Tokyo Ghoul Root A Explained

Episodes 13-24 follow an anime-original route instead of a normal filler detour

Root A keeps characters and major conflicts from the source but changes Kaneki's path. Tokyo Ghoul:re then returns to manga continuity, which creates the notorious handoff problem.

Root A Episodes
12
Divergent Season
1
Total Episodes
48

Where Tokyo Ghoul Root A diverges

The full second season is shown as Optional because it is an alternate anime route, not twelve disposable standalone filler episodes.

mixed

Root A (Anime Original)

Episodes 13–24 (12 eps) · Avg 7.3/10
0
Skip
12
Optional
0
Watch
Optional episodes: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

View the full Tokyo Ghoul watch order

Complete episode guide with ratings, timeline, and movie placements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tokyo Ghoul Root A filler?

Root A is better described as an anime-original alternate route. It reuses characters and major conflicts from the manga but changes Kaneki's choices, so it is not a normal set of disconnected filler episodes.

Can I skip Tokyo Ghoul Root A?

Anime-only viewers should watch it to complete the television version of Kaneki's first story. Manga-focused viewers can instead read the original Tokyo Ghoul manga before starting :re, because :re follows manga continuity more closely.

Why is the jump from Root A to Tokyo Ghoul:re confusing?

Root A changes or omits manga events, while :re expects parts of the manga continuity to have happened. That mismatch makes the new cast, Kaneki's situation, and several relationships feel abrupt in the anime.

What is the simplest Tokyo Ghoul anime watch order?

For an anime-only route, watch Tokyo Ghoul Season 1, Root A, Tokyo Ghoul:re, and Tokyo Ghoul:re Final in release order. For the most coherent source route, read the Tokyo Ghoul manga and then Tokyo Ghoul:re.