The highly anticipated second season of Kaiju No. 8 has released its latest trailer, offering fans a deeper look into the upcoming action and revealing new additions to its esteemed voice cast and the highly anticipated ending theme song. Set to premiere on July 19, 2025, the new season promises to escalate the fight against the formidable Kaiju threats.
Key Revelations from the New Trailer
The recently unveiled “main promotional video,” often referred to as the second or even third trailer, for Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 showcases intensified battles and previews the anime’s full scope. Released between June 18 and July 11, 2025, depending on specific reveals, the trailer builds anticipation for the new narrative arcs.
The trailer highlights the Japan Anti-Kaiju Defense Force’s First Division in action, featuring characters such as Rin Shinonome, Eiji Hasegawa, Gen Narumi, Kafka Hibino, and Kikoru Shinomiya confronting smaller monsters before a sudden appearance by Kaiju No. 9 escalates the threat. The new season will pick up directly after the Season 1 finale, delving into Kafka’s struggle to control his Kaiju form amidst more frequent and intense battles. His Kaiju No. 8 abilities, now revealed to the Defense Force, will be crucial as he fights alongside them, with Gen Narumi closely monitoring his control.
Expanded Voice Cast Introductions
The latest trailer confirms several significant additions to the Kaiju No. 8 voice cast, bringing fan-favorite manga characters to life. Hiroki Yasumoto will lend his voice to Eiji Hasegawa, while Kana Hanazawa joins as Rin Shinonome. These characters are expected to play pivotal roles in the escalating conflict. Furthermore, Kotono Mitsuishi has been announced as the voice of Hikaru Shinomiya, Kikoru’s late mother.
Another notable character making a significant impact in Season 2 is Gen Narumi, the formidable captain of the First Division, voiced by Koki Uchiyama. Gen Narumi, known as “Japan’s strongest anti-kaiju combatant,” was teased in the first season’s finale and is now poised to take a central role, with both Kikoru and Kafka placed under his wing for specialized training.
The Melodies of War: Opening and Ending Themes
The musical landscape of Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 is shaped by two prominent artists. The opening theme, titled “You Can’t Run From Yourself,” is performed by the acclaimed Norwegian singer-songwriter AURORA. AURORA has expressed her honor in contributing to the anime, citing her long-standing love for the medium.
For the ending theme, the American band OneRepublic returns to the franchise, delivering the new song “Beautiful Colors.” OneRepublic previously contributed the ending theme “Nobody” for the first season and “Invincible” for the “Hoshina’s Day Off” original episode. Their continued involvement underscores a strong connection between the band and the anime, with band members like Ryan Tedder having a deep appreciation for Japanese culture and anime. The new ending theme is expected to resonate with the emotional intensity of the upcoming season.
Production and Release Details
Production I.G, the studio behind the first season, continues its work on the animation for Kaiju No. 8 Season 2, with Studio Khara once again supervising the intricate Kaiju designs. Shigeyuki Miya serves as the director, with Ichiro Okouchi handling the series composition and scripts, Tetsuya Nishio as character designer, and Yuta Bandoh composing the music. This returning core staff aims to maintain the high quality and immersive experience that captivated audiences in the first season.
Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 is scheduled to premiere on July 19, 2025, broadcasting on TV Tokyo and its affiliated channels in Japan. For international viewers, the series will be simulcast worldwide on Crunchyroll and X (formerly Twitter). Netflix will also provide streaming in select regions of Asia. Each season is expected to run for a total of 12 episodes.
Additionally, an original side story episode titled “Hoshina’s Day Off” aired on Japanese television on July 5, 2025, and was also streamed worldwide. This special episode, along with a compilation film of the first season, Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon, which featured OneRepublic’s “Invincible” as its ending theme, further expands the franchise’s animated offerings.
The original Kaiju No. 8 manga by Naoya Matsumoto, which began serialization in July 2020 on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+, is nearing its conclusion, with the series officially set to end with its next chapter. This timing positions the anime as the forefront of the franchise’s ongoing narrative. Furthermore, a game adaptation, Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME, had its first demo showcased at Anime Expo 2025 and is slated for release later in 2025, having already garnered over 300,000 pre-registrations globally. The second season of Kaiju No. 8 is poised to deliver an even more intense and emotionally charged continuation of Kafka Hibino’s journey.
