Live action TV
Description
Ippei Kusaba is a minor but narratively significant character from the anime and manga series Tokyo Ghoul, serving as a low-ranking investigator for the Commission of Counter Ghoul, or CCG. He holds the position of a Rank 3 Investigator and is assigned to the CCG's branch office in the 20th ward, where he works as the partner of fellow investigator Yasutomo Nakajima.

In terms of appearance, Kusaba is depicted as a young man with short, neatly kept brown hair and round glasses. He typically wears the standard formal uniform of a CCG investigator, which consists of a tailored suit and a blue tie, giving him an unassuming and professional demeanor.

Regarding his personality, Kusaba is shown to be a respectful and conscientious individual, particularly in matters concerning the dead. He displays a notable sense of ethics for an investigator, as he is uncomfortable with the practice of grave-digging to obtain evidence from deceased ghouls, showing that he maintains a certain level of respect for the deceased regardless of their species. He is also characterized by a genuine curiosity about the people around him, as seen when he persistently asks his superior, Koutarou Amon, about his personal life and career experiences. This curiosity stems from a place of admiration and a desire to learn, as Kusaba deeply respects Amon and feels inspired to improve himself after interacting with him.

His role in the story is primarily tied to the early investigation of a ghoul known as Suspect 723. Kusaba participates in the operation led by the veteran investigator Kureo Mado and Koutarou Amon. During this investigation, his duties include surveillance, where he observes the ghoul Ryouko Fueguchi. He later takes part in the subsequent attack on Ryouko and her daughter, Hinami Fueguchi, after evidence linking them to the case is secured by Amon.

Ippei Kusaba's most significant moment in the narrative is his death, which serves to underscore the dangerous reality of an investigator's life and further the plot's development. After a day of work, he goes out to eat with his partner, Nakajima, and Amon. Following the meal, as he and Nakajima are walking together, Kusaba expresses his fired-up determination to do his best on the job, specifically naming Amon as someone he aspires to be like. Almost immediately after this declaration, he is confronted and killed by the ghoul known as the Rabbit, who is later revealed to be Touka Kirishima.

His key relationships are primarily professional. He shares a friendly and routine-oriented bond with his direct partner, Yasutomo Nakajima, as the two often eat meals together during work hours. More importantly, he holds Koutarou Amon in high esteem, viewing him as a role model and wishing to one day reach his level of competence and success as an investigator. His death has an impact on Amon's character, reinforcing the harsh realities of the war between humans and ghouls.

Regarding his development, Kusaba's arc is extremely brief, as he is not a long-term character. His journey is cut short almost immediately after a moment of personal resolve, where he vows to become a better investigator. His death serves as a tragic conclusion to his budding ambition.

As for notable abilities, being a Rank 3 Investigator, Ippei Kusaba would have presumably received basic combat training and the standard education required to wield a Quinque, the anti-ghoul weapons used by the CCG. However, the full extent of his skills in battle is never demonstrated within the story, leaving his practical capabilities largely unknown.