Throughout the Tokyo Ghoul series, both heroes and villains unleash kagunes with varied levels of strength. While all kagunes stem from the same rinkaku, koukaku, bikaku, or ukaku lineages, each individual manifestation has its own distinct look and abilities.
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Some kagunes excel in brute force and raw power, smashing through enemies and environments like a wrecking ball. Others employ speed, agility, and precision to slice through targets in the blink of an eye. And still others utilize range and trickery, keeping threats at bay from a distance or ensnaring them in clever traps.
10 Rize Kamishiro
Rize's “Rinkaku Kagune” is particularly known for its brute strength. It can produce up to six red scaled tentacles that protrude from her lower back. These tentacles are highly versatile and can be used for a variety of attacks, from piercing and slashing enemies to grabbing and crushing objects.
They are also capable of regenerating quickly, which makes Rize a formidable opponent in combat. Rize's Kagune is also significant because it is transferred to Ken Kaneki after an organ transplant, which turns him into a half-ghoul.
9 Nishiki Nishio
Nishiki's Kagune manifests as a flexible, tail-like appendage. It is sharp and capable of impaling enemies with ease. The tail can also be used defensively to parry attacks or offensively to deliver powerful, whip-like strikes. In terms of raw power, Nishiki's Kagune may not be on par with some of the stronger characters in the series, but he compensates for this with his tactical approach to combat.
Initially, Nishiki is somewhat weaker compared to other ghouls, but he grows stronger over time. This development mirrors Nishiki's own character growth from a somewhat self-centered and isolated individual to a loyal friend to Kaneki’s group.
8 Noro
Noro is a character who is known for his intimidating silence. His Kagune is a Bikaku type, which is balanced and perfect for various combat situations. It's enormous, dwarfing most other Kagunes in size, and has a monstrous appearance with multiple mouth-like organs.
Noro's Kagune also has remarkable regenerative abilities. Even when severely damaged or cut into pieces, the Kagune can heal almost instantaneously. This characteristic is seen not just in his Kagune, but in his physical body as well.
7 Shuu Tsukiyama
Shuu Tsukiyama possesses a Koukaku-type Kagune. Tsukiyama's Kagune takes the form of a large, crescent-shaped blade that extends from his right shoulder. It is predominantly violet and has a metallic appearance. This blade is incredibly durable and hard, capable of withstanding heavy blows and slicing through materials with ease.
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Its shape and use as a weapon are well-suited to Tsukiyama's flamboyant and dramatic fighting style. While it provides excellent defense, the kagune’s weight can slow down the user's movements.
6 Ayato Kirishima
He is a ghoul and the younger brother of Touka Kirishima. Ayato has a Ukaku Kagune, which is known for its ability to crystallize and shoot projectiles. Ayato's Kagune takes the form of crystalline, wing-like structures that sprout from his shoulder blades.
When released, it can create a dazzling display that contrasts with its deadly nature. Despite Ukaku types typically having a weakness of low stamina, Ayato has shown the ability to manage his energy consumption efficiently in fights.
5 Seidou Takizawa
Much like Kaneki and Rize, Takizawa’s Kagune is derived from Rize's own Kagune due to the experiments conducted on him. And much like Ayato’s Kagune, Takizawa’s are capable of shooting out a barrage of sharp shards.
Going one step further, the Kagune can also change from tentacle-like structures into limbs for offensive purposes. Thus, Takizawa’s Kagune is also incredibly powerful, although his control over it can be erratic, reflecting his unstable mental state.
4 Kichimura Washuu
Kichimura Washuu is initially introduced as a relatively minor character but later emerges as a primary antagonist. His Kagune is a Rinkaku type which we saw during his fight against Kaneki in the final season.
The Kagune manifests as multiple prehensile red tentacles that protrude from his lower back. Despite its Rinkaku classification, which usually indicates greater speed and regeneration over raw power, Kichimura's Kagune is notably powerful. This is due to his Washuu heritage.
3 Tatara
Tatara is a high-ranking member of Aogiri Tree and is known for his stoic demeanor and ruthlessness. His Kagune is a Bikaku type. It manifests as a long, serpent-like tail that extends from his tailbone.
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Notably, Tatara's Kagune is red, which is a color generally associated with a high density of Rc cells, indicating a high degree of power. Tatara also possesses a unique ability known as a Kakuja. It is a special kind of Kagune that only a few ghouls can develop, typically after consuming other ghouls.
2 Arima Kishou's Quinque, IXA
While technically not a Kagune, Arima's Quinque deserves mention for its incredible power and versatility. It can act as both a shield and a spear, and it's one of the most powerful weapons in the CCG's arsenal. IXA is shown to have a form that closely resembles a Kagune.
Arima first used IXA in his battle against Kaneki. It allowed him to decisively defeat and capture Kaneki. Though, in their second match at the end of the series, Kaneki was able to successfully destroy the Kagune-turned Quinque.
1 Ken Kaneki
Kaneki acquired his Rinkaku Kagune as a result of an emergency medical procedure, wherein he was transplanted with organs from the ghoul Rize Kamishiro. This gives Kaneki a similar Kagune to Rize's, although his version evolves throughout the series due to his own unique circ*mstances.
Kaneki also develops the ability to produce a Kakuja. Over time, and with repeated use, his Kakuja further develops and morphs into different forms. Its strength and regenerative abilities, combined with Kaneki's adaptability, make it one of the best Kagunes.
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