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First of all, just so you know, I have not written many reviews. Ever. Of anything. Also, I realise that in comparison to many other reviewers I'm like a newbie, seeing as I have only watched about 20 animes and have just (since a few months) started reading manga.

Also, while scrolling down numerous reviews I noticed a very distinct pattern: the reviewers who first read the manga and those who either haven't, or just started reading it. Those who read the manga seem to give the show a very low score while those who haven't seem to give it an absurd high score.

Now, I've ... read the manga after watching the anime so I guess my score will be something inbetween.

Story: 8/10

I would like to give it a 7,5 but since that not possible I'll stick with 8. The story itself is very interesting, while at first glance it looks like your typical horror/supernatural anime with 'bad guys', ghouls who eat humans and the humans themselves, who are obviously the "good guys". However the story shows both sides, the human side, firstly via Kaneki but later on via Amon, and the Ghoul side via numerous ghouls that Kaneki meets. It explores grey areas of both species and forces you to ask the question: "Who are the monsters?" A very interesting story with so many possibilities had it not been so rushed and jumbled up. In the first few episodes it follow the manga fairly well but then it starts to diverge. Now everyone should probably realise by now that an anime that follows its manga to the letter is rare if not inexistent. However I think the anime made a mistake by not following the manga more closely, it made everything seem too rushed. Not fully recovered from the previous arc it throws you into another one without warning. Also something, that apperantly many reviwers dislike, is the ending. To me, personally it seems like a good ending, be it a bit rushed and sudden it definetly makes you yearn for more. which is after all, it's purpose I think.

Art 7/10

As someone who values the art as something that must be either perfect or close to it Tokyo Ghoul wasn't a total disappointment but doesn't fit the criteria either. I do love the fact that they coloured the kagune differently than it's done in the manga, mostly because its colour reflects its user very well. Red would have done it too ofcourse but the change of colour is a nice touch. But then they added the censoring: piece of advice: please watch the uncensored verison (unless you really can't stand blood). The censoring was bothersome and unnecessary, maybe even plain on ridiculous.

Sound 8/10

During the episodes I did not really pay cose attention to the sound or music on the background, mostly because I was too busy following the story (so technically, that's a good thing) but what I can say is that the OS could not have been better or more fitting.

Then there is also the voice casting. Personally I think they did a very good job, the voice casting really matches the characters and the voice actors did a really good job.

Character 6/10

The characters themselves are very interesting and very promising, none of them are boring and for once there was not one character that I wished would just die (very rare for me). However, because of the rushing and the fact that they sqeezed, like 60 chapters into 12 episodes they do not get the attention or development they truly deserve and desperately need. They are easily seen as unimportant and merely stepping stones for the plotline or the development of other characters. Especially Kaneki Ken who only gets his develompent (or personality description) in the last few episodes and remains weak until the final episode, which was actually quite bothersome, even more so because he is the protagonist. And knowing that even the protagonist gets close to no development at all you can probably guess how much development the side characters get.

Enjoyment 9/10

The reason I enjoyed it so much must be because I hadn't read the manga at the time seeing as everyone who did seems to either dislike it or plain on hate it. Besides a few issues here and there the anime did a good job and attracted quite a lot of attention as one of the most popular anime's in it's season. And seeing as after I watched I could not get enough of Tokyo Ghoul and started reading the manga and it's sequel and spin-offs etc. I think it's fair to say: job well done!

Overall 7/10

It's a good anime and that's that, I understand that there are a lot of people who've read the manga first that are disatisfied but I am not one of them. I look forward to the next season but I do hope that they will stick closer to the manga than they did in its first. I would recommend you try watching the anime because it's definitely worth your time and I also recommend reading the manga which is really amazing and feels less rushed. Also the manga is not censored (thank god)