Take Hirako is a veteran detective from the 21st Ward serving under the Commission of Counter Ghoul (CCG). He is best known for his expressionless demeanor, businesslike attitude, and unremarkable presence, which ironically hide his outstanding combat abilities. Despite holding the First Class Investigator rank, he can rival Associate Special Class Investigators on the battlefield and has challenged powerful ghouls like Kaya Irimi. He is also a dog lover, living with his grandparents and a Shiba Inu. Over time, Take Hirako becomes a key ally of Ken Kaneki and the group Black Goat, playing significant roles in major operations and reconciliations. He prefers straightforward sword-type Quinques and is often regarded as the type who's "strangely strong but forgettable."
Take Hirako has a plain, unremarkable face—so plain that other characters describe him as looking like a "background village NPC."
He stands at 172 cm and weighs 68 kg.
Take keeps an unsmiling, stoic expression, usually seen in formal CCG attire.
- Height: 172 cm
- Weight: 68 kg
- Blood Type: A
- Birthday: May 14
Take Hirako is known for his expressionless, businesslike approach to work.
He is highly pragmatic, rarely showing emotion, and is often described as blending into the background.
Despite seeming cold, he is reliable, dutiful, and deeply loyal to his friends and comrades.
His reserved nature and "no-features" appearance contrast with his hidden strength—he admits when he's outmatched and keeps a level head under pressure.
Take Hirako is the squad leader of the Hirako Squad, an accomplished First Class Investigator, and a graduate of the Third Academy Junior.
He lives with his grandparents and owns a Shiba Inu dog.
Take once partnered closely with Kishou Arima, the CCG's renowned "Reaper," and often found himself confused by Arima's incredible talent and eccentricities.
Despite not holding the topmost titles, Take Hirako's combat ability exceeds that of many higher-ranked investigators.
He was able to give trouble even to SS-rated ghouls like Kaya Irimi.
He mainly uses the "Nagomi 1/3," a standard sword-type Quinque fashioned from a rinkaku ghoul, without flashy gimmicks but to great effect.
He previously received "Yukimura 1/3," a koukaku Quinque from Arima, which he eventually passed to Haise Sasaki.
He also briefly dual-wielded during the climactic battles, demonstrating adaptability in high-stakes encounters.
- Kishou Arima: Former partner; Hirako was often overwhelmed by Arima's immense talent and eccentricity but maintained respect for him.
- Ken Kaneki: Assisted and aided Kaneki during crucial moments, eventually becoming an ally within the Black Goat.
- Renji Yomo: Played a key role in helping Yomo process his feelings toward Arima, leading to reconciliation.
- Grandparents: Lives with them, showing a caring side outside of work.
- Shiba Inu: A beloved pet, revealing Hirako's softer side.
- In omake (bonus) poetry, Hirako is depicted choking on rice crackers, underscoring his subtle, unimpressive presence.
- Kaya Irimi once commented, "He has no distinctive features, but is inexplicably strong," and likened his looks to that of a generic villager NPC.
- Despite being taught dual-wielding by Arima in the original series, he is only depicted doing so in the final volume of "Tokyo Ghoul:re."
- After the chaos, he chooses to become a regular citizen, possibly working as a mortician, and maintains friendships with former colleagues Koori Ui and Kuramoto Itou.
Early CCG Career and Partnership with Arima
Take Hirako starts as a First Class Investigator assigned to the 21st Ward, quickly earning a reputation for being a highly competent, if forgettable, agent.
He and Kishou Arima worked closely, with Hirako often struggling to keep up with Arima's brilliance and unorthodox methods.
Major Operations and Weaponry
Hirako is best known for wielding the rinkaku Quinque "Nagomi 1/3" throughout his career, though he briefly used the koukaku "Yukimura 1/3," passed to him by Arima and later given to Haise Sasaki.
He also employed substitute sword Quinques during intense operations, such as the battle against the One-Eyed Owl, though these weapons often proved less durable.
Tokyo Ghoul:re Era
Following the failure of the Owl Suppression Operation and a two-year timeskip, Hirako remains a First Class Investigator.
During the Human Auction Sweep, he battles No Face, who disguised himself as Arima, and injures his own arm in the process.
After Kuramoto Itou's promotion, Hirako resumes his partnership with Arima.
During the Rushima Arc, he witnesses Arima's final moments and assists Ken Kaneki in his escape according to Arima's dying wishes, even resigning on the spot and joining the Black Goat organization.
He sides with Ken Kaneki and the Zero Squad, facilitating crucial escapes and standing against the corrupt elements within the CCG.
Involvement with Black Goat and Resolution
As a member of Black Goat, Hirako mentors and negotiates with other key characters, such as Renji Yomo, extending support to ghouls striving for peaceful coexistence.
He helps clear the names of the innocent during the CCG purges orchestrated by Nimura Furuta, oversees the treatment of Akira Mado, and substantiates the existence of the One-Eyed King.
During the final battle, he teams up with Zero Squad and Koori Ui, defeating major opponents like Akashi with strategy and teamwork.
Life after Conflict
After the war, Hirako refuses an appointment as the Academy Vice-Principal from the newly established TSC (Tokyo Security Committee).
Instead, he retires to normal life, caring for his grandparents and keeping in touch with old friends like Koori Ui and Kuramoto Itou.
Although suggested to be working as a mortician, his exact profession remains unknown.
- Main Quinque: "Nagomi 1/3" (Rinkaku, Rate/A) – Standard one-handed sword; used almost exclusively.
- "Yukimura 1/3" (Koukaku, Rate/B) – Gifted by Arima, later passed to Haise Sasaki.
- Temporary swords: Used in the fight against the One-Eyed Owl, but prone to breaking.
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