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 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.

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.

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.

Having defeated Jason and accepted his ghoul half, Kaneki joins Aogiri Tree to protect those close to him in Anteiku.

Yoshitoki is granted permission to execute the operation to eradicate the Owl. The many CCG officers involved in the mission take time beforehand to write any last words they might have, as the 20th Ward is cordoned off and its civilians evacuated.

After waking up in Anteiku, he hears someone mention that "making coffee is difficult." When the person comes out, it is revealed to be Hide. By the time that Kaneki realises that he has his ghoul eye activated, Hide tells him "I Knew."