Review by Ian Keogh

After the end of Tokyo Ghoul 7, there may be some concern that in embracing his ghoul talents Ken Kaneki might have gone over to the Dark Side. Well, it’s some time before the truth of that is discovered as there are plenty of other things to be getting on with, not least ghoul investigators the CCG still in the midst of invading the Aogiri Tree organisation’s HQ.

There’s a fair amount of flashback in the opening half of Tokyo Ghoul 8. We learn of the One-Eyed Owl, leader of the Aogiri Tree and unseen for a decade; of Touko and Ayata’s youth as they battle in the present day; and CCG investigator Kataro Amon considers his past and those he trained with. When not considering the past, action is the order of the day, which means a succession of blurred and indistinct images of people in motion. Sui Ishida’s chosen style of art is a constant limitation to his otherwise well-plotted and intriguing events.

When we do return to Kaneki, he’s had a change of attitude. Whereas before he’d have looked for ways to avoid a fight, now he relishes his power over admittedly ill-intentioned ghouls. It’s a disturbing transformation for someone who’s so long been the innocent and tried to do the right thing. On the other hand, it’s made very clear to those who’ve tried to exploit him in the past that he’s no longer going to be manipulated.

There’s the feeling of end of season closure here as the raid on the Ward 11 ghoul headquarters is complete, and individual stories come to a turning point. It’s not as compelling as it would be with clearer art, but there’s certainly enough mystery to take us on to Tokyo Ghoul 9.