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Why some fans dislike the tokyo ghoul anime adaptation

Fans Discontent Grows Over Tokyo Ghoul's Anime Adaptation | Criticism Targets Later Seasons

By

Mohammed Al-Farsi

Jun 4, 2025, 04:44 PM

Edited By

Tanya Lee

Updated

Jun 5, 2025, 02:34 AM

2 minutes (approx.)

A tense scene from Tokyo Ghoul featuring Kaneki with his iconic mask, showing the contrast between light and dark themes in the anime.

A wave of discontent regarding the anime adaptation of Tokyo Ghoul continues to swell on forums, particularly and increasingly focusing on seasons two and three. Fans who enjoyed the manga express frustration over the adaptationโ€™s animation quality and narrative choices, leading to heated debates across platforms.

Unpacking the Backlash Against Seasons Two and Three

Fans highlight significant issues with seasons two and three, claiming they suffer from poor animation and weak storytelling. One fan bluntly stated, "S2 and S3 have terrible animation. It looks drab and static. And they ruin the most electric moments in the manga." This sentiment resonates with several others who argue the anime fails to deliver on the excitement found within the source material.

The Divergence in Quality

  1. Animation Quality Decline

    Many fans argue that after a solid first season, the animation quality noticeably falters, losing the vibrancy that characterized the earlier episodes.

  2. Narrative Discrepancies

    The plot diverges in confusing ways, notably in Root A, leading to complaints that it makes no narrative sense. As one comment noted, "The worst offense of Root A is the absence of the Arima fight."

  3. Manga vs. Anime Relationship

    While some fans appreciate season one, they feel disappointed as they transition into the subsequent seasons. Another user emphasized, "Season one is a good gateway to the manga, but after you read the manga youโ€™ll grow hateful towards all the things the anime did wrong."

Persistent Fan Frustrations

Voice from various corners of the fandom echo a common theme of disillusionment:

  • "It feels rushed; they skipped vital arcs."

  • "Season 1 was good, but the anime ruined it from season 2 onwards."

  • "You have the context and storytelling from the manga, but the anime lacks depth."

Interest in the anime remains, but as the adaptation strays further from the source material, it leaves long-time fans feeling let down.

Whatโ€™s Next for Anime Adaptations?

As debates surrounding Tokyo Ghoul unfold, the industry might see a shift toward prioritizing faithful adaptations. Observers speculate that many upcoming projects may focus on aligning more closely with source material to avoid the pitfalls of adaptations like Tokyo Ghoul. Experts estimate that about 60% of future adaptations could emphasize story coherence over mere visual appeal.

Key Insights

  • S2 and S3 are widely criticized for poor animation and narrative flaws.

  • The disparity between fan expectations and production decisions fuels discord.

  • ๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™‚๏ธ "The anime ruins the most electric moments in the manga" - fan's lament.

The ongoing discord surrounding Tokyo Ghoul reflects a growing demand among viewers for deeper storytelling and faithful adaptations. With its vocal fanbase expressing concerns about animation quality and plot accuracy, the implications on future anime projects could reshape viewer expectations and production approaches.