Tokyo Ghoul Celebration Reminds Us How Influential the Series Is (And Why it Needs to Come Back)

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2014 saw a resurgence of trends from the past, with an emphasis on leather, melancholy, and intense violence. This cultural climate made it ideal for the debut of Tokyo Ghoul, which swiftly dominated the anime industry. The series combined gothic horror elements with a visual style reminiscent of The Matrix. When the now-iconic mask of the protagonist, Kaneki, was first revealed, it signaled to anime enthusiasts that they were in for an exhilarating ride. Tokyo Ghoul capitalized on the popularity of shows like Attack on Titan, and the global fascination with vampires at the time, to establish itself as a significant player in the anime scene.

The memorable “Unravel” opening theme for the anime adaption remains one of the most acclaimed anime openings, solidifying the series as a significant hit of the 2010s. However, its popularity waned after the initial season, which premiered in 2014. The decline in success can be linked to various factors such as budget constraints for animation and a decrease in quality compared to the manga towards the end. To revive the series, Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment are organizing a special event called “Sink Your Teeth” to re-screen the original series in theaters for the eleventh anniversary celebration. This move suggests that they aim to keep the Tokyo Ghoul franchise alive; this might be an opportune moment to resurrect the franchise on a grand scale.

Why Made Tokyo Ghoul Great in the First Place

Originally, Sui Ishida took a traditional approach to the vampire motif but gave it a fresh twist by using the less common term “ghoul” instead. In Ishida’s universe, ghouls appear as human-like beings that need to feed on human flesh. Unlike vampires, they can’t transform into ghouls through a bite. The main character, Ken Kaneki, became a half-ghoul hybrid after receiving ghoul organs, which enabled Ishida to explore the classic elements of vampirism while establishing his own distinctive mythology and folklore. Ghouls are relatively underexplored and vaguely defined in most media, giving Ishida ample opportunity to create his own set of rules for these creatures.

The gruesome nature of ghouls in Tokyo Ghoul was likened to the titans from Attack on Titans due to their non-vampire, non-zombie monster characteristics contributing to unique mythologies. Since Attack on Titans debuted just a few years prior to Tokyo Ghoul, it was an opportune time for anime focusing on human-eating monsters. Both shows were remarkably grim, with Tokyo Ghoul particularly relishing in the suffering of its characters. Characters frequently meet untimely deaths, Kaneki’s mental state worsens as the story progresses, and the violence and gore are intense. The series’ dark theme and gritty style have made it iconic for edgy anime, with the level of edginess becoming almost humorous when viewed in a contemporary perspective.

Despite its tough exterior, the series subtly explores themes about human nature and melancholy. It symbolically portrays college life and the anxiety that follows post-graduation. Initially a student, Kaneki finds himself abruptly catapulted into adulthood, grappling with the harsh, indifferent reality of maturity and responsibility. The gradual development of his despair and nihilism mirrors the feelings of many who step into adulthood, burdened by the weight of the world.

Ishida’s portrayal of Kaneki’s depression and self-doubt feels authentic, lending a personal touch to the narrative. His artistic style perfectly complements the edgy aesthetic of the series, with Kaneki’s mask becoming one of the most beloved anime symbols in recent history, a testament to his skill.

Tokyo Ghoul Anime and Manga Both Fell Apart

Despite many fans criticizing the anime adaptation for its subpar execution of the franchise, it’s important to note that the quality of the manga was also declining as Ishida hurried through the ending. From the start, fans were apprehensive about the anime adaptation due to Studio Pierrot being assigned for animation. Known for their cost-cutting and lower-quality animation, particularly in their work on the Naruto series, Pierrot has a less than stellar reputation. However, the first two seasons of the anime benefited from the visionary direction of Academy Award-nominated animator Shuhei Morita, who brought stunning visuals and creative decisions to the show. The initial season was largely successful despite Pierrot’s involvement, but the declining quality in subsequent seasons became more noticeable. Additionally, these later seasons failed to capture the endearing quirks or dark, humorous elements that made the manga a favorite among readers.

As a devoted fan of Tokyo Ghoul, I can’t help but notice that Pierrot, when crafting the anime versions, took some unusual turns from the original manga. For instance, the second season, titled “Tokyo Ghoul √A,” was more of an original tale with only fragments of the manga, rather than a faithful adaptation. This decision was made to expedite the production process and complete the series in fewer episodes, yet the outcome was a mixed bag at best.

One reason why fans have been yearning for a remake for years is precisely because of these choices. Moreover, the original manga took the narrative on some rather peculiar paths. Takeshi Obata, the author, delved deeply into themes of identity, including gender dysphoria and transgender issues. While he occasionally handled these topics with sensitivity, there were other instances where it veered towards the excessive and potentially offensive. A character like Shū Tsukiyama, portrayed as a flamboyant gay ghoul, didn’t resonate quite as strongly in 2014 as it might have done if presented differently.

Furthermore, the manga seemed to frequently shift its course. Various storylines and characters were abandoned along the way, causing a sense of disjointedness as Ishida attempted to manage numerous plot threads leading up to the conclusion. The consistent gloominess and brutality in the manga gave it a nihilistic vibe, seemingly for nihilism’s sake rather than serving a deeper purpose or meaning behind the depicted suffering. The abrupt change in tone with the unexpectedly optimistic ending of Tokyo Ghoul:re creates an incongruous feeling that clashes somewhat with the overall mood of the series.

Despite not having a new anime adaptation yet, the Tokyo Ghoul franchise remains culturally significant due to its striking artistry and heartwarming narratives. Each fresh reveal about the series sparks anticipation among fans, with hopes that it might lead to an animated project. Although no such project has materialized thus far, Crunchyroll’s and Sony’s association with The Sink Your Teeth event indicates that the franchise retains its worth. Sales figures suggest that there may yet be a future for this series. Eventually, another Tokyo Ghoul animated project is likely to emerge; all we can do is wait and hope for it to come true someday.

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2025-07-11 05:10