The Disney+ Sci-Fi Thriller Anime Makes The Undead Heroes

For those unfamiliar, Tokyo Ghoul: re is the third installment of the anime series, and it is based on the manga series of the same name by Sui Ishida. Produced by the always great studio Pierrot and directed by prolific anime director Toshinori Watanabe, the series is packed with action and great animation. Set two years after the events of the original series, this anime follows Haise Sasaki (the current identity of Ken Kaneki), who leads the CCG’s Quinx Squad, which is an elite group of half-ghoul, half-humans who defeat ghouls in battle.

While you could certainly watch Tokyo Ghoul: re on its own, it’s worth checking out the original anime series if you want to really get into it. Tokyo Ghoul takes place first in the timeline and is set in a version of Tokyo where humans live alongside ghouls, human-like beings who eat human flesh. The series follows protagonist Ken Kaneki, who becomes a half-ghoul and must navigate the world of humans and ghouls while not giving in to the new side of his personality.

For those who want to dive into Tokyo Ghoul, there’s a prequel series you can read in a tankobon manga volume. Of course, the anime will be the easiest to jump right into, with the first season directly adapting the manga. There is also a second season of the anime that follows an original story. Tokyo Ghoul: re, as mentioned, is a sequel series, so it should probably be watched last if you want to experience the series chronologically.

Tokyo Ghoul is a hugely popular manga that has even had some live-action film adaptations. Both live-action films were Japanese releases, with the first film coming out in 2017 and a sequel coming out in 2019. The live-action films are fun, but they don’t resonate nearly as much as the manga and anime, so you’re better off starting with those. If you’re a big fan, it is worth checking out the films too.

While Tokyo Ghoul may not be as popular in the West as shows like Dragon Ball Z or One Piece, it still has massive reach and is especially popular in its home country of Japan. The franchise has brought in billions of yen over the years and has over 47 million copies of the manga in circulation as of 2021. Those numbers are hard to argue with, so it’s worth checking out if you’re a fan of anime who hasn’t dove into the series yet.

In short, Tokyo Ghoul: re is a sequel series that won’t disappoint. If you like dark sci-fi and fantasy, this is a great show to check out. Head over to the Hulu section of Disney+ to stream it today.