The live-action film adaptation of immensely popular dark fantasy, horror manga Tokyo Ghoul hits US theaters beginning on October 16, but Funimation Films has provided us with an advanced look at the film ahead of it’s theatrical release. Taking place between chapters 1-40 of the source material, Tokyo Ghoul is perhaps one of the most faithful film adaptations of modern times, and in a lot of ways it’s more faithful than season one of the anime.

Tokyo Ghoul is a 2017 dark fantasy, horror film, it is an adaptation of Sui Ishida’s manga of the same name. It is produced by Geek Sight and licensed by Funimation Films, it will be released in US theaters between October 16-22.

Editor’s Note: An advanced review screener for Tokyo Ghoul was provided by Funimation Films. 

Ken Kaneki as he appears in the film.

Adapting chapters 1-28 of the acclaimed seinen manga of the same name, Tokyo Ghoul’s live-action tribute is by far one of the most faithful and fun anime adaptations those who appreciate source material will come across. It gets nearly every shape and size of the manga in almost complete, perfect detail. It’s just a shame that the kagune CGI effects were really the only thing that felt off about the film.

Kaneki fights Koutarou Amon.

THE GOOD: Taking place during the Introduction and Doves’ Emergence Arcs of the manga, Tokyo Ghoul Live-Action adapts every panel, page and moment between the twenty-eight chapters to near perfection. Ken Kaneki, a normal human being, has been transformed into a ghoul, a flesh-eating humanoid monster, during a night of terror while going out with his crush Rize (who just so happened to be a ghoul), now he struggles between adapting as a human and a ghoul. Attempting to balance out his two lives is the least of Kaneki’s problems however. After suspecting a young girl named Hinami and her mother of being ghouls, CCG Investigators Koutarou Amon and Kureo Mado having previously killed Hinami’s father prior to the start of the film. Kaneki and co-worker/fellow ghoul Touka must work together to save Hinami from the same fate of her mother and father. Kaneki also struggles to keep his secret from his best friend Hide.

This…this is how you do a live-action adaptation of animation Hollywood, take notes.

Tokyo Ghoul is dark and gritty as the manga before it, and I can’t really recall too much skipped from the manga if at all. Everything from even the most obscure detail felt completely on point, and as a reader of both Tokyo Ghoul and Tokyo Ghoul :re, I feel as if I can say that with the utmost of confidence. Acting performances from every member of the cast, even newcomer Shuntarō Yanagi did a stellar job as fan-favorite Renji Yomo. Director Kentarō Hagiwara was able to bring the horror of the manga onscreen to zero issue, even having read everything years prior, the terror of Rize biting into Kaneki, the death of Hinami’s mother, and other key moments were truly traumatizing to witness come to live.

There will most certainly be sequels on the way for Tokyo Ghoul.

THE BAD: Perhaps the only thing that really hurts the film is the CGI of the kagunes and quinques, though this was probably a last minute concern for the overall budget of the film, which is fine, and will likely be improved upon the eventual sequel.

A horror film worthy of watching regardless of the viewer’s fandom.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Of the recent anime adaptations from Attack on Titan to Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, to Death Note, Tokyo Ghoul is the most quality of an increasingly long list. While that maybe a questionable accomplishment, Tokyo Ghoul’s overall quality is 100% genuine. Otaku Dome gives Tokyo Ghoul Live-Action a 88 out of 100.