The wait is almost over for fans eagerly anticipating the continuation of the thrilling anime series, Kaiju No. 8. The official website has revealed that Season 2 will premiere on July 19th on TV Tokyo and its affiliated channels at 11:00 p.m JST (10:00 a.m. EDT). In addition to the main series, a special side story episode titled “Hoshina’s Day Off” will air on July 5th, also on TV Tokyo and affiliated channels at 11:00 p.m JST (10:00 a.m. EDT). Both the premiere of Season 2 and the airing of the side story episode will be streamed on X (formerly Twitter) worldwide in real-time as they air on TV in Japan. Get ready for more action, suspense, and monster mayhem!
What to Expect in Season 2
Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 promises to delve deeper into the world of Kaiju and the Japan Anti-Kaiju Defense Force (JAKDF). The upcoming season is expected to cover the “Kaiju Weapon Arc” and “Compatible User Arc” from the manga. These arcs will likely feature:
- Kafka Hibino’s Transformation: Witness Kafka’s journey as he grapples with his powers and his role as humanity’s potential greatest weapon.
- The Emergence of Kaiju No. 9: The malevolent Kaiju No. 9 will make its full debut, posing a significant threat to the Defense Force and testing the compatibility between Kaiju and humans.
- Internal Battles: The aftermath of Kafka’s exposure as Kaiju No. 8 will lead to distrust and scrutiny, particularly from Captain Gen Narumi of the First Division, who will supervise Kafka.
“Hoshina’s Day Off”: A Glimpse into a Character’s Life
The original side story episode, “Hoshina’s Day Off,” offers a unique opportunity to explore the personal life of Soshiro Hoshina, the vice-captain of the Third Division. The episode’s synopsis reveals a rare moment of peace for the Defense Force. Reno, unsure how to spend his free time after rigorous training, notices Hoshina’s intriguing activities and decides to tail him with Iharu, leading to unexpected events. This episode promises a lighthearted and insightful look into the lives of these beloved characters beyond their monster-fighting duties.
Story and Premise of Kaiju No. 8
Kaiju No. 8 is set in a world where Japan is constantly under threat from monstrous creatures known as Kaiju. The Japan Anti-Kaiju Defense Force is tasked with eliminating these threats and protecting the populace. The story revolves around Kafka Hibino, who once dreamed of joining the Defense Force alongside his childhood friend Mina Ashiro. However, after repeated failures, Kafka settles for a job in a Kaiju disposal company.
Kafka’s Unexpected Transformation
Kafka’s life takes a dramatic turn when a parasitic Kaiju enters his body, granting him the ability to transform into a powerful humanoid Kaiju. Dubbed “Kaiju No. 8” by the Defense Force, Kafka becomes a target while also gaining the power to fulfill his dream of fighting alongside Mina. He joins the Defense Force, concealing his Kaiju identity and navigating the challenges of being both human and monster.
Key Characters
- Kafka Hibino / Kaiju No. 8: The protagonist, a 32-year-old man who gains the ability to transform into a Kaiju. He is voiced by Masaya Fukunishi.
- Mina Ashiro: Kafka’s childhood friend and the captain of the Third Division of the Defense Force. She is a skilled and respected leader. Asami Seto voices Mina.
- Reno Ichikawa: A young and determined aspiring member of the Defense Force who inspires Kafka to pursue his dream. Reno is voiced by Wataru Katoh.
- Kikoru Shinomiya: A prodigious and talented young woman who joins the Third Division alongside Kafka and Reno. Fairouz Ai voices her.
- Soshiro Hoshina: The wise-cracking vice-captain of the Third Division, skilled in using bladed weapons against Kaiju. Kengo Kawanishi voices Hoshina.
- Iharu Furuhashi: A hot-blooded and competitive soldier in the Third Division. Yuuki Shin voices him.
- Haruichi Izumo: A dedicated member of the Defense Force with a lot of natural talent. He is voiced by Keisuke Komoto.
- Aoi Kaguragi: A former member of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, now serving in the Defense Force. Shunsuke Takeuchi voices Kaguragi.
- Gen Narumi: The captain of the First Division, who will supervise Kafka in Season 2. Koki Uchiyama joins the cast as Gen Narumi.
- Kaiju No. 9: A powerful and mysterious Kaiju who serves as a primary antagonist. Hiroyuki Yoshino voices Kaiju No. 9.
Anime Production
Kaiju No. 8 is produced by Production I.G, with Studio Khara supervising the Kaiju designs and artworks. The anime features direction by Shigeyuki Miya and Tomomi Kamiya, scripts by Ichiro Okouchi, character designs and chief animation direction by Tetsuya Nishio, art direction by Shinji Kimura, and monster designs by Mahiro Maeda. The music is composed by Yuta Bandoh.
Popularity and Reception
Kaiju No. 8 has garnered immense popularity since its manga debut in July 2020. The series has been praised for its unique premise, compelling characters, and thrilling action sequences. The anime adaptation has further expanded its fanbase, with Crunchyroll streaming the series worldwide.
The series has received accolades, including a nomination at the Anime Awards 2025.
Other Kaiju No. 8 Media
The Kaiju No. 8 franchise extends beyond the main manga and anime series. Here are some notable spin-offs and related media:
- Kaiju No. 8: B-Side: A spin-off manga illustrated by Kentaro Hidano, focusing on side stories of Defense Force members.
- Kaiju No. 8: Exclusive on the Third Division: A light novel written by Keiji Ando, featuring side stories of Defense Force members.
- Kaiju No. 8 Relax: A second spin-off manga illustrated by Kizuku Watanabe.
- Kaiju No. 8 the Game: An upcoming smartphone and PC game developed by Akatsuki Games, set to be released on August 31st, 2025. The game features an original story and a new character named Sagan Shinomiya, voiced by Akari Kito.
- Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon: A compilation film of the first anime season, including the original episode “Hoshina’s Day Off.”
Get Ready for More Kaiju Action!
With the premiere of Season 2 and the airing of “Hoshina’s Day Off” just around the corner, Kaiju No. 8 fans have much to look forward to. Be sure to mark your calendars for July 5th and July 19th to catch the latest installments of this thrilling series!
