OVA
Description
Itsuki Marude is introduced as a Special Class Ghoul Investigator and the superior of a young Kishou Arima during the events depicted in Tokyo Ghoul: Jack. During this period, Arima was working undercover as a high school student, and Marude served as his direct boss within the Commission of Counter Ghoul. In this role, Marude is frequently seen scolding the prodigious but reckless Arima for conducting ghoul exterminations independently, often without the required permission. This dynamic highlights Marude’s professional nature and his strict adherence to protocol, even when dealing with exceptionally talented subordinates.
Physically, Marude is a slim, middle-aged man with short black hair, which was notably shorter during his younger days as depicted in Jack. He typically dresses in the formal suit and tie standard for CCG investigators. Standing at 177 centimeters and weighing 66 kilograms, his appearance projects a confident, if not abrasive, aura.
Personality-wise, Marude is characterized by his dedication and serious approach to his work as an investigator. As a senior figure, he is extremely strict with his colleagues and subordinates, though his harshness is often underlaid by a genuine concern for their well-being. His abrasive manner is well-documented; fellow investigators like Shinohara and Houji have noted that he is not one to show consideration for others’ feelings, and he is quick to anger, as seen when he roughly grabs his subordinate Katsuya Mabuchi by the collar. This bluntness extends into his private life, as he is intentionally single and has no interest in marriage. He is also known for his sarcastic and sometimes egotistical nature, often making disparaging comments about colleagues, such as deriding Kureo Mado as a quinque maniac even after Mado’s death.
Marude’s core motivation is a deep commitment to his duty and a belief that the deaths of his comrades must hold meaning. He is driven to excel at his job and is ruthless in his methods, willing to use any means necessary to achieve success against ghouls. This sense of duty eventually leads him to become disillusioned with the CCG itself after uncovering the conspiracy surrounding the Washuu clan, leading him to betray his superiors in pursuit of the truth.
In the larger story of Tokyo Ghoul, beyond the Jack storyline, Marude serves as a tactical leader and commander in numerous major operations. He was placed in command of the 11th Ward Special Countermeasures Unit during the battle against Aogiri Tree and served as Vice Commander of the Owl Suppression Operation. Rather than being a front-line combatant, his value lies in his strategic mind and leadership. Despite his role as a commander, he has demonstrated remarkable proficiency with firearms, such as easily shooting down two ghoul snipers from a distance with an assault rifle, an ability he retains from his earlier, more active fieldwork.
Key relationships define much of his trajectory. His bond with Yoshitoki Washuu is particularly complex; he initially held a close, respectful relationship with Yoshitoki, learning much from him as a mentor. This respect is what makes his later discovery of the Washuu family’s ghoul heritage so devastating. He also shares a memorably abrasive relationship with Juuzou Suzuya, who destroys not one but two of Marude’s beloved motorcycles. In contrast, despite his initial suspicion of Hideyoshi Nagachika, Marude eventually grows to trust him, relying on his abilities during critical command operations.
Marude undergoes significant development, transitioning from a brash, rule-enforcing investigator to a disillusioned figure who recognizes the systemic corruption of the CCG. His investigation into the Rc scan gate records reveals that the Washuu clan members are ghouls, a truth that prompts him to confront and shoot his former friend Yoshitoki. Officially declared dead after the Rushima Landing Operation, he resurfaces later to lead a revolt against the false Bureau Director, Furuta. In the epilogue, he is awarded the top position of chief at the TSC, the organization that replaced the CCG, overseeing the dawn of a new era.
In terms of notable abilities, Marude is primarily an expert strategist and tactical leader. His skill with firearms is exceptional, especially for a commander of his rank. He also makes use of specialized weaponry, such as Rc-piercing rounds designed to destroy ghoul kagune. Unlike many of his peers, he generally avoids using Quinques, referring to them as toys and believing that reliance on them leads to complacency and skill degradation.
Physically, Marude is a slim, middle-aged man with short black hair, which was notably shorter during his younger days as depicted in Jack. He typically dresses in the formal suit and tie standard for CCG investigators. Standing at 177 centimeters and weighing 66 kilograms, his appearance projects a confident, if not abrasive, aura.
Personality-wise, Marude is characterized by his dedication and serious approach to his work as an investigator. As a senior figure, he is extremely strict with his colleagues and subordinates, though his harshness is often underlaid by a genuine concern for their well-being. His abrasive manner is well-documented; fellow investigators like Shinohara and Houji have noted that he is not one to show consideration for others’ feelings, and he is quick to anger, as seen when he roughly grabs his subordinate Katsuya Mabuchi by the collar. This bluntness extends into his private life, as he is intentionally single and has no interest in marriage. He is also known for his sarcastic and sometimes egotistical nature, often making disparaging comments about colleagues, such as deriding Kureo Mado as a quinque maniac even after Mado’s death.
Marude’s core motivation is a deep commitment to his duty and a belief that the deaths of his comrades must hold meaning. He is driven to excel at his job and is ruthless in his methods, willing to use any means necessary to achieve success against ghouls. This sense of duty eventually leads him to become disillusioned with the CCG itself after uncovering the conspiracy surrounding the Washuu clan, leading him to betray his superiors in pursuit of the truth.
In the larger story of Tokyo Ghoul, beyond the Jack storyline, Marude serves as a tactical leader and commander in numerous major operations. He was placed in command of the 11th Ward Special Countermeasures Unit during the battle against Aogiri Tree and served as Vice Commander of the Owl Suppression Operation. Rather than being a front-line combatant, his value lies in his strategic mind and leadership. Despite his role as a commander, he has demonstrated remarkable proficiency with firearms, such as easily shooting down two ghoul snipers from a distance with an assault rifle, an ability he retains from his earlier, more active fieldwork.
Key relationships define much of his trajectory. His bond with Yoshitoki Washuu is particularly complex; he initially held a close, respectful relationship with Yoshitoki, learning much from him as a mentor. This respect is what makes his later discovery of the Washuu family’s ghoul heritage so devastating. He also shares a memorably abrasive relationship with Juuzou Suzuya, who destroys not one but two of Marude’s beloved motorcycles. In contrast, despite his initial suspicion of Hideyoshi Nagachika, Marude eventually grows to trust him, relying on his abilities during critical command operations.
Marude undergoes significant development, transitioning from a brash, rule-enforcing investigator to a disillusioned figure who recognizes the systemic corruption of the CCG. His investigation into the Rc scan gate records reveals that the Washuu clan members are ghouls, a truth that prompts him to confront and shoot his former friend Yoshitoki. Officially declared dead after the Rushima Landing Operation, he resurfaces later to lead a revolt against the false Bureau Director, Furuta. In the epilogue, he is awarded the top position of chief at the TSC, the organization that replaced the CCG, overseeing the dawn of a new era.
In terms of notable abilities, Marude is primarily an expert strategist and tactical leader. His skill with firearms is exceptional, especially for a commander of his rank. He also makes use of specialized weaponry, such as Rc-piercing rounds designed to destroy ghoul kagune. Unlike many of his peers, he generally avoids using Quinques, referring to them as toys and believing that reliance on them leads to complacency and skill degradation.