In the dark world of Sui Ishida's Tokyo Ghoul, nothing is what it seems! On the streets of Tokyo, ghouls are humanoid monsters who hunt people and devour them. They're a bit like vampires or werewolves, but they can manifest hardened flesh appendages known as kagune.
College student Ken Kaneki met a lovely young woman named Rize Kamishiro, and they bonded over their love of books. But surprise: she's a ghoul! Ken barely escaped the encounter with his life, and now, he's half-ghoul himself. Rize's role in the story is largely told through flashbacks, and a number of cosplayers have dressed up like this popular character. They look great, and now we're going to check them out!
Update July 24th, 2020 by Louis Kemner: Sui Ishida's classic seinen tale Tokyo Ghoul is compelling since it not only has gory action scenes and depicts Ken's rise to power, but it also demonstrates that power for its own sake is never the right path to walk. Ken says that "this world is wrong" because ghouls and CCG investigators alike kill each other and rob their families of their loved ones, and he's here to make peace between these worlds and end the senseless bloodshed. But other ghouls are happy to devour humans, like Rize Kamishiro. Let's check out more cosplays of this deadly beauty.
15 Her New Friend
The gallery begins with two of the first ghouls ever seen in the story: Rize Kamishiro, and Ken Kaneki. Rize is beauty and the beast; she uses her charming and sophisticated exterior to trick people into lowering their guard around her, then eats them.
This cosplayer neatly shows Rize's double nature, with her elegant clothes and warm smile juxtaposed with Ken's scary leather outfit and a pitch-black background. In the world of Tokyo Ghoul, no one is what they seem.
14 Release The Monster
In this next cosplay shot, Rize has swapped out her white and violet gown for a Goth outfit that more closely matches her ghoul nature. She's not trying to deceive anyone this time; she is flaunting her eerie superhuman status 100%.
In addition, Rize has a vague vampire vibe by standing in the shade on what looks like the grounds of some forlorn castle. In addition, she's standing behind that gate while opening, suggesting that she's about to unleash the monster: herself.
13 False Lunch
The next Rize cosplay shot is playing out a scene from the Tokyo Ghoul anime, and this is the perspective of Ken Kaneki on their deceptive first date. Rize looks like the ideal date in her lovely outfit, and with that polite, intrigued expression of hers (similar to Shu Tsukiyama's).
But there are already hints that something is amiss, such as the fact that her plate has no food on it whatsoever. Her food isn't on the table; it's seated in the chair opposite her. That's the ghoul way.
12 Studying You
Ken Kaneki is a college student who loves a good book, and Rize is much the same way. She connected with Ken over their shared love of literature, but of course, that was just a hunting blind of sorts. She'd rather devour a human than a good book on most nights.
This cosplayer shows Rize's convincing exterior persona, complete with her fancy everyday clothes and a good book held tight in her arms. But already, her eyes are dark with a ghoul's power, and some dark red veins are spreading across her skin. The monster is coming out at last.
11 Skull And Heart
Once again, Rize is happy to show off her horrifying dual nature, and she brought along some props to prove it. She's not even in ghoul mode right now; this cosplayer shows the full extent of Rize's deceptive outer persona.
It's her actions that give her away. She's got a jet-black skull in one hand, and a live human heart in the other. Between them, it's the heart that tastes better, and Rize is helping herself to a ripe afternoon snack with no shame at all. To her, it's more like a peach or an apple.
10 Ghoul Mom
Unless our eyes deceive us, this Rize cosplayer is hanging out with a Ken cosplayer! Or maybe it's a mannequin head with a Ken wig and mask? Either way, this cosplayer's pose makes her look like a doting mom of sorts.
Rize's organs were transplanted into Ken Kaneki, and thus he became a half-ghoul. I that sense, Rize is like the mother of Ken's ghoul side, whether or not Ken asked for it! After all, her attack was the inciting incident that kicked off the entire plot.
9 Proud kagune owner
Ghouls, like vampires, often pose as human themselves so they can lure away their targets and then strike when no one is looking. Rize did this with Ken, and only in a straight up fight will a ghoul need to manifest a kagune.
This Rize cosplayer not only has a charming outfit to match the character, and a lovely wig, but she has some highly detailed kagune attachments to complete the image! They look great, and the kagune makes it abundantly clear that Rize is no ordinary young woman.
8 High roller rize
Something to note about Rize: she's a fashionable person, who always wants to look her best. Some ghouls go around in hoodies or jeans or t-shirts, but Rize dresses to impress. She prefers dresses and nice shoes, giving her a sophisticated look that clashes with her monstrous nature.
This cosplayer took it to the next level, and we love it. Rize has a top hat, and in the world of anime cosplay, top hats look just as good on girls as they do on gentlemen. Those elbow-length gloves, and the red flowers, round out the costume nicely.
7 Double Rize!
Now this is an amusing twist of fate. This cosplayer is fully aware that Rize likes to read (she bonded with Ken about it), but she didn't settle for any random paperback... she chose volume 5 of Tokyo Ghoul, with her on the cover!
Rize must be having so much fun, seeing herself right there on the page. The cosplayer, meanwhile, reminds us of an enthusiastic librarian, with that wavy hair, glasses, and upbeat expression. What's not to love about books?
6 Join me for coffee
Rize mainly appears in flashbacks in the Tokyo Ghoul manga series, but she was the star of the very first chapter, when she met Ken Kaneki. They went out, and they bonded over their love of literature... and then Rize attacked!
So, this cosplayer gives us a deceptively charming Rize who is halfway through her routine. We see her from the perspective of a victim, who sees a gorgeous young woman inviting them to a drink... not knowing what comes next!
5 I love you... for how you taste!
Now this is some top-tier photography and cosplay! All of these Rize cosplays are wonderful, but this one is a standout. Rize appears with Ken, and the both of them are in a stark white area that contrasts with the relentless darkness of the Tokyo Ghoul franchise.
Rize is embracing Ken, perhaps because what's done is done (the steel beam incident), and she may as well take pride in the new ghoul she helped create! Ken, for his part, has a humble and meditative look, as though imploring the gods for the strength to survive ghoul life.
4 Old ghoul out, new ghoul in
Okay, this one was too funny to pass up! You may recognize this meme format, which is used to represent someone hastily moving on from one interest to another. And the previous interest is getting pretty jealous!
Ken and Rize have a morbid bond, and those earlier cosplayers nicely represented that. But Ken and Touka are good friends and allies, and Ken is ready to have a different ghoul lady in his life. Whatever is Rize to do?!
3 Thinking of you
We're back to the polite human facade of Rize, and she's looking good. In fact, most of Tokyo Ghoul's characters are seen having nice drinks in teacups, such as the guests at Anteiku or ghouls having fine wine. Sui Ishida seems to have a thing for classy beverages!
This Rize cosplayer not only nailed the wig, glasses, and dress, but a nice and thoughtful expression as well. Did a potential target stand her up for their date? She would be upset not at the snub, but at the lack of dinner!
2 Putting a hex on you
The world of anime and Japanese video games is known for its many conventions and trends, and one of them is the "cute witch" theme. Seriously, there's a lot of them! Soul Eater has one, not to mention Little Witch Academia, among many others.
This Rize cosplayer hopped right onto the "anime witch" train, and we love it. Her wig is a gorgeous metallic purple shade, and she even added contacts to make some authentic ghoul eyes. This would look great at a Halloween house party!
1 Dinner party Rize
We round out the list with another Rize cosplayer who went the extra mile to show us what this character is all about. She not only has a classy black dress, but elbow-length gloves and a nice accessory in her hair. Nice and dark, ghoul style.
Not only that, but we're treated to insidious purple lighting, to give the piece a supernatural look and match Rize's distinctive violet hair. And what's in that wineglass? Maybe we'd rather not know!