Kaiju No. 8

In *Kaiju No. 8*, giant monsters regularly attack Japan, and the Defense Force fights them. Kafka Hibino works on the less celebrated side of that battle: he helps dispose of kaiju remains after the fighting ends. At 32, he has not fulfilled the childhood promise he made with Mina Ashiro to join the Defense Force alongside her. Mina has become captain of its Third Division, while Kafka is still employed by Monster Sweeper Inc. His new coworker, Reno Ichikawa, encourages him to try the entrance exam again.

Before Kafka can do so, a small kaiju enters his body while he is in a hospital. He gains the ability to transform into a powerful humanoid monster, which the Defense Force later designates “Kaiju No. 8.” The transformation gives him a chance to confront threats he once could only clean up after, but discovery could make him a target of the organization he wants to join. Reno learns his secret early and helps him keep it hidden.

The entrance exam introduces Kikoru Shinomiya, a gifted applicant whose father, Isao, leads the Defense Force. Kafka struggles with the exam’s combat measurements, even though he knows a great deal about kaiju anatomy from his cleanup work. Mina’s vice-captain, Soshiro Hoshina, sees enough potential to take him on as a cadet. Hoshina specializes in close-range sword fighting, in contrast to Mina’s expertise with heavy firearms. Kafka must train among recruits who can fight openly while concealing the source of his own strength.

The series also introduces Kaiju No. 9, an intelligent monster capable of taking a human appearance. Its attacks show that Kafka is not the only kaiju whose abilities complicate the Defense Force’s usual methods. Later, a coordinated assault on the Third Division’s base brings Hoshina into battle with Kaiju No. 10. Kafka’s attempt to protect others during that crisis exposes his identity, leaving the Defense Force to decide whether No. 8 is an ally or a danger.

The anime adapts Naoya Matsumoto’s manga, which began publication on Shueisha’s *Shonen Jump+* platform in July 2020. Production I.G produced the animated series, with Studio Khara credited for kaiju design and works. Its first season premiered in April 2024 and ran for 12 episodes. Rather than beginning with a young recruit discovering a calling, it follows a man who has spent years handling the physical aftermath of battles, then gives him a perilous second chance to keep a promise.