Things To Know About Tokyo Ghoul

In September 2011, Tokyo Ghoul made its entrance into the world, and fans were fast to pick up on the story. The dark series was created by Sui Ishida, and its gothic, gory tones caught critics and fans by surprise. Tokyo Ghoul has since become one of Japan’s most recognizable franchises as its manga, anime, and even live-action projects catch headlines. And, of course, fans are always wanting to know more about the story’s horrifying particulars.

Tokyo Ghoul is set in an alternate world where humans no longer live at the top of the food chain. Fans are introduced to a version of Tokyo which contains ghouls, humanoid creatures who survive by eating humans. The monsters can live amongst humans with ease, but their supernatural gifts leave all of humanity in unease.

The story follows a boy named Ken Kaneki in particular. Tokyo Ghoul sees the college student survive a deadly encounter with a Ghoul which turns him into a rare half-ghoul. Ken must learn how to deal with his newfound status as he desperately staves off his need to feast on humans. The boy is taken in by Ghouls who help him reconcile his sudden change, but Ken’s life doesn’t stay peaceful – not when the Commission of Counter Ghoul is out trying to snuff out Ghouls who reign violence upon the city.

If you want to know more about Tokyo Ghoul, then you can check out some of the series’ lesser-known facts below:

Ken’s White Hair Was Not Bleached

Keeping up with Ken’s hair can be difficult in Tokyo Ghoul. The protagonist is introduced with dark hair as his black locks stay neatly cut in a short hairstyle. However, as the series goes on, fans find that Ken gets another hair color. The hero switches between black and white hair, and there is no good explanation for why it happens. When Ken’s hair first goes white, it happens after the boy has been repeatedly tortured over his ghoulish nature. Ken’s hair turns bright white and stays that way for some time. The reasoning behind the change is due to the Marie Antoinette syndrome, an event first noted during the French Revolution. Accounts say that Marie Antoinette’s hair went stark white after she was captured following the Flight to Varennes, implying that Ken experience shock similar to what the French aristocrat did.

Jason Is Inspired By A Horror Icon

If there is one Tokyo Ghoul character you don’t want to run into, it is Yakumo Omori. The baddie is a member of the Aogiri syndicate, and he is one of the higher brass’ more deranged members. Yakumo uses the name Jason as his street ID, and the nod is a direct one to Jason Vorhees. Tokyo Ghoul’s Jason dons a mask just like the Friday the 13th icon, and he lost his sanity after being imprisoned by the CCG. When Jason escaped, the Ghoul wanted nothing more than to torture others, and the man became known as a cannibal serial killer.

Ken Is Associated With The Number 12

When it comes to Ken, the poor kid faces plenty of hardships. The Tokyo Ghoul protagonist is the definition of conflicted as he grapples between his human nature and ghoulish desires. As such, the series’ creator chose to associate Ken with the number 12 for a specific reason. The Tokyo Ghoul manga has included various sneaky references to the number during pivotal scenes for Ken, and Ishida says the reference is thanks to tarot cards. The 12th tarot card is known as the “hanged man,” and it symbolizes indecision and inner struggles.

Tokyo Ghoul Was Inspired By Kafka

There are few stories out there like Tokyo Ghoul, but Ishida managed to draw inspiration for his series from another classic. Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is one of the stories which influenced the Tokyo Ghoul artist as he drafted his story. The classic tale was penned in 1915, and the short story follows a man named Gregor Samsa after he is mysteriously turned into a giant insect. Kafka’s story then delves into how Gregor comes to ruminate on his changed existence, something which Ken does a lot himself once he’s turned into a half-ghoul.