Kaneki Ken, Tokyo Ghoul
A protagonist of most narratives or stories often has a set of typical traits, often started as a underdog, who has immense moral values and through his or her hard work uncovers awaken their latent abilities. Kaneki Ken from the manga "Tokyo Ghoul" stood out from most characters as he shows interesting character development throughout the plot which differs from the stereotypical "hero".
Kaneki Ken was introduced as an ordinary college student at the start of the story, due to an unfortunate past, he is somewhat introverted and naive yet compassionate. While most hero of a story has a strong sense of justice and bravery, Kaneki's character has a moderate balance of the two that are relatable to an average person. However, due to certain misfortune, Kaneki was thrown into a whole new world when he was made into a "ghoul", which are beings who look live humans yet can only survive on human meat, a race which the humans fear and hate. With his life was turned up-side down, Kaneki struggled to maintain his humanity with his new instincts to prey on humans. However he gradually managed to adapt to this new environment he was gain a new perspective on the group of people that was hated by his kind and eventually learn to accept that part of him.
Kaneki was at the brink of insanity when he was tortured without a reason other than just for the pleasure of the enemy, the gradual change of his physical appearance is almost like a visual depiction of his mental instability. Due to extreme stress and shock Kaneki's hair turned stark white, as he suffered from Marie Antoinette syndrome. "It's better to be hurt that to hurt others", the philosophy of Kaneki's mother which he held close was renounced when he broke free from the chains that bound him and took down his assailant. This scene although unsettling and heart-breaking is the defining that completely changed the personality of the protagonist. He took on a new belief that to protect those who are important to him, he would have to forgo anyone who were in the way, no longer the innocent soul that was introduced at the beginning. Towards the end of the first season of the comics, Kaneki was defeated by a nemesis despite the growth and strength he thought he had, in his last moments, he acknowledge his mistakes, and that his merciless persona was merely a facade, as he was in fact afraid of losing those dear to him.
Based on Jordan Peterson's talk about the Jungian Shadow, in an environment where competition is not prevalent, it is easy to perceive oneself as a good person, however one cannot be considered a "good" person until they realized how much evil they contain within themselves as they have no potency. Peterson also elaborated on how accumulation of resentment could lead to vengeful thoughts which could potentially lead to the integration with the shadow. This theory fully applies to Kaneki Ken who had always believe himself as a good and humane person, in the beginning he stayed firm to his ideology and repressed his nature as a ghoul to kill and consume humans but was later forced to face and accept his inner shadow to protect himself and those who matter even if it means discarding his long held ideology and humanity.
Tokyo ghoul is an esoteric philosophical and psychological story that has many subliminal symbolism that are thought provoking. In fact, all characters in the story are quite complex, there are no real "good guys" as everyone had committed some sins to a certain degree, humans or ghouls alike. The character development of the protagonist, is one of the most complex and interesting ones I have seen as it makes viewer reflect on the idea of humanity.
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