Let's be real for a second. Trying to figure out the order of Tokyo Ghoul anime is like trying to navigate the 20th Ward without a map while being chased by a hungry binge-eater. It’s a mess. Honestly, Sui Ishida’s original manga is a masterpiece of psychological horror and intricate pen-and-ink tragedy, but the anime adaptation? That’s a different story. It’s jagged. It skips things. It takes weird detours into "what if" scenarios that left even the most hardcore fans scratching their heads back in 2015.
If you’re just starting, you’ve probably seen titles like Root A and re and wondered if you’re looking at a math equation or a watch list. You aren't alone. Most people get it wrong because they assume "release order" equals "story order." In this case, that’s only half true.
The Bare Bones Watch Order
First things first. You have to start at the beginning. No shortcuts.
Tokyo Ghoul (Season 1) is your entry point. This covers Ken Kaneki’s transformation from a shy university student into a half-ghoul. It’s 12 episodes of pure world-building, coffee shop vibes at Anteiku, and that iconic Jason fight. Most fans agree this is the most solid part of the entire animated run. It sticks relatively close to the source material, even if it trims some of the political fat of the CCG (Commission of Counter Ghoul).
Then things get weird. Tokyo Ghoul √A (Root A) is the second season. Here’s the kicker: it’s technically "anime-original." This means the studio, Pierrot, decided to take a different path than the manga. Instead of Kaneki doing what he does in the books, he joins Aogiri Tree. It’s a controversial choice. Many fans hate it. Some like the action. But you have to watch it to understand the flow of the anime, even if it feels like a fever dream that doesn't quite line up later.
After that, you hit Tokyo Ghoul:re. This is split into two halves. You have the first 12 episodes of re, and then the "Final Season," which is another 12. This jumps ahead in time. Kaneki is... well, he’s Haise Sasaki now. He’s leading a squad of "Quinx" (humans with ghoul powers). If you haven't read the manga, the start of re will feel like you missed an entire season of television. That's because, in many ways, you did. The anime assumes you know certain plot points that Root A skipped or changed.
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Wait, What About the OVAs?
Don't ignore the OVAs. Seriously. They aren't just fluff.
Tokyo Ghoul: [Jack] is a prequel. It follows a young Kishou Arima—the CCG’s "God of Death"—long before he became the terrifying investigator we see in the main series. It’s short, sharp, and gives much-needed context to the guy who eventually becomes Kaneki's greatest foil.
Then there’s Tokyo Ghoul: [Pinto]. This one is a bit lighter, focusing on Shuu Tsukiyama (the Gourmet) and how he met Chie Hori. It’s based on a light novel story. While it’s not "essential" to understand the main plot, it makes Tsukiyama a much more three-dimensional character instead of just a flamboyant creep who likes smelling bloody handkerchiefs.
The Root A Problem: Why Everyone is Confused
The biggest hurdle in the order of Tokyo Ghoul anime is the bridge between Root A and :re.
In the manga, the transition is seamless. In the anime, it’s a car crash. Because Root A deviated from the manga’s plot, the beginning of :re feels disjointed. The anime basically "re-canonizes" the manga's ending without explaining it to the viewers. You’re just expected to keep up.
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Basically, Kaneki’s fate at the end of the first manga arc was very specific. Root A gave us a beautiful, snowy walk with a body in his arms, but it didn't show the fight that actually led to his memory loss. If you feel lost during the first episode of :re, you haven't missed a secret episode. The directors just decided to start following the manga again as if the changes in season 2 never happened. It’s frustrating. It's confusing. But that’s the reality of the production.
Chronological vs. Release Order
If you want the purest experience, just stick to release order. It’s the way the mystery was intended to unfold.
- Tokyo Ghoul (2014)
- Tokyo Ghoul √A (2015)
- Tokyo Ghoul: [Jack] (OVA - 2015)
- Tokyo Ghoul: [Pinto] (OVA - 2015)
- Tokyo Ghoul:re (2018)
- Tokyo Ghoul:re 2nd Season (2018)
Some people suggest watching Jack first because it’s a prequel. Don’t do that. The impact of Arima’s character depends on you seeing him as an adult first. It’s like watching the Star Wars prequels before the original trilogy; it robs the story of its mystique.
The "re" Rush: A Warning for New Viewers
The final 12 episodes of the order of Tokyo Ghoul anime are notorious for being some of the most rushed content in anime history. They crammed roughly 120 chapters of manga into 12 episodes. Think about that. That is 10 chapters per episode.
Characters appear and die in the same scene. Massive plot twists are revealed in a single line of dialogue. The animation quality fluctuates wildly because the production was clearly struggling. This is why most "experts" in the community will tell you to read the manga alongside watching. If you only watch the anime, you’re getting the "SparkNotes" version of a very complex political and psychological thriller.
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Practical Steps for the Best Experience
To truly appreciate what Sui Ishida built, you should treat the anime as a companion piece rather than the definitive version. Here is how to actually digest this franchise without losing your mind.
- Watch Season 1 first. It’s a great hook and the soundtrack (especially "Unravel") is legendary.
- Watch Root A but keep a mental note that it's a "side story" or a "divergent timeline."
- Read the manga's first half (chapters 1–143) before starting :re. This is the single most important tip. It fills the massive gap left by Root A and makes the transition to Haise Sasaki actually make sense.
- Use the OVAs as pallet cleansers. Watch Jack and Pinto after Root A to give yourself a break before the time jump of :re.
- Lower your expectations for the finale. The end of :re is beautiful in terms of its emotional payoff, but the pacing is a literal sprint. If you find yourself saying "Who is that guy again?" every five minutes, don't worry. Everyone did.
The order of Tokyo Ghoul anime isn't just about the sequence of episodes; it's about managing the gaps in the narrative. If you go in knowing that the second season is a detour and the final seasons are a rush, you’ll actually be able to enjoy the incredible character design and the tragic, haunting atmosphere that made the series a global phenomenon in the first place.
Go start with season 1. Pay attention to the eyes. That’s where the real story is told.
Next Steps for You: Start with the 12 episodes of the original 2014 series. Once you finish the finale (the "Jason" fight), stop and decide if you want to continue with the anime-only path of Root A or if you'd rather pivot to the manga to see the "true" version of Kaneki's journey. Most fans find that a hybrid approach—watching the first season then reading the manga—yields the most satisfying results.