On October 20, voice actor Natsuki Hanae attended the opening ceremony of the immersive exhibition Tokyo Ghoul EX., held in Tokyo. The exhibit, which marks the 10th anniversary of the popular anime Tokyo Ghoul, allows fans to experience the dark and emotional world of the series firsthand. During the event, Hanae, who played the iconic protagonist Ken Kaneki, looked back on some of the most challenging moments of his career and how the role shaped him as a voice actor.

A Defining Role for Hanae

Reflecting on his portrayal of Kaneki, Hanae shared that one of the most intense scenes from the anime left a lasting impression. “In the final episode of the first season, Kaneki is tortured by Yamori, and there’s a scene where he awakens. It’s a brutal sequence where I had to cry and scream non-stop. That’s something that’s stayed with me even to this day,” he said. Hanae went on to explain that this challenging experience helped him grow as a voice actor, giving him the strength to tackle future roles. “Whenever I face tough jobs now, I remind myself, ‘Tokyo Ghoul was harder,’ and that has been a source of support for me.”

Sora Amamiya, who voices Touka Kirishima, also spoke at the event, recounting how daunting it was to create her character's low, intense voice. “I had to voice Touka with a much lower tone than I’d ever used before, which made me anxious about whether I could really pull it off,” she admitted.

The Immersive World of Tokyo Ghoul

The Tokyo Ghoul EX. exhibition, which officially opens on October 21, offers fans a unique way to immerse themselves in the series' world. With interactive displays, stunning visuals, and sensory experiences, the exhibit recreates key moments from the anime. Hanae, who had a sneak peek, was particularly impressed with the immersive theater experience that lets visitors relive Kaneki’s confrontation with Yamori. “The whole room becomes a screen, and you can feel the intensity of Kaneki’s torture scene. The sound through the headphones is incredibly vivid!” he exclaimed.

Amamiya added that the exhibit, despite its darker elements, also includes some calming moments, especially with the recreation of the Anteiku coffee shop. “Anteiku was always a place of peace, and even though much of the exhibit is filled with chilling scenes, the smell of coffee in the air really helped soothe me,” she noted.

10th Anniversary Celebration Continues

To celebrate the opening, Hanae, Amamiya, and Tokyo Ghoul superfan and comedian Yusuke Inoue of NON STYLE performed a traditional kagami-biraki (barrel-opening ceremony). In keeping with the theme, the barrel was inspired by coffee—the only human food that ghouls in the series can consume.

The celebrations don’t stop there. It was also announced that Tokyo Ghoul will host a special 10th anniversary event titled “Tokyo Ghoul FES. – PLAYBACK” on June 8, 2025, at Tachikawa Stage Garden. The event will feature performances by Hanae, Amamiya, Kana Hanazawa (Rize Kamishiro), and more.

Tokyo Ghoul EX Official Site

Source : ORICON NEWS