Connect With Us
Tokyo Ghoul Monster Editions Review

Tokyo Ghoul Monster Editions Review

Find out what makes the Tokyo Ghoul Monster Editions different from other Tokyo Ghoul manga releases and whether or not they are worth picking up!

Kristin
By
This content may contain affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

The Tokyo Ghoul Monster Editions are larger format editions that are exclusive to Barnes & Noble. There are five editions in total and they collect all 14 volumes of Tokyo Ghoul. I got lucky and stumbled upon them one day while browsing the shelves at my local B&N. Since they are only sold at one retailer, I find that many individuals, like me, are surprised to learn that they exist.

With that said, I wanted to do a review of the Tokyo Ghoul Monster Editions for you guys. First, I’ll compare them to other Tokyo Ghoul manga releases and then I’ll weigh the pros and cons of these editions.

Also, be sure to read up on why Tokyo Ghoul is one of the best manga of all time!

Tokyo Ghoul Monster Edition Differences

What makes the Tokyo Ghoul Monster Editions unique from other Tokyo Ghoul manga releases? At the time of this post, Tokyo Ghoul’s manga has been released in individual volumes, a complete box set, and the Monster Editions. When it comes down to it, what makes the Monster Editions unique is their larger format and their unique design. The individual volumes allow you to collect each cover, which all look amazing. And the box set, which includes all 14 volumes, allows you to get the individual volumes at a cheaper price and it comes with an exclusive double-sided poster.

Potential negatives to buying the Tokyo Ghoul Monster Editions

They are paperback and are prone to dents and creases

The covers are really cool with unique illustrations and I love the overall aesthetic of them, but since they are paperback and are similar to the Attack on Titan Colossal Editions they are prone to dents and creases. The spines look great on display with each one featuring different colors, but they too are prone to creases and you really have to be careful while reading and putting these back on the shelf.

With the weight of these editions, I wish they would have made these hardcovers instead of paperback, but I personally decided to purchase these regardless because I love their larger format.

One positive though is that since these aren’t as thick as something like the Attack on Titan Colossal Editions, I found them easier to read. All of the Monster Editions collect three volumes of Tokyo Ghoul aside from the final edition, which collects only two volumes. These are just the right amount of thickness because few if any words or panels disappeared into the centerfold, which is something that larger paperback issues commonly have an issue with. Now this still sometimes happens maybe towards the beginning of the volume but far less frequently than any other manga I’ve seen printed in this larger, paperback format.

The first volume is out of print and is selling at high aftermarket prices

Right now, the first Tokyo Ghoul Monster Edition is out of print. With that said, due to its demand and popularity, I’m really hoping that Barnes & Noble decides to reprint the first volume someday. I thought I missed out on releases, like the Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set, but they ended up doing a second run due to demand so you never know.

As it currently stands, the first volume is hard to get your hands on for a decent price. At the time of this post, the first edition is selling for around $300+ or more based on recent eBay listings, so it costs a lot more to collect all of the Monster Editions. In comparison, the box set is currently listed for cheap deals on sites like Amazon and the individual volumes would cost you around $136 USD for all 14. So if you are looking for the cheapest option, the box set is the way to go.

Positives to buying the Tokyo Ghoul Monster Editions

They are in a larger format and Sui Ishida’s art looks that much more amazing in them

The biggest positive of these is their larger format. Tokyo Ghoul’s individual volumes are already larger since they are the Sig volumes, which are 8.2in tall, while the Monster Editions are 10in tall. The art looks absolutely incredible in these volumes. Sui Ishida’s art already looks amazing in the individual volumes, but the Monster Editions are the best way to experience his art in my opinion. It just makes more of a statement, especially with any panels that span two pages or take up a full page.

Visually, these volumes make an impact and this is the main reason I decided to pick up the Monster Editions instead of the individual volumes or box set. For this reason alone, I highly recommend them.

Final Verdict: Are the Tokyo Ghoul Monster Editions worth it?

As to whether or not I recommend the Monster Editions, I definitely do. Despite their issues, I love the larger format and the pages look incredible and have a high print quality. The art looks amazing blown up in this larger size as well. However, if you want to read the series ASAP and can’t get your hands on the first Monster Edition, you may be more interested in buying the individual volumes or box set since they are cheaper and easier to pick up.

Tokyo Ghoul Monster Editions – Where to Buy

Toyko Ghoul Monster Editions Review Video

More in Manga Reviews