It was one of the first ten I ever watched—and for a long time, the manga was one of my absolute favorites. The opening alone was enough to get you hooked. But then came scenes like Kaneki’s torture, the rooftop battle with Jason, Hide’s final moments, and Kaneki walking through the snow—each one hit harder than the last.
It’s no wonder fans want to get this goated series tattooed on them forever.
Let’s take a look at some of the wildest Tokyo Ghoul tattoos out there.
Kaneki and Reze
Artist: Alexis-Lapidus
Before the mask, before the torture, before the legend of the One-Eyed Ghoul—there was Kaneki. A shy, book-loving college student who just wanted to go on a date… but that date turned out to be Rize, a ghoul with a monstrous appetite. What followed was a twist of fate that kicked off Kaneki’s entire transformation.
This tattoo by Alexis Lapidus captures both the horror and beauty of that origin. With Rize’s eerie smile looming over Kaneki’s wide-eyed innocence, the piece perfectly mirrors the moment his human life slipped away forever. The smooth black and grey tones give the design a manga-like richness, and the warped 555 near the wrist is a subtle nod to the psychological spiral Kaneki begins to fall into.
The beginning
Artist: Cyn Medina
This tattoo by Cyn Medina freezes one of the most pivotal frames in Tokyo Ghoul—the exact moment Kaneki wakes up in the hospital, post-surgery. At first glance, it's just a hospital scene. But if you know, you know. This is where it all begins. The horror of realizing he’s no longer fully human. The silence before the chaos. The red-tinted mask, the lifeless stare, and that haunting line—“A TRAGEDY.” It’s raw, it’s chilling, and it sets the tone for everything Kaneki becomes.
White-Haired Kaneki
Artist: Ty Engler
This piece by Ty Engler features Kaneki in his white-haired form, a look that’s become instantly iconic in Tokyo Ghoul. By this point in the series, Kaneki’s no longer the timid bookworm we met in the beginning — he’s colder, more calculating, and embracing his identity as a ghoul. Ty captures that intensity with tight black-and-grey shading, the distinct eye detail, and a subtle nod to his past trauma with the centipede peeking through. It’s a clean, powerful tribute to one of anime’s most unforgettable transformations.
Kakuja Kaneki
Artist: Christopher Cloud
This bold piece by Christopher Cloud captures the first terrifying glimpse of Kaneki’s kakuja form — unleashed during his battle with Shinohara. After everything he’s been through — the torture, the betrayal, the identity crisis — this was the moment Kaneki stopped holding back. The jagged kagune wrapping around him, that single red ghoul eye glowing with resolve — it marked the turning point where Kaneki leaned into being a monster if it meant protecting those he cared about. Christopher nails the expression and intensity that made this moment unforgettable.
Kagune Kaneki
Artist: Marcus Ottner
This piece by Marcus Ottner captures Kaneki at his most unhinged — post-torture, white hair, kagune out, and a smile that says he’s not playing nice anymore. But here’s the thing: anime-only fans never got to see just how much better white-haired Kaneki was in the manga. Instead of joining Aogiri Tree like in the anime, manga Kaneki hunts them down, leading his own squad and dismantling their operations. He’s smarter, more strategic, and way more savage, every year i wait for that remake announcement!
Kankei Cracking his fingers
Artist: Cody Stephan
This piece by Cody Stephan shows one of the most iconic habits Kaneki picked up after everything he went through — cracking his knuckles, just like Jason used to do. it’s a reminder of how much Kaneki changed. This version of him wasn’t scared anymore. He was colder, more confident, and ready to take control. Cody captures that version of Kaneki perfectly, from the calm expression to the sharp red shadows wrapping around him.
Kaneki and Hide
Artist: Larry-Hardesty
This tattoo by Larry Hardesty hits hard for any Tokyo Ghoul fan. It captures the haunting final scene of Root A — Kaneki walking through the snow, battered and broken, carrying Hide’s body after the battle at Anteiku. No words, just silence and snowfall. It’s one of the most emotionally charged moments in the whole series. Larry’s piece nails the mood perfectly: the muted colors, the blood, the pain in Kaneki’s eyes — it all feels like you’re right there, reliving that heartbreaking walk.
