Tokyo Ghoul: Season 1/ Episode 2 “Incubation” – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

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Overview

As Kaneki continues to try to fight being a ghoul/ Rize’s encouragement, he almost starves himself to madness.

Review (with Spoilers)

With this being only the 2^nd episode, we still are in the introductory phase of getting to know the main characters. And while there seems to be something brooding in the background, I still have this feeling like this dark twisted show that was advertised has yet to be seen. For while there are scenes so messed up, especially in this episode, that a good 2-3 minutes are censored, and even the color of the anime changes to accommodate the amount of blood, I think perhaps I have built such a tolerance since watching Corpse Party, as well as Another, that perhaps my expectations just may have been a bit too high.

Topic 1: Introducing Anteiku – Kaneki, Toka, and Sir?

With Kaneki being a new ghoul and Anteiku being the local territory managers it seems, they take notice of his struggles. Though perhaps no one more than the one Toka calls simply “Sir” who seems to be her boss and father figure. A man who wishes to extend such kindness to Kaneki. He even tells Kaneki how coffee helps with some of the cravings he’ll experience as a ghoul. But, despite his kindness, it seems the main reason Sir is interested in Kaneki is because he knows Kaneki has Rize’s organs. And while he may not want Rize’s organs for himself, he does realize Kaneki bridging two worlds is something which should be taken seriously.

Topic 2: Awaken Rize! – Hide, Kaneki and Nishio

Especially since Kaneki utterly refuses to take his need for flesh consumption seriously. His desire to keep his sense of normalcy fights against the binge eating habits of Rize who haunts him and pushes him to satisfy her appetite. But, in order to appear human, and try to retain such a role, he decides he will not eat the flesh sir gave him and he will go to school and see his best friend Hide. Someone who we find isn’t as jerk-ish as he seemed in the first episode. If anything, his lack of inhibitions is supposedly to cover up how strong of a sense of empathy he has. Though unfortunately his empathy doesn’t come with mind reading abilities for on Kaneki’s first day back in school he learns Hide associates with Nishio.

And, at first, it seems Nishio isn’t going to do anything. Perhaps let bygones be bygones. Wrong! For one, Nishio was about to get it on with some girl and then Hide and Kaneki scare the girl off, then after that, even as Nishio seems like he has calmed down from being cock blocked, as soon as he gets the chance he knocks out Hide and goes to fight Kaneki. Especially since Toka isn’t there to breakup their fight. With this, Kaneki basically does the Goku, from Dragon Ball Z, method of getting his ass kicked for most of the fight until he finds himself reaching deep down and exhibiting a power he didn’t realize he had. Thing is, this power comes from accessing Rize and with this he loses himself to his hunger and, with Rize egging him on, eating Hide becomes an option as Nishio is assumingly ripped to pieces. And I say assumingly since a huge black censor pretty much hides whatever may have happened to Nishio.

But, thankfully, before Hide gets eaten Toka shows up. From there, though, all we know is that both use their kagune, their arm/ tentacle like things, and Kaneki ends up blacking out. Leaving us knowing Hide is safe, though still dealing with injuries Nishio caused; Taku having some injuries due to her fight with Kaneki, and Kaneki seemingly fine. Though sadly for him it is due to being forced fed. But, as noted in topic 1, Sir fully wishes to support Kaneki, as Toka does too I’m sure, when it comes to him accepting his new life.

Topic 3: Friend or Foe? – Mr. Mado & Amon

The two men mentioned in the topic are new and it is hard to say if they are part of this dreaded CCG Toka mentions, or if they maybe part of some other group. Either way, they seem to be some sort of hunters and Mr. Mado comes off a bit loopy. But what matters most is they provide information on the first scene of episode 1 and let us know that Rize was considered an S-Ranked ghoul and the other guy something known as a “Jason.” Leading to me wondering who leads, or controls, the Jasons, who are other S-Ranked members, and where do Mr. Mado and Amon fit in all this?