Amid news reports of "Ghoul" attacks nearby, Ken Kaneki points out Rize, a girl he is interested in, to his friend Hide at a local coffee shop. When Kaneki discovers the two share a favorite author, he asks her out. However, their date ends in tragedy!

Kaneki desperately fights the urge to eat human flesh, the only thing that can satisfy his hunger as a ghoul. He meets up with Hide again, joining him on an errand, and is glad for the companionship. But will his declining condition place Hide at risk?

Yoshimura teaches Kaneki more about how to blend in with mankind, and takes in a mother and daughter needing protection. Two ghoul investigators, Mado and Amon, are assigned to the 20th Ward. In response, Toka takes Kaneki out to have a mask made for him.

Kaneki starts receiving self-defense lessons from Yomo. He meets Itori, who runs her own bar, and is friends with Uta and Yomo. Kaneki is befriended by Tsukiyama, a ghoul who knew Rize, who also enjoys reading, and possesses other, more epicurean tastes.

When Touka falls ill, Kaneki pays her a visit that has unexpected consequences. Meanwhile, as Nishiki is still recovering from his run-in with Kaneki, he is nearly preyed upon by other ghouls. Tsukiyama remains consumed with the idea of having Kaneki.

The fight against Tsukiyama is resolved, but Touka wants to kill Kimi, now that it's clear she knows that Nishiki and Kaneki are ghouls. Meanwhile, Hinami is eager to see her father again after being apart for so long, and acts out when she is unable.

After Kaneki and Hinami witness Ryoko's fate, the personnel at Anteiku are grieved, and Touka decides to take matters with the investigators into her own hands. Kaneki is fed up with not being able to do anything, and makes up his mind to become involved.

Touka sets out to lure the ghoul investigators, but before she can strike, she finds that Hinami has run away. When Touka and Kaneki go out looking for her, they find themselves face to face with Amon and Mado, who has a few surprises of his own for them.

After several weeks go by, everyone tries to return to their normal lives. Hinami moves in with Touka, and despite her aversion to birds, they nurse an injured cockatiel they name Hetare back to health. Kaneki visits Itori to try to learn more about Rize.

The 11th Ward offices of CCG are attacked by ghouls, wiping everyone out. Banjo and company stop in at Anteiku, looking for Rize to warn her to flee from Aogiri Tree, a new group of ghouls bent on taking over-- until Kaneki accidentally knocks him out!

Kaneki is held captive by Yamori, who practices his torturous craft on him. The police and CCG move in to deal with Aogiri Tree, who have made an 11th Ward shopping mall their headquarters. In all the commotion, the Anteiku team tries to rescue Kaneki.

As Yamori continues to brutally torture Kaneki, Rize once again appears to him, and the two of them explore Kaneki's childhood and relationship with his mother. Kaneki is forced to make a choice that has a profound impact on him.

CCG locates Aogiri Tree's headquarters. Hinami's execution is scheduled. Takatsuki's editor is questioned over whether or not she is a ghoul. Before Takatsuki can be questioned, however, she makes a stunning public announcement.

Ayato leads a raiding party on Cochlea to rescue Hinami, He is joined by Touka and Yomo. Haise tries to get Hinami to safety, but is confronted by Furuta. As the others flee through the basement, Haise confronts Arima.

CCG's assault on Aogiri Tree on Rushima Island continues, and Urie and Saiko are anxious to rescue Mutsuki. Tatara and Kurona both make their stands against the investigators. Akira receives help from a surprise source.

As the fighting on Rushima reaches its climax, Akira makes a fateful decision. Urie, together with the new members of the Quinx Squad, continue their search for Mutsuki. Arima makes a startling revelation to Kaneki.

Kaneki assembles the remaining Aogiri Tree and Anteiku members to announce the creation of a new ghoul organization. Akira's course of treatment takes a surprise turn. Yomo and Touka both try to make peace with their past.

The CCG investigators that were close to Haise react to his leaving. Furuta takes over as the head of the CCG, and sets forth a new strategy to deal with the ghouls. The Clowns begin to riot, threatening CCG Headquarters.

Under Furuta, CCG cracks down hard on the ghoul community, forcing Goat to go underground. Takeomi and Yoriko set a wedding date. Mutsuki locates Kaneki and invites him back. Touka takes the next step with Kaneki.

Mutsuki leads the Oggais in a raid on Goat's underground lair. Urie and Kuroiwa confront Furuta in his office over his fitness to lead. Kaneki and Suzuya face each other in combat. Kaneki goes to drastic lengths to protect Touka.

As Dr. Kanou visits his family's gravesite, Kurona confronts him. CCG gains a new ally and expert on ghouls. Hide enlists the help of Akira and Amon to plead his case to CCG. A despondent Mutsuki lashes out at Saiko and Urie.

While Kaneki's body lies dormant in its giant kagune, he has an inner dialogue with Rize. Urie talks to Mutsuki about the hardships of going it alone. A crisis places the city on alert, forcing CCG and the ghouls to work together.

Following increasing dragon activity and the discovery of a second core, Kaneki and Ayato volunteer to go and deal with it. When Kaiko and the members of V launch an attack, CCG and the ghouls must fight together to stop them.

Kaneki and Furuta continue their duel below the streets of Tokyo, as CCG and Goat jointly continue fighting the members of V aboveground. Kaneki comes to terms with the events of the last several years.