Compared to the beginning of Tokyo Ghoul, Ken Kaneki has changed dramatically. Most recall his first big shift when, after being tortured, Kaneki's hair turned white and his personality changed drastically. However, that transformation was far from his only one. With every major event in the tragic hero's life, Kaneki's outlook and actual appearance morphed to fit his new normal.
While it's theoretically possible to categorize him further, fans generally agree that the long-suffering Kaneki possesses six distinct personalities. From quiet and sweet to savage and disturbed, it wouldn't be a stretch to consider these Kanekis as completely different characters — in fact, one of them is. Here's a guide to all Kaneki forms, what they're like, and how they fit into the series.
Updated on September 14, 2023, by Ajay Aravind: Although the overarching protagonist of Tokyo Ghoul, Ken Kaneki also plays a bit of an antiheroic role throughout the story. The tragic moments in his life have caused him immense trauma, but also helped him gain new abilities. Kaneki has access to six unique personalities, each of which is radically different from the last. As such, we've updated this feature with some more information about all of Kaneki's forms.
Kaneki 1
Half-Ghoul, Shy & Bookish
The first Kaneki in Tokyo Ghoul is a shy, bookish college student who becomes a Half-Ghoul after a date goes horribly wrong. Luckily, he finds a place in the Ghoul-friendly coffee shop, Anteiku, where he works as a server and learns about the Ghoul community. As an idealist, this Kaneki is deeply troubled by an unjust world, and struggles to make sense of why Ghouls exist at all.
Much later in the series, viewers learn that this Kaneki was withholding some pre-Ghoul trauma — after losing his father, he was frequently abused by his mother, leading to severely low self-esteem. As a survival tactic, Black Hair Kaneki adopted the mindset of it being better to be hurt than to risk hurting others, though this led to a weakness that he could hardly bear. Fortunately or otherwise, he never returns to this version of himself.
Kaneki 2
The Ghoul
It's after being tortured that Kaneki undergoes his most iconic shift in Tokyo Ghoul, accepting himself as a Ghoul as his hair turns white. There are a few theories as to why his hair suddenly changed color. A popular one is that it's due to Marie Antoinette Syndrome, a currently unverified medical condition connecting white hair and trauma. Another theory involves his Ghoul awakening boosting his count of the fictional "RC cells."
Regardless, the change is symbolic of Kaneki's radical personality shift. White Hair Kaneki rejects his past self, deciding that strength is everything and all instances of suffering are inexorably caused by one's lack of ability. Although transformed into a cold, harsh, and very powerful individual, Kaneki still wants to protect those close to him. Unfortunately, he also pushes them away while doing so. As it turns out, this philosophy is his ultimate downfall. Anteiku Cafe is ultimately destroyed and Kaneki is cut down by Kishou Arima.
Kaneki 3
The Traumatized Centipede
Centipede Kaneki first emerges through Kaneki's Half-Kakuja form, a powerful Ghoul transformation enabled by cannibalization. Centipede Kaneki completely loses control over himself in this form, mumbling incomprehensibly, deliriously running up walls, and impaling his foes with centipede tentacles. It is a manifestation of Kaneki's torture, referencing the centipedes that Jason had earlier inserted into his ear canal.
When Kaneki's personalities gather in Tokyo Ghoul: re Chapter 141, "A Sufficient Stain," this Kaneki is not present, indicating it may be more of an extension of White Kaneki than its own person. Prisoner #240 (who is present) is more or less the same — a mumbling, unstable identity formed as a result of Kaneki's traumatic experiences.
Kaneki 4
Haise Sasaki, Prisoner #240
Haise Sasaki isn't really Kaneki at all. After "dying" at Arima's hand, he is degraded to the nameless Prisoner #240 and revived as an amnesiac. Tortured and ashamed, he wants to forget everything that's happened to him. Captaining the Quinx Squad of the CCG, Sasaki is able to do just this. He lives happily for a brief period as the kind, caring, and somewhat awkward "den mother" of the Quinx.
Further, Sasaki enjoyed collaborating with others, a far cry from Kaneki's self-imposed emotional exile. Of course, Kaneki's history comes knocking in the form of a hallucinated child Kaneki, who begs Sasaki not to erase the past. When Kaneki's memories return properly, he says, in one of the series' most memorable quotes, "Goodnight, Haise. I've had enough of dreaming."
Kaneki 5
The Black Reaper
The Black Reaper is the darkest Kaneki form in Tokyo Ghoul. Similar to White Kaneki, he is cruel, cold, and merciless, recalling everything that has happened to him and refusing to tolerate even a shred of Sasaki's happiness. He remembers it all — the agonizing torture, the many failures, and even his childhood abuse. Similar to how White Kaneki deserts Anteiku, the Black Reaper callously deserts the Quinx squad.
He even scolds Urie for not preventing Shirazu's death. The Black Reaper is definitely a lot bleaker than White Hair Kaneki, as he seemingly wants to end his own life. When he once again confronts the "White Reaper" Arima, Black Reaper Kaneki is fully prepared to die, further showcasing his lack of survival instinct.
Kaneki 6
The One-Eyed King
The One-Eyed King is perhaps Kaneki's most complex personality. Following his fight with Arima, he regains the will to live and becomes the One-Eyed King. All of Kaneki's personalities converge into a reformed, complete version who knows what's important and is ready to carry on Arima's will. His hair once again turns white, marking what seems to be a positive shift for his character. It's certainly an improvement, but his old shortcomings still hinder the tragic hero.
Even the One-Eyed King shoulders too much responsibility, spiraling out of control as the stress causes him to age. He ultimately fails once more, cut down by Juuzou Suzuya and transforming into the "Dragon" Kagune monster. In a more subtle change, Kaneki's visions inside Dragon help him make sense of himself and come to terms with the world. He learns to rely on others and understands that the world is not right or wrong — it just happens to be the way it is. It is this content, albeit existentialist Kaneki who ends Tokyo Ghoul.
