How to Watch Tokyo Ghoul in Order
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Tokyo Ghoul is a Japanese dark fantasy manga series by Sui Ishida.
TG manga is one of the most popular manga of all time. I absolutely recommend you to read the manga, as it sits on #5 according to MaL and is truly moving (and dark).
The story is set in an alternate reality, where humans live alongside flesh-eating ghouls who look identical to humans.
Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student whose life turns upside down after he receives an organ transplant from a ghoul.
Related: 7 Anime Like Tokyo Ghoul You Really Don’t Want To Miss
How to watch Tokyo Ghoul and why it’s this way
There are two ways how to watch Tokyo Ghoul.
- Incorporating some manga into your watch order,
- Without incorporating any manga, going full anime.
Now, it’s up to you which one you choose, but keep in mind that if you follow the second way it will take a different route in Tokyo Ghoul Root A compared to the manga.
It wasn’t well-received by fans (mainly the ones who read the manga). More about that below.
Tokyo Ghoul Anime-Only Watching Order
| ANIME TITLE | AIRDATE |
|---|---|
| Tokyo Ghoul | 2014 |
| Tokyo Ghoul Root A | 2015 |
| Tokyo Ghoul: “Jack” (OVA) | 2015 |
| Tokyo Ghoul: “Pinto” (OVA) | 2015 |
| Tokyo Ghoul:re | 2018 |
| Tokyo Ghoul:re 2nd Season | 2018 |
- Tokyo Ghoul is the first season.
- Tokyo Ghoul Root A is the second season, following Kaneki Ken as he embraces his ghoul & human side and running into troubles as the two factions clash.
- Tokyo Ghoul: “Jack” is an OVA that centers around an undercover investigator for the Commission of Counter Ghoul “Reaper,” Arima, giving insight into how he spent his high school days.
- Tokyo Ghoul: “Pinto” is an OVA that focuses on a strange relationship between Shuu Tsukiyama, also known as “Gourmet” and a weird girl photographer who accidentally finds out about his ghoul identity.
- Tokyo Ghoul:re is the third season. It’s set two years after the ending of the original series and follows Kaneki’s new identity as a CCG investigator.
- Tokyo Ghoul:re 2nd season is the fourth season within the TG anime series and is a direct sequel to TG:re. It covers the final arc of the manga.
Tokyo Ghoul Anime + Manga Mixed Watching Order
| ANIME TITLE | AIRDATE |
|---|---|
| Tokyo Ghoul (TV series) | 2014 |
| Tokyo Ghoul (Manga) | 2011-2014 |
| Tokyo Ghoul: “Jack” (OVA) | 2015 |
| Tokyo Ghoul: “Pinto” (OVA) | 2015 |
| Tokyo Ghoul:re (Manga) | 2014-2018 |
The reasoning behind this watch order is simple. Tokyo Ghoul Root A isn’t canon, and Tokyo Ghoul:re (1st and 2nd season) are a complete mess. There are tons of plot holes and characters that should be dead/alive.
Honestly, this is the recommended order by many people, not just me.
Although if you are a hardcore Tokyo Ghoul fan, you might want to consider the first order (assuming you also read the manga).
Hi, my name is Mia and I’m the founder of 9 Tailed Kitsune.
I love anime, games, and esports (I am also a bit weird).
My passion for anime sparked when I was about 7 (Phantom Thief Jeanne, hello!) and has never stopped.
Ahh this is so helpful!! I’m still confused about when Tokyo Ghoul RE takes place (the manga) But still, thank you for this!
It’s actually the same as in anime, so it’s a sequel – 2 years after the original TG. Hope that helps! 🙂
ahh okok thank you! 😀