Sui Ishida’s feelings toward Tokyo Ghoul are definitely a bit surprising given the massive success the series achieved, both commercially and critically. It’s not uncommon for creators to feel conflicted about their own work, especially when something resonates so strongly with an audience that it becomes a global phenomenon. The pressure to live up to expectations can overshadow the satisfaction of the creator themselves, and Ishida’s comments seem to reflect that.
It’s interesting that he feels he may have focused too much on what the audience wanted while creating Tokyo Ghoul, and is now finding more satisfaction in Choujin X, where he’s concentrating on his own artistic growth. That kind of shift in mindset often leads to more authentic, personal work. It sounds like Ishida is finding a better balance between his own artistic challenges and the connection with his audience.
Despite his own reservations, Tokyo Ghoul has become an enduring cultural touchstone. The themes of identity, morality, and social conflict, particularly around the ghoul-human dynamic, have struck a chord with many fans. The anime adaptation, however, is another story. The divergence between the Tokyo Ghoul anime and manga is one of the more talked-about cases of adaptation issues, and fans still hope for a remake that would follow the source material more closely. It’s similar to Fullmetal Alchemist’s journey, where the original anime series didn’t quite align with the manga, but Brotherhood corrected it.
It’s crazy how a creator can be dissatisfied with something that millions adore. Do you think Tokyo Ghoul’s legacy is more tied to the manga or the anime adaptation in the long run?
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