#hideyoshi nagachika

It’s THAT time of the year

2020

Vs

20old

Vs

20evenolder

One of the thing you read more often in meta analysis about Tokyo Ghoul is the comparison between the original manga and :re, how the two parallel and how the two differ.

Where do they differ most? In the outcomes. We find out late in :re that Irimi and Koma survived, that Kaneki’s sacrifice at the end of the Anteiku arc wasn’t useless, and this and other things ignited the main comparison between Tokyo Ghoul and :re: that the first is about loss, while the second about hope. The very concept of it is “hopeful”:

• re as in “reply” in emails “re:”, return, answer, which can be exemplified as in the final answer Kaneki finds to live on, not for others but for himself first
• re as in “return”, symbolising Kaneki’s returning home - and many other characters
• Re, finally, as in Re, which in many languages, including my mother-tongue and I’m terribly ashamed for never anticipating the connection, means King. And a king is someone who leads, someone who protects, someone who shields. Again, an hopeful figure.

Many other hopeful or not strictly tragic events lead us to believe that the good would be the main thee and the turnout of :re in general. For example, the parallel with events in the previous manga that have a positive conclusion in :re, as when Kaneki fights Arima, but this time, he’s sure he’s doing something effective, and this time, he wins, h goes back with Touka and the others and all the other lovely things happen. His love for Touka becomes his reason to live. And when he goes back to save them, his attitude is entirely different from when in Anteiku:

He’s confident in his abilities. He’s confident in the outcome. He isn’t fighting to “die with style” like when against Eto or “to save someone he loves” like when he fought Arima the second time. He’s not fighting to save ghouls, or Touka and their unborn child. He’s fighting to save them and for he himself to survive by their side. The difference is small but fundamental. He’s fighting for his own happiness, and his happiness comprehends the people he loves to stay alive, but song with him.

This is a huge change for Kaneki. Most of the manga he fights for someone else to live on or, at times, for revenge, anger. Now finally there’s a positive message.

So naturally Ishida tears it apart.

Jokes aside, I think the point of the manga is beyond Kaneki and beyond the singular characters. True, the very incipit of the makes things very clear:

“If you were to write a story with me in the lead it would certainly be a tragedy.”

Tragedy & Ken Kaneki are the focal points of re - to be fair, sensei had warned us. But the point is not him, it’s the story: the incipit suggests that it’s a tragedyspecifically from Kaneki’s point of view.

:re confuses the issue:

“The sky above a tragedy is clear blue.”

Does this mean that

• The world is wrong because it doesn’t care about the tragedy of individuals?
• That while a tragedy occurs, it’s just another day for someone else?
• That the story of Tokyo Ghoul is a tragedy specifically from Kaneki’s POV, but for someone else - Furuta maybe - it’s a clear blue sky?

Quite possibly all of these and many others. But one thing I’m confident about is that Kaneki’s is and isn’t the protagonist.

When we learn about Eto and Arima’s plan, we fundamentally learn of a story that started way before Kaneki was attacked by his too-good-to-be-human date. We learn through Furuta that he’s just incidentally gotten caught in something bigger than him, and that his role as “king” was prepared way before it was even clear t would be him. He’s a chess piece, in short. A role.

The role, the issue of handing over a torch is fundamental in Tokyo Ghoul, more or less explicitly, more or less intentionally and symbolically. A few examples:

• Touka picking up Kuzen’s old broken cup and then opening :re
• Urie picking up Sasaki’s role as leader
• Juuzo picking up Arima’s aura
• Takizawa holding on to Amon’s cross pendant and symbolically to his will
• Amon picking up Maris Stella and so symbolically Akira’s heart - sorry couldn’t resist
• Kaneki picking up the One Eyed King crown
• Just in general, people changing leadership positions
• Just in general, people who step in to protect in place of those who died

This continuous changing of sides confirms it.

Kaneki is human, then ghoul, then sides with Ghouls, then sides with humans as a Ghoul, then sides with Ghouls again.

Urie and Saiko are humans who get ghoulish and indirectly side with ghouls. Amon becomes a ghoul and sides with humans, then with ghouls, then it’s unclear. Takizawa and Kurona have similar stories. The 0 squad - rest in peace - are humans but not really who side with Ghouls. Nishino sides with ghouls then again with humans. And I’m just randomly citing those I remember.

All of this shows that yes, the story is a psychological manga about Kaneki’s psyche, but it’s also, from an impartial point of view, th story of two fighting factions and their good, bad and neutral individuals. The story is that of Kaneki and of ghouls, that’s why, even if Kaneki dies, the story doesn’t end, simply because the story of ghouls started long before Kaneki’s story. Just like Arima passed him the torch he can, indirectly, pass it on to someone else.

I’m not, again, saying Kaneki surely will die - especially because I was heavily insulted the last time I suggested he could. But people who think he’ll survive 100% certainly are frankly delusional. It’s in shounens that the protagonists always survive, and this is not a shounen.

What I’m suggesting is that someone who like him switched sides could take up what he did so far. Kaneki losing against Suzuya and Hanbee is not a plot-hole because it was heavily anticipated.

He pushed himself too far and can’t regenerate properly anymore, Nishiki explained it just a few chapters ago. He insisted on doing everything by himself - to be fair, it’s not like he had much of a choice - and just like Furuta predicted, he tripped.

Despite everything and all I just said p, I’m pretty confident Kaneki will live. Touka as well. There’s still to many players in the game for the final outcome to be decided just yet: Urie, Saiko, the Quinx, the rebellious CCG, Amon, Akira, Takizawa, Kurona, Tsukiyama, Hori, Nishiki, his ex girlfriend who now conveniently works with Kanou… and oh, who am I forgetting?

Nagachika Hideyoshi. If he didn’t come back from the dead to turn this situation upside down, I’m eating my hat. If Kaneki’s loss is due to his solitary fighting, than maybe the answer is the help he gets from all of these people and the one person who noticed this about him for the first time. Would make this suffering - his or ours? - more than worth it.

Still, I’m thinking someone else should take up his torch, at least for now. If I had to choose, it’d be Urie. They have had similar experiences: have known loss, care for others, sacrifice, remorse, failed to save people and finally took up a role - Urie as squad leader, Kaneki as king - they didn’t believe in for themselves, but for others. Urie has now lowest point: he’s got very few things left to lose. And this is why he’s fitting to lead someone else’s crusade, or found his own. Actually, he already has, backing Saiko and helping The Kuroiwas. And has lost confidence in their own fight for a while. If Touka is Kaneki’s motivation, Mutsuki failed to be Urie:

She’s turned vicious and violent, so that, even if it was her who reached out to him before anyone else,

She’s also the farthest from him now.

While Touka was in the beginning hostile to Kaneki but in the end reached out to him and saved him.

Things are tragic, that’s no mistake:

Unless I’m gravely mistaken, Naki isn’t coming back like Irimi and Koma did - and am I not sueing Ishida for this. People died. That’s already a tragedy. But many others may still turn things upside down because, unlike at the end of the first manga, Kaneki isn’t alone, though he fought alone. And so his loss isn’t final.

People who can still save the day - kinda

• Amon & Akira
• Ayato & his underground mates
• Kurona & Takizawa, wherever they are
• Saiko & co.
• Urie & co.
• Resurrected Arima Kishou - please
• Resurrected Naki - please please please
• Tsukiyama & Nishiki
• Kimi Nishino ASA she realizes wth is going on

But most notably

• HIDEYOSHI NAGACHIKA

I made the characters from Tokyo Ghoul with the Lily Story app

Chapter 1

Chapter 145

There is a void inside of you.

wings

海で叫びたい

how amusing

editor: Kinarus (youtube)

let’s go home

god of tragedy

Genre: Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff

Pairings: Ken Kaneki x Female Reader!

Characters: Ken Kaneki, Hideyoshi Nagachika, Koutarou Amon, brief mention of Touka Kirishima 

Summary:based off the song hurt somebody by noah kahan & julia michaels, this is my first ever short fic I’ve ever posted, part one in a series of short fics based off of songs that will be coming soon hope you enjoy! reblogs, likes and comments all welcomed and appreciated! <3

Warning(s): mention of past abusive relationship, slut shaming, brief violence, mediocre writing lol, 

{word count: 1854}

Taking it slowly

I’m afraid to be lonely

Nobody told me

It’s harder than I thought to tell the truth

It was a universal understanding how important your first love was, you couldn’t bring yourself to think about a future relationship, not after how low this breakup left you. Koutarou left a sour taste in your mouth, choosing to break it off with him after spending 2 years with him in hindsight would be the best thing you ever did for yourself but as of right now, it surely was not. Going to college was supposed to be fun, you were supposed to be living a life worth leaving your hometown for but instead you spent every Friday night at Anteiku for general company and it’s amazing coffee. After spending basically the whole semester there you learned that not only was the coffee exceptional so was the staff. The spunky ginger Hide who over the weeks you learned was also in your 10AM, constantly bickering with the cute barista who certainly caught your attention, you noticed the barista on your first day in the shop with his attentive eyes and white hair, it would be hard not to notice him. Hide was convincing him to find a new job, one where said barista’s ex girlfriend wasn’t the assistant manager for.

“C’monKaneki, there’s lots of great jobs on campus!” Hide urged, noticing your eyes flicker toward the two of them.
“Hey, hazelnut macchiato no whip, what do you think? Would you stay at the job where your ex was the assistant manager?” He cheekily asks pointedly ignoring his friends glares for involving you into the conversation.
“It’s (y/n), I wouldn’t know what to do, my ex boyfriend is everywhere I go, what can you really do?” You answered honestly and he agreed looking away a tint to his cheeks.
Cute,you thought to yourself going back to your paper.
The moment didn’t go over Hide’s head who couldn’t bite back a grin looking between you and his friend.
“You do know I’m in your International Economics lecture right Hide?” You teased poking your tongue out at the boy who smiled sheepishly back.
“Sorry, never noticed you..” You waved him off smiling back politely, he took this gratefully and slid into the booth across from you.
“So…I was trying to convince my friend over there to come with me to a party tomorrow night.”
“And?” You replied, a sly grin spreading across his lips,
“If you came, I’m sure he would too.”
“Why?” You asked eyebrows furrowing as he shrugged his shoulders glancing at his friend behind him who was nervously wiping the counter trying his best not to look at us.
Why not? You thought to yourself, it’s not like you were doing anything else and his friend was attractive and you couldn’t deny that.
“Okay. I’ll bite, I’ll come.”
“Great!” Hide exclaimed, clasping his hands excitedly, turning around, introducing his friend Kanekiwho shyly greeted you, his cheeks flushed as he nervously went back to work. Hide flashed you a smile winking before following behind Kaneki.

-/-/-

Don’t know where the time went

Stuck in the wrong mindset

And I let the rules bend

When I know that all along they’re made to break

-/-/-

It was safe to say that this was your first college party, if all you knew on campus was your roommate (who didn’t particularly like you anyway) and your ex boyfriend of course the invitations to parties were limited. You wore a pink satin dress that suited your body well, you chose to get ready quickly trying not to spend too much time looking in the mirror before your good mood was ruined.
Hide and Kanekiwaited for you outside of your dorm, Hide smiling smugly at Kanekiwho muttered a quick compliment that made your cheeks heat up.
“You don’t think it’s too much?” You asked honestly which made Kanekiraise his brow.
“Why would it be?” He replied curiously, Hide glancing at you too.
“Oh, I don’t know, my ex said I dressed like a slut whenever I put on something like this but I told myself I’m single now so it shouldn’t matter.” You replied casually, laughing at yourself.
“That’s actually terrible.”Kanekihuffed, Hide agreeing as they shared a horrified expression with one another.
There was an uncomfortable silence afterwards, Kanekisilently making a note to himself to ask more about whoever your ex boyfriend was because from first impression he already sounded terrible.

As you neared the party, a lump formed in your throat.
“The party is here?” You whined, staring at the familiar house in front of you, the loud music blaring from inside.
Hide nodded, smiling, moving forward as you dragged your feet behind you, you should have asked what party you guys were going to. Maybe Hide just didn’t know it happened to be your ex-boyfriend’s housemates throwing the party. The house was crowded, everyone unintentionally colliding with one another the smell of booze and marijuana strong. Kanekigrabbed your arm softly pulling you closer,
“Let’s stay together.” You nodded in agreement, feeling your cheeks heat up again.
Hide was quickly lost in the hype of the party, leaving you and Kanekiin the kitchen, you were sitting on the counter leaning against the wall, Kanekistanding right next to you, his arm touching the side of your knee keeping a close distance. It surprised you how easy it was to talk to him, the alcohol eased his nerves and he could open himself easier with you. He was incredibly insightful, he enjoyed people watching and told you all of his observations that seemed pretty spot on.
“Why’d you dye your hair white?” You slurred, the alcohol kicking into your system making everything a little hazy as you ran your fingers through his hair, he looked up humming softly enjoying your touch.

“Alright there (y/n)? Didn’t expect to see you here.” A familiar voice boomed through causing you to quickly snatch your hand. Kaneki turned to look at you as you avoided making eye contact, staring ahead towards Koutarou who stared right back with an icy glare.
“Didn’t know it was your party, I wouldn’t have come if I knew it was yours.” You replied hesitantly, hoping off the counter nudging Kaneki,
“Sorry, are you ready to go? Let’s find Hide?” You tell him quickly grabbing his hand trying to lead him out the kitchen but Koutarou was already moving towards you reaching out before Kanekisnaked an arm around your waist slapping Koutarou’s arm away from you.
“Oh.. I see how it is. Come to show off your new boyfriend? Good luck bro, she is pretty easy huh?” Koutarou spits out, your eyes widen as some snickers are heard from around you but Kaneki’s jaw tightens as he turns around throwing a punch to Koutarou’s left eye knocking him down,
“I’m not your bro.”Kanekimutters, turning back around, leading both of you out.
Kaneki’s grip on your waist is tight as he mumbles to himself incoherently quickly asking if you’re okay with coming back to his and Hide’s shared apartment because it’s much closer than your dorm and you nod in agreement, he shoots Hide a text and furiously walks you back to his place.

After finally arriving at their apartment, Kanekisheepishly apologizes, shame quickly replacing his previous anger.
“I could have handled that better.” He says once more, rubbing his neck awkwardly, inviting you over like you two weren’t strangers just hours before all of this.
“I’m not a weirdo or anything, your dorm was pretty far and both of us are still pretty wasted.” He mumbles out quickly, and you nod again laughing quietly..
“I don’t think you’re a weirdo. Thanks, for uh- defending my honor and what not.” You tell him jokingly, his eyes widening in embarrassment.
“Yo-you just looked so scared when you saw him.”
Your mouth twitched upwards trying to form a reassuring smile but you couldn’t, he was right, it was the first time you saw Koutarou in months and he still made you a nervous wreck, his ability to make you feel small at any given moment had always scared you.
“I thought it would be the hardest thing I’d have to do, walking away from him, but it wasn’t. I mean at first I was devastated of course, but the more time I spent away from, the more I didn’t really notice how hard it actually was to be with him versus being without him..” You didn’t know why you were telling Kanekithis, he didn’t ask for an explanation of any sort but the soft expression on his face and the liquid courage from the alcohol encouraged you to keep going, explaining your shitty 2 year relationship, it made Kanekistick to his stomach.
“You know you didn’t deserve that right?” He asks softly, as you shrug and he doesn’t like that at all.
Nobody deserves that, Kanekithinks to himself that night as he makes his bed on the sofa in his living room, the thought of you safely in his bed far away from Koutarou puts him at ease.
It was worth it even if he would wake up with a stiff neck.

-/-/-

Hold me close and I won’t leave

‘Cause it hurts when you hurt somebody

-/-/-

You learned quickly that you weren’t the only one recovering from heartbreak, you had to put the put the puzzle pieces together yourself of course but Kaneki’s ex girlfriend leaving for another older and more put together man would have shot anyones confidence down but Kanekiwas a saint and genuinely wished for the best for the girl and stayed at Anteiku.
Kaneki’s facade quickly falters when you mention studying with a friend from class after hours, skipping your daily coffee run. Kanekiquickly assumes the worst and ignores your texts the whole week, you were swamped with finals and was too mentally exhausted to put forth any real thought behind his actions which you soon regretted when he asked if you and your “friend” from studying were hitting it off nicely when you finally had free time to come around to Anteiku.

“Kaneki…” You started surprised at the venom laced in his tone as he smiled tightly at you.
“You do realize I like you right? I didn’t think you were that slow.” You teased watching his face go red as he rubs his neck avoiding making eye contact.
“Good. So we’re on the same page, at least text me when you’re not gonna see me.” He replies pointedly huffing out air annoyingly but he leaned forward placing a soft kiss on your lips anyway. Yup, you were sure now the shy and awkward barista was a façade, Kanekiwas a big baby green with jealousy.
You hummed in agreement leaning forward for another kiss, you’ve had plenty of kisses beforehand but Kanekitasted sweet, you felt delirious, it felt like a reward for all that Koutarou put you through and you were determined to allow yourself this.