Tokyo Ghoul Vol. 5 by Sui Ishida

Title: Tokyo Ghoul Vol. 5
Author: Sui Ishida (writer), Joe Yamazaki (translator)
Page Count: 200
Rating: A
Keywords: Ghouls, Horror, Identity, Transplant, Mystery, Bookworms
Genre: Manga
Younger Readers: Rated Older Teen, one shower scene, not overly sexual and has limited language, horror aspects could be considered gruesome though not overly

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way--except their craving for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers. Kaneki, Nishio, and Touka struggle to work together to rescue their human friend Kimi while Ghoul Investigator deaths skyrocket in Wards 9 through 12. When reinforcements are called in on both sides, the stakes are suddenly higher than ever.

My Review:

First, I love this cover. Rize severely creeps me out, but this cover is gorgeous.

I really enjoyed that this volume started with a bang. There wasn't the normal slow build of mystery and intrigue that has been the norm I've come to expect of the series. The action sequence was not kept until nearly the end the way it has been previously. Within the first quarter of the manga there is a fight scene. I enjoyed this because:

1) It's exciting,
2) Keeps a nice fast pace for the story
3) The art is awesome
4) Touka was shown struggling in a fight, not invincible

That fourth reason probably sounds a bit odd. Touka is my favorite character in this series. She becomes increasingly likeable as the series continues on. When we first met her back in volume one she was much quieter and presented as...well a badass. It was as if she was the invincible creature to be respected and feared. As the series progresses though and the reader learns more about the politics of Ghoul society we also learn more about Touka. She is the embodiment of this learning process. No longer is she simply the warrior or fighter archetype. Her emotions are on display as are her vulnerabilities. I can't wait to see where Sui Ishida takes Touka in the future.

This was a fun installment in the Tokyo Ghoul series. Action, humor, and peril make up the pages of this one. We see the return of Nishio and Kimi. While I am still not particularly fond of Nishio, I do enjoy the subtlety of Kimi's character and the questions her presence in the series raises. Can Ghouls and humans coexist? Are Ghouls as monstrous as they seem to think they are? Or is their identity a choice?

After the cliffhanger from volume 4, we see the return of The Gourmet. He was just as insane and creepy as would be expected from his previous actions. We also learn a bit more about his past and connections to Touka.

Kaneki is still innocent thus far in the series. His opposition to eating human flesh continues and the ramifications of this decision are clearly visible. Combat training with Touka has helped him grow as a Ghoul, able to take actions where he would have been defenseless and relying completely on others in the past. This could prove interesting further on in the series.

I am absolutely sure the introduction of Juzo Suzuya, rank 3 investigator, is going to lead to some chaos later on. His first scene towards the end of this volume is unsettling to say the least. He is sure to be another great addition to this cast of lovable oddballs.

I am still immensely happy that I began reading Tokyo Ghoul. Review for volume 6 coming next week!