Anime’s Next Big Hit: Kaiju NO.8
Ladies and gentlemen welcome back to another piece of anime insight and for this article I will be discussing an anime making big waves for the spring 2024 anime season, Kaiju NO.8. Now before diving into why I’ve been enjoying this Kaiju based story, it’s important to explain what Kaiju No.8 actually is.
Kaiju No. 8 (K#8) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto, the series combines elements of action, science fiction, and horror, while focusing on a world plagued by giant monsters known as "kaiju."
In this universe, kaiju attacks are a common occurrence, causing widespread destruction and posing a constant threat to humanity. In order to fight back against these kaiju, there is a special task force called The Japanese Defense Force (JDF) who’s responsible for fighting and killing them.
Kafka Hibino
Kafka Hibino
The hero of Kaiju No.8 is 32-year-old, Kafka Hibino. Kafka once dreamed of joining the JDF to fight kaiju, but after failing the entrance exam multiple times, Kafka resigns himself to working as a member of Monster Sweeper Inc., a crew tasked with cleaning up kaiju remains. After saving the life of one of his fellow crewmen from a Kaiju, Kafka regains his drive and decides to pursue his dream of joining the JDF.
What I found interesting about Kafka was that he wasn’t your typical teenage protagonist; instead, he was a middle-aged man like Saitama (One Punch Man), Guts (Berserk), and Alucard (Hellsing). Additionally, there were two things about that little fact that made me a fan of Kafka. First, it’s more original, especially in a shonen-like series. Second, it makes Kafka more relatable, as many young adults in their 30s often find themselves attempting their dreams. The fact that he regains his passion makes it more satisfying and endearing to watch and the most important lesson I received from watching Kafka was that you’re never too old to achieve your dreams.
Kaiju No. 8
Kafka's life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a small kaiju that forcibly enters his body causing him to transform into a kaiju himself. While retaining his consciousness and body, Kafka utilizes his newfound abilities to combat kaiju more effectively, while also keeping his transformation a secret to avoid being targeted and killed by the JDF.
Similarities to Attack on Titan
Watching K#8, I found myself drawing similarities to another popular series about giant monsters, Attack on Titan (AOT). However, there are differences. K#8 is set in a modern-day world where giant monsters (kaiju) frequently attack cities, whereas Attack on Titan is set in a medieval world where humanity is confined within enormous walled cities to protect themselves from giant humanoid creatures, aka the Titans. While the walls of these cities are the primary defense against Titans, for Kaiju No.8, their military, the JDF, is their front line of defense.
Additionally, the protagonists, Kafka Hibino (K#8) and Eren Yeager (AOT) are complete opposites, as Kafka fights Kaiju to protect humanity, Eren fights Titans out of revenge.
Despite both shows being about fighting giant monsters, the tone of these shows are completely different. Kaiju No. 8 maintains a more optimistic and motivational tone, whereas Attack on Titan focuses on darker themes such as the cost of freedom, the brutality of war, and deep philosophical questions regarding race. In retrospect, Kaiju No. 8 offers a more hopeful and personal story, while Attack on Titan presents a more complex tale of survival and existential struggle based on hate.
Similarities to Hell Divers
Another franchise I saw similarities to K#8 was HellDivers, a popular video game franchise as both are science fiction that involve humanity facing formidable threats in a dystopian future. Already mentioned, while Kaiju No.8 takes place in modern day Japan where Kaiju attacks are common occurrences, with HellDivers, its set in a post-apocalyptic future where the Earth's surface has become uninhabitable due to nuclear war and environmental collapse.
SideNote: With HellDivers, humanity survives aboard massive airships that float above the deadly surface. The HellDivers are elite soldiers who dive to the surface to scavenge for supplies and ensure the survival of their floating cities.
While both Kaiju No.8 and HellDivers share themes of teamwork, survival and sacrifice, HellDivers explores the harsh realities of a post-apocalyptic world and offers a grittier survival-focused story. I do believe, however, that HellDivers could be a “what if scenario” if the Kaiju threat became too much for the JDF to handle.
Final Thoughts
Kaiju No. 8, so far, has an engaging storyline with a well-developed and older protagonist. It offers a fresh perspective on a beloved genre while still respecting its roots, blending action sequences with emotional explorations of identity and purpose. Despite being mostly a science fiction anime, it also borrows elements from Shonen and Seinen anime, offering something to a wide range of viewers.
For 2024, we've been treated to some incredible content, from the highly anticipated second season of Mashle to the ongoing excitement of Solo Leveling. Furthermore, with Demon Slayer in its fourth season, it's clear that this year is stacked with must-watch animation. Now, emerging as a new contender for our attention, Kaiju No. 8 is slowly moving to its rightful place as one of the must-watch shows of the year.
