The main character in Sui Ishida’s Tokyo Ghoul manga and anime, as well as the main character of our page, is Ken Kaneki, a human who unintentionally transforms into a ghoul after escaping being eaten by one. Because of Ishida’s intricate narrative style and the fact that the protagonist changed identities multiple times, we have chosen to address a riddle that has baffled fans for some time in this essay. This article will provide background information on these alterations by describing how Kaneki lost his memories at the conclusion of Tokyo Ghoul and how he regained them during Tokyo Ghoul:re.
When Kaneki faced Arima, he was completely outmatched, and Arima used his weapons to pierce both of his eyes. Thanks to his incredible regeneration abilities, Kaneki was able to live, but he also lost all memory and went absolutely insane. Everyone believed he would die while he was imprisoned and continually injured himself; nevertheless, Arima spared him and gave the amnesic Kaneki the identity of Haise Sasaki. Through the course of Tokyo Ghoul:re, he was able to restore his memories, and during the conflict with Arima, he assumed his original Kaneki identity.
This article will discuss Kaneki’s character development in the Tokyo Ghoul series. You’ll learn how his story developed in the second section of the narrative, including how he lost his memory and what transpired when Kaneki was on the road to regaining his identity. There will be spoilers in this article, so proceed with caution if you haven’t read or seen Tokyo Ghoul.
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How did Kaneki in Tokyo Ghoul lose his memories?
The response to this query brings us back to the Owl Suppression Operation, which happened right before the manga’s first half came to a conclusion. In particular, Kaneki had nearly perished toward the end but appeared to be spared by eating Hide, his closest friend (it did not happen like that, but we have a whole article dedicated to that story). The CCG Reaper, his most lethal adversary, Kish Arima, appeared next. Kaneki was easily overcome by Arima, and the fight came to a violent K.O. when Arima used his weapon to penetrate both of Kaneki’s eyes, reaching his brain. Sadly, this was never depicted in the anime, most likely because it was too violent, but manga aficionados will be aware of it.
However, given the severity of the wounds he had sustained, Ken Kaneki was expected to die; Arima was aware of this because of his extraordinary ability to regenerate. The full effects of the conflict with Arima could then be seen in Kaneki’s confinement in the Cochlea as prisoner #240.
Namely, Kaneki did live through the conflict but went insane. He would scream and sob, he wouldn’t eat anything, and he wound up hurting himself so badly that he came dangerously close to passing away. His fingernails were completely shattered while he was trying to break through a metal door with such force that he ended up tearing his face to pieces. He repeatedly tore out his eyes. He would always recover, of course, and was frequently wrapped to hasten his recovery. Additionally, it became apparent that he had amnesia and was only able to recall the agony of his own existence.
Arima once paid him a visit and delivered books. Interestingly enough, Kaneki was drawn to this and began reading them. He was greatly calmed by the procedure, and eventually his madness subsided. He resumed eating, stopped hurting himself, and regained the ability to speak normally. Arima informed him that they would need to create a new identity for him because he had remained amnesic. He chose his two favourite kanji from the phrases “world” and “coffee,” taking the name Haise Sasaki in the process, and the CCG quickly hired him as an investigator.
The majority of Kaneki’s experiences were tragic, painful, and depressing, and this was no different. But despite the terrible disasters that kept happening to him, Kaneki was able to survive through it all. The “new” Kaneki, Haise Sasaki, fought yet another round of distressing memories to go back to normal and emerge as the protagonist of the story in the next section.
How did Tokyo Ghoul’s Kaneki regain his memories?
Ken Kaneki’s replacement, Haise Sasaki, was first revealed, however it quickly became clear that Haise Sasaki was actually Ken Kaneki. In particular, as we have already discussed in the last section, he was left with severe brain damage but was still alive after his fight with Arima. Because Kaneki was unaware of his prior identity and the CCG saw potential in him, they took advantage of the circumstance and gave him a new identity. He had barely changed in appearance and was now a well regarded inspector with the CCG. Additionally, he served as the leader and tutor of the Quinx Squad, particularly Kuki Urie, the team’s enfant terrible.
During the Torso case, Serpent—who was actually Nishiki Nishio, an old friend of Kaneki—and Haise Sasaki got into a brawl. When the “image” of Kaneki materialised in front of Sasaki and awoke his powers, he was prepared to be defeated. Sasaki still couldn’t remember his past existence, therefore he had no idea where these powers came from. He attacked Nishio using his ghoul powers, and when the mask fell off, Nishio revealed to Sasaki that he was really Ken Kaneki, which caused Sasaki to break as memories began to accumulate. Kaneki was finally informed that the CCG was aware of his past but still decided to treat him like a human in spite of his almost total collapse. That is, as long as he acted like one.
Sasaki now contends everyday with his subconscious mind and fears he will inevitably lose control. In the interim, the CCG executes its plans for the Rose Extermination and Auction. When Haise Sasaki regains his memories and accepts his actual nature amid the struggle with the Tsukiyama family, Ken Kaneki ultimately makes a comeback. Sasaki/Kaneki, although being once more unique and harsh, aids the CCG. The One-Eyed Owl, Eto’s ghoul, is even killed and eaten by them; Eto manages to flee the battle and is eventually captured.
After understanding that he is in fact Ken Kaneki, Haise Sasaki’s white hair turns black, earning him the nickname “The Black Reaper.” Once more, he stands out dramatically from people around him. Although he is far more violent and motivated to get rid of the evil ghouls, he also could care less about his fellow employees. He has a flawless record and is committed to eliminating the Aogiri Tree. The “new” Sasaki was icy and impersonal, yet he never forgot his ghoulish side. Because of this, even though he knew he would definitely die at the hands of Arima, he betrayed the CCG and released his companions when he learnt that Arima was going to hunt down his allies.
Arima utilises his strongest quinque made from the Owl’s kagune in the last confrontation between the two of them. Before the one-eyed ghoul can stand back up, its hair becoming white once more, the Inspector quickly gains the upper hand and dismembers it with its rapidly evolving kagune. The combat resumes when Ken Kaneki, who has in the interim regained his memories from the previous round, has been regenerated. Kish Arima loses his final quinque at the conclusion of this drawn-out, bloody battle due to a Ken Kaneki feint. Ken pleads with Arima to cease the conflict because he has no more weapons to use in defence.
Arima wants Ken to kill him, but despite everything that has transpired between them, Ken resists, believing Arima to be a friend. After begging him to kill him but being refused, Arima uses the shattered Owl to slit his own throat. Given that Kaneki considered Arima to be his buddy and mentor and that Arima held a high regard for Kaneki, Kaneki was offended. As he passed away, Arima revealed to Kaneki that he was also a half-ghoul and the One-Eyed King, a title Kaneki would soon assume.
Arima reiterated his faith in Kaneki’s capacity to carry out his duties as the One-Eyed King and establish harmony between ghouls and humans. This caused Kaneki to change again, becoming a trustworthy leader of the ghouls and those who supported them among humans. He also developed a stronger sense of self-preservation and global awareness. Soon later, Kaneki and his team founded their own organisation, Goat, after leaving the CCG, which was then led by the angry Furuta. Kaneki had another breakdown after defeating a couple inspectors as Goat engaged the CCG. When all of his personalities clashed with his already weakened head this time, he completely lost it.
Another surge of power was triggered, but this time Kaneki was completely out of control. A new form was born, the Dragon, which was enormous and began obliterating Tokyo as Kaneki was imprisoned inside the Dragon’s shell, experiencing hallucinations, and having no control over the Dragon at all. This time, with Rize’s help, Kaneki was able to overcome the hallucinations, and he quickly came back to life with his friends waiting for him.
The Dragon was still alive and a danger to everyone, and there was also the issue of the insane Furuta. Kaneki found new strength to fight Furuta and the Dragon when he realised that the Scarecrow was really his best friend Hide from the real world. When Kaneki battled Furuta and broke the Dragon’s final defences in the last chapters, the ghastly foe was slain. Ultimately, Kaneki put an end to all internal conflict in this way, establishing himself as the actual One-Eyed King, king of the ghouls, and the one who established peace between them and humans.