Fans of Tokyo Ghoul rejoice–Ken Kaneki is Dead by Daylight’s latest Killer and comes to PS5 and PS4 on April 2. For anyone new to the world of Tokyo Ghoul, the story takes place in a world where humans and Ghouls coexist. After a terrible accident, the bookish and kind Ken Kaneki receives a life-saving organ transplant – from a Ghoul.
The procedure spared him from death but at great cost. Awakening as a half-human, half-Ghoul hybrid, Kaneki struggled to accept his Ghoulish nature while fighting to maintain the humanity he so cherished.
In Dead by Daylight’s reimagining of the character, Kaneki’s cruel torment at the hands of the ghoul, Jason, pushed his mind to its breaking point. Though he emerged victorious from his battle with Jason, Kaneki found himself immediately engulfed in an otherworldly black Fog, swept into The Entity’s Realm to engage in an endless cycle of Trials.
The humanity he fought so hard to retain is gone, replaced by a ghoulish desire for cruelty. His Kagune abilities, which manifest as deadly tentacles erupting from his back honed him into a preternatural instrument of death. Needless to say, Survivors have their work cut out for them – provided he doesn’t cut out their hearts first.
Why change Kaneki?
Given his importance to the world of Tokyo Ghoul, it was important to ensure Ken Kaneki remained the centrepiece of our Chapter. Rather than making him a Survivor, as his moral compass in the series may suggest, we felt it would be more interesting to really lean into the horror and present an alternate reality where Kaneki became exactly what he feared.
While such a drastic change to Ken Kaneki’s personality was necessary to suit his role as a Killer, it allowed the team to delve into a Ghoul’s powers and take them to their darkest possible conclusion. Luckily, the Tokyo Ghoul Production Committee was on board for the story we wanted to tell, sharing our excitement to see this terrifying take on their protagonist.
“The Ghoul is a fast, agile, and brutal predator, and the incredible physical attributes given by the Kagune gave us a lot to play with,” reflects Dave Richard, Dead by Daylight’s creative director. “We’ve seen him use his Powers before, but never quite so maliciously. I think fans of the series, new and old, will love being able to use the Kagune to rip Survivors apart.”
Fear the Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul’s unique approach draws on gruesome imagery, visceral moments of tension, and stylized ultraviolence. Before the design process started, it was important to identify those key elements of Tokyo Ghoul and really lean into them.
“Certain Ghouls are known for using tactics of deceit and manipulation, negative traits that fit the horror genre,” continues Richard. “Remember, this is a Ken Kaneki operating on his most primal ghoul instincts, who takes an almost gleeful joy in hurting others. It’s a far cry from the kind-hearted boy he used to be, but The Entity is known to sink its claws into people at the most unfortunate times.”
With that in mind, the team leaned into the fantasy of embracing one’s inner Ghoul. Players can use Kaneki’s Killer Power to propel around the map with Kagune tentacles, chaining your lunges together to strike Survivors with a deadly attack. Landing a successful attack will send you into Enraged Mode – amplifying your strength and ferocity – allowing you to chain an additional lunge.
His unique character Perks – Hex: Nothing But Misery, Forever Entwined, and None Are Free – incentivize players to keep up the pressure and inflict damage on Survivors. Kaneki is not one to wait around and bide his time – he’s everywhere at once, bearing down on a Survivor before redirecting to his next victim.
Vicious and quick, there’s no stopping Kaneki once he gets a taste of blood. His cannibalistic tendencies are front and centre in his delightfully disturbing Mori, which gives a macabre meaning to the old idiom eat your heart out.
With original voice lines from actor Natsuki Hanae, who portrays Ken Kaneki in the anime series, this new Chapter will be an absolute feast for Tokyo Ghoul fans – and horror fans in general.
Experience the power of Ken Kaneki in Dead by Daylight: Tokyo Ghoul, hitting PS5 and PS4 on April 2.
