Humans and Monsters: Where Does the Difference Lie? — What 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' Taught Me

One of my hobbies is watching musicals. Among them, my favorite is Gekidan Shiki, and I have been watching their productions since I was a child.

There are works like 'Frozen' and 'Wicked' where I felt like I was struck by overwhelming singing ability and expression at the end of the first act. There are works like 'The Lion King' and 'Aladdin' where I was instantly drawn into the world from the very first song. There are also works like 'Cats' and 'The Phantom of the Opera' that captivated me with their historic, profound music.

Ultimately, I think the main reason I am drawn to musicals is simply to be bathed in that vocal power. I have had goosebumps that wouldn't stop time and again from the sheer intensity—it could even be called vocal violence.

I have seen many musicals, but the work that moved me the most throughout the entire story is 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'.

Even though I first saw it several years ago, I still vividly remember the sight of the final scene. It wasn't just a momentary shock; it was a feeling of being captivated by the story itself from beginning to end.

Today, I would like to write about what 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' taught me.

“Humans and monsters, where does the difference lie?”

In 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame', there is a question that is sung repeatedly.

“Humans and monsters, where does the difference lie?”

The story's protagonist, Quasimodo, is treated as a 'monster' because of his ugly appearance. But as the story progresses, what becomes clear is that the true monster is not in the appearance, but something lurking within the human heart. Even if his appearance is like a monster, Quasimodo's heart is beautiful through and through. On the other hand, monsters certainly lurk within the hearts of the 'ordinary humans' who pelt him with stones.

The stage conveys this theme not just through dialogue, but through the 'staging' itself.

In the opening song of the story, the actor playing Quasimodo appears on stage in the form of an ordinary human. And toward the end of the song, that appearance gradually changes into a monster.

In contrast, in the final song of the story, the surrounding humans change into the form of monsters one by one. And in the end, only Quasimodo returns to the form of an ordinary human.

When I first saw this staging, I was speechless. Even though it isn't explained in dialogue, the question of 'who was the real monster' is conveyed solely through the change in appearance. At the beginning and end of the story, the relationship between appearance and inner self is completely reversed.

I believe this is the true thrill of a musical. It conveys things that cannot be fully expressed in words through the body and stage performance. At that moment, the theme becomes something you 'feel' rather than something you 'understand'.

The way of life called Quasimodo

Another axis of the story is Quasimodo's own way of life.

For a long time, he lived confined in the bell tower of Notre Dame Cathedral. It wasn't so much that he didn't know the outside world, but that he wasn't allowed to know it. Even so, he always had a longing for the outside world within him.

One day, he secretly slips out of the cathedral and steps into the town festival. But the people, seeing his ugly appearance, throw stones at him. The atmosphere of the festival, which had been filled with cheers and laughter, instantly turns into fear and disgust. Here, too, the monster lurking in the human heart is revealed.

Even so, through his encounter with a woman named Esmeralda, Quasimodo gradually opens his heart. And in the final stages of the story, he gathers the courage to go and save her. I was deeply moved by the sight of a young man who had been confined stepping out into the world on his own to protect someone.

It wasn't just Quasimodo's kindness that drew me in. He had always longed for the outside world. He was afraid, yet he wanted to go. He wanted to see a world he didn't know. I strongly empathize with that feeling. That is because I, too, am currently in the process of trying to step outside of a place where I have been for a long time.

Unlike the Disney animated version, the ending of the musical version is closer to the original novel. Esmeralda loses her life, and Quasimodo takes the life of Frollo, his adoptive father. Then, at the very end of the story, set hundreds of years in the future, the narration closes with the discovery of a twisted skeleton holding another skeleton. The twisted bones quietly crumble away.

In that moment, you realize that Quasimodo loved Esmeralda until the very end, even as he died. It is a bleak ending, rare for a Disney musical. Yet, it is that very lack of salvation that continues to linger deeply in my heart.

Reflecting on my own life

While watching this theme unfold, I suddenly thought about myself.

Quasimodo was constantly judged by those around him because of his "monstrous" appearance. But in my case, I think it was not those around me, but I myself who was doing the judging.

Academic background and titles—I treated those things like my own "appearance" for a long time. Getting into a good high school, entering a prestigious university, landing a stable professional job. If I had those things, I wouldn't have to worry about how others saw me. I think I was always seeking that kind of reassurance. I was so desperate to maintain that appearance that I didn't pay much attention to my true feelings inside. Perhaps, I was even trying not to look at them.

I loved music. I was drawn to expressions that moved people's hearts. I knew that the time I spent layering sounds in a brass band was purely enjoyable. I should have known that "inner self" all along, but in the face of the "appearance" of social standing, it was always pushed to the back burner.

Just as Quasimodo regained his human form at the end, I believe there is great significance in having one's appearance and inner self align. Moving from a version of myself that was desperate to maintain social standing to gradually reclaiming my true self—I believe that is the process I am currently going through.

Conclusion

I don't think the only thing "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" taught me is that "the standard for judging people is not their appearance."

What I felt even more strongly was the fact that I had been judging myself by my appearance. I was desperate to maintain the appearance of my academic background and titles, and for a long time, I had left my true feelings inside behind.

Just as Quasimodo's form returned to that of a human at the end, I think the process of gradually aligning one's appearance with one's inner self involves pain. Even so, perhaps it is only beyond that point that one's true life exists.

Humans and monsters. Is the difference their appearance? Is it their title? Or is it their heart?

Every time I watch "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," I think about such things. And at the same time, I am reminded of the question: am I living from the inside out, rather than by my appearance, right now?

That is why this work remains special to me, no matter how many years pass.

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" will be performed again in Osaka starting in July 2026. If there is anyone who has not seen it yet, I truly hope you will see it on stage at least once. I am sure you will be able to feel something with your whole body that cannot be fully explained in words.