Retro Review: 10 Years Later, Tokyo Ghoul Remains One of the Most Divisive Anime of All Time

Tokyo Ghoul is one of the biggest and most mainstream anime ever created, but not always for the right reasons. The anime adaptation of Sui Ishida’s original manga is incredibly devisive, and, despite the first season of the anime having an opening that’s stuck around with anime fans for over a decade, the community is still split on the actual quality of the show.

The reason as to why exactly the series became so infamous is discussed fervently online, and it varies depending on whether the person read the manga or not. For some, it’s one of the best from that era, while for others, it is a disappointment that failed to measure up to the source material. It all boils down to preference, but there are pros and cons to the anime that are widely agreed upon.

Tokyo Ghoul, which is based on Sui Ishida’s dark fantasy manga of the same name, is an anime that explores the complex world of supernatural humanoids called ghouls and humans in a gripping and visceral manner. The story takes place in a dystopian Tokyo, where ghouls, creatures that resemble humans but feed on their flesh, coexist with society. The series follows Kaneki Ken, a college student who becomes embroiled in the world of ghouls after a fateful encounter.

The Characters Are The Centerpiece Of The Anime

Original series created by Sui Ishida; anime adaptation produced by Studio Pierrot

The anime’s narrative is exceptional in its exploration of moral ambiguity, identity, and the consequences of violence. The central arc of the series is Kaneki’s transformation from an ordinary young man to a half-ghoul, who struggles to reconcile his newfound nature with his humanity. Kaneki’s internal conflict as he grapples with his insatiable hunger and his desire to maintain his morality creates a compelling character journey that resonates throughout the series.

Despite the manga’s superior character writing and excellent story development handling each of their individual arcs, the anime does a decent job replicating this. Each character arc, from Kaneki’s struggle with self-acceptance to the enigmatic ghoul investigator, Touka Kirishima’s struggle with her own past, is layered and multifaceted, adding depth to the narrative. Character writing is truly what Tokyo Ghoul does best, and the fact that the series doesn’t try to paint one side as evil or good makes it all the more complex, as both sides are doing their best to survive an impending foe.

The Production Value Is Phenomenal

Despite its other flaws, the OST and action sequences in Tokyo Ghoul were brilliantly executed

From the studio behind Naruto, Bleach, and YuYu Hakusho, it is no wonder that Tokyo Ghoul is a visual masterpiece, and its gorgeous art direction and composition are truly a sight to behold. The everyday character movements are beautifully made, and the animation spikes to incredible levels during the fights, and there are many fights in the series.

The anime’s soundtrack further enhances its atmospheric qualities, with haunting melodies and intense orchestration that amplify the emotional impact of key scenes. From the melancholic opening theme “Unravel”, which is the most viewed anime opening ever, to the adrenaline-pumping battle tracks, the music effectively immerses viewers in the world of Tokyo Ghoul and heightens the tension during pivotal moments.

The Anime Deviated Too Much From The Manga

Like many others from this era, Tokyo Ghoul deviated heavily from its source material

Tokyo Ghoul, however, is far from perfect. To say that it tainted the original plot of the source material and failed to replicate Sui Ishida’s original work would be an understatement, as it went in a completely different direction, such as the controversial death of Hide. Although it was announced before the anime was released that it would be an original series, the fact that it still went on with the original storyline instead of something new almost felt like an insult to the manga.

The pacing was awful, and the series compressing 143 chapters from the original manga into 12 episodes, and the other 179 chapters from Tokyo Ghoul:re into 24 episodes meant that it had to gloss over many aspects of the manga that were truly pivotal to the story. It felt confusing at times, and the introduction of new characters and factions further complicated the narrative, leading to moments of confusion and narrative overload. As a result, some viewers may find it challenging to fully invest in the story’s developments, especially if they are unfamiliar with the manga’s intricacies.

For an anime as violent and gory as Tokyo Ghoul, the amount of censorship took away one of the most important aspects of the series, as the bloody nature of the original manga depicted how violent the world was. Although it is understandable that anime can be subject to censorship to protect the viewers or children, Tokyo Ghoul removed a lot of the gore. Fortunately, some of it was retained and executed beautifully, such as Keneki being tortured by Jason.

Conclusion: Tokyo Ghoul Is The Biggest “What If?” Anime

A lesson for future projects to stick to the source material instead of making up something new

Overall, while the anime adaptation had many strong points with the production and animation quality, it is all for naught if the story fails to deliver a meaningful message. As a stand-alone series, Tokyo Ghoul can be an entertaining watch, but the fact that the manga exists means that it will always be compared to the original work, which is something that it unfortunately can’t live up to.

The Manga Offers A Brilliant Alternative For Those Who Want More

For those left wanting more from a lackluster anime adaptation, Sui Ishida’s original work is readily available

Sui Ishida’s original manga is absolute perfection, and it is one of the highest-rated series of all time for good reason. With over 50 million copies in circulation, Tokyo Ghoul is as action-packed as it is introspective, and its complexity is a sight to behold. With beautiful art, fantastic character design, and a gut-wrenching story, the manga is undoubtedly a work of art and anyone who enjoyed the anime will definitely love the source material.

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