The CCG operates under a black-and-white philosophy: ghouls are dangerous predators and must be eliminated to protect human life. Their agents, known as Ghoul Investigators or Doves, are highly trained and often emotionally hardened. At the forefront of this group in Season 1 are Kureo Mado and his younger partner, Kōtarō Amon. Mado, eccentric and ruthless, views ghouls as mere monsters and obsessively collects their kagune as trophies. Amon, on the other hand, is more thoughtful and begins questioning their mission after encountering the ghoul Touka and witnessing the humanity in those they hunt.
One of the CCG's most tragic and pivotal moments in Season 1 is the battle between Mado and Touka, which ends in Mado's death. This event fuels Amon’s hatred and leaves him conflicted about his role. As Amon reflects on the cruelty he’s seen from both humans and ghouls, his character arc becomes one of the most compelling in the series. He embodies the inner conflict between upholding the law and understanding those it targets.
Season 2, Tokyo Ghoul √A, dives deeper into the CCG, introducing a range of new investigators, including the quirky yet deadly Juuzou Suzuya and the elite investigator Yukinori Shinohara. Juuzou’s unsettling behavior and childlike appearance mask a traumatic past that has shaped him into a relentless killer. His methods are often controversial, even within the CCG, yet he is one of their most effective agents.
The season also explores the psychological burden carried by investigators. Many suffer from PTSD, survivor’s guilt, or internal conflicts after prolonged exposure to the brutal world of ghouls. The lines between right and wrong blur further during major conflicts, such as the CCG’s raid on the Aogiri Tree headquarters and the eventual war against Anteiku. Despite Anteiku’s nonviolent nature, the CCG launches a full-scale assault, leading to massive casualties on both sides.
What becomes increasingly evident in both seasons is that the CCG’s fight isn’t just against ghouls—it’s a war against fear and misunderstanding. By portraying investigators with depth and moral ambiguity, Tokyo Ghoul avoids the trap of painting them as pure villains. Instead, it asks whether a system built on vengeance and ignorance can truly uphold justice.
Ultimately, the CCG represents a society unwilling to see nuance. While some investigators evolve, many remain trapped in cycles of hatred, unable to acknowledge that ghouls are not monsters by choice. In its portrayal of the CCG, Tokyo Ghoul challenges us to confront our own fears of the “other” and consider the cost of dehumanizing those we don’t understand.
