Ken Kaneki returns in the sequel to last year’s smash hit Tokyo Ghoul. Taking an alternative root (or direction) from the manga’s canon as suggested by the subtitle. Root A follows Ken’s much anticipated transformation into a true ghoul. Alternatively to the manga, Kenaki chooses to follow his former oppressors instead of hunting them down one by one.

Tokyo Ghoul Root A is an 2015 Shonen anime series, it is the sequel to 2014’s Tokyo Ghoul. It is produced by Studio Pierrot and licensed by Funimation. It is currently available via streaming services.

Warning: The following review contains spoilers for both Tokyo Ghoul Root A, and a huge amount of the canon featured in it’s manga predecessor. You have been warned folks.

If you’ve read my season one review for Tokyo Ghoul, then by now you should know that over the past year I’ve become a huge fan of the series. The manga is such a psychotic thrill ride that almost every other panel finds some way of enticing you into wanting more. Rather this is due to the art work, direction, character development, or all of the above remains to be seen. In Tokyo Ghoul Root A the story follows an anime exclusive story created by series mangaka; Sui Ishida, which already gives it a step up over other anime only storylines, that are usually universally panned by fans and critics alike.

Kaneki, Ken,; the man formerly as.

THE GOOD: While some will scuff at the anime universe now officially not being recognized as canon, the story has been written and approved by mangaka Sui Ishida so that makes it promising, to say the least. The series has not only gotten an overhaul in direction, but season two has also gotten much more amazing animation work done. As seen in a number of beautiful looking scenes, this is likely due to the larger budget that Studio Pierrot was granted thanks to the recent success of season one (which was thanks in part to the original manga’s sudden rise overseas and in Japan).

“Shut up and listen. I’m talking”

THE BAD: Root A, judging by episode one is going to suffer from pacing issues. This became abundantly clear due to some key scenes that were canon, such as the fight between Ken and Ayato, though it’s possible they altered it to match it up to the new story. Season one suffered from pacing as well and would often times look like an complete gore fest due to some of the lighter moments being cut, which will turn of some anime viewers who are still on the fence, but as far as emotion delivery goes Faith did a fairly good job executing emotion with what little time it had per scene.

The hero of a tragedy.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Root A while taking an anime exclusive direction, makes up for some of the mistakes present in season one. However, there are some of those remaining, griping issues that will be annoying to those who read the manga, such as pacing. The new animation, and larger budget, however should provide season two with the tools to be an fantastic anime only arc. Otaku Dome gives Tokyo Ghoul Root A “Faith” an 90 out of 100.