Tokyo Ghoul Manga Reading Order — The Complete List
Here’s the reading order, laid out as simply as possible:
1. Tokyo Ghoul — 14 volumes (143 chapters)
This is where everything begins. College student Ken Kaneki’s life is destroyed after a date gone horribly wrong leaves him transformed into a half-ghoul — a creature that can only survive by eating human flesh. The original series covers his struggle to hold onto his humanity, the shadowy world of ghoul society in Tokyo, and the investigators of the CCG — a government agency called the Commission of Counter Ghoul that is dedicated to hunting down ghouls.
Start here. No exceptions.
2. Light Novels — Tokyo Ghoul: Days, Void, and Past (optional)
Three prose novels set during the timeline of the original series. They fill in backstory for side characters and flesh out corners of the world that the manga doesn’t have room to explore. They’re good reads, but they are completely optional. You will not miss any plot-critical information by skipping them.
The ideal time to read them is after finishing all 14 volumes of the original manga and before starting the sequel.
3. Tokyo Ghoul:re — 16 volumes (179 chapters), the direct sequel
This is the second half of the story. Tokyo Ghoul:re picks up after the events of the original series and follows a new main character — or does it? That question is one of the series’ biggest hooks, and it’s exactly why you need to read the original first.
:re is published in English by VIZ Media and continues the story to its conclusion.
Quick Reference Table
| Order | Title | Format | Volumes/Books | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo Ghoul | Manga | 14 volumes | Yes |
| 2 | Tokyo Ghoul: Days / Void / Past | Light novels | 3 books | Optional |
| 3 | Tokyo Ghoul:re | Manga | 16 volumes | Yes |
That’s it. That’s the whole reading order. Everything else — the Jack side story, the animated specials — slots in around the edges and shows up below.
Why This Order Matters
You might be wondering: does it really matter if I read these in order? Can’t I just jump into whichever one looks interesting?
With Tokyo Ghoul, the order genuinely matters. Here’s why.
Tokyo Ghoul:re is a direct continuation, not a fresh retelling of the same story. The sequel series picks up exactly where the original left off. Character identities, the shifting loyalties between rival groups, and major plot revelations from the original 14 volumes are treated as established knowledge from page one of :re. Starting with :re would be like walking into the final act of a movie — you’d technically see what happens, but every reveal that was meant to land with emotional weight would just be confusing noise.
The original 14 volumes build the foundation for everything. Kaneki’s journey as a character, the complex politics between various ghoul groups and the government investigators who hunt them, the moral ambiguity that makes the series so compelling — all of that is established in the first series. :re then takes those threads and weaves them into something bigger. Without that foundation, :re loses most of its impact.
The light novels reward you most when read between the two series. They expand on characters you’ve already met in the original manga, and some of those characters play larger roles in :re. Reading the novels after the original series and before :re means you go into the sequel with a richer understanding of the other characters in the story.
The anime is not a reliable substitute for the manga. This is a big one. The Tokyo Ghoul anime adaptation — which started airing in 2014 — diverges significantly from the manga, especially in its second season (Root A), which follows an anime-original storyline. If you watched the anime and think you know the story well enough to skip ahead in the manga, you’re almost certainly missing major plot points. The manga reading order and the anime watch order are not interchangeable.
Starting Point for New Readers
If you plan to read the whole series: Start with Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1. The first volume drops you right into Kaneki’s world — his normal life, the horrifying incident that changes everything, and his first terrified steps into ghoul society. It’s a strong opening that tells you very quickly whether this series is for you.
The Tokyo Ghoul Complete Box Set collects all 14 volumes of the original series in one package. If you already know you want to commit to the full story, this is a clean and convenient way to get the entire first series at once.
Tokyo Ghoul Complete Box Set (vols. 1-14)
If you just want a taste first: The first three or four volumes work well as a trial run. They establish the premise, introduce the major players, and give you a solid feel for Ishida’s art style and the series’ particular blend of horror and tragedy. If you’re hooked by then, you’ll be hooked for good. If it hasn’t grabbed you, you’ll know early enough to move on without a massive commitment.
If you’re tempted to start with :re — don’t. I know the cover art looks cool and you might have heard it’s “the better series.” Even if that’s your opinion after reading both (and plenty of fans disagree), :re simply does not work as a standalone story. It assumes you know who these characters are, what they’ve done, and why their choices matter. Starting with :re is the single biggest mistake you can make with this franchise.
If you’re short on time, skip the light novels on your first read. They add texture and depth, but they’re supplementary material. You can always circle back to them after finishing :re and they’ll still enhance the experience.
Spin-Offs and Side Stories — Where They Fit
Beyond the two main manga series and the three light novels, there are a couple of additional side stories worth knowing about.
Tokyo Ghoul: Jack
Jack is a short prequel — a story set before the events of the main series — that focuses on Kishou Arima, a fan-favorite character, during his high school years. It shows his early days as a ghoul investigator and gives context for the almost mythic reputation he carries in the main series.
Jack was also adapted as an OVA (a short animated film released separately from the main TV anime), so you can experience this story in either manga or animated form. It’s a quick read and a nice bonus for anyone who finds Arima’s character compelling, but it’s not required reading for the main storyline. The best time to check it out is after you’ve finished the original 14-volume series, since that’s when Arima’s significance fully clicks.
PINTO (Animated Side Story)
PINTO is another OVA — again, a short standalone animated film — that adapts a side story about Shuu Tsukiyama, one of the most memorable and flamboyant characters in the series. It covers part of his backstory and offers a different angle on a character who initially comes across as a straightforward villain. Like Jack, it’s supplementary — great for fans who want more, but completely skippable if you’re focused on the main story.
The Bottom Line on Spin-Offs
None of the spin-offs or side stories are required to understand or enjoy the two main manga series. They exist to reward dedicated fans with extra context and character development. If you love the world of Tokyo Ghoul and want to spend more time in it, they’re there waiting for you. If you’d rather just read the core story, you won’t miss anything essential.
Where to Buy Tokyo Ghoul Manga in English
The entire Tokyo Ghoul franchise is available in English from VIZ Media, which makes collecting it pretty straightforward.
Tokyo Ghoul (Original Series) — 14 Volumes
All 14 volumes are widely available both individually and as a complete box set. The box set bundles every volume of the original series together and typically works out to a better value than buying each volume separately at list price. For new readers who know they want the full first series, the box set is the most practical option.
Tokyo Ghoul:re (Sequel Series)
The sequel series is also published in English by VIZ Media and available in individual volumes. Like the original, it’s a completed series, so you can read straight through without waiting for new releases.
Tokyo Ghoul: re
Digital Editions
If you prefer reading on a screen, digital editions of both series are available through VIZ and major e-book platforms. Digital volumes are often priced below the physical list price and have the obvious advantage of not taking up shelf space — though if you’re a collector, the physical volumes and box set look great on a bookshelf.
Buying Tips
- Box sets vs. individual volumes: If you’re buying the original series, compare the box set’s list price to the combined list price of 14 individual volumes. Box sets typically offer meaningful savings at retail.
- Check multiple retailers: Prices can vary between bookstores, online retailers, and manga specialty shops. Shopping around is worth the few minutes it takes.
- Used copies are fine: Tokyo Ghoul has been in print for years, and the used market is well-stocked. A used copy reads exactly the same as a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read the light novels?
No. The three light novels — Tokyo Ghoul: Days, Void, and Past — are supplementary stories that add depth to side characters and expand the world. They’re enjoyable reads for fans who want more, but the main manga story is fully self-contained without them. You can read both manga series back-to-back and have a complete experience.
Can I start with Tokyo Ghoul:re?
No — and this is the most common mistake new readers make. Tokyo Ghoul:re is a direct continuation of the original series, not a separate story or a fresh retelling. It picks up right where the original 14 volumes end, and it assumes you already know the characters, the world, and the major events that shaped them. Starting with :re will spoil the original series and leave you confused about almost everything that’s happening.
Always start with Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1.
Is the manga different from the anime?
Yes, significantly. The anime adaptation that began in 2014 follows the manga fairly closely in its first season, but the second season (Root A) takes an anime-original direction that diverges from the original manga in major ways. The later anime seasons adapt Tokyo Ghoul:re but cut and rush through a massive amount of story to fit a limited number of episodes.
The manga is widely considered the most complete and faithful version of the story — it’s the original work the anime was based on. If you watched the anime and felt like things didn’t quite make sense, especially in the later seasons, the manga will fill in those gaps and then some.
How many chapters are there total?
Across both main manga series, there are 322 chapters total: 143 chapters in the original Tokyo Ghoul and 179 chapters in Tokyo Ghoul:re. That’s a substantial read, but since both series are completed, you can go at your own pace without worrying about catching up to an ongoing release schedule.
What order should I watch the anime in?
This article focuses on the manga reading order, but briefly: the anime aired as Tokyo Ghoul (Season 1), Tokyo Ghoul √A / Root A (Season 2), Tokyo Ghoul:re (Season 3), and Tokyo Ghoul:re 2nd Season (Season 4). There are also the Jack and PINTO animated specials. Keep in mind that the anime — especially Root A — deviates from the manga, so watching the anime is not a substitute for reading the manga if you want the full story.
Is Tokyo Ghoul appropriate for younger readers?
Tokyo Ghoul is a horror manga with graphic violence, psychological trauma, and mature themes. It ran in Weekly Young Jump, a Japanese manga magazine aimed at young adult men. It’s not aimed at younger readers. Parents and guardians should be aware that the series deals with disturbing physical transformations and mutilation, graphic fight scenes, torture, and heavy emotional darkness. It’s best suited for older teens and adults who are comfortable with dark and disturbing content.