OVA Tokyo Ghoul【JACK】 is a prequel anime released on home video in 2015, adapted from the manga by Ishida Sui serialized in Jump LIVE in 2013, produced by studio Pierrot.

The story goes back 12 years before the main series, following the middle school days of Arima Kishou, an undefeated CCG investigator known to be stronger than any human, and his encounter with Fura Taishi, a middle schooler who had just quit his soccer club. The two must join forces to face a Ghoul known by the name “Lantern,” who had been terrorizing Tokyo’s 13th Ward.

Streaming Services Where You Can Watch OVA Tokyo Ghoul【JACK】

As of May 2026, this OVA is available for unlimited streaming on several platforms, as follows:

• DMM TV — Unlimited streaming; subscription ¥550/month (tax included); 14-day free trial; 550 points upon first registration
• U-NEXT — Unlimited streaming; subscription ¥2,189/month; 31-day free trial; 600 points upon registration
• d Anime Store (dアニメストア) — Unlimited streaming; subscription from ¥660/month; first month free (31 days)
• Lemino — Unlimited streaming; subscription ¥1,540/month; first month free
• Netflix — Unlimited streaming; subscription from ¥890/month; no free trial
• Hulu — Unlimited streaming; subscription ¥1,026/month; no free trial

Among all available services, DMM TV stands out for the best value, with the lowest monthly subscription in the mainstream VOD category, along with a 14-day free trial and points for purchasing additional content. It also carries other Tokyo Ghoul titles so you can continue watching in the same platform.

OVA Tokyo Ghoul【JACK】 Production Details

• Source material: Manga Tokyo Ghoul [JACK] by Ishida Sui (serialized in Jump LIVE, 2013)
• Release date: September 2015 (theatrical screening before Blu-ray/DVD release)
• Episode count: 1 episode (approx. 30 minutes main story + approx. 15 minutes bonus)
• Rating: PG12
• Director: Shimada Soichi
• Screenplay: Mikasano Tadatsugu
• Character design: Miwa Kazuhiro
• Studio: studio Pierrot

Voice Cast and Main Characters

• Arima Kishou — voiced by Namikawa Daisuke (known for: Haikyuu!! as Oikawa Tooru, HUNTER×HUNTER as Hisoka)
• Fura Taishi — voiced by Kimura Ryohei (known for: Kuroko no Basuke as Kise Ryota, Haikyuu!! as Bokuto Kotaro)
• Minami Reika — voiced by Hayami Saori (known for: Kimetsu no Yaiba as Kocho Shinobu)
• Ryo — voiced by Suzuki Tatsuhisa (known for: Free! as Tachibana Makoto)
• Aki — voiced by Okubo Rumi (known for: Yuru Yuri as Yoshikawa Chinatsu, Oshi no Ko as MEM-cho)
• Marude Itsuki — voiced by Ueda Yuji (known for: Rurouni Kenshin as Sagara Sanosuke, Pocket Monsters as Takeshi)
• Yamori — voiced by Nishi Rintaro (known for: Daiya no A as Todoroki Raizo)

Why Tokyo Ghoul【JACK】 Stands Out

For fans who have followed the main series, this OVA is a special opportunity to see the “origins” of Arima Kishou as an ordinary high school student, before he became the undefeated CCG investigator who barely appears in the main story. Seeing him stand shoulder to shoulder with Fura Taishi as a peer will deepen your understanding of this character considerably.

Even though it is a prequel, Tokyo Ghoul【JACK】 has a fully self-contained story. Those who have not seen the main series can also enjoy it as a tense mystery-thriller with strong character development at its core — all packed into just 30 minutes.

Recommended Viewing Order for Tokyo Ghoul

The Tokyo Ghoul series has multiple parts, and the in-story timeline and release order do not align. It is recommended to watch in release order as follows:

1. Tokyo Ghoul (Season 1)
2. Tokyo Ghoul √A (Season 2)
3. OVA Tokyo Ghoul【JACK】 ← this work
4. OVA Tokyo Ghoul【PINTO】
5. Tokyo Ghoul:re (Seasons 3 and 4)

Although 【JACK】 takes place 12 years before Season 1, watching it before Season 1 may reduce the impact of Arima’s mystery, so it is recommended to follow the release order for the best experience.

The follow-up OVA 【PINTO】 focuses on the past of Nagachika Hideyoshi and Tsukiyama Shuu, two supporting characters in the main series. Both 【JACK】 and 【PINTO】 serve as excellent supplements to deepen your understanding of the series’ background.

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Source: aniani