A recent post on X has reignited discussion around Tokyo Ghoul creator Sui Ishida’s remarkably gracious response to criticism of the anime adaptation of his celebrated manga. Shared on February 8th, 2026, the post quotes a 2021 livestream where Ishida addressed a fan’s disappointment with the anime’s departures from the source material. The post, featuring a striking image of protagonist Ken Kaneki set against a vibrant floral background, has already garnered over 232,000 views and nearly 3,000 likes, sparking a flurry of replies echoing long-held desires for a remake.
‘Tokyo Ghoul’ Author Sui Ishida responded to Criticism of the Anime in a 2021 Livestream:
Fan: As a manga reader, I hate the fact that a lot of things in TG anime are different from the manga.
Ishida: Well, I’m happy just by the fact that people know the name. I’m lucky that it… pic.twitter.com/5SfjpBt2QD
— AniTV (@AniTVOfficial) February 8, 2026
In the quoted exchange, a fan voiced their frustration: “As a manga reader, I hate the fact that a lot of things in TG anime are different from the manga.” Ishida humbly replied: “Well, I’m happy just by the fact that people know the name. I’m lucky that it turned to be a wonderful thing. I’m grateful already with people knowing it’s title.” This understated response underscores Ishida’s focus on the positive impact of the adaptation, even when it significantly diverged from his original vision.
Further details from the November 2021 livestream reveal an even more candid side to Ishida’s perspective. He elaborated that he’s “already grateful that people even know its title,” and playfully added: “It’s better to have a terrible anime than a good one, so some people will want to read the original story.” This blend of appreciation and self-awareness has resonated with fans, many of whom believe the anime failed to fully capture the manga’s complex depth.
Tokyo Ghoul, originally serialized by Ishida in Weekly Young Jump from 2011 to 2014, with the sequel Tokyo Ghoul:re running from 2014 to 2018, centers on college student Ken Kaneki, who transforms into a half-ghoul after a violent attack and organ transplant. Thrust into a hidden world of flesh-eating ghouls who coexist with humanity, Kaneki struggles with his identity, morality, and survival in a fractured Tokyo. The manga’s intricate plot, psychological horror elements, and themes of alienation and prejudice garnered critical acclaim, with over 47 million copies in circulation worldwide.
The anime, produced by Studio Pierrot, debuted in 2014 with a 12-episode first season that largely remained faithful to the manga, introducing audiences to Kaneki’s transformation and the ghoul underworld. It was well-received, praised for its animation, soundtrack, and voice acting, particularly Natsuki Hanae’s performance as Kaneki. However, the second season, Tokyo Ghoul √A in 2015, marked a turning point. Choosing an original storyline that heavily deviated from the manga, it compressed arcs, altered character motivations, and rushed key developments, leaving many manga readers disappointed.
Fan dissatisfaction intensified with Tokyo Ghoul:re in 2018, which adapted the sequel manga but suffered from pacing issues, declining animation quality in later episodes, and omitted details that diminished the story’s emotional impact. Fans frequently cite mishandled characters like Touka Kirishima and Eto Yoshimura, whose storylines felt truncated or misrepresented. Despite these criticisms, the anime broadened the series’ audience, boosting manga sales and inspiring merchandise, games, and live-action films.
Ishida’s comments aren’t isolated. In a 2022 livestream, he jokingly expressed interest in a remake, reiterating his belief that a “terrible” adaptation could encourage viewers to explore the original manga. This self-deprecating humor reflects his personal philosophy on success, which he’s described as: “For me, success is when I get the feeling that I drew something good. When I think about it, I don’t actually demand for it to be well received in society or that many people like it.”
Despite the criticism, Ishida remains dedicated to his craft. Following Tokyo Ghoul, he launched Choujin X in 2021, a supernatural action series serialized on Plus Plus, which has been praised for its art and storytelling. He rarely addresses adaptation debates publicly, potentially due to industry standards or non-disclosure agreements, as speculated by fans.
The resurgence of this quote coincides with a trend of anime remakes, with series like Rurouni Kenshin and Urusei Yatsura receiving modern updates. While no official remake of Tokyo Ghoul has been announced, persistent fan demand—evident in petitions and social media campaigns—keeps the possibility alive. Studio Pierrot has moved on to other projects, but a new studio could potentially deliver the faithful adaptation many fans desire.
Ultimately, Ishida’s response encapsulates the complex dynamic between creators and adaptations. While fans lament what could have been, his gratitude reminds us of the anime’s role in elevating Tokyo Ghoul from a niche manga to a global phenomenon. As one reply put it, “Bless his humility, but such a masterpiece of writing deserves a faithful adaptation.” Whether a remake materializes or not, Ishida’s words encourage a return to the original manga, where the story’s true heart resides. Have you read it yet?
