the life of a monster while sacrificing his own standing within the medical community. This event creates the timeline divergence that drives the entire story forward, as Tenma spends years trying to undo the consequences of this single night.

In Their Own Story

The fluorescent lights hummed above the sterile operating table. Kenzo stood motionless, the weight of the city pressing against his chest. Two lives hung in the balance: one powerful enough to grant him everything he desired, and one small enough to be easily forgotten. The clock ticked louder than the machines. He looked at the mayor’s chart, then at the boy's file. With a breath that tasted of antiseptic and regret, Kenzo turned toward the child.

Reader's Guide

Following the incident, Tenma is demoted and stripped of his position due to the political fallout caused by the mayor's death. He leaves the hospital with a sense of isolation but maintains his conviction that he made the right choice. The arc concludes with a time jump forward, revealing that the boy survived. This decision sets the stage for Tenma’s eventual flight from Germany and his long-term hunt to correct his mistake.

Did You Know?

• Tenma was only twenty-six years old when this incident occurred.
• The hospital director, Dr. Heinemann, strongly opposed Tenma's medical decision.
• This event is the primary reason Tenma eventually flees Germany in later chapters.
• Johan Liebert was approximately nine years old during this surgery.