Tokyo Ghoul: Jack
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
Former baseball player turned delinquent Taishi Fura accidentally witnesses the man-eating "ghoul" known as Lantern injuring his old friend and murdering another. Before the situation gets any worse, Fura's classmate Kishou Arima arrives―as he is actually an undercover investigator for the Commission of Counter Ghoul (CCG)―and forces the ghoul to flee. Seeking revenge for his friends, Fura joins forces with Arima to hunt down ghouls in the 13th Ward—ultimately aiming to bring down Lantern. Tokyo Ghoul: "Jack" unveils snippets of life in the past for the CCG's fearsome "Reaper," Arima, giving insight into how he spent his high school days.
Audience Consensus
The audience generally appreciates "Tokyo Ghoul: Jack" for its visual quality, engaging backstory for Arima, and the sympathetic portrayal of its characters. However, many critiques point to the OVA's short runtime as a significant limitation, leading to underdeveloped plot points and underwhelming action sequences. Despite these drawbacks, it's often seen as a strong, albeit brief, addition to the Tokyo Ghoul universe, particularly for fans seeking more lore.
Strengths
- Solid artwork and animation quality, with vivid colors and detailed character designs.
- Engaging character development for Fura, showing a transformation from delinquent to investigator.
- Appreciated insight into Arima's backstory and past, adding depth to a key character.
- Well-crafted OST that fits the atmosphere and enhances scenes.
- Good chemistry between the main characters, making them feel like potential protagonists for a longer series.
- Offers a sympathetic portrayal of delinquents, paralleling their treatment with ghouls.
Weaknesses
- Action scenes and fight choreography are considered mediocre, lacking the fast-paced excitement expected from Tokyo Ghoul.
- Insufficient character development for some characters, leading to a lack of emotional investment in their fates.
- Plot feels rushed and incomplete due to the short runtime, with unresolved questions and abrupt endings.
- Arima's overpowered nature at a young age is questioned.
- Some characters' motivations and actions are perceived as unrealistic or inconsistent (e.g., Lantern's desire for human life vs. her actions, Minami's sudden emotional shifts).
- Foreshadowing of certain reveals is too heavy-handed.