Tokyo Ghoul [Jack] is a Japanese manga published digitally by Shueisha in Jump Live digital magazine. It is a Spin-Off prequel story to the manga Tokyo Ghoul. It unveils snippets of life in the past for the CCG's fearsome "Reaper," Arima, giving insight into how he spent his high school days.
Former baseball player turned delinquent Taishi Fura accidentally witnesses the man-eating "ghoul" known as Lantern injuring his old friend and murdering another. Before the situation gets any worse, Fura's classmate Kishou Arima arrives―as he is actually an undercover investigator for the Commission of Counter Ghoul (CCG)―and forces the ghoul to flee. Seeking revenge for his friends, Fura joins forces with Arima to hunt down ghouls in the 13th Ward—ultimately aiming to bring down Lantern.
It has an OVA produced by Studio Pierrot. It was released on September 30, 2015 and had a limited theater run preceding the OVA which premiered on September 5, 2015.
This manga provides examples of:
- Anti-Villain: Lantern turns out to be a tragic, if twisted, being.
- Big Bad: The titular ghoul, mainly known as Lantern, who kills Taishi’s friends, setting off his journey of revenge. It turns out that he is Uruka Minami, a high school girl and friend who Taishi had a crush on.
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Katou and Minami both seem like kind, caring individuals until exposed as Ghouls.
- Bittersweet Ending: The series concludes 12 years later, during the early events of Tokyo Ghoul. Taishi is now a Ghoul Investigator, and crosses paths with Arima in the hallways of CCG — however, the former comrades completely ignore each other. After a moment, Taishi looks back sadly and notes that Arima never seems to change.
- Blood Bath: Minami mentions bathing in human blood, causing another Ghoul to mistake her for a human.
- But Now I Must Go: Arima goes from one mission to another, moving from Ward to Ward as necessary. When his mission is completed, he bids farewell to Taishi and leaves.
- Damsel in Distress: Aki and Minami both end up having to be rescued from Ghouls by the duo.
- Decoy Damsel: Minami was never actually in danger when Katou attacked her, since she's a Ghoul as well. But she uses the opportunity to get closer to Taishi and Arima.
- Dual Wielding: Arima dual-wields Yukimura's spare blades in the final battle against Lantern.
- Evil Is Petty: Lantern's motivations prove to be fairly petty, killing Taishi's friends because they annoyed her at school.
- Imaginary Love Triangle: Taishi has feelings for Minami, who seems to have eyes only for Arima... Until it turns out to all be in Taishi's head, since Arima already suspects Minami of being a Ghoul, and she only got close to them so she could kill them.
- Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Arima's standard finishing move involves running a Ghoul through with Yukimura.
- Japanese Delinquents: Taishi, Ryou, Aki, and their friends are all a classic example. They skip classes, dye their hair bright colors, and ride around on motorcycles causing mischief.
- Prequel: Jack takes place 12 years before the main series, focusing on a teenaged Kishou Arima and Taishi Fura. A younger Yamori and Itsuki Marude also appear during the story.
- Second Love: Taishi and Aki become this to each other, eventually becoming Happily Married by the time of the main series.
- Sympathy for the Devil: Taishi admits to feeling sorry for Ghouls, after hearing Lantern's Motive Rant.
- Teen Genius: Arima is a prodigy ghoul investigator at 17.
- The Fellowship Has Ended: Taishi and Arima go their separate ways after defeating Lantern. The flashforward at the end shows that, while they still work together as fellow investigators, they have no real relationship to speak of.
- Unwitting Pawn: Lantern makes use of various Ghouls, manipulating them to test Arima and Taishi.
