Fandom Tokyo Ghoul: A New Danger (lore)

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Ghoul
Ghouls are a carnivorous and cannibalistic humanoid species that are only able to feed on the flesh of humans and other ghouls. They are as close to humans as possible: they normally display the same attributes; the same physical appearance and intelligence as a human with the main exception being their inner biology, mentality and diet.

If certain rare conditions are met, ghouls and humans may even be able to have offspring and through a successful kakuhou transplant surgery, an artificial hybrid can be created. By using airborne-transmitted diseases like those utilized by Furuta Washuu, the condition known as ROS (an overload of RC cells) can lead to artificial ghoulfication.

Due to their status as predators of humans, ghouls were prosecuted by the CCG before the end of the Dragon War, after which he United Front between humans and ghouls was formed. As a result of this and the development of synthetic food, ghouls were allowed to co-exist with humans. However, it didn’t last and the biggest number of people still refused to adapt this new lifestyle; both ghouls and humans alike.

Ghoul Diet
A ghoul can only feed on humans and other ghouls. They are unable to digest any other type of food due to a particular enzyme their bodies produce. The structure of their tongues is also different from humans’, making other foods taste disgusting and uncomfortable. If ghouls attempt to eat normal food, they will be struck by a powerful urge to vomit. When forced or forcing themselves to digest such food, their physical condition will deteriorate. While ghouls cannot eat normal food, they are, however, able to drink coffee as well as regular water.

However, after the unification of ghouls and humans after the Dragon War, a synthetic food was developed by scientists including Kimi Nishino, though it was not revealed how much was needed to sustain a ghoul, only that even after modification it tasted disgusting.

Ghouls do not need to eat regularly like humans do. They can survive for one or two months on just one body. However, some ghouls eat merely for pleasure.

When a ghoul enters an extreme state of hunger, they will suffer very painful headaches and their mental ability will be impaired, causing them to become driven by instinct alone. They will feed on any available source of human meat to end this state, even that of close friends. They describe this state of near-starvation as, “hell for any ghoul”.

Ghoul Biology
Ghouls have a high physical capability and are four to seven times stronger than the average human: they are able to send the average human flying if struck with enough force, and can penetrate a human’s body with their bare hands. They are also capable of jumping to heights not achievable by a regular human. Their bodies are extremely resistant to injury. For example, if a ghoul were to be stabbed with a knife, the blade would break instead, suffering a small scratch that heals almost instantly. However, higher kinetic forces, such as a fall from a great height, can and will harm them.

Ghoul senses are much keener than those of humans. They can smell people or meat from afar and tell humans and ghouls apart by their scent. They also have a heightened sense of hearing that even allows some ghouls to discern individual footsteps far away.

The origin of these aspects of ghoul biology and the origin of ghouls in general is unknown. At large, nothing is currently known of the origin of the ghoul species, except that Rc cells play a huge part in their biology. Ghouls have an Rc factor ten times higher than that of a human. If the average healthy humans has about 200-500 Rc level, then the ghoul has about 1000-8000 Rc level. They possess an organ known as the kakuhou, from which Rc cells harden and break through the skin to form the kagune. The kagune is a hard, muscle-like protrusion described as their claws. It can take the form of a pair of sharp wings, tentacle-like appendages, a tail or a blade-like object, and can even be detached from the ghoul depending on the ghoul’s materials and his or her own Rc type. It is possible for a ghoul to develop another, typically armor-like kagune as part of the mutation caused by excessive cannibalism. Ghouls also have an identifying feature known as a kakugan, an affliction manifesting in the eyes as red irises surrounded by a black sclera. A ghoul’s kakugan can appear either by their own will, due to hunger or when using their kagune.

Ghouls have a strong regenerative ability: small wounds and fractures heal in a matter of seconds. Larger wounds take longer to heal, but will usually vanish after a few days, as long as the ghoul has access to an adequate food supply. Ghouls have been shown to regain their strength and heal wounds almost immediately after consuming a small amount of flesh, suggesting that they can quickly metabolize their food to boost their regeneration. This regenerative ability varies among individuals, with some ghouls exhibiting the ability to reattach severed body parts or regrow detached limbs. In extreme cases of regenerative ability, some powerful ghouls can even heal severe brain injuries, reattach their severed head or upper body and regrow large sections of their bodies.

Ghouls prefer to consume human flesh, but it is not uncommon for them to cannibalize one another. Ghoul tissue is considered coarse and disgusting, but it has the merits of providing an alternative food source. Furthermore, cannibalism increases a ghoul’s Rc levels to the point of mutation, increasing their kagune’s overall power. Occasionally, cannibalistic ghouls gain through this mutation an armor-like kagune alongside the predatory kagune that ghouls commonly possess, turning them into kakujas.

In extremely rare cases, a ghoul whose parents possess different Rc types will inherit both from their parents. This results in a ghoul that possess a kakuhou in more than one location and is able to use two different types of kagune, a chimera kagune.

Though powerful and durable predators, ghouls are still far from immortal. Despite their superior physical status, ghouls age at the same rate as humans. All ghouls, though resistant to damage from man-made objects, are vulnerable to damage or modifications made to their mucous membranes, such as nostrils, eyes, ears and lips. Generally, a ghoul will die if it suffers massive trauma that proves fatal before its innate healing ability can stabilize its condition. The most damage that can be inflicted to a ghoul usually comes from other ghouls, as they have the physical strength and the use of their kagune that can deal heavy damage to a ghoul. However, they are also vulnerable to quinque and Q bullets, which can injure a ghoul effectively due to the nature of such weapons as products of a harvested kagune. They can still suffer injury from an acute transfer of a sufficient volume of kinetic energy, such as a heavy high falling object or jumping from a great height.

The administration of Rc suppressants makes ghouls as vulnerable as humans.

Ghoul Lifestyle
Ghouls had two choices of lifestyle: living as hermits; isolated and avoiding society’s eyes or attempt to assimilate into human society. However, after the unification, co-existence was promoted. Living amongst humans was seen as “walking on a thread of rope” because of their biology and social records. Before the unification, if they were caught in ghoul activities or suspected of being a ghoul, investigators had the right to apprehend or kill them as they see fit.

As a result of the newly formed alliance between ghouls and humans following their combined efforts in the Dragon War, ghouls can now co-exist with humans largely without fear. Their feeding needs are met by synthetic food developed in labs.

However, the majority of both species even after the unification refused to live with each other.

 

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Kagune

A kagune is a ghoul’s predatory organ and functions as their weapon and claws. It is usually as red as blood, flexible like the flow of water, but firm and sturdy. When released, a ghoul’s physique is strengthened, they are more resilient and their mobility heightens. A kagune is composed of Rc cells, which flow just like blood, can become as solid as teeth and can be described as “liquid muscles”. The Rc cells are released from a kakuhou piercing the skin, and the released Rc cells from the kagune. The kagune are voluntary muscles as ghouls can control them whenever they want and repeatedly harden and soften them at will. Kagune size depend on the Rc cells’ quality and quantity while the shape depends on the creativity and intellect of the user.

Although a ghoul’s healing ability is high, the healing of wounds tends to be delayed if the wounds are inflicted by a kagune. It is also evident that in order to counter a kagune in battle, one must also have a kagune, if not, at least something in relation to a kagune. Hence, ghoul investigators use kagune-based quinque as a tactical means to battle against ghouls.

Rc Types
The kagune’s appearance and the place of emergence on the body depend on the Rc type of the ghoul. There are four different Rc types: ukaku, koukaku, rinkaku and bikaku. As a guideline, each type can characteristically subdue another type, although it may be different for two specific opponents. Each Rc type has a set of strengths and weaknesses, each one unique to its type. These are exploited by the CCG in the creation of the quinque and Q bullets.

Ukaku
An ukaku kagune is spread out like feathers and is released from the shoulder area, it specializes in high speed attacks, most of the users seeming to have highly enhanced speed. The kagune is lightweight and can be used to deliver high-speed attacks against an adversary, the primary method of attack is crystalizing their kagune to deliver a high speed torrent of spike-like projectiles, however whilst crystalized they are much stiffer and cannot be used for short range combat; at least one ukaku-type can generate powerful lightning-like bolts, a possible rare ability. While the kagune is suited both for short-distance and long-distance attacks, short-range is considered their weakness. They may use their kagune as a shield and several are capable of shaping them into sharp blades reminiscent of a koukaku to aid in close quarters. Many ukaku-types are able to increase the flexibility of their kagune for short-range combat, though this makes it ill-suited for their distinctive long-range attacks.

Altogether ukaku-type ghouls have a high chance of ending a battle quickly as releasing Rc cells depletes stamina. Thus, ukaku-type users lack endurance and are at a disadvantage if the battle drags on for a long time. Ukaku-type users can use their speed and mobility to shoot down bikaku-type users from afar. However, a koukaku-type user can supress an ukaku-type user by successfully guarding against the ukaku-type user’s attacks, leaving them vulnerable to counterattacks and exhausting the ukaku-type user in the long run.

Koukaku
A koukaku kagune is released below the shoulder blade. Due to its high density of Rc cells, it is heavy and extremely robust, giving it the greatest sturdiness and making them very well suited for defence. Normally, they are generally shaped into armours or shields, but on the offense, they can be shaped like melee weapons such as drills, hammers, blades and swords.

Due to its high weight, a koukaku’s speed is inferior to all other Rc types and the kagune is difficult to wield.

A koukaku can fend off an ukaku onslaught using its guarding capabilities. However, a rinkaku kagune can deliver severe strikes against the slow koukaku, breaking their kagune and breaching their defences.

Rinkaku
A rinkaku kagune has an appearance similar to scaled tentacles and is released at the back around the waist. A rinkaku wielder has powerful regenerative abilities and some could even survive the most critical of damage. Its peculiar appearance and structure yield a superior striking power and they excel in brute strength. Some rinkaku users are able to manipulate the shape of their kagune, such as changing its usual tentacle form into swords or claws.

This type’s regenerative power is a result of the Rc cells easily binding together. Their Rc cells are similar to liquid. However, this means that the binding force among the Rc cells are weak, therefore making the kagune very soft and easy to break. But because their Rc cells bind so easily, some rinkaku can bind their multiple tentacle-like kagune together to make a larger, stronger kagune. So far, the number of tentacles that rinkaku users can create are from one to eight tentacles.

A rinkaku kagune can deliver severe strikes against the slow koukaku, penetrating the kagune and breaching the koukaku’s defences. However, a rinkaku has serious problems fighting against the balanced bikaku kagune: A bikaku has comprehensively high power, allowing them to fight against the brute-force rinkaku and the rinkaku kagune softness makes it comparatively easy for the bikaku to cut the kagune off. This disarms a rinkaku no matter how much strength it may possess, leaving the rinkaku at a disadvantage on the defensive. It has been shown that in some cases, a bikaku attack can disable a rinkaku’s regeneration.

Bikaku
A bikaku kagune typically has a tail-like appearance and is released around the tail-bone/coccyx. It is good for medium-distance attacks and has decent offense, defence and speed. Thus, they have no notable strengths or weaknesses like the kagune based on other Rc types, meaning the kagune itself is treated as a surprise “trump card”. The number of tails a bikaku user can create is usually one, but some create more.

A bikaku has better speed and durability against the brute-force, breakable rinkaku, allowing them to cut off the rinkaku’s kagune. However, a bikaku will be overwhelmed by the faster ukaku-user and will lose against the ukaku’s long-range attacks.

The balanced characteristics makes the kagune a preferred quinque type for inexperienced investigators.

Rare Abilities
In some cases, a ghoul’s kagune can possess several unique abilities. While the kagune’s basic structure itself is quite simple, the occurrences concurrent with these phenomena are unexplained, however they have been accredited to highly concentrated amounts of Rc cells.

Pseudo-Electrokinesis
The kagune while in use may be surrounded by a lightning-like aura, capable of generating electricity that can be utilized in an offensive and destructive manner. This is not a learned characteristic, but is hereditary, originating from the kakuhou. Note this ability may be passed onto a quinque. This ability has only been shown in ukaku-type ghouls.

Pseudo-Pyrokinesis
Thus far, this has only been demonstrated by Tatare in kakuja form, however, the mutated Rc cells were able to generate heat, as well as flames reaching 4000 degrees Celsius.

Rc-Cell Blast
The Kagune/Quinque will release a high amount of condensed Rc-Cells and shoots them of in the form of a destructive wave or beam.

Healing
In both an ukaku and rinkaku ghoul this skill has been present, suggesting it may be an ability all Rc types are capable of. The wounded may be healed from injuries such as large fatal wounds to needing whole bones replaced. Whether they are another ghoul, human or the owner of the healing kagune, healing can be achieved within varying time parameters. Unlike electrokinesis, healing is not exclusively hereditary but can be learned like a skill which can be improved over time with experience.

Shapeshifting
This ability to alter the user’s appearance has only been shown by Uta and Roma Hoito, indicating its uniqueness.

It can be used to revert the physical appearance of the used back to how they looked in their younger years. The ability can also mimic the appearance of others well enough to fool even those familiar with the individual being mimicked. This includes creating detailed facial features and body structures to be realistic enough to function much like a real body.

Furthermore, does the ability allow the user to alter the shape of the body as desired. The extend of how far the body can be altered by this method is unknown.

Unique States

Kakuja
When ghouls repeatedly cannibalize other ghouls, they (rarely) develop an abnormal kagune apart from the common predatory kagune. This kagune typically takes an armour-like shape, and ghouls with such a kagune are called kakujas.

Chimera
When ghouls with different Rc types have children, there is a small chance they will inherit abilities from both parents and be born with a chimera kagune. This trait appears to be extremely rare, with only two known examples.

Rc-Cell Absorption
The exact mechanisms of this trait are unknown. The ghouls absorbs Rc-Cells from their environment, stores them in his body and is then able to release them at will. Allowing them to utilize all four types of kagune. Though, unlike a ghoul with a chimera kagune, they are unable to utilize more than one kagune type at once.

Detachment
Though this method has still not been explained, some ghouls possess a rare ability to detach part of their kagune. This detached piece maintains its traits for some time, and continues to function separate from the main body. Detachment can be used in several ways:

• Kagune wall, which buries into the ground and sprouts like a thorn bush or other organic barriers. It extends itself to fill the entire area, making passage impossible.
• Kagune trap, which can be buried within any surface, and coils up on itself. These traps will lie in wait until nearby movements triggers them, bursting from their hiding place to impale what has set them off. It appears to be possible to set more than a half-dozen traps at a time, though the exact limitation is unknown.
• Kagune signal, which is able to transmit data similar to a distress signal. How the information is transferred as well as received is unknown, but a small piece of kagune can reveal the owner’s location. It has only been shown to work one-way so far.