Tokyo Ghoul
Author: Sui Ishida / Serialized: 2011 – 2014
Plot Synopsis:
Set in a world where human-like creatures called ghouls live hidden among humanity and feast on human flesh, follows the story of Ken Kaneki, a college student who becomes a half-ghoul after a near-death encounter with Rize Kamishiro, a ghoul who attacked Kaneki. During the attack, a steel beam falls from an old construction site and kills Rize, and Kaneki survives due to an organ transplant from her, transforming him into a half-human half-ghoul hybrid. As well as gaining Rize’s kagune, a predatory organ in ghouls used for combat, enhanced strength, speed, and regenerative abilities.
Struggling to cope with his changing body and instincts, including an insatiable hunger for human flesh, Kaneki stumbles upon on Nishiki Nishio, a fellow ghoul, and becomes part of Anteiku cafe. The members of Anteiku cafe are all ghouls, but value and hold onto their human identities. From then on Kaneki learns that ghouls also lament their existence, and more so their inability to live normal lives with the people they care about.
Evening knowing this, Kaneki struggles to let go of his negative perception on ghouls because of the constant reports on murders and the Commission of Counter Ghoul, a government organization that hunts ghouls. He becomes a connection between the two worlds and shows the complexities and conflicts between them. All while experiencing the lines blur between identity, morality, and his humanity battle against monstrosity.
My Opinion on Tokyo Ghoul:
This is one of my favorite manga series EVER. This dark fantasy and violence-based storyline is jam packed full of world building, intense character development, and meaningful moral complexities that help build the perfect world for those interested in both conflict and camaraderie. Readers are also exposed to the concept that there is no supreme evil or supreme good. Especially because compared to their image, not all ghouls can kill people, and not all people value human lives. Many ghouls rely on other to stay alive, and many of humans we encounter in the book do not care whether people die as long as they reach their goals. The art style is also incredibly unique and detailed and conveys the dark fantasy aspects very well. However, the series ends very abruptly at volume 14 (I cried), and carries on into the next series called Tokyo Ghoul: RE. I was really disappointed when it ended and because of how it ended, but I was able to carry on because of Tokyo Ghoul: RE. Regardless of any of that I still love this series.
I give this series……★★★★★’s !!!