'Tokyo Ghoul' season 3 air date, news: S3 to feature darker plot? Release imminent due to high ranking?

The long-awaited third season of "Tokyo Ghoul," the anime adaptation of the manga series of the same title, could be here soon.

According to iTechPost, the creators of "Tokyo Ghoul" are allegedly being pressured to begin airing season 3 after the manga on which it was based recently received rave reviews.

The second season of "Tokyo Ghoul" aired between January and March 2015. Since then, no official release date for season 3 has been announced. According to the outlet, while production for season 3 appears to have been languishing over the past year, the team behind the anime may now have to release the new season within the year.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that the eighth volume of "Tokyo Ghoul" took the seventh spot in the Nielsen BookScan's Top 20 list for August. The BookScan rankings reflect sales of the manga at book chains, bookshops and online. In the previous month, the first volume of "Tokyo Ghoul" was ranked at #6. Four other volumes of "Tokyo Ghoul" were included in the Top 20 list last July.

Because of the popularity of "Tokyo Ghoul," the anime's developers appear to be hoping that the anime adaptation can ride on the manga's success and be equally well-received, which may be why they are reportedly rushing production on season 3.

Meanwhile, there are rumors that "Tokyo Ghoul" season 3 will have a darker plot and may have protagonist Ken Kaneki taking on a new identity following his fight with Arim.

GamenGuide suggests that Ken will be different in season 3 and that the character could take on an antagonistic persona. The outlet also says that the new season will be more "brutal, harsh, and unforgiving." In addition, Hall of Fame Magazine says that the new season of "Tokyo Ghoul" will feature uncensored gory and violent acts, including vivid scenes of beheadings and other bloody scenes.

"Tokyo Ghoul" season 3 is currently without an official release date.