Juuzou Suzuya
The Gentleman in Stitches
Tokyo Ghoul follows Ken Kaneki, who, through a stroke of a date gone wrong, becomes half-human/half-ghoul. Ghouls feed on humans (shrug).
As much as I’m a fan of the tortured soul Ken Kaneki, one Tokyo Ghoul character has stood out. Juuzou Suzuya. Juuzou is the “Gentleman in Stitches,” the “Rockstar of Death.” The “dame de la mort” in French.
The unfortunate pet of the ghoul Big Madam Juuzou, born Rei Suzoya, would become a sadistic weapon of mass destruction. Big Madam would train him to be the ultimate killing machine, and through her constant training and constant torture, Big Madam taught Juuzou to kill his victims with a smile and make mama happy!
He is presented as a Joker of sorts whose moral compass was traded in for a cheap pack of cigarettes and a deck of playing cards. An androgynous male is often seen covered in stitches. Via red hairpins, his forehead dons the Roman Numeral 13. An unlucky number perhaps symbolizing his loss of innocence and his fallen state. Maybe? Or maybe a play on his coming into manhood, an irony as Big Madam crushed his testicles that Juuzou would remain Rei (femme).
A bit of a trickster, having once stole Kaneki’s wallet. However, Juuzou is a formidable fighter who would dive headlong into battle without regard to the outcome. While he can wield many weapons, his most prized adornment is the quinque he named Juuzou’s Jason or 13’s Jason.
A fitting piece formed from the ghoul Jason resembling a death scythe. My enemy becomes my weapon?
Juuzou makes his first appearance in episode nine of the first season of Tokyo Ghoul. His back story is different from Kaneki’s, but he still bears the burden of trauma and neglect. The anime would show Juuzous transition from a sadistic killer to someone who cares and values his colleagues. Namely Yukinori Shinohara.
The relationship Shinohara had with Juuzou was more father-son than a mere colleague. During the Owl Suppression, Arc Juusou would lose a leg attempting to aid his mentor. He would also let out a piercing shriek when Shinohara is pierced with a fatal blow. Later Juuzou would express regret at not being able to save his mentor.
Jouzou appears in all three seasons of Tokyo Ghoul. He is also present and accounted for in the manga. His skin is pale, and he has shoulder-length hair. The stitches are explained as a form of body modification and accentuate his ambiguous personality. Seldom showing emotion in combat, his pale skin contrasted his blood-red eyes. Much like an albino wolf Juuzou would subdue his prey until he was killed in the manga.
