The chilling narrative of horror, suspense and dark fantasy is situated in Tokyo, a city haunted by unfathomable "ghouls" that prey on human beings. The people's terror of these beings, whose true identities are shrouded in mystery, is palpable. In a local café he frequents, Kaneki, a run-of-the-mill student, unexpectedly crosses paths with Rize, an ardent bookworm like himself. Little does he know, his life will alter irrevocably in the course of a single night.