Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Ghoul is Sui Ishida's dark urban fantasy anime — a series that captivated the anime community in 2014 with its striking visual identity, morally complex protagonist, and unflinching willingness to explore violence, identity, and what it means to belong. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student transformed into a half-ghoul after a near-fatal encounter, forcing him to straddle a human world that hunts ghouls and a ghoul world that doesn't fully accept him either. The first season's horrifying torture arc and Kaneki's psychological transformation are among the most impactful character development moments in modern anime. Unravel by TK from Ling Tosite Sigure remains one of the most iconic anime opening themes ever recorded. While the anime adaptation faced criticism for deviating from the manga in later seasons, the original manga's conclusion is a masterpiece of tragic storytelling that rewards devoted readers. The first season in particular is essential.