A discussion resurfaced recently about a livestream from November 2021 where Tokyo Ghoul creator Sui Ishida shared his opinions on the anime adaptation of his work.
I’m assuming most of you are familiar with the fact that the Tokyo Ghoul anime, particularly Tokyo Ghoul √A, has been widely criticized for deviating significantly from the manga. People either love it for introducing them to the series or hate it for “butchering” what was an amazing source material.
In the stream, Ishida’s comments were, honestly, pretty surprising, but they also show a level of maturity and self-awareness that’s hard to argue with. Essentially, he said during his livestream that he doesn’t mind the anime’s differences and is simply grateful the adaptation introduced more people to his work.
“Well, I’m happy just with the fact that people know the name. I’m lucky that it’s become something wonderful. I’m already grateful that people even know its title .”
He even said, “It’s better to have a terrible anime than a good one, so some people will want to read the original story.” That’s a statement I’m still chewing over, and while I get his point, it’s hard to ignore how the adaptation’s quality might have harmed the series’ long-term reputation.
For some context, Ishida wasn’t heavily involved in the anime’s production, which isn’t surprising given how many anime adaptations are handled.
Studio Pierrot, known for controversial production decisions (Naruto fillers, Black Clover’s early pacing), deviated significantly in Tokyo Ghoul √A by creating an original story instead of following the manga.
Fans speculate this was done to wrap the anime up quickly, but the result was a mess—critical character arcs, like Kaneki’s psychological transformation, were underdeveloped.
What makes Ishida’s perspective so intriguing is how it contrasts with the often toxic fandom discourse around the series. It’s worth noting that during the manga’s serialization (2011-2018), Ishida faced immense stress and health issues from the workload.
Also Read: Tokyo Ghoul Manga Wasn’t A Success, Reveals Author
His relaxed attitude toward the anime could stem from simply appreciating that his work reached a wider audience—something many creators don’t get to experience. He even referred to fans’ frustrations as a “luxury,” in his livestream, emphasizing his gratitude over perfectionism.
That said, the anime’s impact on the franchise can’t be ignored. The opening song, “Unravel” by TK from Ling Tosite Sigure, became a cultural phenomenon, widely recognized even by non-fans.
It helped keep Tokyo Ghoul relevant, despite the adaptation’s flaws. Additionally, Ishida’s comment about terrible adaptations leading fans to the manga rings true—many fans discovered the original story through the anime and were blown away by how much more complex and emotionally resonant the manga was.
As someone who got into Tokyo Ghoul through the anime and then pivoted to the manga, I can see both sides of this. The anime got me interested in the world and characters, but reading the manga was a completely different experience—one that felt way more profound and emotionally engaging.
If the anime had been better, maybe it could have brought even more people to the manga or at least given the story the respect it deserved.
There’s also an ongoing clamor for a Tokyo Ghoul remake, often compared to Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Fans hope for a studio like MAPPA or ufotable to take over and provide a faithful adaptation that aligns with the manga’s gritty aesthetic.
Given how Demon Slayer and Attack on Titan boosted their manga sales with stellar adaptations, it’s not unreasonable to imagine what Tokyo Ghoul could have achieved with a similar treatment.
What do you all think? Is Ishida’s acceptance admirable, or should creators push harder for better adaptations of their work? And do you think Tokyo Ghoul would’ve reached the same level of fame with a more faithful adaptation, or was it doomed to controversy from the start? Let me know your takes.
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