The Short Answer — You Need Both Tokyo Ghoul Box Sets for the Full Story
Many readers are surprised to learn that there are two Tokyo Ghoul manga box sets, not one. The original Tokyo Ghoul box set covers volumes 1–14, and the Tokyo Ghoul:re box set covers volumes 1–16. Together, that’s 30 volumes and 322 chapters — the complete story from beginning to end.
Tokyo Ghoul and Tokyo Ghoul:re aren’t alternate versions or reboots. They’re one continuous story split across two titles. If you only buy the original Tokyo Ghoul box set, you’re stopping at what is essentially the halfway point of the saga. The story doesn’t end — it just cuts off at a dramatic moment that leaves almost every major plot thread unresolved.
If you can only grab one right now, start with the original Tokyo Ghoul box set. It’s where the story begins, and you absolutely cannot read :re without it. But know going in that you’ll almost certainly want the sequel set once you finish volume 14.
What’s Inside Each Tokyo Ghoul Box Set
Tokyo Ghoul Complete Box Set (Volumes 1–14)
This box set contains all 14 volumes of the original Tokyo Ghoul manga plus an exclusive double-sided poster you can’t get anywhere else. That’s 143 chapters covering Ken Kaneki’s entire transformation — from a quiet college student who survives a disastrous date, to someone caught between two worlds that both want him dead.
The premise: in Tokyo Ghoul’s world, creatures called ghouls live hidden among humans. They look and act like ordinary people, but they can only survive by eating human flesh. Kaneki becomes a half-ghoul after a ghoul’s organs are transplanted into his body following a near-fatal attack — leaving him trapped between the human world he grew up in and the ghoul world he’s been forced into.
The original series follows Kaneki as he takes shelter at Anteiku, a coffee shop run by ghouls who try to coexist peacefully with humans. He crosses paths with Aogiri Tree, a violent ghoul organization with very different ideas about how ghouls should live. The story builds to a devastating climax that is genuinely one of the most intense sequences in manga. This is where everything starts, and it must be read first.
Tokyo Ghoul Complete Box Set (Vols. 1–14)
Tokyo Ghoul:re Complete Box Set (Volumes 1–16)
The :re box set contains all 16 volumes of the sequel series — that’s 179 chapters — plus its own exclusive double-sided poster. The story picks up two years after the events of the original series. Kaneki is now living as “Haise Sasaki,” an investigator for the CCG (Commission of Counter Ghoul) — the government agency responsible for hunting ghouls. He has completely lost his memories of who he used to be, and is now working for the very organization that once hunted him.
This is where the Tokyo Ghoul saga reaches its conclusion. Every faction, every character relationship, every mystery from the original series gets resolved across these 16 volumes. The scope expands significantly — more characters, more factions, higher stakes — but it all ties back to what was set up in volumes 1–14.
Do not buy this set first. It assumes you’ve read the original 14 volumes. Characters, relationships, and plot points from the original are referenced constantly without re-explanation. Starting here would be like watching the second half of a movie.
Tokyo Ghoul:re Complete Box Set (Vols. 1–16)
Tokyo Ghoul vs. Tokyo Ghoul:re — What’s the Difference?
This trips up a lot of people, so let’s make it crystal clear:
Tokyo Ghoul (2011–2014) is the origin story. Kaneki gets transformed, discovers the ghoul underworld, finds refuge at Anteiku, faces the threat of Aogiri Tree, and the series builds to a devastating climax. 14 volumes, 143 chapters.
Tokyo Ghoul:re (2014–2018) is the direct sequel. Set two years later, it follows the aftermath with a much larger cast and scope. New factions emerge, old characters return in unexpected ways, and the story resolves every major thread the original set up. 16 volumes, 179 chapters.
Both were written and illustrated by Sui Ishida, and :re began the very month after the original ended. This isn’t a situation where a different author picked up the story years later — it’s one creator telling one story across 30 volumes.
Think of it this way: :re isn’t a reboot or a retelling. It’s chapters 144–322 of a single continuous narrative that happened to be published under two titles. The reading order is strictly linear:
- Tokyo Ghoul volumes 1–14 (read first, no exceptions)
- Tokyo Ghoul:re volumes 1–16 (read second)
Tokyo Ghoul Box Set vs. Buying Volumes Individually
Let’s talk numbers. Individual Tokyo Ghoul volumes retail for about $12.99 each at standard pricing from VIZ Media, the English-language publisher. Buying all 30 volumes one by one comes out to roughly $390.
The two box sets together have a combined list price of about $320 — that’s approximately $70 in savings over buying individually, before any retailer discounts.
| Buying Method | Approximate Cost | Extras |
|---|---|---|
| 30 individual volumes | ~$390 | None |
| Both box sets (list price) | ~$320 | 2 exclusive posters |
| Both box sets (typical sale) | ~$200–$230 | 2 exclusive posters |
Both box sets frequently go on sale at Amazon, often 20–40% below list price. If you’re patient and watch for deals, you can get the complete 30-volume set for significantly less than the already-discounted box set pricing.
The exclusive double-sided posters in each box set aren’t available separately. If you care about collectible extras, the box sets are the only way to get them. Print quality is identical to the individual volumes — same printings, same paper stock, same everything. The box is just a nice storage solution on top of the savings. Each box set is roughly the size of a shoebox and weighs several pounds, so keep that in mind if you’re ordering both — shipping two heavy boxes at once is more practical than buying 30 individual volumes over time.
The Manga Is the Complete Version of the Story
If you’ve watched the Tokyo Ghoul anime, you might be wondering whether you need the manga too. The short answer: the manga tells the full story in a way the anime doesn’t. Season 2 diverged from the source material by creating storylines not found in the manga, and the :re anime compressed 179 chapters into just 24 episodes — cutting character development and entire sub-plots in the process.
The manga is the definitive version. Everything that feels rushed or incomplete in the anime is given the space it needs on the page. Sui Ishida’s artwork — especially the action sequences and horror imagery — also hits differently in its original format. The box sets are the most cost-effective way to experience the story as it was meant to be told.
Should You Buy Both Tokyo Ghoul Box Sets at Once?
If you already know you want the complete story: grab both. It’s the best value, you won’t have to wait or worry about stock issues, and you’ll have the full 30-volume saga ready to go. There’s something genuinely satisfying about having the entire series lined up on your shelf.
If you’re not sure yet: start with the original Tokyo Ghoul box set. The first 14 volumes reach a natural dramatic peak at the end — it’s an incredible moment that works as a pause point, even though the story isn’t truly finished. You’ll know by then whether you need to see how it all ends.
On a budget: buy the original box set first at whatever the current price is, then keep an eye on the :re box set for a good sale. Both series are fully completed, so there’s zero risk of the story being left unfinished or the box sets going out of print anytime soon. You can take your time. Digital editions of both series are also available if shelf space or budget is a concern, though you’d miss the exclusive posters and the collectible packaging.
One thing worth knowing: Tokyo Ghoul contains graphic violence, body horror, and mature psychological themes throughout. It’s published under VIZ Media’s “Older Teen” rating. If you’re buying for someone younger, be aware that the content gets intensely dark — it’s a horror series first and foremost.
Both series are complete. There’s no waiting for new volumes, no risk of a hiatus, no “the author might not finish it” anxiety. When you buy these box sets, you’re getting a finished story with a definitive ending. That’s increasingly rare in manga, and it means you can read at whatever pace feels right without worrying about spoilers or release schedules.