Tokyo Ghoul, Vol. 1

If you're looking for a layered, gripping story that tears your heart out in the best way, then Tokyo Ghoul is the perfect manga for you. It's the story of Ken Kaneki, a quiet, unassuming college student who loves to read and really only has one friend in the world, Hide (Hideyoshi), since both of his parents are dead and he's not that outgoing of a personality. They live in a world where ghouls - beings who appear human most of the time except when under attack/when they fight (then appendages called kagune appear from various locations in their back and their eyes change color, among other things), and of course they can only eat human flesh to survive - exist alongside humans. This existence is a precarious one since ghouls are hunted down by an organization called the CCG.The over-reaching arc of the story is Kaneki being turned into a half-human, half-ghoul, a very rare creature in this world, and the repercussions of that change. While this plot isn't that unique in and of itself (being an outsider and all that it entails), Sui Ishida does such AMAZING things with it, and the horrors of being a ghoul. Things are never black and white in the Tokyo Ghoul world. You should hate the ghouls for the fact that they feed on living beings, but he brings such humanity to these characters, not only Kaneki but Touka, Hinami and Nishiki, to name just a few. There are 'factions' within the ghoul world, those who want to live in peace and those fighting against the humans/the CCG organization. Again, the lines aren't so clear between who is wrong and who is right.If you think the ghouls deserve to live in peace and the CCG side is wrong for killing them, you are presented with characters that are not so one dimensional, that have their reasons to be effective hunters. Ishida seems unable to present to the reader a character that is not fully formed in one way or another - even if they seem that way at first, give it time. So many characters evolve as the story goes, reveal new facets as chapters come out and, unfortunately, the tragedies and horrors pile up.Then there is the plot itself. If you are someone who loves easter eggs in your movies, then this series is for you. There are so many clues and hints scattered about, you can tell that Ishida has done his research and hinting all along where things are going. Tarot card and book references abound, and that's just some of the symbolism.Yes, the series is dark. Yes, it's a horror series. There are moments of levity here or there, but in the end this is one of the darker series out there, both in content and in the fact that people die (often in very messy, graphic ways), people change and not always for the better, and there are a lot of mature themes in this book. There are also a lot of great characters here as well, both male and female (some of the best female characters I've seen on a series, in fact). This is also one of those series that just seems to get better as it goes along, and even as I dread each chapter that comes out, I have to keep reading.There's also an anime of the series (two seasons, the first is mostly faithful to the first half of the manga, the second doesn't follow the manga at all but was drafted by Ishida), and a follow up manga to Tokyo Ghoul called Tokyo Ghoul:Re that is ongoing.

I took a chance on this book, I read some reviews and thought what the hey it sounds really cool.So as you read above this book is about ghouls. If you're not into vampires I don't recommend this book for you. It's the same concept except ghouls devour the entire body, not just the blood.Ken's a normal kid who's a bit of an internal, shy guy who just wants to go out on a date. He's a bookworm and focused on college, so it's safe to assume he doesn't get a lot of girl action. A beautiful girl he's been eyeing for a while asks him about a book they're both reading. SPARK. They have things in common and they go out! Romantic, but this isn't that kind of story.Turns out Rize is a ghoul and the date was merely a lure. An accident goes down and poor Ken's life is changed. His world's flipped inside out and upside down, the worst part? He didn't have a say in the matter. Now he's discovering the world of ghouls and what they go through.To make matters worse his best friend, Hide, is a HUMAN and has no idea what Ken has become. Icing on the cake . . . Human food makes Ken sick every time he eats it and he must dispose of it quickly. Whether he wants to or not.This book's really good, since it's manga I could blaze through the thing in one setting. I will reread it but for now I'm tearing through the rest of the volumes in this series. I love the artwork and details in the book.There aern't any really gory stuff. Most of it's blurred out by action and black ink. There are curse words in the book and some scenes are a little intense and emotional. I mean give the kid a break, he's a half breed now and trying to fit into someone's world. It is manga so there are short skirts and cleavage but no unnecessary panty shots or things like that.If you enjoy action, great plots with emotional parts, and vampires then you'll be fine. Yes, ghouls and vampires aren't the same but they do prey on humans. Cannablism is a thing in this book but as I said the artist doesn't go into depth or have up close shots of the victims or gore scenes.Do pick this book up, it's really good. . . Now excuse me while I buy some more the series and wait by the mailbox.

Was a gift for my cousin who is slowly getting into anime I personally love this series. I think it’s a really good spooky starter book for older kids. My cousin is 18. He said he really liked it so I’m giving the book 5 stars

Cool.

Came in perfect condition

This series is an easy to follow story about monsters (ghouls) and a sympathetic protagonist. There’s nothing really weak about it, but it’s aimed at perhaps a younger audience than say, Berserk, or some other manga that take the violence and adult themes to other levels. This series seems like it would be fun for high school age kids. I’m not sure you will find it very engaging if you’re looking for something more similar to Berserk, Ghost in the Shell, Hellsing, and stories at that level. This is fun and well done, but just doesn’t push the limits like more mature content.