The second season or cour of Tokyo Ghoul:re’s first episode is out now on streaming service GayO. Scheduled for it’s full premiere in October, the new episode follows the ending of season one with the debut of Black Reaper Kaneki; the black haired, glasses sporting, severely ruthless alter ego of Ken Kaneki from the manga. Now paired with Furuta, Kaneki and his partner are investigating rumors that claim author Sen Takatsuki may in fact be the ghoul Eto Yoshimura.

Tokyo Ghoul:re is a 2018 seinen anime series, it is produced by Pierrot and licensed by Funimation. Season one is currently available via Funimation Now and Crunchyroll. Season two will premiere October 9, 2018.

Editor’s Note: This review contains spoilers for episode one of Tokyo Ghoul:re season two, episode one. This review also contains a NSFW image below.

Don’t fear the Reaper.

Tokyo Ghoul is back and is continuing the anime adaptations of Ken Kaneki’s canonical adventures from the manga. While the previous season had issues including an incredibly fast pace, it did make the best of it’s limitations with some more than solid animation, action sequences, and panel to screen moments. Season two still unfortunately suffers from the pacing, but it opens strong enough to keep those who are long time viewers invested for the remainder of it’s coverage of the original source.

The White Reaper of CCG Kishou Arima.

THE GOOD: While we barely saw much of him upon the first season’s end Furuta is finally here and is partnered with Kaneki to handle the Sen Takatsuki investigation. We also get a flashback featuring the past of Rize & Eto, that involves a battle between Sachi & Arima. Three characters who take up most of the screen time are Eto, Kaneki, and Furuta. Those who’ve read the manga will understand why Furuta has suddenly gotten so much focus, but for those who are anime only the bigger picture will become apparent over time, not citing just how fast pace this season is compared to the previous of course.

The gore this season is about to get very bloody and hardcore, apparently. Buckle up everyone.

THE BAD: Fans will be a bit disappointed in learning that the island arc is immediately skipped as we go into the Sen/Eto identity reveal arc. Though flashes of the scenery are presented in the early moments of the episode.

Eto as Sen Takatsuki.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: The placement of this episode does feel a bit off due to an entire arc being skipped outside of a 2-3 minute montage of everything taking place. However, it does do a decent enough follow up on the Sen investigation arc and manages to adapt some key moments from the manga. As unfortunate as content cutting is this is hopefully the last of the issue or at the very least any further content cuts are less severe than season two’s opening moments as we get closer to the One-Eyed King arc. Otaku Dome gives Tokyo Ghoul:re Season 2, Episode 1 a 75 out of 100.