Kaneki, Ken
Summary
Originally born as a human, Ken Kaneki’s life changes drastically after an encounter with Kamishiro Rize, a female ghoul who uses her charms to assault him for food. Rushed to the hospital in a critical state alongside Rize, Kaneki receives emergency surgery from the eccentric Dr. Kanou, who secretly conducts experiments on humans and ghouls. Kanou transplants what Kaneki believes to be a kidney into him to save his life, but it is actually part of Rize’s kagune, making Kaneki the first successful half-ghoul. The transplantation introduces an unnatural abundance of RC Cells into Kaneki’s body, rendering him unable to digest human food without severe illness. In exchange, he gains regenerative abilities and the power to manifest a kagune. Clinging to his humanity, Kaneki refuses to eat humans, subsisting instead on large quantities of coffee and, when absolutely necessary, cannibalizing other ghouls. Due to his ghoul mask and physical features, he is labeled "One-Eye" within the ghoul community. Under immense stress and pressure, his kagune takes on a centipede-like form, earning him the moniker "Centipede." He eventually allies with ghouls such as Banjou and Tsukiyama Shuu, aiming to reduce the threat posed by rogue ghouls to improve the lives of humans. The CCG eventually classifies him as an SS-Rated ghoul.
