Arata Kirishima is a significant character from the manga "Tokyo Ghoul," known as the father of Touka Kirishima and Ayato Kirishima. While he presents a gentle and warm-hearted personality, he harbors a dark past rooted in revenge after his wife, Hikari Kirishima, was killed by investigators. Arata strives for coexistence with humans, teaching this to his children, but his actions are marked by both hope and violence. Known as "Grave Robber," he became infamous for gathering human corpses for survival and for his acts of cannibalism, which ultimately led him to become a full-fledged kakuja. His ultimate fate remains clouded in mystery, though his Quinque, "Arata," and its prototypes continue to play vital roles in the series.
- Birthday: January 1 (Capricorn)
- Height: 174 cm
- Weight: 60 kg
- Shoe Size: 27.0 cm
- Family: Wife (deceased), Touka Kirishima (daughter), Ayato Kirishima (son)
- Likes: Cooking, socializing, studying
Arata Kirishima has a warm and approachable appearance reflective of his gentle nature. He is of average height and build, standing at 174 cm and weighing 60 kg.
Arata is well-known for his mild-mannered and compassionate disposition.
He deeply believed in living in harmony with humans and instilled this worldview in his children, Touka and Ayato.
Despite the tragic loss of his wife, he tried to guide his family toward hope, not hatred.
Once living peacefully with his family, Arata’s life was forever changed when Hikari Kirishima, his beloved wife, was murdered by investigators.
Forced to raise his children alone, he worked hard to provide for them, pouring over cooking books and becoming an accomplished chef.
In his pursuit of coexistence, Arata refrained from attacking living humans, instead surviving by scavenging human corpses.
As a kakuja with a koukaku-type kagune, Arata’s transformation led him to become known as "Grave Robber," classified as an SS-rated ghoul by the CCG.
He engaged in mass cannibalism, which enabled him to fully awaken as a kakuja.
His kagune manifests as a formidable armor-like form.
The CCG later created powerful Quinques from his kakuhou: the original "Arata," its prototype "Arata (proto)," and "Arata-Ni (proto)."
Family
Arata was a loving father to Touka and Ayato Kirishima, raising them alone after his wife’s death.
He taught them about kindness and the ideal of peaceful coexistence with humans.
Wife: Hikari Kirishima
Hikari’s tragic murder became the dark turning point in Arata’s life, fueling his quest for vengeance against investigators.
Children: Touka and Ayato Kirishima
They inherited much of his kindness, though their views on humans varied, especially after Arata's disappearance.
Striving for Coexistence
Arata Kirishima taught his children to live harmoniously with humans, advocating peace over conflict even as a ghoul.
Despite this philosophy, he was deeply scarred when his wife was killed by CCG investigators.
Dark Descent
The trauma of losing Hikari drove Arata to exact revenge on investigators.
He committed numerous investigator hunts and engaged in frequent cannibalism.
To support his children, he scavenged human corpses rather than hunt the living.
Capture by CCG
His activities eventually drew the attention of CCG investigators Yukinori Shinohara and Kureo Mado.
After a fierce battle, Arata was apprehended by the two investigators.
His body’s fate after capture is left ambiguous in the narrative.
Legacy and The Arata Quinques
The CCG created three powerful Quinques from his kakuhou: "Arata," "Arata (proto)," and "Arata-Ni (proto)."
These weapons’ existence feeds speculation that he may still be alive, though both Touka and Ayato presume him to be dead.
Reflections in "Tokyo Ghoul:re"
In "Tokyo Ghoul:re," Touka recounts to Akira Mado that, while her father originally hoped for coexistence, his grief led him to commit numerous acts of vengeance.
Ayato, his son, notes that Ken Kaneki shares similarities with Arata, especially in their struggle with darkness and hope.
- Arata is renowned for his exceptional cooking abilities, a skill acquired from reading cooking books for the sake of his family.
- The name "Grave Robber" comes from his notorious habit of harvesting human corpses for food rather than attacking the living.
Arata does not have many spoken lines; his actions and teachings are embodied through his children.
His legacy lives on in Touka’s struggle for coexistence and Ayato’s view of the world.
Despite his absence, Arata Kirishima’s influence remains strong throughout the "Tokyo Ghoul" series, both in philosophy and in the literally armored form of the Arata Quinques wielded by CCG operatives.
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