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Official cover art of Chapter 38: Dismantling
Cover art © Sui Ishida / Shueisha. Not an original work of Daddy Jim Headquarters. Displayed for editorial commentary and review purposes.

Chapter 38: Dismantling

Manga ChapterCh. 38

The thirty-eighth chapter of Tokyo Ghoul turns the Gourmet's banquet into a fight for survival. As the scrapper Taro cuts down one guest and hunts another, Kaneki learns that his ghoul body shrugs off the saw, prompting Taro to unveil a far deadlier weapon.

Pages: 18
Volume: 4
Next Chapter: Chapter 39
Release Date: July 5, 2012
Magazine Issue: Issue 2012-32
Title Japanese: 解体
Previous Chapter: Chapter 37
Alt English Title: Dismemberment
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Summary

The captives resolve to bring down the scrapper Taro, but Kobachi dies when his severed arm is flung into the watching crowd. Kaneki tries to shield Ami by telling her to stay behind him; instead she kicks him toward Taro's feet, declaring that if he truly wants to protect her, he should die as the decoy. Taro then gives chase to Ami, who proves startlingly quick despite her heavy frame.

It emerges that the coffee served earlier was poisoned, sapping the strength from Ami's legs. Taro seizes the chance to tackle her to the floor, only to be pulled away by Kaneki. When he tries to saw through Kaneki's arm, the blade does no harm, since Kaneki is a ghoul.

Undeterred, Taro opens a suitcase and draws out a large hacksaw quinque, to Kaneki's alarm.

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Key Events

Kobachi is killed by Taro, and Ami betrays Kaneki by using him as a decoy before the poisoned coffee cripples her escape. Kaneki's ghoul durability stops Taro's ordinary saw cold.

Taro escalates by producing a hacksaw quinque, a proper anti-ghoul weapon, raising the stakes of the fight.

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Notes

The chapter reveals the cruelty of the Ghoul Restaurant's patrons and Ami's willingness to sacrifice others. The introduction of the quinque marks the point where Kaneki's survival can no longer rely on toughness alone.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens in Tokyo Ghoul Chapter 38?

Chapter 38 has the scrapper Taro kill Kobachi and turn on Ami before Kaneki intervenes, only to learn that his ghoul body shrugs off an ordinary saw, prompting Taro to draw a hacksaw quinque instead.

How does Kobachi die in Chapter 38?

Kobachi is killed by the scrapper Taro in Chapter 38, and his severed arm is flung into the watching crowd at the Ghoul Restaurant.

Why does Ami turn on Kaneki?

When Kaneki tries to shield Ami from Taro, she kicks him toward Taro instead and tells him that if he truly wants to protect her, he should die as the decoy, revealing her willingness to sacrifice him to survive.

Why can't Taro's saw hurt Kaneki?

When Taro tries to saw through Kaneki's arm, the blade does no harm at all, because Kaneki's body has the durability of a ghoul rather than a human.

What weapon does Taro use against Kaneki?

After his ordinary saw fails to hurt Kaneki, Taro opens a suitcase and draws out a hacksaw quinque, a proper anti-ghoul weapon that raises the stakes of the fight.

Sources & Information

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This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Dragon Ball anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.

Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:

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  • Game pages: official box art, credited to Bandai Namco, Atari, and other publishers.
  • Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Akira Toriyama.

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