The first season of this series is, without a doubt, a masterpiece. Kaneki Ken is a fine specimen of a protagonist whose ideals are malleable, yet firm, whose heart is pure, yet corruptible.
Admittedly, I’ve always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the series. It’s the only series where if I don’t watch it for a year or so, I will completely forget the plot. Not sure if that’s a good thing or bad thing that the show isn’t that memorable.
You may remember that I said that the first season was a masterpiece (about 2 paragraphs ago). Then, you may be asking: “senpai, what about the other three?”. Well, they go downhill. Actually, let me rephrase, they go downcliff. Season 2 starts off from where season 1 left off but immediately loses its focus on Kaneki. It delves into all these side characters who don’t matter and go into their background then they all get killed off immediately. This also stops the story from progressing.
The third and fourth seasons continue along the same lines. However, while the second season followed Aogiri tree and the owl, the third and fourth follow the CCG. Again, introducing useless characters who get killed off. Gave me Akame ga Kill PTSD. The introduction of characters was even worse here as it was so confusing. The model of the CCG is barely explained. The things in the manga such as the relationship between the Washuu family and V were barely given attention. Artwork was lacking. Story was limited. Emotions were barely addressed. Action scenes were over done and there are way way too many of them.
There are a lot of reasons that I dislike Tokyo Ghoul now. But it’s hard to hate when the first season gave me a feeling of amazement – something that few other anime’s have ever done.
