Sui Ishida's debut work. Set in modern-day Tokyo, it explores the theme of "ghouls," creatures who have the appearance of humans but survive by eating human flesh. While the concept is dark fantasy, it also contains elements of science fantasy.
What is a Quinque?
Overview
Quinques are weapons developed by the Counter Ghoul Bureau (CCG) to combat ghouls.
They can easily cut through the flesh of ghouls, which are impervious to blades and bullets, and are usually stored in something similar to an attaché case.
They are also equipped with biometric authentication functions to prevent them from being used by ghouls.
Normally, they can only be used by the person designated as the user, but some ghouls have the technology to disable this authentication.
The kagune used naturally belongs to the ghoul that has been exterminated, and its performance depends on the kagune used.
The appearance is also similar to the kagune of the ghoul that was used as the material, but some, like feather kagune, do not have a fixed form, and some kagune have sustained some degree of damage in fierce battles,
and they can change considerably depending on the hands of the person who made them.
In preparation for battles with ghouls who are unpredictable and have overwhelming physical abilities, there are also quinques that have unique mechanisms built into them (due to their ease of transformation, they are often built into quinques with rinkaku).
They are generally quite sturdy, and cannot be destroyed by average ghouls, regardless of the superiority of kagune.
However, current technology is not capable of perfectly replicating the process of kagune manifestation, and compared to kagune, their shape is limited to a uniform shape and lacks flexibility.
Furthermore, because they are biological parts, they have the drawback of being difficult or impossible to repair once destroyed.
Current technology is unable to reproduce the process by which kagune manifestations (release of Rc cells → change in shape/solidification → decomposition), and compared to kagune, their shape is limited to a uniformity and lacks flexibility.
Furthermore, since it is not possible to feed them human flesh, they are maintained by injecting preservatives.
The shape and function of the kagune depend on the kakuhou from which they are made, so the kakuhou of powerful ghouls can be used to make powerful quinques.
A single kakuhou can also be divided and used to make multiple quinques.
Since they also have biometric authentication capabilities, they can normally only be used by the person designated as the user, although some ghouls possess the technology to disable this authentication.
The name of the quinque is left to the discretion of the investigator using it; some give it the name or nickname of the original kakuhou, while others choose their own nicknames.
In English, they are given the spelling "Quinque," which means the number "5" in Latin (the French "cinq," Italian "cinque," and Spanish "cinco" all have this origin). The reason for this name is currently unknown.
Types of Quinque
Quinque with Wings
While their basic shape is a "gun," unlike real guns, they have a rather organic appearance. Guns range from those that look like Rock Busters to those with shapes that make you wonder, "How did they get to be like that?", like the Higher Mind. In addition, Quinques like the Narukami have also appeared that are designed to change modes and fight in close quarters.
They excel at mid-range combat and are useful for clearing out small enemies, but they also inherit the weakness of poor fuel economy. However, since it is possible to replenish Rc cells mid-fight, they have a longer fighting capacity than the Feathered Kagune (later, versions equipped with a resupply mechanism appeared).
For investigators who primarily fight in group battles, they also play an important role in supporting investigators who fight in close quarters, and there is almost always at least one user per squad. However, even if they have been modified, they are still kagune, so naturally, firing them by mistake is dangerous.
Examples: [Emerio], [Narkami], etc.
Kou-kaku
Basically, they are "blunt weapons" such as clubs and broadswords. Or "great swords." Due to their size, few people can wield them, but once mastered, they become extremely powerful weapons.
Their strength and weight are their selling points.
With high firepower and defensive capabilities, they boast exceptional usability. However, their weight makes them unusable for investigators with less than formidable physical prowess, like Mado Kureo. Conversely, Amon, the other main character of the series, seems to specialize in Quinques.
Due to their large surface area and high hardness, they can be used as shields.
Examples: [Fueguchi II], [Kura], etc.
Rinkaku
They are generally "swords" like scythes, whips, and even two-handed swords.
While Quinques possess high offensive power, they are often equipped with unique gimmicks due to their ease of crafting, and are therefore more suited to advanced players due to their unique quirks.
Furthermore, while their firepower is high, their bonding is fragile, limiting their defensive capabilities. For this reason, no Quinques have appeared that could be used defensively. Most of them have their own unique gimmicks, or are knife-like weapons like [Ifraft] and [Abxol].
Examples: [Fueguchi Ichi], [13's (Juuzo's) Jason], etc.
Kakushi Tail
They come in a variety of shapes, including shields like those used by riot police, kitchen knives, and knives. Because they boast stable performance, they are often distributed primarily to new recruits.
Perhaps because they lack any quirks or strange characteristics, they are suitable as materials for Chimera Quinques. In the series, the Bottle Brothers' kagune are used as repair and modification materials for [Dojima].
In addition, the three types of Chimera Quinque that have appeared in the series so far (Dojima Kai, Amatsu, and Nutcracker (real name unknown)) all contain tailed kaku.
Examples: Oniyamada Ichi, Sasori 1/56, etc.
Kakusha
The "armored" form essentially resembles the appearance of the ghouls who use it.
To begin with, the number of Kaguyas defeated was low (to begin with, fighting a Kaguya requires destroying the Kaguyas' Kaguha to be "fightable," so obtaining the Kaguha without damage is nearly impossible).
At present, the only Kaguha possessed is [Arata's], making it extremely rare, and the technology is also imperfect, so it is upgraded as shown below.
The initial model's armor is uneven and does not cover the entire body. It has the insane ability to feed its user flesh to improve its performance, and it also poses the risk of going out of control (or rather, it did go out of control).
Examples: [Arata Proto], [Arata Beta 0.8], etc.
Chimera Quinque
A quinque that combines two types of kagune. Because it has two types of kagune, it can be effective even against multiple ghouls, but due to the difficulty of fusing kagune, its number is extremely low. It is also difficult to handle, and Akira's practical operational skills were highly recognized, leading to his promotion to first rank.
It appears that the kakuhou of hybrid ghouls naturally produces Chimera Quinques.
Example: [Amatsu] (Tail Kakunen, Armor Kakunen), etc.
Top 5 Quinque Rankings
5th Place: Gingui
User: Hisao Urie
Rating: SS
Kakuhou: Tai Kakunen (Noro)
Shape: Odachi
Because it was created from Noro's kakuhou, in addition to its slashing power, it can also transform into a long, elongated kagune that "predates" targets using the annelid-like mouth of Noro.
It also features a remote activation gimmick, allowing the aforementioned transformation ability to be activated even when it's away from the user, leading to a variety of uses in the story.
During the battle with Amon during the Rushima landing operation, he activated the gimmick to inflict a fatal wound, making a major contribution to quelling the situation.
4th Place: Arata
Users: Kotaro Amon, Yukinori Shinohara, Iwao Kuroiwa, Juzo Suzuya
Rating: SS
Kakushou: Kokaku (Arata Kirishima)
Shape: Fluted Armor
While its direct offensive power isn't particularly high, this Quinque offers unparalleled defensive power. Unlike other Quinques stored in briefcases, this one is used in a special way: the user equips it to their body beforehand and activates it during battle.
They can defend against powerful attacks from S-rated or above ghouls, kakuja and half-kakuja, attacks that a normal Quinque cannot withstand, and they even improve the user's physical abilities.
The burden on the user's body is extraordinary, making Quinques something of a double-edged sword.
However, because they are extremely effective defensively in the fight against ghouls, many types have been developed. The ones that appear in the story include the prototype "proto," its improved version "β0.8," the mass-produced "Niproto," and the "JOKER" which has close-range attack capabilities, all of which were created from the kakuhou of Touka and Ayato's father, Kirishima Arata.
3rd Place: IXA
User: Kishou Arima
Rating: S+
Kakushi Envelope: Kokaku
Shape: Lance + Shield
Normally formed into a spear shape, it can be remotely activated to unleash a pillar of kagune from the ground, allowing it to be used as a trap.
It can also change modes to form a formidable defensive wall to block attacks, making this a highly effective Quinque.
During the operation to defeat the One-Eyed Owl at the end of the original series, it was destroyed by a powerful blow from Kaneki's kagune, but in ":re" it had already been repaired and continued to be used as Arima's main Quinque.
However, when it fought Kaneki again during the defense of Cochlea, it was completely shattered by Kaneki unleashing his half-kagune powers.
2nd Place: Narukami
User: Kishou Arima
Rating: S+
Kakushou: Feathered Kakushou (Hikari Kirishima?)
Shape: Rifle-type + Rapier-type
Attacks by instantly forming RC cells into an electric shock and firing it.
The RC cells fired at this time also have homing capabilities, making them difficult to avoid, making this Quinque ideal for long-range sniping.
However, by mode-changing, it can be transformed into a rapier for close-quarters combat. It was also used as Arima's main Quinque in ":re," but was destroyed by the attacks of the four kagune during the defense of Cochlea.
1st Place: Owl
Owner: Arima Kishou
Rating: SSS
Kakuhou: Feathered Kagune (Yoshimura)
Shape: Greatsword
This sword was created from the kakuhou on Yoshimura's arm during a battle with Arima, who was 19 years old at the time.
In addition to its utility as a long sword, it is also specialized for long-range sniping, a skill unique to feathered kagune.
It also has the ability to be remotely activated, allowing it to transport its kagune blade to another coordinate system, allowing it to launch surprise trap attacks, making it a truly versatile Quinque.
It was first used against Kaneki during the defense of Cochlea, and combined with Arima's physical abilities, it continued to attack regardless of distance, unleashing its powerful force and cornering Kaneki.
Though it was ultimately destroyed by Kaneki, its diverse attack methods and high attack power make it arguably the strongest Quinque in the series.
Quinque Summary
Thank you for reading to the end!
The Quinque rankings are my own judgment!
Thank you for your understanding.
