
Ken Kaneki, the one-eyed ghoul from Tokyo Ghoul, has devoured millions of hearts with his tragic transformation, unyielding survival instinct, and quest for identity in a world of hunters and hunted. From a bookish college student to the One-Eyed King leading the ghoul revolution, Kaneki’s journey is a raw exploration of humanity’s fragility.
Who is Ken Kaneki?
Ken Kaneki is the main protagonist of Sui Ishida’s Tokyo Ghoul (manga 2011–2014) and its sequel Tokyo Ghoul:re (2014–2018). Introduced in chapter 1 and episode 1 of the anime (2014), he’s a university student who becomes the first artificial one-eyed ghoul after a horrific accident. His dual life as human and monster drives the series’ themes of coexistence and identity.
Ken Kaneki ( tokyo ghoul ) Wiki
| Full Name | Ken Kaneki (金木 研) / Haise Sasaki (佐々木 琲世, alias in :re) |
| Nickname / Alias | Eyepatch, Black Reaper, One-Eyed King |
| Age | 18 (Tokyo Ghoul start) → 19 (Aogiri arc) → 21–23 (:re) → ~27 (2025 epilogue) |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of Birth | December 20 |
| Blood Type | Unknown |
| Occupation | University Student (former) → Ghoul Investigator (Haise) → Goat Leader |
| Family Members | Unnamed parents (deceased), aunt/uncle, Touka Kirishima (wife), Ichika Kaneki (daughter) |
| Friends | Ryuk |
Physical Appearance
| Height | 169 cm (5’7″) |
| Weight | 55 kg (121 lbs) → 58 kg (:re) |
| Hair Color | Black → White (post-torture) → Black again (:re) |
| Eye Color | Gray (human) / Black-red (ghoul) |
| Skin Color | Pale (scarred from torture) |
Ghoul & Investigator Career
| Occupation / Role | One-Eyed Ghoul, CCG Investigator (Haise Sasaki), Goat Leader |
| Team | Anteiku (former), Quinx Squad (mentor), Goat (leader) |
| Mentor / Teacher | Yoshimura (ghoul life), Arima Kishō (CCG training) |
| Affiliation(s) | Anteiku, CCG (defected), Aogiri Tree (briefly), Goat |
| Status (2025) | Alive, father and husband in peaceful coexistence era (post-:re) |
| Debut (Anime) | Episode 1 (2014) |
| Debut (Manga) | Chapter 1 (2011) |
| Voice Actor (JP) | Natsuki Hanae |
| Voice Actor (EN) | Austin Tindle |
| Link |
Powers & Combat Profile
| Kagune Type | Rinkaku (tentacle-like, regenerative) |
| Kakuja | Centipede form (post-torture, armored exoskeleton) |
| Signature Abilities | Superhuman strength/speed, regeneration, enhanced senses |
| Notable Battles | vs Jason (torture), vs Arima (CCG raid), vs Furuta (final revolution) |
Ken Kaneki’s Story
Kaneki’s nightmare begins on a blind date with Rize Kamishiro, a ghoul who devours him — only for falling girders to crush her. Surgeons transplant her organs into Kaneki, turning him into a half-ghoul who craves human flesh but retains his humanity.
His descent:
- Anteiku Arc: Hides at the ghoul cafe, learns control from Yoshimura.
- Aogiri Tree Arc: Tortured by Jason, breaks mentally, embraces ghoul side.
- Tokyo Ghoul:re: Amnesiac as Haise Sasaki, CCG investigator mentoring Quinx.
- Revolution Arc: Regains memories, leads Goat for ghoul-human peace.
- 2025 (Epilogue): Married to Touka, father to Ichika, advocates for coexistence in a reformed Tokyo.
Kaneki’s truth: “I’m not the protagonist of a tragedy… I’ll write my own ending.”
Powers and Abilities
Kaneki’s ghoul evolution makes him a hybrid apex predator:
- Rinkaku Kagune – Four tentacles for whipping/slashing; high-speed regeneration.
- Kakuja Centipede – Armored form post-cannibalism; boosts power but risks insanity.
- Superhuman Senses – Detects ghouls by scent, enhanced night vision.
- RC Cell Mastery – Suppresses hunger, forms kagune masks for disguise.
- Mental Resilience – Survives torture, adapts identities (Haise, Black Reaper).
Example: During the CCG raid, Kaneki’s kakuja overwhelms Arima, showcasing rinkaku’s raw, evolving might.
4. Personality Traits
Kaneki is fragile, resilient, and profoundly introspective:
- Pre-Ghoul: Shy bookworm, empathetic to a fault.
- Post-Torture: Violent, power-hungry, but clings to humanity.
- Haise Era: Mentor-like, suppressing trauma with smiles.
- One-Eyed King: Ruthless leader, yearns for peace amid guilt.
Fans love his centipede mask as a symbol of inner chaos
Ken Kaneki Quotes
- “This world isn’t wrong. It just is.”
- “I’m not human… but I’m not a monster either.”
- “If you change the world, you can change yourself.”
- “Why do I keep losing people I love? Is it because of me?”
Popular Fan Theories
Even in , fans dissect:
- Kaneki’s Dragon Form: Incomplete kakuja = literal dragon (symbolic of endless hunger).
- Hide’s Survival: Exposed as CCG chairman? (Confirmed in :re, but theories linger on his “death”).
- Touka Pregnancy: Ichika’s birth tied to Kaneki’s final peace.
- Live-Action Remake: 2025 rumors of a faithful adaptation with new Kaneki casting.
Unknown or Fun Facts about Ken Kaneki
- Book Obsession: Favorite author Takatsuki Sen (Eto Yoshimura’s alias); reads during downtime.
- Eyepatch Origin: Hides ghoul eye; later becomes his “Eyepatch” moniker.
- Voice Actor: Natsuki Hanae also voiced Tanjiro (Demon Slayer).
- Dead by Daylight Crossover: Added as “The Ghoul” Killer in April 2025 chapter.
FAQs
Q1. How old is Ken Kaneki in 2025?
~27 (post-:re epilogue).
Q2. Is Ken Kaneki still a ghoul?
Yes — leads reformed society as One-Eyed King.
Q4. Who is Ken Kaneki’s wife?
Touka Kirishima — mother of Ichika.
Q6. What is Ken Kaneki’s height and birthday?
Height: 169 cm (5’7″) | Birthday: December 20.





