When it comes to grim and realistic shonen manga, Tokyo Ghoul is a classic. Ken Kaneki, a young boy, is given ghoul organs after being in an accident with a ghoul. Kaneki's biological makeup is irrevocably altered by the operation, leaving him with a hunger for human flesh and ghoul powers. Kaneki holds an important status in both ghoul and human society as the first human-ghoul hybrid.
There are many other manga that readers who enjoy the themes explored in the Tokyo Ghoul manga series will enjoy. These manga series contain everything anyone might want, including the action, drama, and twisted stories found in Tokyo Ghoul.
7 Gantz
The lives of Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato are chronicled in the Gantz manga series, written and illustrated by Hiroya Oku. They were killed while attempting to rescue a drunk homeless man who had fallen onto train tracks. Despite the common belief that death brings salvation and tranquility, there is no such place in Gantz.
After the duo's death, they find themselves in a dark room with a spherical orb called a Gantz. But now they must combat green aliens and robot creatures in a game for the chance to be brought back to life in the real world. There are many parallels between Gantz and Tokyo Ghoul, two works that deal with comparable themes of violence, horror, and ugliness in the world.
6 Ajin
A normal student named Nagai Kei has his life turned upside down when he learns he is an Ajin, a form of Demi-human with superhuman regenerative powers and activated immortality upon death. Being an Ajin unfortunately puts Kei under the government's watchful attention, because of the serious threat they pose to society. Despite the government's claims of protecting Ajin, the kind is often subjected to cruel trials designed to explore the extent to which it can regenerate.
Both Tokyo Ghoul and Ajin deal with themes of violence and gore, two themes they explore in comparable ways. Furthermore, the war between humans and Ajin is parallel to the struggle between ghouls and people in Tokyo Ghoul.
5 Parasyte: The Maxim
Parasites from outer space once invaded Earth and used human brains to gain power. One such parasite sought to infect Shinichi Izumi, a high school student, but wound up in his right arm instead. As a result, the parasite and host lived together strangely while keeping their individual identities. They have to work together to master survival skills and find a middle ground.
Like Tokyo Ghoul, Parasyte explores humanity and the moral ambiguity of killing in a dark and gritty comic aesthetic. Both of the manga's heroes experience drastic changes to their bodies and minds, and killing is a necessary part of survival for both.
4 Chainsaw Man
After his father's death, Denji finds himself deeply in debt and unable to make ends meet. He teams up with the chainsaw devil, Pochita, to pay off the debt to slay devils. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Denji merges with Pochita and became a demonic human. The government sees fit to employ him as a "Devil hunter" to rid the world of evil spirits.
The protagonists of both Chainsaw Man and Tokyo Ghoul are hybrids who acquire supernatural abilities. Tokyo Ghoul readers will remember Ken Kaneki, a ghoul/human hybrid who had to fight other ghouls to stay alive. Chainsaw Man will appeal to fans of Tokyo Ghoul because it has a demon hybrid killing devils.
3 Jujutsu Kaisen
Itadori Yuuji, a student with exceptional physical abilities, experiences a night of schoolyard cursing. Itadori swallows a mended finger belonging to Ryomen Sukuna, the king of curses, while he and a jujutsu sorcerer fight against the curse's material manifestation. After that night, Itadori is a time bomb waiting to go off, a time bomb that acts as the King of Curses' vessel.
Similarities exist between the Jujutsu Kaisen and Tokyo Ghoul manga. One area where ghouls and Jujutsu sorcerers have a lot in common is their shared underground culture. Supernatural aspects abound in Jujutsu Kaisen, making it appealing to lovers of Shonen manga like Tokyo Ghoul.
2 Berserk
The Berserk manga follows the story of Guts, the black swordsman, as he tries to prevent his former band leader, Griffith, from taking over the world. Griffith, despite their closeness, goes down a dark path in his pursuit of power, opening the door for the invasion of the otherworldly. Guts must face various evil creatures in order to stop Griffith and prevent the end of the world.
Both Berserk and Tokyo Ghoul deal with the horrific and the supernatural. Berserk is entertaining for readers who like Tokyo Ghoul because it follows Guts as he fights to protect the people he cares about.
1 Choujin X
Choujin X is about two boys named Azuma Higashi and Tokio Kurohara who reside in a neighborhood that has been all but destroyed by people known as Choujins, people with supernatural abilities. The two decide to join the Choujin after they find themselves cornered by one. This choice plunges them into the realm of the supernatural Choujins, where they must face various challenges.
Azuma and Tokio, like Kaneki from Tokyo Ghoul, become Choujins to combat a supernatural danger. Choujin X, like Tokyo Ghoul, features a similar set of protagonists and a blend of the supernatural and action.