Kishou Arima

Kishou Arima (有馬 貴将, Arima Kishō) is a renowned Special Class Ghoul Investigator known as the CCG's Reaper (CCGの死神, Shīshījī no Shinigami, lit. "Death God of CCG"). He is the S3 Squad Leader.

He is undefeated as a Ghoul Investigator and was formerly partnered with Take Hirako. He is the protagonist of the spin-off Tokyo Ghoul: Jack, alongside Taishi Fura.

His investigative skills and prowess in combat have led many investigators, such as Koutarou Amon, to admire him. However, there are many who are envious of Arima's combat power, and older investigators who realized their own great inferiority to Arima often suffer from "Arima disease".

Appearance
Arima is a tall, well-built man with snow white hair. He is always seen wearing his glasses with his face kept in an apathetic expression. Like all ghoul investigators he wears a suit, tie, and a white overcoat.

During his youth at Seishin Senior Highschool, he was mostly seen dressed in his standard school uniform. He also always carried on his back what was perceived to be a 'guitar case.' However this was only a concealment for his blade quinque, Yukimura, which he used to fight ghouls.

In his youth, Arima had dark blue hair.

Personality
Arima is shown to have a very calm personality, he remains unperturbed and composed even when surrounded by several ghouls or facing the monstrous One-Eyed Owl. He is also an overly strict mentor, as seen when he reprimands Hirako for being off on his attack by 0.01 seconds. As a teenager, Arima exerted the same personality, and also noted his main hobby to be Ghoul extermination. He has a very cold and calculating approach to exterminating ghouls as shown when he was about to finish off Renji Yomo, and Yoshimura appeared suddenly; instead of panicking or attacking he merely greeted the ghoul. Arima was shown to respect the dead as he reprimanded Itsuki Marude when he talked ill about Mado after his death.

Despite his stoic demeanor, he is capable of forming friendships, he often borrows books from Haise Sasaki, and Akira Mado described his feelings towards Sasaki as "parental love". Arima is also the type of person who compliments his ghoul opponents, an example being when he did so when Kaneki damaged his quinque, IXA.

Jack
Arima was hailed as a genius within the CCG, stemming from his affiliation with the organization since his teens. He was personally selected by CCG's chairman Tsuneyoshi Washuu to be promoted to a 3rd class investigator. Taking advantage of his youth, he took on assignments that regular Investigators could not handle. One such assignment saw him working undercover as a Transfer Student in the 13th Ward, where he became the classmate of Taishi Fura. Sent to eliminate the ghoul Lantern, he rescued Taishi and the two formed a partnership to hunt the ghoul down. Their activities soon caught the attention of several ghouls in the ward, as two High school students killing ghouls was unheard of before.

The pair rescued Uruka Minami from Sumiharu Katou, a Ghoul posing as a hairdresser and agreed to let her aid them in their investigations. Though Taishi believed Minami to be in love with Arima, in truth she was simply trying to manipulate them. At an abandoned house, Minami revealed herself to be Lantern and tried to kill Arima -- who had already suspected her. Though he fatally wounded her, Taishi was forced to deliver the final blow in self-defense. Afterwards, Arima left to take on his next assignment.

Past Exploits
When Arima was 16 years old, Investigator Daisuke Atou witnessed Arima killing more than thirty ghouls single-handedly. Furthermore, Arima killed Hikari Kirishima at that age.

Due to his outstanding talent, he was promoted to Rank 2 Investigator in less than a year. During what was thought to be One-Eyed Owl's third attack in the 2nd ward, he gathered all the Special Class Investigator quinques and threw them at it as he worked his way up to the One-Eyed Owl's chest. There he dealt fatal damage to the One-Eyed Owl resulting in a CCG victory and gaining a special two-rank promotion for his achievements. Afterwards, Arima was partnered with Take Hirako and both of them were noted for their involvement in the extermination of the Clowns.

When he was 22 years old, he had an encounter with Yomo and Uta's gang in the 4th ward, subduing Yomo with ease before he was rescued by Yoshimura.

Doves' Emergence
Arima attended Mado's funeral and after Itsuki Marude had expressed his aversion to Kureo Mado's work ethic and fixation on Quinques at Mado's funeral service, Arima reprimanded him.

Aogiri Arc
Marude contacted him to inform him about their victory in raiding Aogiri base only for Arima to tell him that the tree used that as distraction and raided the ghoul detention center.

Owl Suppression Operation
After being given the missions to ambush any fleeing ghouls and neutralize the One-Eyed Owl, Arima was stationed within the underground Route V14 where he had slaughtered a vast amount of ghouls by himself. Upon having his gaze fall on Ken Kaneki, he quickly approached him with the intention of completing his mission and, without giving off any sudden warning, dealt an attack towards him. Arima had quickly lunged his quinque IXA through the back of Kaneki's skull, piercing his brain and ultimately coming out stabbing his left eye. He then began to easily dodge Kaneki's rapid Kagune strikes without showing much effort before witnessing his sudden emotional outburst. He quickly makes note of who Kaneki is, then mentions that it was raining outside which he knew from the sound of water pouring in, also stating that his sense of time gets dulled when he is underground. Arima quickly brings out his other quinque Narukami and activates it, stating the objective of his mission before releasing dangerous bolts of electricity. After having Kaneki dodge this he commanded his quinque to go into remote activation and kept going as like his previous attack. He easily blocked a strike from Kaneki's Kagune using IXA's defensive barrier but was surprised as it been broken and then complimented him for his attempt. Arima then went on to pierce Kaneki through his body with IXA which raised him from the ground before dropping him in front of the man. After stating how he hadn't expected Kaneki to damage his quinque, he stabs Kaneki through his head before mentioning he needed a new Quinque. After that Arima noticed a scratch on his right cheek that is bleeding. Later on, he confronts the One-Eyed Owl and he manages to sever an arm as well as wound the legendary Ghoul before it is able to escape.

Post-Owl Suppression Operation
When Arima once visited Cochlea, he witnessed one of the fits of Kaneki, now called Prisoner #240. As Kaneki kept frantically begging to be let out to save them, Arima blatantly told him that he had killed all of them. He inquired about the amnesiac Prisoner #240's state from the Warden Shinme Haisaki. Haisaki told him that Prisoner #240 was refusing food, was apparently tormented by nightmares that made him cry during the nights worse than babies, and was picking at his eyes so much they were festering; thus, the Warden expected the prisoner to die soon due to starvation. Thereafter, Arima started bringing Prisoner #240 books to read, and Prisoner #240's health began to improve substantially.

Alongside Yoshitoki Washuu, he discussed the results of the operation with Chairman Tsuneyoshi Washuu. The chairman turned to Arima and asked him what he would do about the name as the 'ownership rights' were his. Arima replied that he would entrust this to 'him'.

During a visit, Arima told Prisoner #240 that he would need a name, as it is planned for Prisoner #240 to be appointed an investigator during his rehabilitation. He asked Prisoner #240 to pick his new name, and by using Prisoner #240's two favorite kanji from the words "coffee" and "world", they form the name 'Haise'.

Torso Investigation
Some time after the Owl Suppression Operation, Arima along with Akira Mado are in charge of supervising Haise Sasaki and his Quinx members. Following the failed operation to capture Torso and Serpent, Arima summons Haise to an S3 meeting. He does a minor spar with Haise, subsequently returning the book he borrowed. When Sasaki apologized for using his kagune to fight Serpent, Arima dismissed this apology, and then listens attentively as Haise compared him, Akira and the rest of the Quinx Squad to a somewhat troublesome family.

Auction
Arima attends a meeting with Yoshitoki who's already speaking with Urie. After Yoshitoki asks of his opinion, Arima gives his approval for Urie's frame release surgery.

Arima takes part in the Auction Raid, arriving near the end with his Squad and members of S3 Squad. He, along with the rest of his squad confronts Hinami Fueguchi, who after her fight with Takizawa is in no fit state to put up a fight. He approaches her and is stopped by Haise Sasaki, which makes him tighten the grip on his quinque. Haise then asks him for ownership rights over Hinami, which he grants before ordering his squad to call for the medical team to deal with Haise's wounds.

Post Auction
A month has passed since the Auction mopping-up operation and he attends a Christmas party at The Chateau, arriving with Akira. He enjoys himself in the company of everyone, talking about the bizarre stories that surround him, like the time he fought a ghoul with an umbrella, fell asleep during a fight, and how ghouls are so afraid of him that they faint on the spot and are taken straight to prison. These stories turned out to be true. He received a tie-pin with a decorative horse as a present from Sasaki.

Rose Extermination
Koori is visited by Arima, who has heard of his operation commander position from Marude earlier, and expresses ease as his former superior is the only one he can feel relaxed around after being promoted to Special Class. Koori attempts to tell Arima something, but his former superior is then called on by a fellow employee and leaves before anything else could be said.

A vision of him later appeared before Sasaki in what appears to be a training session, acting cold towards him and telling Sasaki to kill like him. This vision of Arima then held IXA to Sasaki's eye and asked if he wanted to die again.

Cochlea Raid
Arima approached Furuta, to deliver a message that V was calling for him in regards to Ken Kaneki. The two proceeded to report in at one of said organization's locations about the whereabouts of Eto and the likelihood of her being the "King". Kaiko ordered Arima to deal with a problem involving Rize. He later confronts Shachi, firing a bolt of condensed Rc cells at him with Narukami. Shachi dodges and Arima declares he will capture and exterminate him. During the fight Shachi notices a strange pause in his strikes and concludes that he has a "blind spot". After the other squad members are defeated he is left alone to face Shachi, who tries to take advantage of his weakness. However, Arima dodges the attack and counters by stabbing Shachi's left eye, piercing his throat with Narukami, then sending a wave of condensed Rc cells coursing through his body. Shachi admitted that despite Arima being his enemy and having those eyes, his fighting skills are magnificent.

During the Rushima Invasion, he and his squad are assigned alongside Mougan Tanakamaru's and Kiyoko Aura's squads to protect Cochlea while the main invasion team attacked the Rushima. Arima patrolled the facility and headed for the main building, leaving a section of the prison in Sasaki's care. Afterwards, as the ambush on Cochlea begins, Arima fires a bolt of condensed Rc cells at Ayato Kirishima, who is saved by one of Banjou's group members. As their battle begins, Ayato fires bolts from his kagune at Arima at close range, but Arima blocks them easily with one hand. Ayato tries to strike from behind, but his kagune is blocked by Arima, who counters with a strike that narrowly misses him. Arima then activates IXA and shoots another bolt at Ayato which grazes his mask, destroying it. He quickly follows up with several strikes to Ayato's legs. Having rendered Ayato immobile, Arima prepares to deliver the final blow. However, his quinque is blocked by Renji Yomo. Arima is then flanked from behind as Touka Kirishima shoots at him with her kagune. Arima quickly blocks the shards with IXA's shield, and narrowly dodges a punch from Renji. He counters with Narukami but the blow is similarly dodged by Renji. When the emergency doors opened, the three ghouls escaped, leaving Arima watching them.

Arima intercepts the three again when they try to access a door to the containment cell tower. He splits the three up by firing a bolt at them. He then focuses his attention on Renji, firing repeatedly at him and eventually grazing his arm. Having distracted Renji, Arima strikes at him with Narukami. Touka attempts to block the blow but Renji pushes her away, taking the blow at his neck.

As Yomo falls to the ground severely wounded, Ayato and Touka attempt to attack Arima, the former easily repelling both of them. Yomo reveals his kagune and charges a lightning bolt, firing it towards the investigator who blocks the attack with Narukami, damaging the quinque in the process. As Arima shoots Yomo to finish him off, Sasaki intervenes and blocks the impact with his kagune.

Sasaki is immediately attacked by Arima, who throws Narukami away and now wields IXA. Sasaki reveals a large kagune and repeatedly attacks Arima, however, the investigator pairs all of his attacks while piercing him in the abdomen. They both exchange numerous blows to each other, as Sasaki tries to attack Arima in his blind spot, Arima swiftly counters the attack and slices both of Sasaki's legs. He approaches the wounded Kaneki and points IXA at his head. While the former tries to reattach his legs, Arima rips them off again. He stabs Kaneki multiple times, goading him to fight seriously. As Kaneki launches a massive attack towards Arima, the investigator counters it by blocking the impact with IXA, which completely breaks into pieces. Cornered, Arima calls out to a mysterious figure to lend him a new quinque. Arima states that it's his first time using it, while preparing to face Kaneki once again. Sasaki jumps and attacks Arima, who nonchalantly evades Sasaki's attack and counters with a barrage of projectiles. Sasaki blocks the projectiles and pierces through Arima's coat with his kagune. Arima quickly removes his coat and charges forward to confront Sasaki. As Arima and Sasaki clash head to head, Sasaki wraps his arm around Owl, restraining Arima from attacking. Arima quickly shakes Sasaki's binding by releasing Owl's blade, then he remotely activates it so that it materializes below Sasaki and impales him. With Sasaki stunned and injured, Arima quickly recalls Owl's blade and severs both of Sasaki's arms. Arima proceeds to slash Sasaki numerous times midair, preventing him from healing any of his injuries, until Sasaki collapses onto the field of flowers. Sasaki’s kagune begins to replace his limbs as he gets up, he lifts his head and smiles at Arima, the latter responds with a faint smile. An armor slowly covers Sasaki's entire body apart from his head, and their clash continues.

Taishi Fura
Arima and Taishi have known each other for over twelve years. They attended the same High School for a short while, and were even in the same class. As teenagers, Taishi and Arima embarked on many ghoul investigations, where they were shown to look out for each other’s well-being. However, because their personalities were so different, they often had trivial quarrels, where Fura would accuse Arima of not ‘living a normal life.’

Haise Sasaki
According to Akira, Arima is believed to possess “parental love” for Sasaki, as they usually lend each other books and Arima even checks on Sasaki regularly. Even though Haise claims he has a “make-believe” family, Arima is like his father figure. Arima often spars with Haise as a means of training, and gives him advice when he is in need of help. In a hallucination, Arima was shown referring to him as a quinque and threatening him with death for not getting up once knocked down, indicating that despite his affection, Haise likely harbors some fear toward him.

Take Hirako
Hirako is Arima's former partner. Arima trained/mentored him as his subordinate. As Arima always looked down to him as a rookie, and often scolded Hirako for minor imperfections, it seems to be implied that Hirako has an inner hatred for him as evidenced by his immediate strike when Uta wore his Arima mask.

Juuzou Suzuya
Since becoming an investigator, he and Arima share a positive, professional relationship. They often participate in Wack-a-mole operations together.

Koori Ui
Arima is Koori's former mentor, having been partnered together in the past. Koori seems to share a rather friendly relationship with Arima, being one of the few that Arima has been shown to smile to. Koori also notes that after being promoted to Special Class, he can't seem to be at ease with anyone other than his former superior. He respects his former mentor greatly, as he thinks of him as a genius.

Hairu Ihei
A former member of Arima's squad. Arima knew her since she was a small child and they may have been raised in the same place. Details about their past history is shrouded in mystery. Apparently, she thought of him as "super strong"

Akira Mado
The two share a professional relationship as ghoul investigators. Akira considers him to be CCG's greatest strength.

Kureo Mado
According to Akira, her father once mentored Arima and taught everything he knows about quinques. Arima respected Mado enough to reprimand Marude when he talked ill about him.

Nimura Furuta
The relationship between them is unclear, however, they both seem to be involved with V. Arima sought Furuta out to inform him that V was calling about Ken Kaneki.

Power and Abilities
Renowned as one of the most famous and admired investigators in the CCG, Arima possesses unimaginable fighting capabilities, being able to bring out the full potential of his Quinques. Despite being a human, he has shown to have monstrous speed and reflexes and battle on par with the most powerful of ghouls. In the past, he dealt with a young Renji Yomo and Yakumo Oomori without difficulty. He was able to easily neutralize SS-rated Ken Kaneki along with a vast amount of fleeing Ghouls underground. Arima's reflexes are so fast he can deflect a barrage of Ukaku shards shot by Ayato around him at close range with a single hand, and simultaneously block Touka's barrage and dodge close-range attacks from Renji, who is one of the most capable ghouls in close combat. He was also able to defeat Shachi, a ghoul martial artist, fairly easily and was able to outmaneuver him and counter his movements. But arguably, his most impressive feat is that he is the first combatant to repel both the fake and real One-Eyed Owl, two of the strongest ghouls known by the CCG.

Quinques

 * Yukimura 1/3: A koukaku type quinque that takes the form of a sword consisting of a long, thin blade without a guard. This quinque was used during Arima's early days as an investigator. He has passed it down first to Take Hirako and then to Sasaki, who currently wields this quinque.
 * IXA: A koukaku type quinque that takes the form of a lance attached to a gun-sword handle with a spiked pommel. It is able to change form into a shield that is capable of blocking potent attacks coming towards Arima. It is also capable of changing into a secondary offensive form that changes the shape of the quinque into several tentacles which can home and pierce any enemy of Arima's choosing. IXA's defensive barrier was damaged in Arima's fight against Kaneki. Thus, it was not used in the following fight against Eto. IXA was later repaired and Arima still wields it. IXA was destroyed by Kaneki during their fight in Cochlea in his kakuja form.
 * Narukami: An ukaku type quinque that takes the form of 4 satellite panels attached to a rapier handle. The quinque can shoot condensed Rc cells like lightning that can home towards a target of Arima's choosing. It also has the ability to combine the panels into a single rapier blade sharp enough to slice through the One-Eyed Owl.
 * Owl (Quinque): An SSS class ukaku type quinque that takes the form of an elongated large blade with a long hilt. The quinque was derived from Yoshimura's kakuhou 13 years ago. It was used by Arima during his fight with Kaneki. Similar to most ukaku quinques, Owl can shoot out concentrated RC cell projectiles of various sizes. Furthermore, Owl's blade can be released and materialized remotely to launch an attack on a target from an unexpected location. Owl was destroyed by Kaneki during his fight with Arima in his kakuja form.

Trivia

 * He is the one of two people (the other being Juuzou Suzuya) to be promoted to a 2nd Class Investigator in less than a year.
 * He shares the same birthday with Ken Kaneki.
 * While he originally had dark blue hair, flashbacks show that his hair gradually became white over the course of his twenties.
 * Arima has been associated with the number "13". It references the tarot card Death (XIII).
 * His relationship with Sasaki references Franz Kafka's short story, A Crossbreed. The narrator is the owner of an unusual creature that is half Kitten and half Lamb
 * In a chapter, the Quinx Squad and their guests discuss some of the myths surrounding Arima, namely that he sleeps in the middle of missions and that he once defeated a ghoul with an umbrella. Surprisingly, Arima confirms both of these to be true. He killed the ghoul with an umbrella as his quinque IXA was in repair and he sleeps between missions to keep himself alert.
 * In Tokyo Ghoul Trump, he's featured as a "Black Joker".
 * He likes to challenge his subordinates in sparring sessions in the meeting room as shown in the omake of re Volume 1.
 * When a fan asked Ishida how to draw Arima, Ishida responded that he keeps "sadistic & massive" in his mind.

Quotes

 * To Minami: "Events that happen in this world, are a continuous series of trifling things, and within those myriad pieces of puzzles, there is always a fragment that leads to the truth."
 * To Ken Kaneki: "...Oh, I see... You're... It's raining. I don't know what the weather outside is when I'm below the surface. My sense of time also gets dull. But I know if it's raining outside from the sound of water... It'll be over soon. We're in V14. No 'Ghoul' can pass through here. You can't go any further than 14."
 * To Haise Sasaki: "645 times. 645 times I could have fatally wounded you. 645. 645 times I decided not to. It would take me two seconds to kill you. Your eyes are the eyes of a dead man. The dead cannot stop me."

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