The 25 Best Characters from Tokyo Ghoul

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Learn about the ghouls and humans that make this anime so great

Co-authored by Dianté Richard and Devin McSween

Last Updated: August 21, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Main Characters
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• CCG Investigators
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• Anteiku Ghouls
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• Aogiri Tree Ghouls
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• The Clowns Ghouls
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• FAQ
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• Tips

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Tokyo Ghoul is a dark fantasy-thriller anime that's well known for its complex and interesting characters—ghouls and humans alike. If you’re curious to learn about some of Tokyo Ghoul’s most iconic characters, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’re going over the main characters as well as characters affiliated with the Commission of Counter Ghoul (CCG), Anteiku, Aogiri Tree, and the Clowns, with wikiHow-exclusive insights from an anime expert.

A Visual Guide to Tokyo Ghoul Characters

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Some of the most important characters in Tokyo Ghoul are:

• Ken Kaneki, the protagonist who’s turned into a half-ghoul, half-human. He’s forced to reconcile with his new identity while navigating the often dangerous ghoul world.
• Touka Kirishima, a ghoul working at Anteiku Cafe. She helps Kaneki adjust to the ghoul world and trains him on how to use his ghoul abilities.
• Kishou Arima, a high-ranking Ghoul Investigator at CCG who’s an expert detective and fighter capable of taking down ghouls.

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Section 1 of 5:

Main Characters

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   Ken Kaneki Kaneki is the protagonist of Tokyo Ghoul, who begins the series as a regular college student. However, on a date with his crush, Rize, she reveals herself to be a ghoul and fatally attacks him. She gets injured in the process, and both end up in the hospital, where Rize’s organs are implanted inside Kaneki to save him. This turns him into a half-ghoul, half-human hybrid, and he begins a complex (and often traumatic) journey of navigating his new existence and ultimately accepting himself.

   • Kaneki goes through a lot of growth and change throughout the anime, making him a very complex character and fan favorite. The internal (and external) battles he goes through are often reflected in his hair color: he starts with black hair as a human, which turns white when he accepts his identity.
   • Kaneki is mostly a kind, gentle, and selfless person, though the changes he goes through do reveal a more violent, merciless side of himself.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Ishaan Kaushal is an anime expert and digital creator. He is known for thoughtful, engaging content at the intersection of media, culture, and identity.
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   Touka Kirishima Touka is the secondary protagonist of Tokyo Ghoul. She’s a ghoul who works at Anteiku Cafe, a shop that Kaneki frequents, which also secretly operates as a resource for ghouls in need. When Kaneki turns into a half-ghoul, he seeks Touka’s help, and she reluctantly agrees to help him adjust to ghoul life. She’s a strong and ruthless fighter who can be aggressive at times, but she’s truly kind, calm, and caring.
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   Kishou ArimaArima is a renowned Ghoul Investigator for the Commission of Counter Ghoul (CCG), an agency devoted to investigating crimes and taking down ghouls. He’s one of the smartest and strongest investigators at CCG, whose deductive and fighting skills have helped him eliminate countless ghouls, earning him the nickname “Reaper.” He’s calm, composed, and a bit cold, but that just adds to his coolness.
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   Hideyoshi Nagachika Nagachika, better known as Hide, is Kaneki’s best friend. The two have been friends since they were children, and care deeply for one another. Hide is friendly, cheerful, and carefree, but don’t let that fool you. He’s also incredibly smart and observant (and eventually figures out Kaneki’s new identity).
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   Tsukiyama Shuu Shuu is known as the infamous Gourmet ghoul, who puts on a charming and friendly facade to hide his cruel and selfish nature—and his deep desire to eat people. He was initially obsessed with Kaneki’s scent and targeted him, and while he still wants to eat him, he considers Kaneki a true friend and is extremely loyal to him.
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   Kotarou Amon Amon is an investigator for CCG, and a great one at that. He’s determined, dedicated, and driven by his strong sense of justice. While he believes all ghouls are bad and deserve to be wiped out (which is shaped by his background as an orphan), he starts to question his beliefs once he meets Kaneki.
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   Rize Kamishiro Rize is one of the first characters you meet in Tokyo Ghoul, says anime expert Ishaan Kaushal. She’s a ghoul and the catalyst for Kaneki turning into one, as after they go on a date, her organs are transplanted into him. So, Kaushal says Rize “haunts” the rest of the narrative and is largely responsible for the events of the series. Rize is a notorious ghoul with a huge appetite, so much so that she draws the attention of the CCG, causing trouble for other ghouls. She’s independent, mysterious, and definitely charming.

   • Even though Rize is more of a minor character, as she has relatively low screen time, Kaushal notes that she’s a fan-favorite.
   • Spoiler Warning: Rize’s character does get expanded on later in the series, where Kaushal explains that she was born and raised to create powerful ghouls. She is killed at the end of the series, and serves as a symbolic journey for Kaneki, who is learning how to accept his half-ghoul, half-human identity.
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Section 2 of 5:

CCG Investigators

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   Juuzou Suzuya Juuzou is a skilled Ghoul Investigator who becomes one of the strongest investigators in the CCG. He’s an eccentric guy who often appears friendly, playful, and childish, but due to his traumatic background, he doesn’t feel true emotions. He’s a ruthless and efficient killer and by the end of the series, does show genuine care for others.
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   Kureo Mado Kureo is a senior Ghoul Investigator and Amon’s partner. He has a serious obsession with hunting ghouls, as he believes humans are better than them, and wants revenge because one killed his wife, Kasuka. So while he’s respected at work, he’s also considered a bit strange.
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   Akira Mado Akira is Kureo’s daughter and also an accomplished Ghoul Investigator. She has a strong intuition, which aids her investigations and helps her catch ghouls. She’s quite serious and professional, and despite the walls she puts up, she cares deeply for her fellow investigators.
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   Nimura Furuta Furuta is a seemingly ordinary investigator at the CCG who’s very polite and quiet. While he’s well respected by his peers, it’s clear he has other goals and motivations and may have a hand in orchestrating the events of the series.
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   Seidou Takizawa Seidou is a rookie investigator who has a rivalry going with Akira. He is an earnest guy who has a deep admiration for his superiors, wanting to be like them one day. That lends him to some insecurity, too, though. He goes through some pretty massive changes throughout the series, but we don’t want to spoil too much!
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Section 3 of 5:

Anteiku Ghouls

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   Yoshimura Yoshimura is the manager of Anteiku Cafe who has a deep desire to help ghouls, particularly ones who can’t kill humans. In fact, he helps Kaneki adjust to living as a ghoul by offering him a job at the cafe. Yoshimura is wise, fair, and kind, and has a strong moral code against killing as he respects both ghouls and humans.
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   Nishiki Nishio Nishiki is initially just one of Kaneki and Hide’s peers at college, though Kaneki soon realizes Nishiki is actually a ghoul after he gets attacked by him. However, after a few more fights, the pair work together, and Nishiki comes to work at Anteiku as well. Nishiki is super smart, arrogant, and abrasive at times (as he’s prone to foul language), but he’s deeply loyal—especially to his longtime girlfriend, Kimi.
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   Renji Yomo Yomo is a long-time worker at Anteiku who serves directly under Yoshimura, primarily helping him collect deceased humans to feed ghouls. He deeply respects Yoshimura, who helped him cope with his rage after the CCG killed his sister. While Yomo appears composed and reserved, he has a big heart and is protective over the people he cares about.
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   Enji Koma Koma is a waiter at Anteiku who’s proud of his job and the food he serves. He’s more of a minor character who holds it down at the cafe, but he’s well known for his friendly and playful personality. Which is interesting, because before he became a waiter, he was a part of a ruthless ghoul gang!
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   Hinami Fueguichi Hinami is a young teen who comes to stay at Anteiku after her parents are tragically killed by the CCG, with Touka stepping up to care for her and Kaneki forming a sibling-like relationship with her. She’s curious, gentle, and deeply caring—despite her parents’ murders, she never feels the desire to take revenge.
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Section 4 of 5:

Aogiri Tree Ghouls

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   Eto Eto is the leader of Aogiri Tree, a ghoul organization that’s dedicated to fighting the CCG, no matter how many ghouls or humans are harmed in the process. As such, she has a serious sadistic streak and genuinely enjoys causing chaos and pain. However, as her human alias Sen Takatsuki, she’s very fun and playful and famous for writing horror novels.
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   Ayato Kirishima Ayato is Touka’s younger brother who serves as an executive of Aogiri Tree. He’s powerful, bold, and arrogant, which is what initially drew Aogiri Tree to recruit him into their ranks. While he and his sister are no longer close, Ayato truly cares for her, and at one point takes on her alias to keep her protected from the CCG.
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   Yakumo Oomori Yakumo is another executive of Aogiri Tree. He’s perhaps better known as Jason, which is a nickname he got due to his sadistic personality, which mirrors Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th (plus, Yakumo often wears a hockey mask). Yakumo is violent and ruthless, and particularly enjoys torturing and eating other ghouls.
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   Tatara Tatara is the second-in-command of Aogiri Tree, serving directly under Eto. He’s reserved and composed, and extremely loyal to his leader. While he’s certainly strong and capable, his primary job isn’t to fight. Instead, Tatara oversees the other Aogiri members and activities. You definitely don’t want to go toe-to-toe with him, though, as he’s ruthless.
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   Noro Noro is an intimidating presence at Aogiri Tree, who is completely silent and always wears a white mask with a huge mouth and no eyes (and you don’t want to see what’s underneath). He serves directly under Tatara, and the pair are usually together. Noro’s super strong and durable, and has a unique ability to regenerate extreme amounts of damage.
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Section 5 of 5:

The Clowns Ghouls

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   Uta Uta is a prominent member of the Clowns, a mysterious organization that has unclear goals, but plays a large part in the events of the series. That’s not his only role, though—he’s also an artist and owner of a mask store, which both ghouls and humans frequent. Uta is friendly and loves to tease others, though he hasn’t completely lost the vicious side he showed off in his youth.
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   Nico Nico is another key member of the Clowns, though he’s also helped with some of Aogiri Tree’s missions. He’s flamboyant and whimsical and has a love for eccentric fashion and beautiful things. Like many ghouls, though, he has a sadistic and cunning side, and enjoys violence, too.
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   Roma Hoito Roma is the true leader of the Clowns, though she first appears as a new hire at Anteiku. While she appears like a bit of an airhead, she has a deep need to cause chaos and carnage. She hates humans and couldn’t care less about their lives—though she equally enjoys causing ghouls pain, too.
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Common Questions: Tokyo Ghoul’s Characters

Who are the most powerful half-ghouls and full Ghouls in Tokyo Ghoul?

Ken Kaneki, a half-ghoul, is widely considered the strongest character in Tokyo Ghoul. His half-ghoul status actually makes his powers stronger, from his strength, speed, and regeneration to his tentacle kagune. Other super strong characters include Eto (half-ghoul), Yoshimura (ghoul), Furuta (half-ghoul), and Seido (half-ghoul).

What are the primary ranks and roles within the Commission of Counter Ghoul (CCG)?

The Commission of Counter Ghoul (CCG) has six major ranks that are split into two groups: Junior Investigators and Senior Investigators. Junior Investigators are split into Rank 1 through 3, with Rank 3 the lowest (new graduates) and Rank 1 the highest (experienced, but not senior). Senior Investigators are split into Special Class, Associate Special Class, and First Class Investigators. First Class is the lowest rank (train Juniors) and Special Class is the highest (command missions).

Which major Tokyo Ghoul characters die or survive by the end of the manga?

By the end of the manga, many of the main characters are still living, including Kaneki, Touka, Hide, Amon, Shuu, Juuzou, Nishiki, and Hinami. However, many major good guys and villains die at the end. This includes Arima, Yoshimura, Furuta, Eto, and Rize.

Tips

• Anime expert Dianté Richard says Tokyo Ghoul is a great anime because it takes a premise about monsters and humanizes them. While the ghouls are man-eating creatures, the story gets you to sympathize with them and recognize that they have no choice but to eat people to survive.
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• Richard also notes that the humans aren’t perfectly good in Tokyo Ghoul, as they discriminate against ghouls. But, it’s complex, because both the ghouls and the humans are capable of doing good or bad.
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