As a big fan of shonen anime, many profound series like My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer have raised to its fame leading to worldwide attention. Kaijuu No.8 is an action-packed anime that has successfully gained popularity in the international world due to its flashy scenes and great visuals. With a fresh plot in the middle of the year, the story has gripped us right on the start with its engaging storyline and amazing soundtracks too.
Kaijuu No.8 begins by introducing Kafka Hibino, a man in his early thirties who has built a career as a sweeper. Because of his monotonous daily life, he yearns for something greater and dreams of joining the Defense Corps, where he can fight and eliminate kaijuus for a living. After several tries of taking the tests, he failed and continued his daily life with big goals in his mind. One day, he was attacked and a parasite-like kaijuu entered his body, forcing him to change into a kaijuu whenever he got in trouble. Due to the strict rules in the world, kaijuu are meant to be exterminated and Kafka isn’t sure whether he will be still alive before joining the Defense Corps in his life.
In this anime, our main protagonist is unique because he’s not your typical young hero. At 32 years old, he’s older than most shonen protagonists, adding a refreshing twist to the genre. Kafka starts as an ordinary, somewhat underachieving member of the cleanup crew, not a powerful fighter from the start. His transformation into Kaiju No. 8, a powerful monster, presents him with inner conflicts and the struggle between his human side and his monstrous abilities.
His determination, sense of responsibility, and his relatable flaws, like his self-doubt and persistence, make him stand out as an unconventional, mature hero. The young, new crew member of the monster sweeper, Reno Ichikawa–a 19 years old boy that has great abilities– also helps Kafka in maintaining his human self and covers for him whenever he transforms or is stuck in a dangerous situation. Not only that, Kikoru Shinomiya, a powerful newbie member of the Defense Corps also brings out the hidden abilities and ambition of Kafka thoroughly.
Mina Ashiro, our main protagonist’s childhood best friend, also serves a very influential position in his heart. The reason why Kafka pursues his dream as a Defense Corps member is to stay by Mina’s side fighting together. While Kafka often shows insecurity when facing Mina, he is still enthusiastic in displaying his abilities and fighting to be worthy for Mina. With Mina’s strong and determined way of fighting kaijuus, Kafka is motivated to train and improve his fighting skills by seeing her as an inspiration as well.
Production I.G succeeds in making the animation as detailed as possible compared to the manga. Though some scenes may feel somewhat CGI-like and characters like Gen Narumi are being insulted due to its budget, the studio manages in executing its fast-paced action scenes and amazing qualities in the manga. They also animated a lot of action anime like Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga, which comes from their expertise in handling high-quality action sequences and complex storylines. They also bring the monstrous battles and grim atmosphere of the manga to life. They seem to be experienced in handling this type of genre in anime and that’s what makes them special for the fans in the anime industry. Furthermore, the character of Soshiro Hoshina rocked anime fans for his handsome looks and confident personality.
Their soundtracks are also phenomenal and one of the songs called “Nobody” is also created by OneRepublic, a famous American band. The voice acting is also professional and easy to listen to by fans around the world. Most of the tracks are fast-paced, intense beats accompany the action sequences, while eerie, atmospheric melodies fill the quieter moments, perfectly tuning in the grand introduction of human-kaiju battles. Moreover, by mixing orchestral elements into modern instrumentals, the music adds depth and makes every scene feel more powerful. These soundtracks not only match the thrilling plot but also makes us feel a deep understanding of the characters’ journeys, leaving a wonderful impression.
Even though it’s cliche, the most astounding moment is when Kafka finally reveals his kaijuu form and shakes the Defense Corps’ security while handing his body issue towards the headquarters. Some of his friends are surprised, but definitely supports him by accepting himself fully whether he is a kaijuu or a human.
Overall, Kaijuu No.8 is a good anime for beginners to start diving into action anime. The protagonist, Kafka Hibino, offers a unique perspective as a middle-aged man who unexpectedly gains kaiju-like powers. His raw emotions and natural instincts in handling the monsters are essential for his character development too. The series excels in pacing, with intense battles and emotional moments, all supported by sharp, clean artwork. It delivers a fresh take on the kaiju genre, focusing on themes of mysteries, friendship, and redemption.
Score – 8/10
Title: Kaijuu No.8
Studio: Production I.G
Director: Shigeyuki Miya & Tomomi Kamiya
Voice Actors: Kawanishi Kengo, Fukunishi Masaya, Fairouz Ai, Katou Wataru, Seto Asami, Uchiyama Kouki
Graciella Aurelia Tjan
IG: @graciellaaurl
Email: graciellaaurelia07@gmail.com
