Manga Monday: Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 Review

I saw the Tokyo Ghoul anime for the first time in 2016. It was the first anime I had ever really seen. I had seen episodes of Pokémon and some episodes of Dragon Ball as a child, but I really do not even remember much. Tokyo Ghoul was the first anime I saw and really considered it “anime”. I was absolutely amazed with what I was seeing. The animations, the emotion in the voice acting, the music. My eyes had been opened to the world of Japanese entertainment. Fast forward to the summer of last year and I rewatched all of Tokyo Ghoul again to prepare for the last season of Tokyo Ghoul re:.

The second watch did not exactly go as well as the first. I had seen much, much more anime by that time and it was fairly easy for me to find many issues with the anime. Although, the first season does do a fairly good job. The one thing I couldn’t help but think was what a waste of potential. That’s when it finally hit me. “Why don’t I just read the manga?” I thought to myself. I had recently started my manga reading journey that year so I figured why not read the critically acclaimed Tokyo Ghoul series.

I bought the collection that has all the volumes, 1 through 14. Although it took me some time to get around to actually read them. I just started recently and now. I can’t stop. Enough about me though, let’s talk about this volume.

Man, oh man can Sui Ishida draw. Tokyo Ghoul looks absolutely gorgeous. Dark black soaks the page as Ishida uses it to paint this dark version of Tokyo to life. I would not say that any of the character designs come off as super original. However, that is fine as the way that they are drawn gives them so much life. Every blow, punch, burst of anger, sadness is all felt through how well everything is illustrated.

I much prefer how Kaneki is represented in the manga than the anime already. In the anime he came off as a shy, helpless crybaby. In the manga he is painted as a quiet introvert who really just aims to live peacefully. I love how his struggle of living with a human mind in a ghoul body is the focus of this volume. It is an incredibly gripping storyline and really makes the reader ponder what they would do in Kaneki’s shoes.

The twist of Rize is very well done and I like how volume 1 shows the depth of her and Kaneki’s interactions. Not having Jason in the beginning of the story is better in my opinion as well. I am sure when he is introduced later it will work better for my overall impression of him being a mysterious terror. Hide is a nice side character and I like how he is portrayed as a perceptive friend. Kaneki standing up for him was super heartfelt and I really bought the emotionally charged scene.

My absolute favorite difference in character was Touka. She could care less about Kaneki in the manga and I love it. She has her own things to worry about and Kaneki causing and having problems isn’t exactly something that concerns her. She really can not be too nice to Kaneki as no one else in the world is going to be much nicer than she is. If he doesn’t adapt to his situation fast enough he will die, so her being a kind soul will do him no favors. Regardless, Touka is going to live her life with or without him.

This story isn’t exactly original. The idea of an outcast group of powerful people can be easily be found in other stories like X-Men. However, it is the grit and savagery contained in Tokyo Ghoul that really sets it apart. We learn a lot about the ghouls in volume 1. The idea of a creature that eats flesh is terrifying. However, the creature wanting nothing more than to be accepted and in some cases be human, is something quite unique.

I think if you are like me and had a similar experience with the Tokyo Ghoul anime then you must give the Tokyo Ghoul manga a shot. Volume 1 starts off on an incredibly high point and I am super excited to read even more. Reading the manga gives me a newfound love for these characters and this story. In a way reading this volume took me all the way back to the first time I watched the Tokyo Ghoul anime. This time it really is as good as I think it is.