Advertisement
When Tokyo Ghoul first hit shelves as a manga by Sui Ishida, it quickly carved out a reputation for being more than just another dark fantasy series. It was cerebral, poetic, and full of existential themes that pushed readers to question what it means to be human. With its complex protagonist, Kaneki Ken, its morally gray cast, and its exploration of identity, trauma, and society, the manga felt like a brutal yet beautiful reflection of internal struggle.
So when the anime adaptation was announced, fans were thrilled.
But that excitement didn’t last long.
The Tokyo Ghoul anime, especially in its later seasons, has become one of the most divisive adaptations in modern anime history. While the first season was relatively faithful and visually gripping, things took a sharp left turn in Tokyo Ghoul √A, and spiraled further in re: and re: 2nd season. The story was condensed, rewritten, censored, and in many places, stripped of its nuance and weight.
What went wrong? Why did a series with such rich source material fall so short in its anime form?
This article will break down how and why the Tokyo Ghoul anime failed to live up to the manga’s legacy, focusing on:
-
The abrupt deviations from the original plot
-
Poor pacing and character development
-
Over-censorship and tonal dissonance
-
The long-term impact on the franchise and its reception
We’ll also explore how other anime adaptations have succeeded—or failed—in similar ways, and whether Tokyo Ghoul can ever recover its reputation in the anime world.
For manga fans, this is a tale of wasted potential. For anime-only viewers, it might help explain why the story felt incomplete. Either way, Tokyo Ghoul stands as a cautionary example of how adaptation decisions can define—or destroy—a beloved series.
Where the Anime Started Strong: Season 1’s Promise
The first season of Tokyo Ghoul was far from perfect, but it captured much of the manga’s early intensity and style. With haunting music, slick animation, and faithful arcs like Kaneki’s transformation and the battle with Jason (Yamori), it delivered raw emotion and visceral violence. The final scene—Kaneki embracing his ghoul identity—was chilling and iconic.
The season wasn’t flawless, but it set the stage for a deeper philosophical journey. Unfortunately, that journey would never fully unfold on-screen.
Tokyo Ghoul √A: The Breaking Point
Tokyo Ghoul √A, the second season, was where everything began to unravel. Instead of adapting the manga directly, Studio Pierrot chose to create an anime-original story. They marketed it as being based on Ishida’s draft, but even he later distanced himself from the results.
Key problems in √A:
-
Kaneki’s motivations were altered drastically, turning his complex inner conflict into vague brooding.
-
Whole arcs and characters were cut, shuffled, or watered down, leaving viewers confused or emotionally detached.
-
Major fights and deaths lost their emotional weight due to lack of build-up.
-
The pacing was rushed—arcs that needed six episodes got two.
Worst of all, the deep internal monologues and symbolic imagery of the manga were stripped away. The poetic brutality that defined Tokyo Ghoul became just another violent action anime.
The Disaster of Tokyo Ghoul:re
Many hoped that Tokyo Ghoul:re would correct the course. It didn’t.
The manga Tokyo Ghoul:re is a dense, slow-burning continuation full of political scheming, character reunions, and internal growth for Kaneki—now living under the name Haise Sasaki. But in anime form, this entire complex story was crammed into two breakneck seasons.
Inconsistent animation, clunky exposition, and the absence of emotional beats made re feel hollow. Beloved manga moments—Kaneki’s breakdowns, Touka’s growth, the war with the Clowns, the truth about Arima—were condensed or skipped. Viewers were left to connect dots that had never been drawn.
What the Anime Missed: Symbolism, Psychology, and Poetry
Ishida’s manga is filled with recurring visual motifs and metaphors: centipedes, masks, eye imagery, and references to literature like Kafka and Dante. Kaneki’s evolution isn’t just physical—it’s spiritual, mental, and symbolic.
The anime adaptation ignored most of that.
Gone were the hallucinations, inner voices, and philosophical questions. Gone were the poetic touches that made Kaneki’s suffering feel meaningful. The anime became plot-focused, losing sight of the story’s soul.
The Role of Censorship
Another glaring issue was censorship. While the manga is grotesquely violent and unapologetically graphic, the anime blurred out much of its most intense content—often in jarring ways. This not only diluted the horror, but also lessened the impact of key emotional and thematic moments.
Death and pain in Tokyo Ghoul are not just shock tactics—they’re a metaphor for change, control, and humanity. Softening those moments made the anime emotionally weaker.
Fan Reactions: From Cult Favorite to Disappointment
The backlash was strong. Manga readers felt betrayed. Anime-only fans were left confused. Even voice actors and industry insiders voiced frustration at the adaptation’s decisions.
Online forums and review sites are filled with split ratings—Season 1 gets praise, √A is divisive, and re is widely criticized. Many now view Tokyo Ghoul as an example of how not to adapt a manga.
Could Tokyo Ghoul Get a Reboot?
Given the success of reboot projects like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Fruits Basket, there’s always hope. Fans continue to call for a faithful Tokyo Ghoul remake, one that adapts the manga in full and preserves its dark psychological depth.
A reboot would need:
-
More episodes to avoid rushed pacing
-
Proper handling of symbolism and internal conflict
-
Consistent art and direction
-
Faithfulness to Ishida’s original vision
Until then, the manga remains the definitive version of the story.
Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale in Anime Adaptation
Tokyo Ghoul had everything it needed to be one of the greatest anime of its time: a gripping story, a unique world, a compelling protagonist, and powerful themes. But poor adaptation choices—especially deviation from source material, rushed storytelling, and lack of vision—undermined that potential.
If you’re new to the franchise, the manga is a must-read. If you’re already a fan of the anime, consider going back to Ishida’s original work—it might just change how you see the entire story.
In the end, Tokyo Ghoul teaches us not only about the monsters inside us—but also about what happens when studios fail to respect the soul of a story.