Hello and welcome to Project Nitsuj. Japan’s impact on media has been felt greatly thanks to anime, sentai, samurai and kaiju films. Strange beast when literally translated, kaiju were meant to represent the fears of post-war Japan due to the atomic bombs and the damage they left behind. While generally neglected by critics in the beginning, kaiju movies gained an underground following and have recently been popping up in theatres over the last few years. While I enjoy a good kaiju vs kaiju match-up the battles I always favored were the humans vs the kaiju. Man being overpowered and having to use their mind and resources to defeat these monsters that outmatched them in every way. Enter Kaiju No.8. Released in 2020 and written by Naoya Matsumoto, Kaiju No.8 asks what would happen if kaijus attacked a Japan that was ready for them. Often seen as Attack on Titan in present day, Kaiju No.8 came out at the right time. Thanks to the pandemic we were all stuck inside and desperate for entertainment. Attack on Titan was beginning to wrap up so this served as a great read for any fans of the series. It was released on the Shonen Jump app and since then became one of the most popular mangas in Shonen Jump’s library. Naturally, it got an anime in 2024 done by Production I.G (Kuroko’s Basketball and Ghost in the Shell). Let’s blow some kaiju brains out. This is Kaiju No.8.
Opening and Theme
So the opening is “Abyss” by YUNGBLUD. While not one of my favorite openings from last year it’s definitely one of the most unique. It sets the mood for the anime perfectly and mesmerizes you with it’s visuals and tone. They give nothing away in this opening and yet I’m completely invested in the series before I’ve even met the characters.
The ending is “Nobody” by OneRepublic. Unlike the opening this was one of my favorite endings from last year. Never did I think I would hear OneRepublic in an anime. The song is different from the official release, but I honestly think this version of the song is better. It’s more laidback and gives off the atmosphere of hanging out with people you enjoy hanging out with. It’s a good song to listen to when you’re vibing with your friends at night and sitting by the fire enjoying some food and drinks while taking in the night’s atmosphere.
Episodes 1-4
The anime starts appropriately enough with a kaiju attacking Yokohama. However, the Japanese Defense Force (JDF) deploy and quickly dispose of it (scene here: https://youtu.be/ZsCzH0kN1rU?si=kUxPPJRkNlH61u6Z, where was this when Godzilla attacks?). After the kaiju is defeated and the heroes get cheered for their hard work, it’s time for the unsung heroes to step in and clean up the dead carcass of the kaiju, the cleaner team (a thankless job). We focus on Kafka a 32-year-old member of the cleaner team voiced by Masaya Fukunishi. In the past, his town was destroyed by a kaiju and so he vowed with his childhood friend Mina (who’s like five years younger than him. You couldn’t make them the same age?) to grow up, join the defense force, and kill all the kaiju (careful, you’re starting to sound like someone else I know and he did a complete 180 on us). Years went by and Mina fulfilled the promise by becoming the youngest captain in the defense force while Kafka is stuck cleaning up the mess she leaves behind. Kafka did try to join the defense force but failed multiple times and gave up on his dream. The next day, his team gets a new member named Reno voiced by Wataru Katoh (Rentaro from The 100 Girlfriends Who Really (x5) Love You) who is aiming to join the defense force and encourages Kafka to apply again after helping him on his first day. As everyone heads home, Kafka and Reno get attacked by a Yoju a smaller kaiju that usually accompanies the big ones (they’re like remoras on whales). Kafka acts as a distraction and tries to run away but the Yoju catches up to him (persistent for a little guy). The Yoju injures Kafka and just when he’s about to get eaten, he gets saved by Reno who then gets saved by Mina and the defense force (saved by your childhood sweetheart. The embarrassment). Kafka and Reno get taken to the hospital, where another Yoju appears and gets swallowed by Kafka (ever went running and accidentally swallowed a fly? Imagine that only 10 times worse. Scene here: https://youtu.be/uPlzbyMh25c?si=uVRpd9TrTCxzypEv). This allows Kafka to transform into a kaiju freaking out Reno in the process as well as an old man who called the defense force (good thing you’re in the hospital because you’re going to need stitches for being a snitch).
So in episode 2 Kafka and Reno go on the run before the defense force finds them. As they run, the alarm goes off signally another kaiju in the area. At first, Kafka and Reno decide to use this as a chance to escape, but Kafka sensing someone in danger, rushes over to fight the kaiju himself. With his immense power he’s able to defeat the kaiju with one punch (scene here: https://youtu.be/77wbFrtg5e4?si=0E9qlSYpWtxn36aq. Jesus, he channeled the spirit of Saitama into that punch. That thing exploded like a ballon with too much air inside). This inspires him to not give up on his dream and he manages to gain control of his powers to return back to his human form. Three months soon past and Kafka along with Reno are still working as cleaners. Nobody knows that Kafka is the mysterious kaiju whom the media is calling No. 8 and they cover their tracks saying that they ran away when the kaiju appeared in the room. While Kafka was able to return to his human form but he has a habit of slipping into his kaiju form from time to time when he’s not concentrating. During this time Kafka and Reno took the defense force exam and passed part 1. They’re now getting ready for part 2 of the exam with a bunch of other hopefuls wanting to join the defense force. One of them being a girl named Kikoru who is an heiress and has a powersuit (why you withheld this from the defense force is beyond me).
Episode 3 sees Kafka and Reno take the second part of the exam which is split into two parts, fitness and aptitude. Kafka finishes near the bottom of the fitness exam and the aptitude exam isn’t looking good as he has to neutralize a kaiju. They get powersuits and Kafka shows his worth by being able to point out a kaiju’s weakness because he’s dismantled them (nothing is more dangerous than a man who understands the body and knows all its weaknesses. Imagine if Mike Tyson graduated medical school and then decided to take up boxing). He does take a heavy hit and has multiple fractures but he refuses to give up and tries to rise back to his feet.
At the start of episode 4 Reno becomes Kafka’s legs and they head out to provide support to Kikoru but she’s already taken out every kaiju in the testing area single-handedly (better hope she doesn’t find out you’re a kaiju, Kafka). However, a human-size kaiju appears and attacks almost killing her and it talks (https://youtu.be/znY9Uhpwn_Y?si=ZHjiVHNinvcNOgHx). The rest of the kaiju that were dead start to come back to life (chop their heads off like zombies) and are much more powerful now. Everyone gets told to evacuate but Kikoru refuses to run away and tries to fight only to fail (put your female bravado on hold and live to fight another day). We see Kikoru’s past where she’s got some daddy issues (why am I not surprised?). Kikoru’s dad was a perfectionist. Nothing Kikoru did was ever good enough for him and he expected her to be perfect in everything she did. Returning to the present, Kikoru is about to get killed by the kaiju until she gets saved by Kafka who transforms right in front of her (well that secret got out faster than a patch for a failed game). Kafka takes on the kaiju where we find out his power output is at a 9.8 fortitude making him one of the strongest kaijus they’ve ever recorded. Kafka defeats the kaiju and then with the help of Reno carries an unconscious Kikoru back to the shelter (scene here: https://youtu.be/MJmGVVnyxLU?si=pDcfANuaI_JLw7h9). She would later take the credit for killing the kaiju in order to protect Kafka’s secret, but they know she’s lying (you’re good, but you’re not that good). As for the talking kaiju that escaped, we find out that he’s disguising himself as a human and working with Kafka’s friends from cleaner group.
Episodes 5-8
It’s the moment of truth in episode 5 as Kafka and Reno receive their letters. Reno gets accepted and Kafka as well. Despite scoring the lowest he received recognition for his support and knowledge in taking down kaiju (and he was funny as hell. Their words not mine). He’s been brought on as a cadet though and one of the officers knows he’s hiding something and wants to find out what it is. Kikoru once again agrees to keep his secret but warns him that if he ever becomes a threat to society she’ll take him down. After this not much happens. We learn that all the men are simps for Mina (can’t say I blame them. When you keep a white tiger as your pet you know you’re a badass). At the end of the episode the alarm goes off signaling the start of their first mission.
So in episode 6 the kaiju they’re fighting is a giant mushroom dinosaur (yeah this should have been a boss fight in the Last of Us). It releases spores that unleash a bunch of yoju in the area. Kafka’s and the other rookies are responsible for destroying these yoju along with veterans while Mina takes down the kaiju. While Kafka doesn’t lead in kills he manages to find the weakness of the yoju which helps everyone else have an easier time taking them down (I am loving his support role). Mina manages to take down the kaiju with a railgun (scene here: https://youtu.be/vSL6h8F2vos?si=cOhn5svnanPcHjOd, bitches love railguns) and the rookies impress. With the kaiju defeated, now begins the cleanup of the riffraff and that kaiju in disguise appears again.
At the start of episode 7 the kaiju in disguise attacks Reno and another soldier named Iharu and even jams their communicators so they can’t call for backup. With no escape the two have no choice but to fight the kaiju. He keeps shooting them with air bullets so fast and powerful that they actually break through the suits. Both Reno and Iharu take multiple hits but keep fighting (reminds me of something out of Gantz. If it was sane). Despite their best efforts, they fall short and just when the kaiju is about to kill Reno, Kafka shows up to save the day. He knocks the head off the kaiju and sends it flying (damn, when did the anime become Doom Eternal? Side note, excited for the next Doom game). Despite getting its head knocked off, the kaiju reattaches it and fights Kafka in a short brawl where Kafka is clearly the stronger of the two and overpowers the kaiju. Kafka manages to expose the core of the kaiju and is about to rip it out but their fighting attracts the defense force and surrounds them both. The kaiju uses this chance to escape and Kafka also has no choice but to run away only to get discovered by the vice commander, Hoshina, who supposedly is a much better fighter than Mina (scene here: https://youtu.be/faF369WPb8Y?si=f3rPyUb1WWb04DNY).
Episode 8 starts off hot with Kafka vs Hoshina. Even though it’s Kafka on defense as he doesn’t want to hurt the vice commander it’s a good fight as Hoshina shows just how strong he is and how quick Kafka can think when he’s in the middle of fighting. In the end, Kafka is able to escape (even when he has a chance to hit the vice commander, he settles for the weapon instead of him) and makes it back to Kikoru (whose tsundere is on full display here). After Reno and Iharu get discharged from the hospital, the group holds a party celebrating their first victory and Kafka becomes a full-time officer thanks to his efforts (scene here: https://youtu.be/ca6ChP2GyPU?si=Cy9MgWLBnCcLSaMr). But as one battle ends the next battle begins.
Episodes 9-12
We begin episode 9 with the base getting raided by wyvern kaiju being led by a mysterious red kaiju (who looks like he stepped out of Elden Ring). While Hoshina takes on the red kaiju, everyone else fight the wyverns. Kafka tells everyone that their weakness is the back so the soldiers do a distraction/attack play but a second wyvern keeps appearing to stop the attacker (https://youtu.be/l8o5fxnDUjs?si=GQe-6SS02eE6a_KT). Luckily, Kikoru comes with her new personal weapon she just received, a gigantic axe. Using her immense power, she smashes through the armor of the wyverns to kill them. Reno gets a chance to shine as well as he supports Kikoru and helps her take them down. Back with Hoshina, once he’s at a safe distance from everyone he finally gets serious and goes on the attack and slices up the kaiju. Unfortunately, the body keeps regenerating but even then, he manages to expose the core of the kaiju only for it to grow into a giant like something out of Power Rangers (scene here: https://youtu.be/d46g9roy2Nw?si=ZTlM76nMqoZNXv_m, it really is an Elden Ring character. That’s some bullshit right there).
The fight against the kaiju continue in episode 10 as Hoshina finds himself on the losing in of this fight. We do start to see his past where he was told to give up on joining the defense force because he had a low proficiency with guns (if he was born during the Edo period he would have been considered a genius. But in an age where guns are the dominant weapon he’s seen as a relic of the past). However, it was Mina who extended her hand out to him and said she needed him (scene here: https://youtu.be/qzkWJsMC7EE?si=Tsb62jbolOxvEGsD). Returning to the fight, other members of the JDF come to support and even Mina returns just in time to save Hoshina. With their combined might they manage to defeat the kaiju, however, it’s a sore loser. Using the last bit of his power, he creates a spirit bomb that will strike the base and kill everyone. With no other choice, Kafka uses his kaiju form to launch the bomb into the sky exposing himself in front of everyone and getting arrested (scene here: https://youtu.be/P09fV5FIJsw?si=BOPxAHwZMoiU1U7p, the secret is out).
So in episode 11 the higher ups demand that Mina’s division hand over Kafka so they can study and most likely dissect him to create weapons for the defense force. As Kafka is being led out by Mina and Hoshina (it’s like I’m watching a man being led to the guillotines) they enter a van where Mina tells him that she’s on his side. Nobody wants to see Kafka die and are prepared to testify on his behalf (he is loved. Scene here: https://youtu.be/qhs517hPtJ0?si=c2eRQogv_b2AkRqi). After being taken to HQ he gets to meet Kikoru’s dad, Isao, the director general of the defense force (so he runs his own army and manages the defense force. He’s a dangerous man) who decides to test him. He fights Kafka head on using a battle suit and weapon created from the remains of Kaiju No. 2 who almost destroyed Sapporo back in the 70s (no one could dig it). At first, Kafka plays defense and keeps his distance but he can’t keep away and as the fight goes on he slowly goes full kaiju until he eventually gets consumed by his kaiju side and charges at Isao with the intent to kill.
In the final episode the kaiju side of Kafka tries to kill Isao with Kafka trying to regain control of his body but having no luck. As the fight continues, Isao starts to get overpowered by Kafka and looks like he’s going to die but Kafka remembers the promise he made with Mina (if you become a kaiju you’ll never get a chance to tap dat ass) and knocks himself out to save Isao and show that he’s human (scene here: https://youtu.be/TRXbzBGDKAE?si=04HdSlmhPfoxqtB1). Once Kafka regains consciousness Isao is there to deliver his verdict. He says that Kafka is a kaiju but they plan on using him to fight the other kaiju so his execution has been delayed for now. He now has to use this chance to show everyone what he can do so that they can’t deny him. Everyone takes a sigh of relief knowing that Kafka gets to live and we see Kaiju no. 9 gets ready to move on to the next step of a plan to reclaim the power stolen from them.
Final Thoughts
And that was Kaiju No.8. This series lived up to all the talk and excitement surrounding it. I have to give this series credit for the main character Kafka. He’s not your typical shonen protagonist. He’s a guy in his 30s who has lived half his life chasing a dream that everyone says he should give up on but doesn’t because he knows he can make it and he does. Kafka is proof that no matter how old you are as long as you keep working and never give up you’ll achieve your dreams. I like how he doesn’t rely on his powers to fight but instead uses his knowledge of kaiju to find a weakness and support the team. When he becomes a kaiju he’s awesome but even then all he cares about is helping others anyway he can. Outside of Kafka we really don’t dive too deeply into the other characters but we get enough time with them to understand their personalities, what they’re fighting for, and why we should care about them. Kikoru’s a perfectionist but at the same time cares for her comrades and is happy that she found a friend like Kafka who accepts her for who she is. Mina is this badass leader that everyone looks up to and wants to support. I like how in the flashbacks we see her as this vulnerable child who relied on Kafka as her emotional rock. Even though she’s gotten older and stronger, I believe a part of her still looks to Kafka for emotional support but keeps her emotions in check because of her position. She knows she has to stay and look strong otherwise everyone else will fall apart. Reno and the rest of the characters prove they have skills and work off each other well. Even though they’re competing against each other to see who the strongest is they still respect and look out for each other. I’m looking forward to learning more about them in the future.
The animation is good. It’s very reminiscent of Ghost in the Shell. I especially like the kaiju designs, they’re really good. They pay homage to kaijus of the past while also being creative and doing their own thing. Music doesn’t leave much of an impact on me. There are a few scenes but they’re spread far apart. In fact, some of my favorite moments in the anime is when the music is low and we just pay attention to what the characters were doing and saying. The action is great. The best fights come from Kafka and Hoshina. As much as I enjoy the guns they use to bring down the kaiju nothing will ever top close combat and using your fist or weapon to beat a kaiju.
Final Score
The final score for Kaijou No. 8 is an 8.5/10 with a must-watch stamp of approval. Whether you’re watching or reading the manga this series is worth checking out. A second season has been announced for this summer and I’m excited to see what happens next. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.