Tokyo Ghoul is a popular anime series based on the manga of the same name by Sui Ishida. The story follows Ken Kaneki, a college student who becomes a half-ghoul after a near-fatal encounter with a ghoul named Rize. Ghouls are flesh-eating creatures that live among humans in secret, hiding their true nature and identity. Kaneki struggles to adapt to his new life as a ghoul, while also facing the dangers and conflicts of the ghoul society and the human-ghoul investigators.
The anime adaptation of Tokyo Ghoul consists of four seasons, with the first two following the manga closely, and the last two deviating from the original story and creating an alternate ending. The fourth and final season, titled Tokyo Ghoul:re 2nd Season, aired in 2018 and concluded with Kaneki’s apparent death after a climactic battle with the One-Eyed King, Furuta.
However, many fans were left unsatisfied and disappointed with the anime’s ending, as it differed significantly from the manga’s ending, which was more hopeful and conclusive. The manga ended with Kaneki surviving and living happily with his wife Touka and their daughter Ichika, while also reconciling with his friends and former enemies.
So, is there any chance that Tokyo Ghoul will be renewed for a fifth season that will follow the manga’s ending and give Kaneki a proper closure? Here are some possibilities and factors that could influence the fate of Tokyo Ghoul Season 5.
The popularity and demand of Tokyo Ghoul
One of the main factors that could determine the possibility of Tokyo Ghoul Season 5 is the popularity and demand of the series among fans. Tokyo Ghoul is undoubtedly one of the most popular and successful anime series of the past decade, with millions of fans worldwide. The manga has sold over 44 million copies as of 2018, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. The anime has also received critical acclaim and awards, such as the Tokyo Anime Award for Best TV Anime in 2015.
However, popularity alone is not enough to guarantee a renewal of an anime series. Many other factors need to be considered, such as the availability of source material, the production budget, the studio’s schedule, and the creative vision of the author and the director.
The availability of source material for Tokyo Ghoul Season 5
Another factor that could influence the possibility of Tokyo Ghoul Season 5 is the availability of source material. As mentioned earlier, the anime adaptation of Tokyo Ghoul deviated from the manga in its third and fourth seasons, creating an original story that diverged from Ishida’s vision. Therefore, if a fifth season were to be made, it would have to either follow the manga’s ending or create a new story that would bridge the gap between the anime’s ending and the manga’s ending.
The former option would require a lot of retconning and rewriting of the previous seasons, as well as ignoring or changing some major events and characters that were introduced in the anime. This could be confusing and frustrating for some fans following the anime faithfully. The latter option would require a lot of creativity and originality from the writers and directors and approval from Ishida himself. This could be challenging and risky, resulting in inconsistencies or contradictions with both the anime and the manga.
The production budget and studio’s schedule for Tokyo Ghoul Season 5
Another factor that could affect the possibility of Tokyo Ghoul Season 5 is the production budget and studio’s schedule. Producing an anime series is not cheap or easy; it requires time, money, resources, and talent. The studio that produced Tokyo Ghoul is Pierrot, also known for producing other popular anime series such as Naruto, Bleach, Black Clover, Boruto, etc. Pierrot has a busy schedule and a limited budget, which could limit its ability to produce another season of Tokyo Ghoul.
Moreover, fans have criticized Pierrot for its animation quality and pacing issues in some of its anime series, especially in Tokyo Ghoul:re. Some fans have complained that Pierrot rushed or skipped some important scenes or arcs from the manga, or changed some details or designs that affected the overall quality and consistency of the anime. Therefore, if Pierrot were to produce another season of Tokyo Ghoul, it would have to improve its animation quality and pacing and respect Ishida’s original work.
The possibility of a remake
Another factor that could affect the future of Tokyo Ghoul is the possibility of a remake. A remake is when an anime series is re-adapted from scratch, following the manga more closely and improving on the aspects that were lacking in the original adaptation. Some examples of successful anime remakes are Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Hunter x Hunter (2011), and Fruits Basket (2019).
A remake of Tokyo Ghoul could be a great opportunity to redeem the series and satisfy the fans who were unhappy with the previous adaptation. A remake could also attract new viewers who have not watched or read Tokyo Ghoul before, and increase its popularity and revenue.
However, a remake is not an easy task to accomplish. It requires a lot of time, money, resources, and talent to produce a high-quality anime that can live up to the expectations of the fans and critics. It also requires the approval and cooperation of the original creator, Sui Ishida, who has been inactive since he finished Tokyo Ghoul:re in 2018.
The current status of Sui Ishida
The final factor that could affect the future of Tokyo Ghoul is the current status of Sui Ishida, the creator of Tokyo Ghoul. Sui Ishida is a mysterious and elusive mangaka who rarely reveals his personal information or interacts with his fans. He has not published any new work since he ended Tokyo Ghoul:re in 2018, and has only posted some illustrations on his Twitter account.
Some fans speculate that Sui Ishida is taking a break from his career due to exhaustion or health issues. Others believe that he is working on a new project in secret, or has retired from the industry altogether. No one knows for sure what Sui Ishida is doing or planning to do next.
Sui Ishida’s involvement is crucial for any potential renewal or remake of Tokyo Ghoul. He is the one who holds the rights to his work and has the final say on whether he wants to continue or end his story. He is also the one who can provide guidance and feedback to the anime staff on how to adapt his work properly.
Without Sui Ishida’s consent and participation, it is unlikely that Tokyo Ghoul will get a fifth season or a remake anytime soon.
