Kaiju No. 8 Release Date, Plot, Cast, and More!

Kaiju No. 8 (Kaijuu 8-gou) is a Shonen Jump sci-fi manga written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto which is being adapted into an anime by Production I.G. The anime is expected to be released by April 2024.

This is the first anime adaptation of the manga series. So, here’s everything you need to know about Kaiju No. 8 from the expected release date, plot, trailer to studio, cast, and more!

Kaiju No. 8 Release Date

On December 19, 2022, Crunchyroll announced the release of the anime at the New York Comic Con in April 2024. No release date has been set as of yet. A key visual and announcement video was released by TOHO Animation as well.

What is the Series All About?

Kafka Hibino, a worker in the Defence Force’s Kaiju cleanup crew, is the series’ protagonist. The planet is ravaged by Kaiju, or huge monsters, and humanity has organized a defense force to confront them.

Kafka, who aspires to join the Defence Force to actively combat Kaiju, is caught up in an occurrence that converts him into a Kaiju while retaining his human consciousness.

Because of this unusual circumstance, Kafka is recruited into the Defence Force to use his newly discovered talents to combat the Kaiju menace.

Kaiju No. 8 Anime Setting

In Kaiju No. 8, creatures known as kaiju are responsible for natural calamities. The Anti-Kaiju Defence Force was formed to counter the highest incidence of kaiju assaults, which are concentrated in Japan.

Kaiju are categorized as honju, stronger, or yoju, and are assigned a number based on their abnormal features or high fortitude levels. Officers have enhanced strength, speed, and durability through the use of power suits fashioned from kaiju corpses.

Remains of Daikaiju are utilized to make Numbers, more powerful weapons.

Kaijuu 8-gou Manga

Kaiju No. 8 (Kaijuu 8-gou) manga series, written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto began serialization from July 3, 2020 in Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ application and website.

The series has 81 individual chapters published in 10 volumes. A light novel side-story consisting of 4 chapters was written by Keiji Ando and was illustrated by Matsumoto. A set of extra 16 chapters not part of the volumes was published in Shonen Jump+.

Kaiju No. 8 Key Visual and Official Teaser

Following the announcement by Crunchyroll, a teaser trailer was released, giving a glimpse of Kafka’s Kaiju form as well as other Kaijus.

On August 5, 2023, a second teaser was released. Cruncyroll released an official trailer for the anime on October 14, 2023. You can watch the trailer above.

The Main Characters of Kaiju No. 8 and The Voice Actors Behind Them

Kafka Hibino – The series’ main character. Kafka works for the Defence Force’s Kaiju cleanup team. He obtains the ability to morph into a Kaiju while preserving his human consciousness after a certain encounter. He is drawn into the Defence Force’s attempts to defeat Kaiju. He’s voiced by Masaya Fukunichi.

Reno Ichikawa – An 18-year-old man who starts working in Kafka’s company with plans to join the Defence Force. He befriends Kafka and assists him in keeping the secret of his kaiju form hidden. Reno is a potential recruit who swiftly becomes one of the Defence Force’s most valuable assets. He’s voiced by Wataru Katou.

Mina Ashiro – An officer in the Defence Force with great rank. She is a childhood friend of Kafka’s, with whom he promised that he would fight against the Kaiju. Mina is renowned for her formidable combat and leadership prowess. She’s voiced by Asami Seto.

Kikoru Shinomiya – A capable Defence Force member renowned for her battle prowess. She joins Kafka and the others in the struggle against the Kaiju.

Soshiro Hoshina – The Third Division’s vice captain and an expert swordsman. His superiors encouraged him to give up on becoming a field officer because of his incapacity to use ballistic weapons except for Mina, who had faith in him and asked him to take on the role of vice captain.

Gen Narumi – The captain of the Defence Force’s First Division. In the Defence Force, he is regarded as the strongest active captain.  Gen fights using the Numbers 1 weapon fashioned from Kaiju No. 1’s remnants.

Kaiju No.9 – a humanoid, sentient kaiju that has the ability to both generate other kaiju and absorb humans, adopting their features and memories. By dressing like a human, No. 9 enters society and is responsible for most of the disasters that afflict the Defence Force.

Which Studio Will Be Producing Kaiju No. 8 Anime?

Production I.G have taken over the project. Known for anime like Psycho Pass and Haikyu!, the production will be handled by them while Studio Khara is taking over character design.

While there was some speculation about the animation after the first teaser, these have been brushed off after the subsequent promising trailers that were released.  

Who Will Enjoy Kaiju No.8?

Fans of Shounen anime like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man will greatly enjoy Kaiju No. 8.

With great setting, relatable character design and action-packed sequences, the anime will appeal to audiences looking for science fantasy series with an aged character as a MC instead of high school students.

The story deviates from the regular expectations and older fans are excited to see characters that they can relate too.

Kaiju No. 8 FAQ

Is Kaiju No. 8 a shonen anime?

Yes, Kaiju No.8 is a shonen anime.

Which studio is adapting Kaiju No. 8?

Production I.G, known for anime like Kuroku’s Basketball, Haikyu!, Psycho Pass, Ghost in a Shell, etc., are adapting the manga series Kaiju No. 8 in an anime.

What is the age of the protagonist?

The protagonist, Kafka Hibino is a 32-year old male, working as a cleaner in Defence Group’s cleanup crew.

What are the Kaiju?

Kaijus are monsters that frequently bring about catastrophes and disasters.