Ken Kaneki

One-Eyed King

The protagonist of this work. Becomes a half-ghoul, introverted and tormented, but gradually grows stronger as a university student.

Quotes

  • I'm the only one who can have a place between humans and ghouls.
  • The weak despair, the strong mock. I am... neither.
  • Getting hurt for someone's sake turns into strength.
  • If you don't change, you can't survive.
  • I am a half-ghoul, and I won't deny that.

Trivia

  • Originally an ordinary university student, but becomes a half-ghoul due to Rize's accident.
  • His hair turned white due to extreme stress from torture.
  • His kagune uses the same rinkaku type as Rize.
  • Fans praise his clear, translucent eyes as impressive.
  • The story progression differs between season 1 and 2 of the anime.
  • His mask has a special structure to hide the kakugan.

Alternate names

Kaneki Ken Kaneki One-Eyed Ghoul

Tags

Tokyo Ghoul Dark Fantasy Ghoul Half-Ghoul Protagonist Introverted Anguish Battle Action Seinen Manga

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Profile

Species
Ghoul (Half-Ghoul)
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
A young man with a slightly slender and petite build. His hair changes from black to white, and only his left kakugan eye glows red. His kagune is rinkaku type, extending from the sides of his body like a centipede. Initially hides it with an eyepatch, and during combat wears a special mask that exposes only the kakugan.
Height
About 170cm
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • White hair
  • Kakugan (left eye only turns red)
  • Claws discolored reddish-black
Iconic items
  • Eyepatch
  • Kagune (Centipede type)
  • Mask (special design to hide kakugan)
  • Novel 'The Black Goat's Egg'

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Delicate
Detailed personality
Originally introverted and gentle, with a personality that doesn't shy away from self-sacrifice. Tormented by anguish and fear as a half-ghoul, but through experiences and hardships, becomes stronger and develops a cold-blooded side. Deep compassion for comrades, searches for a place in both the human and ghoul worlds. Conflict and positive growth are the keys to the story.
Keywords
  • Delicate
  • Kind
  • Anguish
  • Becomes strong
  • Conflict
  • Self-sacrifice
  • Cold-blooded
  • Introverted
Motto
The only existence that can have a place in both the human and ghoul worlds
Talents
  • Loves reading
  • Kagune manipulation (Rinkaku type)
  • High regenerative ability (due to being half-ghoul)
  • Improved combat power
Skills
  • Hand-to-hand combat techniques
  • Kakugan control
  • Stealth operations
  • Information gathering
Motivation
Coexistence between humans and ghouls, and establishing his own identity
Habits
No specific catchphrases or quirks explicitly stated, but harbors intense mental conflicts
Favorite foods
Human flesh (food source accompanied by pain), Coffee
Hobbies
Reading
Favorite places
Anteiku (cafe), Kamii University
Disliked situations
Conflict as a ghoul, Pain of predation, Situations where he must hide his true identity

History

Backstory
An ordinary university student living in Tokyo. Attacked by the ghoul Rize Kamishiro and left on the brink of death, unwillingly receives a transplant of part of Rize's organs, becoming a half-ghoul. Unable to digest human food, tormented while interacting with the ghouls at Anteiku, searches for his own identity and way of life. Through a series of incidents and fierce battles, surpasses his former self, grows into the One-Eyed King, establishes Black Goat, and aims for coexistence between ghouls and humans.
Debut date
September 8, 2011
Work title
Tokyo Ghoul
Media type
Manga
Episode or chapter
Chapter 1

Becoming half-ghoul due to steel beam accident

Significant event
Becoming half-ghoul due to steel beam accident
Description
Receives transplant of Rize's organs and becomes a half-ghoul.

Encounter with Anteiku

Significant event
Encounter with Anteiku
Description
Interacts with members of the ghoul cafe Anteiku and learns how to live as a ghoul.

Aogiri Tree raid and capture

Significant event
Aogiri Tree raid and capture
Description
Kidnapped by an Aogiri executive but awakens by accepting the true nature of his kagune.

Formation of Anti-Aogiri

Significant event
Formation of Anti-Aogiri
Description
Forms an anti-Aogiri organization together with Tsukiyama and Yoshimura.

Anteiku raid incident

Significant event
Anteiku raid incident
Description
Becomes the base for the One-Eyed Owl subjugation operation, with the shop as the stage for fierce battle.

Black Goat formation

Significant event
Black Goat formation
Description
Establishes an organization aiming for coexistence between ghouls and humans.

Marriage and Touka's pregnancy

Significant event
Marriage and Touka's pregnancy
Description
Shows a gentle side after marrying Touka.

Relationships

Nishiki Nishio

Friend

Reconciled after predation incident and formed cooperative relationship

Hideyoshi Nagachika

Best friend

Childhood friend from university days who becomes the trigger to return to humanity

Kuzen Yoshimura

Mentor

Raised and guided as the manager of Anteiku

Renji Yomo

Ally

Taught combat techniques and provided information

Anteiku

Anteiku: unknown

Anti-Aogiri

Anti-Aogiri: leader

Black Goat

Black Goat: leader

Media appearances

Tokyo Ghoul

Manga / Protagonist

2011–2018 Serialized in Weekly Young Jump

Tokyo Ghoul

Anime / Protagonist

2014 TV series Season 1

Tokyo Ghoul √A

Anime / Protagonist

2015 TV series Season 2

Tokyo Ghoul:re

Anime / Protagonist

2018 TV series Season 3 and final arc

Tokyo Ghoul

Movie / Protagonist

July 29, 2017

Tokyo Ghoul [S]

Movie / Protagonist

July 19, 2019

Tokyo Ghoul [JACK]

OVA / Protagonist

September 30, 2015

Tokyo Ghoul [PINTO]

OVA / Protagonist

December 25, 2015

Tokyo Ghoul Jail

Game / Protagonist

October 1, 2015 PS Vita

Voice cast and creators

Natsuki Hanae

Voice actor
Natsuki Hanae
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV anime version, :re version

Yurie Kobori

Voice actor
Yurie Kobori
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Childhood era (Ken Kaneki)

Yuuki Sakurai

Voice actor
Yuuki Sakurai
Language
Japanese
Version or series
:re adolescent period

Masataka Kubota

Voice actor
Masataka Kubota
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Live-action movie version

Sui Ishida

Creator name
Sui Ishida
Role
Original author

Studio Pierrot

Creator name
Studio Pierrot
Role
Animation studio

Shueisha

Creator name
Shueisha
Role
Publisher

Related goods

Figure (Masataka Kubota ver. Ken Kaneki)

Item name
Figure (Masataka Kubota ver. Ken Kaneki)
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Anime Blu-ray BOX

Item name
Anime Blu-ray BOX
Category
Digital
Availability
Regular

Tokyo Ghoul Jail (game)

Item name
Tokyo Ghoul Jail (game)
Category
Digital
Availability
Sold out

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