What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedTokyo Ghoul
Series · 2014
If you loved Tokyo Ghoul, start with Tokyo Ghoul (Kentaro Hagiwara, 2017) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Tokyo Ghoul across media.
What hooked you in Tokyo Ghoul was the way it forces ordinary individuals to navigate the terrifying intersection of their humanity and monstrous transformation.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Tokyo Ghoul
Kentaro Hagiwara · Film · 2017
Books on the same thread
Demon Slayer
Koyoharu Gotoge · Book · 2018
Explores: Sibling Bond, Grief, Moral Duty.
Just as Ken Kaneki struggles with his new reality in Tokyo Ghoul, Tanjiro must protect his sister while grappling with the tragic, literal transformation of his own kin into a monster.
Attack on Titan 1
Hajime Isayama · Book · 2012
Explores: Existential dread, Humanity vs. monsters, Political corruption.
If the survivalist tension of Tokyo Ghoul kept you watching, you will recognize that same existential dread as humanity faces predatory threats that challenge the very definition of being human.
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins · Book · 2008
Explores: authoritarianism, class inequality, spectacle of violence.
The visceral struggle for survival against an oppressive system in this story mirrors the high-stakes, life-or-death environment that defined your experience watching the constant peril found in Tokyo Ghoul.
Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 1
Gege Akutami · Book
Shares a thread with Tokyo Ghoul: moral ambiguity.
This series captures the same moral ambiguity and dangerous fascination with the occult seen in Tokyo Ghoul, focusing on characters whose lives are irrevocably changed by proximity to monstrous forces.
Films on the same thread
Akira
Katsuhiro Otomo · Film · 1988
Explores: Psychic Powers, Government Conspiracy, Youth Rebellion.
Like Tokyo Ghoul, this film explores the psychological toll of losing one's identity to uncontrollable power, grounding its supernatural horror in the gritty, decaying urban landscape of a crumbling city.
Your Name.
Makoto Shinkai · Film · 2016
Explores: Fate, Interconnectedness, Rural vs. Urban Life.
While this film trades horror for romance, the central theme of two strangers whose lives become fundamentally and permanently intertwined echoes the transformative bond that drives the narrative of Tokyo Ghoul.
Godzilla
Ishirō Honda · Film · 1954
Explores: Nuclear Anxiety, Human Hubris, Destruction.
The core of Tokyo Ghoul lies in the fear of the unknown predator, a feeling perfectly mirrored by this classic monster movie that examines the devastating cost of human hubris.
Weathering with You
Film · 2019
Shares a thread with Tokyo Ghoul: Urban Fantasy.
If the urban isolation Kaneki feels in Tokyo Ghoul resonated with you, you will appreciate how this story depicts the personal limits and loneliness of a young person adrift in Tokyo.
Podcasts on the same thread
Anime Grind
Podcast
Explores: Personal Growth, Goal Setting, Positive Mindset.
If Tokyo Ghoul inspired you to analyze the survival instincts of its characters, this podcast offers a similar deep dive into how anime power and mindset translate into real-world personal growth.
Wake Up and Win
Podcast
Explores: anime inspiration, personal growth, goal achievement.
Much like the internal battles Ken Kaneki fights to master his own nature, this podcast utilizes the lessons and iconic moments from anime to help you overcome self-doubt and achieve goals.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch Tokyo Ghoul in?
You should start with the 2014 Tokyo Ghoul television series to follow the initial story of Ken Kaneki. After completing the television series, you can watch the 2017 live-action Tokyo Ghoul movie, which provides an alternative adaptation of the source material.
Is the Tokyo Ghoul movie a sequel to the 2014 show?
No, the 2017 Tokyo Ghoul movie is not a sequel to the 2014 television series. Both titles are separate adaptations of the same source material, focusing on the story of the bookworm college student Ken Kaneki and his encounter with Rize.
How long is the Tokyo Ghoul television series?
The Tokyo Ghoul television series premiered in 2014. It follows the story of Ken Kaneki, a college student who meets a girl named Rize. The series serves as the primary animated adaptation of the source material before the release of the 2017 live-action movie.
Should I watch the 2017 Tokyo Ghoul movie if I finished the 2014 show?
Yes, you can watch the 2017 Tokyo Ghoul movie after finishing the 2014 television series. The movie offers a different live-action perspective on the events involving Ken Kaneki and Rize, rather than continuing the narrative established in the television adaptation.