I started Tokyo Ghoul without knowing what to expect. All I knew about it came from short little briefs on what it's about. I had heard nothing but rave reviews so I decided I should check it out; needless to say, I'm glad I did.
The concept itself of Tokyo Ghoul was incredible to me -- "Ghouls", people-like monsters who need human flesh to survive -- but that's just the basis. What they made this concept was what really captivated me. Keneki begins as a naive, good-hearted boy; and, unlike many other series, his transformation is much more realistic. The care placed in the development of the main character is wonderful, but what makes this anime a standout to me is how much is put into the side characters as well. The writers created many, many characters you can genuinely feel for. As someone who gets bored quickly with unnecessary side back stories and characters, I really appreciate this aspect of the story.