Confused by the ending of the Tokyo Ghoul anime? You’re not alone. Many fans find the plot confusing, especially after the anime-original storyline of Season 2 created significant narrative gaps and an unclear timeline.
The Tokyo Ghoul anime significantly deviates from the manga, with Season 2, Tokyo Ghoul √A, being an almost entirely different story. To continue the story directly after the faithful first season, you would start at manga Chapter 67. However, the expert and community consensus is to read the manga from Chapter 1 to experience the complete, canonical story.
Based on a comprehensive analysis of the source material by Sui Ishida and the anime adaptation by Studio Pierrot, this guide provides the definitive roadmap. It will clear up all your confusion. You will discover exactly where each season leaves off and why the manga is the only way to get the true story.
Key Facts
- Season 2 is Non-Canon:
Tokyo Ghoul √A(Season 2) is an anime-original “what if” story and does not follow the manga’s plot, which is the biggest source of fan confusion.- Season 1 Ends at Chapter 66: The first anime season is a relatively faithful adaptation of the manga, concluding at Chapter 66 after Ken Kaneki’s battle with Yamori.
- The Full Story is 322 Chapters: The complete canonical saga consists of the original
Tokyo Ghoul(143 chapters) and its sequel,Tokyo Ghoul:re(179 chapters).- The
:reAnime is Extremely Rushed: The final 12 episodes of theTokyo Ghoul:reanime adapt over 120 manga chapters, cutting massive amounts of plot and character development.- Reading From Chapter 1 is Recommended: Due to the major plot deviations and cut content across all seasons, the only way to get the full, intended experience is to start the manga from the very beginning.
Where Did the Tokyo Ghoul Anime Leave Off in the Manga? A Definitive Guide
The Tokyo Ghoul anime leaves off at different, often misleading, points in the manga, making a single answer complicated. The first season is a mostly faithful adaptation, but Season 2, Tokyo Ghoul √A, is an anime-original storyline that completely breaks from the canonical manga plot. This divergence, created by the animation studio, Studio Pierrot, is the primary reason fans are left with plot holes and a confusing timeline. This guide provides a definitive, chapter-by-chapter answer to solve this problem.
Navigating the transition from the animated series to the source material created by Sui Ishida can be frustrating. The anime adaptations, particularly after the first season, made significant changes that alter character motivations, major events, and the overall narrative that leads into the sequel, Tokyo Ghoul:re. Our experience analyzing both mediums shows that simply picking up the manga where you think the anime left off will lead to immediate confusion.
This guide exists to prevent that. We will provide a clear, easy-to-follow roadmap that respects your time while ensuring you get the authentic story. Whether you want the quickest path forward or the full, uncompromised experience, you’ll find the precise answer you need right here. Let’s clear up the timeline once and for all. ✅
Why Should You Read the Tokyo Ghoul Manga From Chapter 1?
You should read the Tokyo Ghoul manga from Chapter 1 because the anime cuts crucial content, alters the plot, and censors the story’s true psychological horror. While it might seem like a shortcut to skip ahead, you would be missing the definitive version of the story. The community and expert consensus is clear: the manga offers a vastly superior and more coherent experience.
Based on years of analyzing the source material, here are the key reasons why starting from the beginning is the only recommended path:
* Proper Pacing and Story Flow: The anime rushes through major arcs, not allowing plot points and emotional moments to develop naturally. The manga’s pacing lets Sui Ishida’s intricate narrative breathe, building suspense and impact that the anime lacks.
* Deeper Characterization and Psychology: So much of what makes Tokyo Ghoul a masterpiece is Ken Kaneki’s internal monologue and psychological breakdown, especially during his torture. The anime skips most of this, reducing complex characters to simpler versions of themselves. You miss the “why” behind their actions.
* Uncensored Art and Violence: Sui Ishida’s artwork is detailed, expressive, and often brutally graphic. The anime adaptation significantly tones down and censors the violence and body horror, which are essential to the series’ dark fantasy and seinen manga themes.
* Crucial Foreshadowing: The manga is filled with subtle hints and details that foreshadow major reveals in Tokyo Ghoul:re. The anime cuts nearly all of this, which is why the sequel anime feels so confusing and disconnected to many viewers.
In short, the manga is the real story. The anime is an abridged, altered version. To truly understand the tragedy of Kaneki and the world he inhabits, you have to start from the beginning.
What Chapter Does Tokyo Ghoul Season 1 End?
Tokyo Ghoul Season 1 concludes its story at Chapter 66 of the manga. This chapter marks the climax of the Aogiri Tree arc, covering Ken Kaneki’s transformation after his torture by Yamori and his subsequent battle. If you want to continue the story directly from this point, you would start reading from Chapter 67.
This is the most straightforward transition point in the entire series, as Season 1 is the most faithful part of the anime adaptation. It follows the manga’s plotline relatively closely, introducing the main characters and the core conflict between ghouls and the CCG (Commission of Counter Ghoul) in a way that aligns with the source material.
However, even though it’s considered faithful, the first season still makes omissions. For viewers who want the absolute full picture but are hesitant to read all 66 chapters, understanding what was left on the cutting room floor is important before jumping to Chapter 67.
What Did Season 1 Still Cut From the Manga?
Even in its most faithful season, the anime adaptation made several cuts for brevity. Here’s what you miss by not starting from Chapter 1:
* Kaneki’s Internal Psychology: The manga provides extensive internal monologues showing Kaneki’s struggle with his ghoul nature. The anime externalizes this, losing much of the psychological depth.
* World-Building Details: Minor characters and details about ghoul society, such as the inner workings of the Ghoul Restaurant from the Gourmet Arc, are either skipped or simplified.
* Rize’s Background and Influence: The presence of Rize Kamishiro as a voice in Kaneki’s head is far more pronounced and detailed in the manga, explaining his evolving mindset more clearly.
* Subtle Foreshadowing: Small interactions and background events that become critical in Tokyo Ghoul:re are absent from the anime, leaving future plot points without a proper foundation.
How Does Tokyo Ghoul √A (Season 2) Deviate From the Manga?
Tokyo Ghoul √A (Season 2) is almost entirely an anime-original story that is not canon to the manga. It presents a major “what-if” scenario that diverges from the canonical plot immediately after the events of Season 1. Because of this, you cannot find a chapter where √A leaves off, because its story does not exist in the manga.
Warning: The events of
Tokyo Ghoul √Aare non-canon. To follow the true story that leads toTokyo Ghoul:re, you must disregard the plot of Season 2 entirely.
The story splits into two completely different paths after Chapter 66. The anime follows one route, while the manga follows the true, canonical one. The single biggest deviation is Kaneki’s core choice:
1. Anime Path (Tokyo Ghoul √A): Kaneki decides to join Aogiri Tree, the very organization that tortured him, in a misguided attempt to become stronger and protect his friends from the inside.
2. Manga Path (Chapters 67+): Kaneki does not join Aogiri Tree. Instead, he forms his own small group with Banjo and others to investigate Aogiri and Dr. Kanou, actively fighting against them.
This fundamental change creates a ripple effect that alters the entire second half of the original story. Key differences include:
* The Anteiku Raid: The climax of the story is completely different. The battles, character interactions, and ultimate outcome of the raid on the coffee shop are unique to the manga.
* Hide’s Fate: The fate of Hideyoshi Nagachika, Kaneki’s best friend, is famously tragic and ambiguous in the anime. The manga handles his disappearance very differently, and his true fate becomes a central mystery in Tokyo Ghoul:re.
* Skipped Arcs and Characters: By following an original plot, the anime skips entire manga arcs, including the Kanou’s Lab Raid and the introduction of crucial characters who are vital to understanding the sequel.
What Chapter Should You Start After Watching Root A?
There is no chapter that continues from the Tokyo Ghoul √A ending. Since √A is non-canon, its ending does not connect to any point in the manga’s timeline. If you were to jump straight to the sequel, Tokyo Ghoul:re, you would be starting a story that assumes you read the second half of the original manga that the anime skipped.
It’s like skipping chapters 10-20 of a 30-chapter book and starting at chapter 21. You would recognize the characters, but you would have missed:
* Kaneki’s entire character arc of forming his own group.
* The introduction of many important characters.
* The canonical conclusion of the Anteiku Raid.
* The real fight between Kaneki and Arima Kisho.
For these reasons, the only logical step after watching √A is to go back and read the manga starting from Chapter 1 (recommended) or Chapter 67 (the absolute minimum).
Where Does the Tokyo Ghoul:re Anime Leave Off in the Manga?
The Tokyo Ghoul:re anime adapts the entire Tokyo Ghoul:re manga, concluding with the final chapter, Chapter 179. However, knowing this is misleading. The adaptation is infamous for its extremely rushed pacing, which makes it a poor substitute for reading the manga.
The :re anime is split into two parts (often referred to as Season 3 and Season 4). Both suffer from pacing issues, but the second part is one of the most compressed adaptations in recent memory.
Tokyo Ghoul:re (Part 1 / Season 3)
This season adapts roughly the first 58 chapters of the Tokyo Ghoul:re manga. It introduces the Quinx Squad and the new protagonist, Haise Sasaki. While it follows the main plot points, it’s already moving at a rapid pace, cutting character backstories and simplifying the complex political landscape of the CCG.
Tokyo Ghoul:re Part 2 (Part 2 / Season 4)
This is where the adaptation completely falls apart. In a staggering feat of poor pacing, these final 12 episodes attempt to cover the remaining story from Chapter 59 to Chapter 179.
📝 That’s 121 chapters of dense, complex manga crammed into just 12 episodes.
This results in an almost incomprehensible story for anime-only viewers. Entire arcs are reduced to montages, major character deaths lack emotional impact, and the final “Dragon War” arc is left confusing and underdeveloped. Reading the :re manga from the beginning is the only way to truly understand the epic conclusion to the series.
Anime vs. Manga: A Chapter-by-Chapter Comparison Table
For a quick overview, this table maps each anime season to its corresponding manga content and provides the recommended starting point. This is your definitive cheat sheet for navigating the franchise.
| Anime Season | Manga Chapters Covered | Recommended Starting Point (after watching) | Key Notes & Deviations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Ghoul (Season 1) | Chapters 1-66 | Chapter 67 (or Chapter 1 for full story) | Mostly faithful, but minor cuts to world-building & psychology. |
| Tokyo Ghoul √A (Season 2) | N/A (Anime-Original Plot) | Tokyo Ghoul:re Chapter 1 (HIGHLY DISCOURAGED) | Non-Canon. Kaneki joins Aogiri. Skips entire second half of manga. |
| Tokyo Ghoul:re (Season 3) | Chapters 1-58 | Chapter 59 of :re manga | Moderately rushed. Introduction to Quinx Squad. |
| Tokyo Ghoul:re Part 2 (Season 4) | Chapters 59-179 | N/A (End of series) | Extremely Rushed. Adapts ~121 chapters in 12 episodes. |
FAQs About where did the tokyo ghoul anime leave off in the manga
Is Tokyo Ghoul Root A (Season 2) canon?
No, Tokyo Ghoul √A is not canon to the manga. It is an anime-original “what-if” story that diverges significantly from Sui Ishida’s source material. The canonical events that lead into Tokyo Ghoul:re are only found in the manga, starting from approximately chapter 67.
What is the correct order to read the Tokyo Ghoul manga?
The correct order is to read all 143 chapters of the original Tokyo Ghoul manga first, then all 179 chapters of the sequel, Tokyo Ghoul:re. There are also side stories like Tokyo Ghoul: JACK and Tokyo Ghoul: PINTO, which can be read anytime after the original series for more context.
Does Hide die in the Tokyo Ghoul manga?
Hide’s fate in the manga is different and more complex than in the anime. In Tokyo Ghoul √A, he is heavily implied to have died in Kaneki’s arms. In the manga, he goes missing after the Anteiku Raid, and his true fate is a major plot point that is revealed much later in Tokyo Ghoul:re. Reading the manga is necessary to learn what truly happened.
How many chapters does the Tokyo Ghoul manga have in total?
The complete Tokyo Ghoul story spans 322 chapters across two series. The original Tokyo Ghoul manga has 143 chapters (collected in 14 volumes), and its sequel, Tokyo Ghoul:re, has 179 chapters (collected in 16 volumes).
Where can I legally read the Tokyo Ghoul manga?
You can read the official English translation of the Tokyo Ghoul manga legally on digital platforms like the VIZ Manga app or Shonen Jump app. Physical copies of the manga volumes and box sets are also widely available for purchase from major book retailers. Supporting the official release is the best way to support the creator, Sui Ishida.
Does the Tokyo Ghoul anime cover the entire manga?
Yes and no. The anime technically adapts events up to the final chapter of the manga, but it skips and changes so much content that it fails to tell the complete story. Tokyo Ghoul √A replaces the entire second half of the original manga, and the :re anime rushes over 120 chapters into 12 episodes, cutting vital plot and character arcs.
What chapter is Kaneki’s torture in the manga?
Kaneki’s infamous torture by Yamori (Jason) begins around Chapter 59 and climaxes in Chapter 63 of the original Tokyo Ghoul manga. This is part of the Aogiri Tree arc. While the anime depicts this event, the manga provides far more of Kaneki’s internal monologue and psychological breakdown during the ordeal.
Can I just watch Season 1 and then start the manga?
Yes, this is the most common “shortcut” path. Season 1 is a relatively faithful adaptation of the first 66 chapters. If you absolutely do not want to start from the beginning, you can watch Season 1, skip Tokyo Ghoul √A entirely, and start reading the manga from Chapter 67. You will still miss some details but will be on the correct plot path.
Why did the Tokyo Ghoul anime change the story?
There is no single official reason, but it’s common for anime studios to alter stories to create a self-contained ending or explore an alternate path. In the case of Tokyo Ghoul √A, it’s believed the changes were made to create a more tragic, definitive anime-only conclusion, as a sequel (:re) may not have been guaranteed at the time. This decision is widely criticized by fans of the source material.
Is reading the Tokyo Ghoul:re manga worth it if I watched the anime?
Absolutely. The Tokyo Ghoul:re anime is considered one of the most rushed and confusing adaptations in modern anime. It cuts out entire subplots, rushes character introductions, and fails to explain key motivations and world-building elements. Reading the :re manga is the only way to truly understand and appreciate the complex and satisfying conclusion to Kaneki’s story.
Key Takeaways: Tokyo Ghoul Anime to Manga Guide
- Always Start from Chapter 1: This is the universally recommended path. You must read from the beginning to experience the full, canonical story with proper pacing, character development, and uncensored art as
Sui Ishidaintended. - Season 1 is Faithful but Incomplete: The first season adapts manga chapters 1-66. While it’s the most accurate part of the adaptation, it still cuts crucial internal monologues and world-building details.
- Season 2 (√A) is Anime-Original:
Tokyo Ghoul √Ais not canon and tells a different story where Kaneki joins Aogiri Tree. You cannot continue the manga from where this season ends; you must ignore its plot entirely. - The Real Story Continues at Chapter 67: The canonical plot that
Tokyo Ghoul √Areplaced begins at Chapter 67 of the originalTokyo Ghoulmanga. This is the true second half of the story. - The
:reAnime is Extremely Rushed: The sequel anime,Tokyo Ghoul:re, adapts all 179 chapters of the:remanga but does so at an impossibly fast pace, especially in its final 12 episodes. It is not a substitute for reading the manga. - Key Plot Points Are Manga-Exclusive: Major events, character fates (like Hide’s), and entire story arcs were either changed or completely skipped by the anime. The manga is a fundamentally different and more complete experience.
Final Thoughts on Starting the Tokyo Ghoul Manga
Navigating the world of Tokyo Ghoul can be a challenge, but now you are equipped with a clear and accurate map. The confusion caused by the anime’s deviations is a shared experience, but the solution is simple: the manga holds the key. By choosing to read the source material, you are choosing to experience Sui Ishida’s masterpiece as it was meant to be told.
You now understand the non-canon nature of Tokyo Ghoul √A, the severe pacing issues of the :re anime, and the precise chapter numbers you need. The most rewarding journey awaits you in the pages of the manga, starting from Chapter 1. Enjoy discovering the true story of Ken Kaneki.
Last update on 2026-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
