The “Complete” Box Set Is Only Half the Story
Here’s something that catches a lot of people off guard: the product called the Tokyo Ghoul Complete Box Set contains volumes 1–14 of the original series only. That’s 14 out of 30 total volumes needed to finish the story of the series’ main character, Ken Kaneki.
The sequel series, Tokyo Ghoul:re, runs for another 16 volumes — and it’s sold in a separate box set. Without it, you’re stopping at a dramatic turning point, not an ending. The original series wraps on what is essentially a cliffhanger, and Kaneki’s story continues directly in :re.
So if you’re looking to own the complete Tokyo Ghoul manga, you need both box sets. No retailer currently sells a single bundle with all 30 volumes. The good news? Buying the two box sets together is still the most affordable way to collect everything, and this guide breaks down exactly what you’re getting, what it costs, and the order to read it all in.
What You Get in the Tokyo Ghoul Complete Box Set (Volumes 1–14)
The official Viz Media box set (ISBN 978-1974703180) comes with all 14 paperback volumes of the original Tokyo Ghoul manga, housed in a sturdy collector’s slipcase. You also get an exclusive double-sided poster — a nice bonus for display or framing.
These 14 volumes cover the entire original series — all 143 chapters written and illustrated by Sui Ishida, published chapter-by-chapter in Weekly Young Jump (a Japanese manga magazine) from 2011 to 2014. Story-wise, you’ll follow Ken Kaneki from his ordinary life as a college student through his transformation into a half-ghoul — part human, part flesh-eating creature — and the escalating conflict between ghouls and the CCG (Commission of Counter Ghoul), a government organization that hunts them. It’s dark, it’s gripping, and the character development across these volumes is genuinely incredible.
The list price is $149.99, but it’s frequently discounted to around $100–$120 at major retailers. If you see it near that lower range, that’s a solid deal.
Tokyo Ghoul Complete Box Set (Vols. 1–14)
The Box Set You Actually Need Next — Tokyo Ghoul:re (Volumes 1–16)
This is the other half. The Tokyo Ghoul:re Complete Box Set (ISBN 978-1974718474) from Viz Media includes all 16 paperback volumes of the sequel series, plus another double-sided poster.
Tokyo Ghoul:re picks up directly where volume 14 left off and runs for 179 chapters — published in Weekly Young Jump from 2014 to 2018. This is where Ken Kaneki’s story actually reaches its conclusion. Without :re, you’re missing the resolution to basically every major storyline and character arc set up in the original series.
The list price is $169.99, with street prices often landing around $120–$140. Like the original box set, it tends to get steeper discounts during big sales events.
Tokyo Ghoul:re Complete Box Set (Vols. 1–16)
Total Cost to Own the Full Tokyo Ghoul Manga
Let’s break down the numbers so you know exactly what you’re looking at.
| Option | List Price | Typical Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Ghoul Box Set (Vols. 1–14) | $149.99 | ~$100–$120 |
| Tokyo Ghoul:re Box Set (Vols. 1–16) | $169.99 | ~$120–$140 |
| Both box sets together | ~$319.98 | ~$200–$260 |
| All 30 volumes individually (~$10–$13 each) | $300–$390 | Varies |
The two box sets are clearly the most cost-effective way to collect the entire series. You’re saving anywhere from $50 to over $100 compared to buying individual volumes, and you get the slipcases and posters on top of that.
Should You Buy Both Box Sets at Once?
If both box sets are on sale at the same time — yes, buy both. Sale prices on manga box sets are unpredictable, and having both discounted at once saves you the most money overall. Prime Day, Black Friday, and holiday sales often bring both sets down to their lowest prices simultaneously.
If only one is on sale, or if budget is a concern, grab the original Tokyo Ghoul box set first. You’ll have plenty to read across those 14 volumes, and you can pick up the :re box set when the next sale hits. Both series are finished, so the box sets aren’t going anywhere — there’s no rush.
Reading Order — Where Each Box Set Fits
The reading order for Tokyo Ghoul is straightforward, but it’s worth spelling out since the “Complete Box Set” name can give the impression that it’s self-contained. It isn’t.
Step 1: Read Tokyo Ghoul volumes 1–14 (the original series — this is the “Complete Box Set”).
Step 2: Read Tokyo Ghoul:re volumes 1–16 (the :re box set). This continues directly from where volume 14 ends.
That’s the core reading order. Two series, 30 volumes, one continuous story.
Optional Side Stories
- Tokyo Ghoul: Jack — A short standalone prequel story about Kishou Arima, a major character in the main series, during his high school days. You can read this after volume 7 of the original series or after finishing all 14 volumes. It adds some nice background but isn’t required.
- Tokyo Ghoul: Joker — A short side story that’s included in Tokyo Ghoul:re volume 3. You’ll encounter it naturally as you read through the :re box set.
If You’ve Seen the Anime — What’s Different in the Manga
If you’re coming to Tokyo Ghoul from the anime, you might be wondering whether the manga is different enough to justify buying 30 volumes. Here’s how the anime lines up with the manga:
Season 1 (12 episodes) covers roughly volumes 1–7 and is a fairly faithful adaptation. If you watched and enjoyed season 1, you have a solid sense of the story’s first half.
Season 2 — Root A (12 episodes) is where things diverge. Root A goes in an anime-original direction from volume 8 onward. The manga tells a substantially different version of these events, with different character decisions and plot developments. Many readers find the manga version to be the stronger storyline, with more depth and nuance in how things unfold.
Tokyo Ghoul:re anime (24 episodes across 2 seasons) tries to adapt all 16 volumes of :re into just 24 episodes. That’s a lot of compression. Major plot points get rushed, character arcs get trimmed, and some of the story’s most impactful moments lose their weight. Reading the :re manga after watching the anime often feels like experiencing a completely different — and much richer — story.
Even if you’ve seen all of the anime, starting from volume 1 of the manga is worth it. Root A creates continuity gaps that carry forward into :re, and Sui Ishida’s artwork is stunning in a way that doesn’t always translate to the screen — the page layouts and the way scenes are drawn during fight sequences and emotional moments are genuinely some of the best in the medium. The box sets give you the full, uncut story the way Sui Ishida intended it, at a much better price than buying volumes individually.
A Note on Third-Party Bundle Listings
You might come across a listing on Amazon titled “Tokyo Ghoul Manga Complete Box Set (Volumes 1-14)” (ASIN B0CY18J82P) that looks similar to the official Viz box set but isn’t quite the same. This is a third-party bundle — it contains the same 14 Viz Media volumes, but it’s packaged and sold by a different seller. It includes a poster and a “Juliet Bookmark” as extras.
The individual volumes inside are identical. The difference is in the packaging, the seller, and the included extras. The main reason to consider it: it’s sometimes priced lower than the official Viz box set. Before choosing between the two, compare current prices and check seller ratings.
Tokyo Ghoul Manga Complete Box Set (Volumes 1-14) — Third-Party Bundle
The Bottom Line
To own the complete Tokyo Ghoul manga, buy both box sets: the Tokyo Ghoul Complete Box Set (volumes 1–14) and the Tokyo Ghoul:re Complete Box Set (volumes 1–16). Start with volumes 1–14, then continue straight into :re. If both are on sale, grab them together. If not, start with the original and wait for a deal on :re. Either way, you’re getting 30 volumes of one of the best horror manga series at the lowest price available.