Tokyo Ghoul is normally mentioned among the most interesting anime series of the past few years. However, it didn't live up to my expectations as I found it weak in many aspects.
To start with I think the main problem is the characters, there are many series where the plot may not be good but the characters make it totally worthy but this wasn't the case. All the characters fit an anime stereotype which wouldn't be bad per se but there isn't enough background information nor character development. Most of them are passive characters who are just there doing nothing so I insist, it is very difficult to feel any sympathy towards them. The protagonist happens to be the worst of all in that sense so having him as the protagonist and no strong secondary characters makes it quite tedious to follow the series.
The plot was definitely a good start, quite appealing to fans of the genre. We have world with cannibals that need to eat people to survive but that does not mean they are evil. If you are looking for blood, drama or philosophy, this is not your show. It could have been but there are barely fights, there is no place for drama when characters are that dull and there are a few times when you can actually reflect upon a deeper meaning. Moreover, it's not that the show in general doesn't fulfil any of the expected purposes but the episodes do not stand alone either way.
What was good for sure was the music and the design and this is something that can be observed more clearly at the end of the series which is the best part. And yet again, the ending seemed rushed and the characters hadn't grown enough on me to watch the second season.
To start with I think the main problem is the characters, there are many series where the plot may not be good but the characters make it totally worthy but this wasn't the case. All the characters fit an anime stereotype which wouldn't be bad per se but there isn't enough background information nor character development. Most of them are passive characters who are just there doing nothing so I insist, it is very difficult to feel any sympathy towards them. The protagonist happens to be the worst of all in that sense so having him as the protagonist and no strong secondary characters makes it quite tedious to follow the series.
The plot was definitely a good start, quite appealing to fans of the genre. We have world with cannibals that need to eat people to survive but that does not mean they are evil. If you are looking for blood, drama or philosophy, this is not your show. It could have been but there are barely fights, there is no place for drama when characters are that dull and there are a few times when you can actually reflect upon a deeper meaning. Moreover, it's not that the show in general doesn't fulfil any of the expected purposes but the episodes do not stand alone either way.
What was good for sure was the music and the design and this is something that can be observed more clearly at the end of the series which is the best part. And yet again, the ending seemed rushed and the characters hadn't grown enough on me to watch the second season.
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