Kaiju No. 8

Kaiju No. 8 (Japanese: 怪獣8号, Hepburn: Kaijū Hachigō), also known in English as Monster #8, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto [ja]. It has been serialized on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ app and website since July 2020, with its chapters collected in 12 tankōbon volumes as of April 2024. Viz Media has licensed the series for English release in North America.

Kaiju No. 8
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Kafka Hibino in his monster form
怪獣8号 (Kaijū Hachigō)
Genre	Adventure^[1] Science fantasy^[2]
Manga
Written by	Naoya Matsumoto [ja]
Published by	Shueisha
English publisher	NA: Viz Media
Imprint	Jump Comics+
Magazine	Shōnen Jump+
Demographic	Shōnen
Original run	July 3, 2020 – present
Volumes	12
Light novel
Kaiju No. 8: Exclusive on the Third Division
Written by	Keiji Ando
Illustrated by	Naoya Matsumoto
Published by	Shueisha
English publisher	NA: Viz Media
Imprint	Jump J-Books
Demographic	Male
Published	November 4, 2022
Manga
Kaiju No. 8: B-Side
Written by	Naoya Matsumoto Keiji Andō
Illustrated by	Kentaro Hidano
Published by	Shueisha
English publisher	NA: Viz Media
Imprint	Jump Comics+
Magazine	Shōnen Jump+
Demographic	Shōnen
Original run	January 5, 2024 – present
Volumes	1
Anime television series
Directed by	Shigeyuki Miya Tomomi Kamiya
Written by	Ichirō Ōkouchi
Music by	Yuta Bandoh
Studio	Production I.G
Licensed by	Crunchyroll SEA: Medialink
Original network	TXN (TV Tokyo)
Original run	April 13, 2024 – present
Episodes	4
Manga
Kaiju No. 8 Relax
Written by	Kizuku Watanabe [ja]
Published by	Shueisha
Magazine	Saikyō Jump
Demographic	Shōnen
Original run	June 4, 2024 – scheduled
Anime and manga portal

The story follows Kafka Hibino, a man who, after ingesting a kaiju, gains the ability to turn into one and now must navigate using his power while trying to become part of an organization that eliminates kaiju to fulfill a promise he made with a childhood friend.

An anime television series adaptation produced by Production I.G premiered in April 2024.

By April 2024, the manga had over 13 million copies in circulation. The series has been praised for its premise, characters, and art.

Synopsis

Setting

Kaiju No. 8 is set in a world in which monsters named kaiju regularly cause disasters. Japan is the country with the highest rate of kaiju attacks in the world and, to combat them, it establishes the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force (日本防衛隊, Nihon bōei-tai, lit. "Japanese Defense Force"). Kaiju are assigned a "fortitude level"—a scale indicating their overall strength, and are classified as honju—more dangerous, stronger kaiju, and yoju—smaller kaiju that can accompany or sprout off from the honju. Kaiju that have high fortitude levels or abnormal characteristics are given a number as an identifier based on when they first appear and are classified as daikaiju.

Defense Force officers wear power suits made from kaiju remains that grant them increased strength, speed and durability. The suits have a total power output measured in the form of a percentage (referred to as "unleashed combat power") which vary from person to person depending on their ability with a maximum of 100%. The suits also influence how strong an officer's weapons are.

Daikaiju remains are used to create stronger weapons named Numbers (ナンバーズ, Nanbāzu) that are named after the daikaiju they are made from and that some individuals can use if they are deemed compatible. Numbers weapons are much stronger than regular suits and provide their users with special abilities. The Defense Force consists of field officers led by platoon leaders, with varying levels of unleashed combat power, and captains and vice-captains whose combat power exceeds 90% and who lead divisions. Field officers are supported by a team of operators who provide information on kaiju and monitor the field officers' health and suit output.

Plot

After their town is destroyed by kaiju, childhood friends Kafka Hibino and Mina Ashiro both vow to become members of the Defense Force to fight kaiju together. Mina, now 27, has since become the captain of the Defense Force's Third Division while Kafka, now 32, has failed the examination numerous times and works as a member of a clean-up crew that dispose of kaiju remains after battle. Kafka meets a young part-time worker in his company, Reno Ichikawa, an aspiring Defense Force member, who reignites his desire to become part of the Defense Force. However, a small kaiju enters Kafka's body through his mouth and he gains the ability to turn into a kaiju. After escaping from the Defense Force, Kafka is given the code name "Kaiju No. 8" and decides to apply while keeping his kaiju form a secret.

During the examination to join the Defense Force the applicants are tasked to eliminate a group of yoju led by a stronger honju. Kikoru Shinomiya, a kaiju-slaying prodigy whom Kafka and Reno meet, neutralizes the honju. Kikoru is then attacked by a humanoid kaiju, later named "Kaiju No. 9", who revives the honju and leaves it to kill Kikoru. Kafka transforms while avoiding detection and saves Kikoru who decides to keep his secret. Reno and Kikoru are inducted into the Defense Force as officers while Kafka is accepted as a cadet on the recommendation of the vice-captain of the Third Division, Soshiro Hoshina, who suspects that Kafka is hiding something.

During their first mission to neutralize a giant-class kaiju, Reno and his squadmate, Iharu Furuhashi, are attacked by No. 9. As No. 9 is about to kill Reno, Kafka steps in and stops No. 9 but fails to neutralize it due to the intervention of several Third Division officers. Kafka tries to hide from the officers but is attacked by Soshiro. After a prolonged fight, Kafka disarms the vice-captain and escapes, still maintaining his cover. After the mission, Kafka is officially inducted as an officer. Later, the Third Division base is attacked by a large group of wyvern kaiju led by a humanoid kaiju identified as Kaiju No. 10. The group, led by Soshiro, manage to stall No. 10 long enough for Mina to arrive to destroy it. However, No. 10 orders the wyvern kaiju to gather up and form a bomb to destroy the base to which Kafka transforms in front of the Third Division and punches the bomb away to save the base from destruction. Kafka is, reluctantly, apprehended by Mina and taken into custody to be disposed of.

While imprisoned, Kafka is tested in battle by the Director General of the Defense Force, and Kikoru's father, Isao Shinomiya after Kikoru vouches for Kafka's humanity. Isao fights Kafka using the Numbers 2 weapon made from the remains of Kaiju No. 2. Kafka survives the battle proving that he can control himself while transformed and avoids disposal. In order to prove his usefulness, Kafka is transferred, along with Kikoru, to the First Division led by captain Gen Narumi where they are tasked to prevent another attack on Tokyo planned by No. 9. Kafka, Kikoru and Gen succeed in defeating two versions of No. 9 which are revealed to be decoys. The real one attacks Isao and absorbs him and his Numbers 2 weapon after which No. 9 becomes stronger and prepares for an invasion of Japan with new kaiju.

Characters

Main

Kafka Hibino (日比野 カフカ, Hibino Kafuka) / Kaiju No. 8 (怪獣8号, Kaijū 8-gō)

Voiced by: Masaya Fukunishi,^[3] Megumi Han (young)^[4] (Japanese); Nazeeh Tarsha^[5] (English)

A 32-year-old man with dreams of joining the Defense Force to fight alongside his childhood friend Mina Ashiro. He gives up on his dream after failed, past attempts to join the Defense Force and starts working in a kaiju disposal company as a cleaner. He gains the ability to turn into a kaiju after a small, parasitic creature (voiced by TARAKO)^[4] enters his body through his mouth. After escaping from the Defense Force he is subsequently dubbed "Kaiju No. 8." In his kaiju form, Kafka possesses superhuman strength, speed, durability, regeneration and the ability to detect other kaiju. He has a fortitude level of 9.8, making him the most powerful kaiju identified by the Defense Force. Due to the low unleashed combat power of his suit he utilizes his knowledge of kaiju anatomy, from his work in the disposal industry, to help his squad mates defeat kaiju. Kafka's kaiju design was inspired by depictions of oni while the design's blue glow was inspired by the film Tron (1982).^[6]

Reno Ichikawa (市川 レノ, Ichikawa Reno)

Voiced by: Wataru Kato^[3] (Japanese); Adam McArthur^[5] (English)

An 18-year-old man who starts working in the same company as Kafka with plans to join the Defense Force. He becomes friends with Kafka and helps him hide the secret of his kaiju form. Reno is a considered to be a promising recruit and quickly becomes one of the Defense Force's strongest assets. He is compatible with the Numbers 6 weapon made from the remains of Kaiju No. 6 that has a fortitude level of 9.6 and that devastated the Defense Force prior to the events of the series. The Numbers 6 weapon takes the form of a suit of armor that increases Reno's strength and speed and gives him the ability of cryokinesis.

Kikoru Shinomiya (四ノ宮 キコル, Shinomiya Kikoru)

Voiced by: Fairouz Ai^[7] (Japanese); Abigail Blythe^[5] (English)

A 16-year-old girl who joins the Third division together with Kafka and Reno. A kaiju-slaying prodigy, Kikoru is one of the greatest talents in the Defense Force and has the highest recorded unleashed combat power as a recruit. Her father, Isao, is the Director General of the Defense force while her mother, Hikari, was a captain who died in the line of the duty while fighting off a kaiju invasion led by Kaiju No. 6 prior to the events of the series. She uses a giant axe as her personal weapon and inherits her mother's Numbers 4 suit which gives her the ability of flight.

Defense Force

Director General

Isao Shinomiya (四ノ宮 功, Shinomiya Isao)

Voiced by: Tesshō Genda^[8] (Japanese); Christopher Wehkamp^[9] (English)

The Director General of the Defense Force and Kikoru's father who is considered to be one of the strongest combatants in the history of the Defense Force. Isao uses the Numbers 2 weapon made from the remains of Kaiju No. 2 in the form of a powered suit of armor and gauntlets, which gives him superhuman strength and the ability to use sonic blasts. Isao begins teaching Kikoru how to fight against kaiju after the death of his wife, Hikari. Isao tests Kafka in battle and spares him from disposal so that he can be used as an asset for the Defense Force. During one Kaiju No. 9's attacks on Tokyo, Isao is killed and absorbed by No. 9.

First Division

Gen Narumi (鳴海 弦, Narumi Gen)

The captain of the First Division of the Defense Force. He is considered to be the strongest active captain in the Defense Force. Gen uses the Numbers 1 weapon made from the remains of Kaiju No. 1. The weapon takes the form of a powered suit of armor and a pair of retinal implants that give Gen the ability to predict enemy movements allowing him to always land his attacks. His personal weapon is a large rifle with a bayonet.

Third Division

Mina Ashiro (亜白 ミナ, Ashiro Mina)

Voiced by: Asami Seto^[3] (Japanese); Katelyn Barr^[5] (English)

The 27-year-old captain of the Third Division of the Defense Force. She is Kafka's childhood friend with whom he vowed to fight against kaiju. She is one of the strongest officers in the Defense Force and is highly skilled in using firearms due to a unique ability making her shots more devastating compared to other captains. Her personal weapon is a handheld cannon, making her effective against giant-sized kaiju.

Soshiro Hoshina (保科 宗四郎, Hoshina Soshirō)

Voiced by: Kengo Kawanishi^[7] (Japanese); Landon McDonald^[5] (English)

The vice-captain of the Third Division. He is a skilled swordsman who is good at fighting smaller kaiju. Frequently advised by his superiors to quit being a field officer due to his ineffectiveness with firearms, Hoshina becomes a vice-captain since Mina values his skill as a swordsman. Soshiro lets Kafka be retrained as a cadet to keep him close as he suspects that Kafka is hiding something. After Soshiro and Mina defeat Kaiju No. 10, it is turned into a sentient Numbers weapon that is deemed to be compatible with Soshiro. His Numbers weapon takes the form of a suit with a tail that can be used for attacks.

Iharu Furuhashi (古橋 伊春, Furuhashi Iharu)

Voiced by: Yūki Shin^[10] (Japanese); Ben Stegmair^[11] (English)

A new recruit who joins the Third Division together with Kafka, Reno and Kikoru. He and Reno become part of the same platoon and develop a rivalry over the course of their training.

Haruichi Izumo (出雲 ハルイチ, Izumo Haruichi)

Voiced by: Keisuke Koumoto^[10] (Japanese); Howard Wang^[12] (English)

A new recruit of the Third Division, Haruichi is the scion of the Izumo family who run the Izumo Tech corporation that develops equipment for the Defense Force including its suits.

Aoi Kaguragi (神楽木 葵, Kaguragi Aoi)

Voiced by: Shunsuke Takeuchi^[10] (Japanese); Jonah Scott^[13] (English)

A JGSDF officer who joins the Third Division and becomes part of the same platoon as Haruichi.

Konomi Okonogi (小此木 このみ, Okonogi Konomi)

Voiced by: Sayaka Senbongi^[14] (Japanese); Celeste Perez^[12] (English)

The lead operator of the Third Division who provides information to field officers. Her operations team monitors the suit power output of officers and can also remove their limiters allowing the officers to use greater outputs.

Akari Minase (水無瀬あかり, Minase Akari)

Voiced by: Nene Hieda^[15]

Hakua Igarashi (五十嵐ハクア, Igarashi Hakua)

Voiced by: Mayuko Kazama^[15]

Kaijus

Kaiju No. 9 (怪獣9号, Kaijū 9-gō)

Voiced by: Hiroyuki Yoshino^[16] (Japanese); Alejandro Saab^[17] (English)

A sentient, humanoid kaiju who can create other kaiju and absorb humans, taking their appearance and memories. No. 9 infiltrates society by initially disguising itself as a human kaiju cleaner named Takamichi Hotaka (voiced by Tomokazu Sugita).^[16] No. 9 orchestrates most of the catastrophes that befall the Defense Force. It absorbs Isao Shinomiya and his Numbers 2 weapon which greatly increases its strength and ability to create stronger kaiju.

Kaiju No. 10 (怪獣10号, Kaijū 10-gō)

A sentient, humanoid kaiju that leads an attack on the Third Division's base leading a group of wyvern kaiju. It is ultimately defeated by Soshiro Hoshina and Mina Ashiro and is apprehended by the Defense Force. While imprisoned, No. 10 reveals that its creator is Kaiju No. 9 and asks to be turned into a Numbers weapon to be used by Soshiro. It is the first kaiju to be made into a Numbers weapon while still alive retaining its sentience. No. 10 has a maximum fortitude level of 9.0.

Production

Naoya Matsumoto [ja] began his career in 2006 with Neko Romancer, a series that was published in Jump Giga (then known as Akamaru Jump).^[18] He authored a series titled Nekowappa! that debuted in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2009. The series was a continuation of a one-shot that Matsumoto wrote for the JG1 One-Shot festival.^[19] He published another one-shot titled Shikai Enbu in the 2012 spring edition of Jump Giga (then known as Jump Next)^[20] before starting his second serialization with Pochi Kuro that debuted on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ application and website in 2014.^[21]

Matsumoto stated that Kaiju No. 8 was influenced by tokusatsu media such as the Ultraman series, specifically Ultraseven (1967), Shin Godzilla (2016)^[22] and Pacific Rim (2013).^[18] He aimed to create a story that follows a protagonist who has to achieve their goal while hiding their identity from a hostile organization they are also a part of, seeing it as an entertaining concept.^[22] Matsumoto described Kaiju No. 8 as "a challenging work" that allowed him to move away from his usual stories.^[23] According to the deputy editor-in-chief of Shōnen Jump+, Seijiro Nakaji, Kaiju No. 8 was an unexpected development from Matsumoto's usual fantasy stories. Nakaji said that Matsumoto, as a tokusatsu fan, was drawn to the archetypal protagonists of the genre "who gain extraordinary abilities, and become a hero, but also bear the weight of inner struggle as a consequence."^[6] Nakaji said that they planned to progress the story in two ways: "[o]ne where Kafka leads a normal life while hiding his true identity, and the other where he pursues his dream even after becoming a monster" with Matsumoto opting for the latter choice early on.^[6] Matsumoto aims to create page layouts that are easy to follow, especially on smartphones, due to the manga being released digitally. He draws inspiration from mythological creatures, animals and plants when designing kaiju.^[6]

Matsumoto works with three assistants for the series: Osamu Koiwai who is responsible for background art, Jiro Sakura who does "finishing work" and Mantohihi Binta who is credited for weapon design.^[24] For background art, Matsumoto prepares a storyboard providing compositions of the panels of a chapter that are sent to Koiwai. They discuss how to approach the scene after which Koiwai prepares a draft for Matsumoto's approval. Once the draft is approved Koiwai can proceed with producing the final version of the backgrounds. It takes Koiwai 3–4 days to complete the backgrounds of a chapter. Koiwai shares the process of creating backgrounds on YouTube.^[25]

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto [ja], Kaiju No. 8 started on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ application and website on July 3, 2020.^[26] In August 2020, Matsumoto and Kaiju No. 8 adopted a schedule where a new chapter is published every week for three weeks, followed by a one week break.^[27] From June 25, 2021, a new schedule was adopted where a new chapter is published every two weeks.^[28] Shueisha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on December 4, 2020;^[29] a promotional video for the volume, presented as a news program, was shown on the big screen of Yunika Vision at Seibu-Shinjuku Station from December 4–10, 2020.^[30] As of April 4, 2024, 12 volumes have been released.^[31]

Viz Media began publishing the series in English on its website on August 2, 2020, under the title Kaiju No. 8,^[32] and on February 19, 2021, it announced that it had licensed the series for print in English,^[33] releasing the first volume on December 7, 2021.^[34] Shueisha began publishing chapters of the series on its Manga Plus website and app on July 22, 2020, under the title Monster #8^[35] in English and several other languages.^[a] On March 30, 2023, Manga Plus announced that it would include Kaiju No. 8 in the title of the version of the manga on its service.^[36]

To promote the release of the first volume in France, publisher Crunchyroll (then known as Kazé) displayed a mural on the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris from October 6–15, 2021.^[37] The series is licensed in Italy by Star Comics, the publication of which was commemorated by the display of a mural in the Porta Genova metro station in Milan.^[38] The series is also licensed in Spain by Planeta Cómic,^[39] in Argentina by Editorial Ivrea,^[40] in Taiwan by Ever Glory Publishing,^[41] and in Poland by Studio JG.^[42]

Volumes

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	English release date	English ISBN
1	December 4, 2020^[29]	978-4-08-882525-0	December 7, 2021^[34]	978-1-9747-2598-4
Chapter: 1–7
2	March 4, 2021^[43]	978-4-08-882611-0	April 5, 2022^[44]	978-1-9747-2714-8
Chapter: 8–17
3	June 4, 2021^[45]	978-4-08-882671-4	July 12, 2022^[46]	978-1-9747-2899-2
Chapter: 18–26
4	September 3, 2021^[47]	978-4-08-882815-2	October 11, 2022^[48]	978-1-9747-3234-0
Chapter: 27–35
5	December 3, 2021^[49]	978-4-08-882872-5	January 10, 2023^[50]	978-1-9747-3418-4
Chapter: 36–43
6	March 4, 2022^[51]	978-4-08-883053-7	April 11, 2023^[52]	978-1-9747-3633-1
Chapter: 44–51
7	July 4, 2022^[53]	978-4-08-883170-1	July 11, 2023^[54]	978-1-9747-3869-4
Chapter: 52–59
8	November 4, 2022^[55]	978-4-08-883305-7	October 10, 2023^[56]	978-1-9747-4062-8
Chapter: 60–66
9	March 3, 2023^[57]	978-4-08-883443-6	January 2, 2024^[58]	978-1-9747-4301-8
Chapter: 67–73
10	August 4, 2023^[59]	978-4-08-883613-3	June 4, 2024^[60]	978-1-9747-4699-6
Chapter: 74–81
11	December 4, 2023^[61]	978-4-08-883747-5	—	—
Chapter: 82–89
12	April 4, 2024^[31]	978-4-08-883898-4	—	—
Chapter: 90–97

Chapters not yet in tankōbon format

These chapters have yet to be published in a tankōbon volume. They were serialized on Shōnen Jump+.

• Chapter: 98–106

Spin-offs

A spin-off manga illustrated by Kentaro Hidano, titled Kaiju No. 8: B-Side (怪獣8号 side B), started serialization on Shōnen Jump+ on January 5, 2024 and features side stories of Defense Force members. Matsumoto and Keiji Andō are credited for the original work.^[62][63] Shueisha and Viz Media began publishing the series in English on January 4, 2024, Shueisha on its Manga Plus website and app and Viz Media on its Shonen Jump website and app.^[64]

Another spin-off manga, illustrated by Kizuku Watanabe [ja], titled Kaiju No. 8 Relax, is set to start in Saikyō Jump on June 4, 2024.^[65]

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	English release date	English ISBN
1	April 4, 2024^[66]	978-4-08-884010-9	—	—
"Twin Blades of Reminiscence" (追憶の双刀, Tsuioku no Sō Katana) "Buried Fire" (埋もれた火, Umoreta Hi) "Void at the End of the Road" (道の先の虚空, Michi no Saki no Kokū) "An Outstretched Hand" (差し出された手, Sashidasareta Te) "Valkyrie Blues" (戦乙女の憂鬱, Ikusa Otome no Yūutsu) "Goddess of Destruction" (破壊の女神, Hakai no Megami)

Chapters not yet in tankōbon format

7. "Crab Collision" (蟹硬戦)
8. "A Strike Unmatched" (一擊、無双)

Light novel

A 4-chapter side story light novel titled Kaiju No. 8: Exclusive on the Third Division (怪獣8号　密着！第3部隊, Kaijū Hachigō: Mitchaku! Daisan Butai) written by Keiji Andō and illustrated by Matsumoto, was released on November 4, 2022.^[67][68] On February 2, 2024, Viz Media announced that it had licensed the light novel for print in English. It is set to be published in Q4 2024.^[69]

Anime

On August 4, 2022, it was announced that the manga would be receiving an anime adaptation.^[70][71] It was later revealed to be a television series produced by Production I.G, with Studio Khara supervising the kaiju designs and artworks.^[72][73] It is directed by Shigeyuki Miya [ja] and Tomomi Kamiya, with scripts by Ichirō Ōkouchi, character designs and chief animation direction by Tetsuya Nishio, art direction by Shinji Kimura [ja], monster designs by Mahiro Maeda, and music composed by Yuta Bandoh.^[74][75] The series premiered on April 13, 2024, on TV Tokyo and its affiliates, alongside Twitter for simulcast in Japan.^[7][76] The opening theme song is "Abyss" performed by Yungblud, while the ending theme song is "Nobody" performed by OneRepublic.^[14][76]

Crunchyroll licensed the series for streaming, alongside livestream simulcasting as it airs in Japan, as well as dubbed versions an hour after its television premiere,^[77][5] which includes English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Castilian, Latin American Spanish, Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil.^[78][79] Medialink licensed the series for streaming in Southeast Asia on its Ani-One Asia YouTube channel.^[80]

Episodes

No.	Title ^[81]^[b]	Directed by ^[c]	Written by ^[c]	Storyboarded by ^[c]	Original air date ^[83]
1	"The Man Who Became a Kaiju" Transliteration: "Kaijū ni Natta Otoko" (Japanese: 怪獣になった男)	Tomomi Kamiya	Ichirō Ōkouchi	Tomomi Kamiya	April 13, 2024 (2024-04-13)
Kafka Hibino works as a cleaner disposing of kaiju carcasses after they have been eliminated by the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force, a military organization that protects Japan from kaiju. Initially wanting to be part of the Defense Force, Kafka gave up after failing to pass the exam before he got too old, but finds out the Defense Force has recently raised the recruitment age to 32, making him eligible again. Kafka and his new coworker and aspiring Defense Force Member, Reno Ichikawa, are attacked by a yoju at work. After holding the yoju off, the duo are saved by the Defense Force's Third Division led by Captain Mina Ashiro, Kafka's childhood friend with whom he made a promise to fight kaiju together. Later in a hospital, at the encouragement of Reno, Kafka decides to try to join the Defense Force one last time. However, Kafka is attacked by a parasitic kaiju that enters his body through his mouth and turns him into a human-kaiju hybrid. A patient reports Kafka's position forcing him and Reno to flee. In a post-credits scene, Mina is called to gather her squad and eliminate the kaiju reported to be at the hospital.
2	"The Kaiju Who Defeats Kaiju" Transliteration: "Kaijū o Taosu Kaijū" (Japanese: 怪獣を倒す怪獣)	Takayuki Inagaki	Ichirō Ōkouchi	Kazuya Nomura	April 20, 2024 (2024-04-20)
While Mina orders her squad to move to the location where a kaiju was reported, Kafka and Reno leave the hospital to hide from the Defense Force. As the duo is escaping, Kafka detects a yoju that emerges from the underground and attacks a nearby house, trapping a woman and her daughter. Kafka steps in and kills the yoju saving the mother and daughter with the daughter thanking him for his help which strengthens his resolve to join the Defense Force. After changing back to his human form, Kafka and Reno escape. Three months later, Kafka has been given the codename "Kaiju No. 8" due to evading capture and he and Reno pass the first part of the test. The duo proceed to the testing grounds for the second part of the test where they meet Kikoru Shinomiya, another recruit, who notices that Kafka smells like a kaiju.
3	"Revenge Match" Transliteration: "Ribenji Matchi" (Japanese: リベンジマッチ)	Hitomi Ezoe	Ichirō Ōkouchi	Kazumi Ta	April 27, 2024 (2024-04-27)
Reno tells Kikoru that he and Kafka work as kaiju cleaners explaining his smell and swaying her doubts. Kafka and Reno begin the physical part of the test, which Kafka barely passes, and move on to the aptitude test. The proctor for the exam, the vice-captain of the Third Division, Soshiro Hoshina, explains that the recruits need to eliminate a large group of yoju led by a honju, a larger and stronger kaiju, in a training area. The recruits are outfitted with power suits, made from kaiju muscle fibers, that empower them, boosting their physical capabilities and their weapons and providing them with a shield that, if activated, makes them fail the test. The suits have a power output expressed as a percentage with Kafka being the only recruit with a 0% output. Despite that, Kafka utilizes his knowledge of kaiju to support others in eliminating the targets when a yoju attacks him and injures him. Right before his shield activates Kafka is saved by Kikoru after which Soshiro advises him to quit due to his injuries. Kafka refuses and chooses to continue as Mina watches his progress.
4	"Fortitude 9.8" Transliteration: "Forutichūdo 9.8" (Japanese: フォルティチュード9.8)	Kazuki Yokoyama	Ichirō Ōkouchi	Iwao Teraoka	May 4, 2024 (2024-05-04)
Kafka and Reno try to support other trainees due to the duo's low firepower. Kikoru runs past other recruits eliminating all yoju and the honju, ending the aptitude test. As Kikoru is about to return to the others, she is attacked by an intelligent, humanoid kaiju that revives all of the yoju and the honju, making them stronger in the process. The humanoid kaiju orders the honju to attack Kikoru. Kafka appears and transforms, killing the honju and saving Kikoru's life but revealing his identity as Kaiju No. 8 to her. Kafka and Reno bring Kikoru back to the entrance while Mina and Soshiro survey the destroyed honju with Soshiro suspecting that it is connected to the yoju Kafka killed three months prior. As Kikoru recuperates in the hospital, Soshiro questions her if she killed the revived honju. Kikoru lies and says that she is the one who killed it. Later, the humanoid kaiju listens to a news report about the incident, changing its appearance to that of a human kaiju cleaner.

Other media

Kafka Hibino is featured as a playable character in the video game Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions that was released on the Nintendo Switch on July 28, 2022.^[84]

A life-size statue of Kafka's kaiju form was displayed at the Tachikawa Station on the Chūō Main Line from April 26–29, 2024. Kafka's voice actor Masaya Fukunishi was appointed as the ceremonial one-day manager at the Kaiju No. 8 store in the station. The statue is set to be displayed in four other places from May 1 to June 16, 2024.^[85]

Reception

Popularity

According to Yūta Momiyama, the deputy editor-in-chief of Shōnen Jump+, Kaiju No. 8, along with Spy × Family, have been very popular and are doing especially well on the Manga Plus service.^[86] In December 2020, it was reported that Kaiju No. 8 surpassed 30 million views, making it the fastest Shōnen Jump+ series to achieve this feat, and each new chapter published surpasses one million views.^[87] In February 2021, the series reached 70 million views.^[88] In April 2021, the series reached over 100 million views.^[89] In February 2023, the series reached 400 million views.^[90] The series ranked tenth on AnimeJapan's 5th "Most Wanted Anime Adaptation" poll in 2022.^[91]

Manga

The School Library Journal listed the first volume of Kaiju No. 8 as one of the top 10 manga of 2021.^[92] It ranked third on Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2022 list of best manga for male readers.^[93][94][95] The series ranked second on the Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2022.^[96] The series was included in Polygon's list of the best comics of 2021,^[97] Kotaku's list of the 11 best manga series of 2021^[98] and The Fandom Post's list of the 12 best manga series of 2020.^[99]

Sales

The series' first volume sold 90,831 copies in its first week,^[100] and 69,404 copies in its second week.^[101] By December 2020, the first volumes had over 430,000 copies in circulation (print and digital).^[102] In January 2021, it was reported that the series was the best-selling new manga of 2020, within only 28 days since the first volume was published.^[103] By March 2021, the manga had over 1 million copies printed physically and 200,000 copies sold digitally, making it the fastest Shōnen Jump+ series to reach 1 million copies in circulation,^[104][88] and 20 days later reached 1.5 million copies in circulation.^[105] By June 2021, the manga had 2.5 million copies in circulation,^[106] and by middle of the month it reached 3 million copies.^[107][108] By September 2021, the manga had over 4 million copies in circulation;^[109] over 5.5 million copies in circulation by December 2021;^[110] over 6.7 million copies in circulation by March 2022;^[111] over 7.8 million copies in circulation by July 2022;^[112] over 8 million copies in circulation by August 2022;^[70] over 10 million copies in circulation by December 2022;^[113] over 11 million copies in circulation by March 2023;^[114] and over 13 million copies in circulation by April 2024.^[115]

The series' fifth and sixth volumes were among the 30 best-selling manga volumes of 2022.^[116] Volume 9 was among the best-selling manga volumes of 2023.^[117] Volume 10 was Shueisha's seventh highest first print run manga volume of 2023–2024 (period from April 2023–March 2024), with 600,000 copies printed.^[118]

Individual volumes have ranked on NPD Bookscan's monthly list since 2021^[119] and on The New York Times' Graphic Books and Manga bestseller monthly list since 2022.^[120] The series' first volume sold 118,000 copies in the United States in 2022.^[121]

In France, the series sold 22,041 copies in its first week, making it the best-selling debut of manga in France.^[122] By April 2023, the series sold 888,888 copies in France.^[123] In Italy, the first volume had a first print run of 245,000 copies (including various editions), surpassing Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, which has 200,000 copies in circulation per volume.^[124]

Critical reception

The series' first volume has been positively received by various publications.^[d] Praise has been aimed at Naoya Matsumoto's artwork,^[e] which has been described as "gorgeous and incredibly detailed",^[126] and at his use of page spreads,^[127] "page-turns"^[126] and kaiju designs.^[f] Kafka Hibino has, particularly, been singled out as an endearing character^[133] and a novel aspect of the series due to his age.^[g] The series has also been lauded for its comedy.^{[125][126][130]} However, the first volume received some criticism for its formulaic beginning^[125][134] as well as inconsistent art quality and fast pacing that sacrifices character development.^[135]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Result	Ref
2021	14th Manga Taishō	Grand Prize	6th place	^[136]^[137]
	5th Tsutaya Comic Award	Next Hit	2nd place	^[138]
	Geeks d'Ouro [pt]	Best Manga Series	Won	^[139]
	Tokyo's New Manga Award	Best Manga	Won	^[140]
	7th Next Manga Award	Web Manga	Won	^[141]
	7th Ayumi Comic Award	Grand Prize	Won	^[142]
	Da Vinci 21st Annual Book of the Year	Book of the Year	12th place	^[143]
2022	26th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize	Cultural Prize	Nominated	^[95]
	eBook Initiative Japan [ja] Manga Award	Grand Prize	Won	^[144]
	Eisner Award	Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia	Nominated	^[145]
	Da Vinci 22nd Annual Book of the Year	Book of the Year	26th place	^[146]

Anime

The series' premiere was positively received. In a series of positive reviews for Anime News Network, Rebecca Silverman praised the art, animation and music saying that the series treads familiar territory but that "it's very comfortably working within the bounds of its genre and having fun with them." James Beckett complemented Production I.G for successfully balancing comedic elements of the story with "wonderful and weighty little beats that sell the entire world that much more effectively." Nicholas Dupree praised the show's action sequences and worldbuilding, noting that Kafka is a character who is easy to root for. Richard Eisenbeis praised the animation, specifically the detailed and realistic depiction of kaiju fights and their dissection, although he found the character designs to be simplistic.^[147] Digital Spy's Janet A Leigh praised the series' premiere for its animation, action and tone comparing its premise to Attack on Titan but with a more light-hearted tone.^[148] Toussaint Egan of Polygon praised the show for its "irreverent tone, personal drama, and exhilarating action." He said the premise "can be aptly described as My Hero Academia meets Pacific Rim" and that "the moody color palette and background designs [...] add a lot to the series, grounding its universe in a way that feels both intimately believable and visually extraordinary."^[149]

Notes

1. As of April 25, 2024, the series is also available in Spanish, Thai, Indonesian, Russian, French and Portuguese.^[35]
2. English translated titles are taken from Crunchyroll.^[82]
3. Production staff information is taken from the ending credits of each episode.
4. Multiple references:^{[125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132]}
5. Multiple references:^{[125][126][127][128][129][131][132]}
6. Multiple references:^{[127][129][131][132]}
7. Multiple references:^{[125][126][127][128][133]}

References

1. "The Official Website for Kaiju No.8". Viz Media. from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
2. Egan, Toussaint (October 13, 2023). "Kaiju No. 8's anime already looks as rad as the manga". Polygon. from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
3. Chapman, Paul (August 5, 2023). "Kaiju No. 8 Anime Smashes Japanese TV in April 2024". Crunchyroll. from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
4. Tai, Anita (April 13, 2024). "Kaiju No. 8 Anime Reveals More Cast". Anime News Network. from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
5. Mateo, Alex (March 26, 2024). "Crunchyroll to Stream Kaiju No. 8 Anime Alongside Japanese Broadcast Starting April 13 (Updated)". Anime News Network. from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
6. . Manga Plus. Shueisha. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
7. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 16, 2023). "Kaiju No. 8 Anime Reveals 2 More Cast Members in 3rd Trailer". Anime News Network. from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
8. Loo, Egan (May 2, 2024). "Kaiju No. 8 Anime Casts Tesshō Genda, Mutsumi Tamura". Anime News Network. from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
9. @ChrisWehkamp (May 4, 2024). ""For the future of this country, you must be perfect!" I'm thrilled to announce I'm Director General Isao Shinomiya in the English dub of #Kaijuno8 Thanks to @ReadyKafka, @GoSay_Audio, @Crunchyroll & @TOHOanimation for including me in this excellent new show!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
10. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 22, 2023). "Yuki Shin, Keisuke Koumoto, Shunsuke Takeuchi Join Cast of Kaiju No. 8 Anime". Anime News Network. from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
11. @BStegmairVO (April 27, 2024). "Kaiju everywhere are about to get wrecked! It is such an immense honor to say that I am Iharu Furuhashi in the English dub of #Kaijuno8. I am eternally thankful to @ReadyKafka, @GoSay_Audio, @Crunchyroll & @TOHOanimation for trusting me with such an awesome character!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
12. Lab, Jesse (April 3, 2024). "All English Dub Voice Actors & Cast List for Kaiju No. 8". The Escapist. from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
13. @ImMrTransistor (April 27, 2024). "I am joining the Defense Force as Aoi Kaguragi in Kaiju No. 8! Check out the next episode of the dub on @Crunchyroll! Thank you so much to @ReadyKafka and the entire cast and production team! They're all doing a stellar job!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
14. 怪獣8号：テレビアニメが4月13日スタート OPはヤングブラッド EDにワンリパブリック. Mantan Web (in Japanese). February 29, 2024. from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
15. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (May 9, 2024). "Kaiju No. 8 Anime Casts Nene Hieda, Mayuko Kazama". Anime News Network. from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
16. Tai, Anita (May 4, 2024). "Kaiju No. 8 Anime Casts Hiroyuki Yoshino, Tomokazu Sugita". Anime News Network. from the original on May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
17. Saab, Alejandro [@KaggyFilms] (May 4, 2024). "I've been a HUGE FAN of Kaiju No.8 for 2 years now, been collecting ALL the volumes of the manga... And NEVER did I think I'd get the chance to voice Kaiju No.9! THE VILLAIN! A CREATUREESQUE ONE!!" (Tweet). Retrieved May 4, 2024 – via Twitter.
18. ついにスタート！『怪獣８号』原作・松本直也先生が語る！アニメ化への思いと見どころ。. Men's Non-no (in Japanese). Shueisha. April 13, 2024. from the original on April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
19. . Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 9, 2009. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
20. . Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 29, 2012. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
21. Loo, Egan (September 21, 2014). "Shonen Jump+ Debuts with Over 30 Monthly Manga for Free". Anime News Network. from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
22. Nomoto, Yuki (September 24, 2021). . Da Vinci (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
23. 「次にくるマンガ大賞2021」Webマンガ部門1位『怪獣8号』作者・松本直也先生に聞きました！「次マン」作品への想いとは？. Da Vinci (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. August 29, 2022. from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
24. Matsumoto, Naoya (April 5, 2022). Kaiju No. 8. Vol. 2. Viz Media. p. 204. ISBN 978-1-9747-2714-8.
25. Paquot, Valentin (March 11, 2022). "Découvrez Koiwai Osamu, dessinateur de décor de mangas!". L'Internaute (in French). from the original on February 10, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
26. 「怪獣8号」コミックス累計発行部数1,000万部を突破！ 最新9巻が3月3日発売. AnimeAnime.jp (in Japanese). March 3, 2023. from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
27. . Manga Plus. Shueisha. August 27, 2020. Archived from the original on September 10, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
28. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 29, 2021). "Kaiju No. 8 Manga Temporarily Switches to Biweekly Schedule". Anime News Network. from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
29. 怪獣8号 1 (in Japanese). Shueisha. from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
30. 「怪獣8号」1巻発売、新宿でニュース番組風映像を12月10日まで上映. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 4, 2020. from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
31. 怪獣8号 12. Shueisha. from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
32. Llanes, Jeric (August 2, 2020). "Shonen Jump New Chapters 08/02/2020". Viz Media (in Japanese). from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
33. Mateo, Alex (February 19, 2021). "Viz to Release Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Mao, Rozen Blood, Burn the Witch, Animal Crossing, More Manga in Fall". Anime News Network. from the original on February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
34. "Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 1". Viz Media. from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
35. "Kaiju No. 8 (Monster #8)". Manga Plus. Shueisha. April 25, 2024. from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
36. . Manga Plus. Shueisha. March 30, 2023. Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
37. Sum Lee, Choo (October 13, 2021). "Kaiju No. 8 Mural Looms Over France's National Library". Anime News Network. from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
38. Sum Lee, Choo (April 5, 2022). "Kaiju No. 8 Takes Over Metro Station in Milan". Anime News Network. from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
39. "Kaiju 8 nº 01". Planeta Cómic (in Spanish). from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
40. "¡Ivrea publicará en Argentina Kaiju Nº 8!". Editorial Ivrea (in Spanish). January 6, 2022. from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
41. "怪獸8 (1)". Ever Glory Publishing (in Chinese). from the original on January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
42. "Trzy fantastyczne jesienne nowości!". Studio JG (in Polish). September 3, 2021. from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
43. 怪獣8号 2 (in Japanese). Shueisha. from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
44. "Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 2". Viz Media. from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
45. 怪獣8号 3 (in Japanese). Shueisha. from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
46. "Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 3". Viz Media. from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
47. 怪獣8号 4 (in Japanese). Shueisha. from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
48. "Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 4". Viz Media. from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
49. 怪獣8号 5 (in Japanese). Shueisha. from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
50. "Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 5". Viz Media. from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
51. 怪獣8号 6 (in Japanese). Shueisha. from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
52. "Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 6". Viz Media. from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
53. 怪獣8号 7 (in Japanese). Shueisha. from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
54. "Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 7". Viz Media. from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
55. 怪獣8号 8 (in Japanese). Shueisha. from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
56. "Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 8". Viz Media. from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
57. 怪獣8号 9 (in Japanese). Shueisha. from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
58. "Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 9". Viz Media. from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
59. 怪獣8号 10 (in Japanese). Shueisha. from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
60. "Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 10". Viz Media. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
61. 怪獣8号 11 (in Japanese). Shueisha. from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
62. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 16, 2023). "Kaiju No. 8 Gets Spinoff Manga by Super Smartphone's Kentarō Hidano". Anime News Network. from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
63. 「怪獣8号」防衛隊員達の"最前線"描くスピンオフ開幕、執筆するのは肥田野健太郎. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 5, 2024. from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
64. Tai, Anita (January 10, 2024). "Viz Media, Manga Plus Launch Kaiju No. 8: B-Side Spinoff Manga in English". Anime News Network. from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
65. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 2, 2024). "Kaiju No. 8 Gets New Spinoff Manga on June 4". Anime News Network. from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
66. 怪獣8号 side B 1. Shueisha. from the original on February 18, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
67. 「怪獣8号」初の小説版発売！カフカたち第3部隊を密着取材、プレゼントも. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 4, 2022. from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
68. 怪獣8号 密着！第3部隊 (in Japanese). Shueisha. from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
69. Mateo, Alex (February 2, 2024). "Viz Media Licenses Trillion Game, Otaku Vampire's Love Bite, Spider-Man: Octo Girl, X-Men, More Manga for Fall 2024". Anime News Network. from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
70. 怪獣8号：「ジャンプ＋」人気マンガがアニメ化 特報、ビジュアル公開. Mantan Web (in Japanese). August 5, 2022. from the original on August 4, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
71. Mateo, Alex (August 4, 2022). "Kaiju No. 8 Manga Gets Anime". Anime News Network. from the original on August 4, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
72. Mateo, Alex (December 15, 2022). "Kaiju No. 8 Anime Unveils Teaser Video, Visual, Animation Studios, 2024 Premiere". Anime News Network. from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
73. アニメ「怪獣8号」2024年放送決定、制作はProduction I.G×スタジオカラー. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). December 16, 2022. from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
74. 「怪獣8号」防衛隊員が集結したキービジュ公開 宮繁之・神谷友美監督らスタッフ発表. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 15, 2023. from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
75. Mateo, Alex (December 14, 2023). "Kaiju No. 8 Anime Unveils Key Visual, Staff". Anime News Network. from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
76. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 28, 2024). "Kaiju No. 8 Anime's Promo Video Reveals Theme Songs, April 13 Debut". Anime News Network. from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
77. Mateo, Alex (October 13, 2023). "Crunchyroll to Stream Kaiju No. 8, Spice and Wolf, The Unwanted Undead Adventurer, 7th Time Loop, Sengoku Youko, More Anime". Anime News Network. from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
78. Mateo, Alex (March 13, 2024). "Crunchyroll Announces Release Schedule for Spring 2024 Anime Season". Anime News Network. from the original on March 13, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
79. Hazra, Adriana (March 28, 2024). "Kaiju No. 8 Anime Gets Hindi, Tamil, Telugu Simuldubs". Anime News Network. from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
80. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (April 2, 2024). "Ani-One Asia Reveals Kaiju No. 8, Blue Archive, 6 Other Anime for Spring 2024 Streaming". Anime News Network. from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
81. "Episōdozu | Terebi Anime "Kaijū Hachi-gō" Kōshiki Saito" EPISODES | TVアニメ『怪獣８号』公式サイト [Episodes | TV Anime "Kaiju No. 8" Official Website]. kaiju-no8.net (in Japanese). from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
82. "Watch Kaiju No. 8 - Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll. from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
83. "On'ea | Anime "Kaijū Hachi-gō" Kōshiki Saito" ON AIR | アニメ『怪獣８号』公式サイト [On Air | Anime "Kaiju No. 8" Official Website]. kaiju-no8.net (in Japanese). from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
84. Bonthuys, Darryn (June 29, 2022). "Spy X Family And Other Shonen Jump Characters Are Coming To New Switch RPG In July". GameSpot. from the original on May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
85. Iikura-Gross, Ken (April 30, 2024). "Live-Size Kaiju No. 8 Statue (Temporarily) Erected at Tokyo's Tachikawa Station". Anime News Network. from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
86. Davidson, Danica (October 14, 2020). "The Most Popular Countries for Online Manga, According to Shonen Jump+". Otaku USA. from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
87. ジャンプ＋史上最速で3000万閲覧を突破、松本直也が描く怪獣譚「怪獣8号」1巻. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 2, 2020. from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
88. Mateo, Alex (March 4, 2021). "Kaiju No. 8 Is Fastest Shonen Jump Plus Manga to Reach 1 Million Copies in Print". Anime News Network. from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
89. 怪獣8号：コミックス3巻で累計250万部突破 「ジャンプ＋」史上最速 #怪獣8号推しポスター が渋谷、新宿に. Mantan Web (in Japanese). June 2, 2021. from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
90. @nakaji2017 (February 17, 2023). 怪獣８号、さきほど総閲覧数が4億を越えました！沢山のご愛読、誠にありがとうございます (Tweet). from the original on February 27, 2023 – via Twitter.
91. Morrissy, Kim (March 23, 2022). "Senpai wa Otokonoko Tops AnimeJapan's 'Manga We Want To See Animated' Poll". Anime News Network. from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
92. Hazra, Adriana (December 5, 2021). "School Library Journal Names Top 10 Manga in 2021". Anime News Network. from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
93. 『このマンガがすごい!2022』1位に『ルックバック』『海が走るエンドロール』 藤本タツキ氏は2年連続. Oricon News (in Japanese). December 7, 2021. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
94. Mateo, Alex (December 29, 2021). "Kono Manga ga Sugoi! Editors Unveil 2022 Rankings". Anime News Network. from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
95. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 20, 2022). "Oshi no Ko, Kaiju No. 8, Jojolion, Peleliu Nominated for Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize". Anime News Network. from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
96. 書店員が選んだおすすめコミック2022、第1位は龍幸伸「ダンダダン」. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 27, 2022. from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
97. Polo, Susana; Maveal, Chloe; Schenkel, Katie; Babu, Ritesh (December 7, 2021). "The best comics of 2021". Polygon. from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
98. Ashcraft, Brian (December 27, 2021). "The 11 Best Manga of 2021". Kotaku. from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
99. Mireles, Antonio (January 3, 2021). "Fandom Post Manga of the Year Awards 2020". The Fandom Post. from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
100. 週間 コミックランキング 2020年12月14日付 （2020年11月30日～2020年12月06日）. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
101. 週間 コミックランキング 2020年12月21日付 （2020年12月07日～2020年12月13日）. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
102. Nakaji [@nakaji2017] (December 25, 2020). 各書店に『怪獣8号』コミックス１巻の重版分が届き始めています。今回の重版分とデジタル版販売数あわせて１巻で累計４３万部を突破しました！沢山のご愛読ありがとうございます！ (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 22, 2024 – via Twitter.
103. . Hon no Hikidashi (in Japanese). Nippan. January 26, 2021. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
104. Harding, Daryl (March 4, 2021). "Kaiju No. 8 Manga Has 1.2 Million Copies Printed and Sold, Fastest in Shonen Jump+ History". Crunchyroll. from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
105. @nakaji2017 (March 26, 2021). 『怪獣８号』1.2巻品薄が続いていましたが重版分が本日より書店さんに届き始めていると思います。今回の重版分とデジタル版販売数をあわせて1.2巻累計150万部になりました。沢山のご愛読ありがとうございます！ (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
106. 「怪獣8号」3巻発売でポスター88枚を渋谷・新宿に掲出、発行部数は250万部突破. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 2, 2021. from the original on November 1, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
107. 「怪獣8号」がジャンプ＋史上最速で300万部突破、直筆メッセージ＆イラスト公開. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 14, 2021. from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
108. Mateo, Alex (June 14, 2021). "Kaiju No. 8 Is Fastest Shonen Jump Plus Manga to Top 3 Million Copies in Circulation". Anime News Network. from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
109. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 2, 2021). "Kaiju No. 8 Is Fastest Shonen Jump+ Manga to Top 4 Million Copies in Circulation". Anime News Network. from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
110. 「怪獣8号」5巻発売でTシャツが200人に当たる、新PVも公開. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 3, 2021. from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
111. Kaiju No. 8 [Official] [@KaijuNo8_O] (March 10, 2022). 【コミックス６巻発売＆累計670万部突破御礼!!】秋葉原・渋谷・池袋で、『#怪獣８号』の交通広告が3/13(日)まで展開中です！お見かけの際はよろしくお願いいたします…!!「ジャンプ＋」アプリで初回全話無料中！👇第１話はこちらからどうぞ!!https://shonenjumpplus.com/episode/13933686331674116123 (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 22, 2024 – via Twitter.
112. Nakaji [@nakaji2017] (June 23, 2022). 会社に着いたら怪獣８号７巻見本が届いてました！今巻で累計780万部突破。７月４日(月)発売です。#怪獣８号#Kaijuno8 (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 22, 2024 – via Twitter.
113. アニメ『怪獣8号』2024年放送決定でPV公開 制作はProduction I.G、怪獣デザインはスタジオカラー. Oricon News (in Japanese). December 16, 2022. from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
114. 怪獣8号：コミックス累計1000万部突破 全世界では1100万部 アニメ化も話題のジャンプ＋人気作. Mantan Web (in Japanese). March 3, 2023. from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
115. アニメ『怪獣8号』の放送に先駆け、坂東祐大による劇中音楽の4曲が先行配信開始！！ (Press release) (in Japanese). Nippon Columbia. April 5, 2024. from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2024 – via PR Times.
116. Loo, Egan (December 1, 2022). "Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Volume: 2022 — Jujutsu Kaisen 18 Sells 2.11 Million". Anime News Network. from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
117. Loo, Egan (November 30, 2023). "Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Volume: 2023 — One Piece Tops Chart for 13th Time". Anime News Network. from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
118. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 7, 2024). "Manga With Biggest 1st Printings from Kodansha, Shogakukan, Shueisha: 2023–2024". Anime News Network. from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
119. NPD Bookscan monthly list:
     • December 2021: Mateo, Alex (January 10, 2022). "Chainsaw Man Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan December List". Anime News Network. from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
     • February 2022: Hazra, Adriana (March 15, 2022). "Chainsaw Man Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan February List". Anime News Network. from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
     • March 2022: Hazra, Adriana (April 10, 2022). "My Hero Academia Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan March List". Anime News Network. from the original on April 10, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
     • April 2022: Mateo, Alex (May 12, 2022). "Chainsaw Man Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan April List". Anime News Network. from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
     • October 2022: Hazra, Adriana (November 11, 2022). "My Hero Academia Ranks #2 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan October List". Anime News Network. from the original on November 5, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
     • November 2022: Hazra, Adriana (December 6, 2022). "Chainsaw Man Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan November List". Anime News Network. from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
     • February 2023: Hazra, Adriana (March 12, 2023). "My Hero Academia Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan February List". Anime News Network. from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
     • April 2023: Hazra, Adriana (March 12, 2023). "One Piece Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan April List". Anime News Network. from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
     • May 2023: Hazra, Adriana (June 16, 2023). "My Hero Academia Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan May List". Anime News Network. from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
     • July 2023: Hazra, Adriana (August 7, 2023). "One Piece Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan July List". Anime News Network. from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
     • August 2023: Hazra, Adriana (September 14, 2023). "Jujutsu Kaisen Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan August List". Anime News Network. from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
     • October 2023: Hazra, Adriana (November 7, 2023). "Chainsaw Man Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan October List". Anime News Network. from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
     • November 2023: Hazra, Adriana (December 3, 2023). "One Piece Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan November List". Anime News Network. from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
     • January 2024: Hazra, Adriana (February 19, 2024). "Chainsaw Man Ranks #1 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan January List". Anime News Network. from the original on February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
120. The New York Times' Graphic Books and Manga bestseller monthly list:
     • August 2022: Hazra, Adriana (August 12, 2022). "My Hero Academia, Spy×Family, More Rank on NYT August Bestseller List". Anime News Network. from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
     • November 2022: Hazra, Adriana (November 4, 2022). "My Hero Academia, Chainsaw Man Rank on NYT November Bestseller List". Anime News Network. from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
     • February 2023: Hazra, Adriana (February 5, 2023). "Chainsaw Man, Kaiju No. 8, Jujutsu Kaisen Rank on NYT February Bestseller List". Anime News Network. from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
     • May 2023: Hazra, Adriana (May 7, 2023). "One Piece, Kaiju No. 8, Spy x Family Rank on NYT May Bestseller List". Anime News Network. from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
     • August 2023: Hazra, Adriana (August 7, 2023). "One Piece, Kaiju No. 8, 3 More Manga Rank on NYT August Bestseller List". Anime News Network. from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
     • November 2023: Hazra, Adriana (November 6, 2023). "Chainsaw Man, Spy x Family, 2 More Manga Rank on NYT November Bestseller List". Anime News Network. from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
     • February 2024: Hazra, Adriana (February 19, 2024). "Chainsaw Man, Kaiju No. 8, More Manga Rank on NYT February Bestseller List". Anime News Network. from the original on February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
121. Hibbs, Brian (April 5, 2023). "Tilting at Windmills #295: Looking at NPD BookScan 2022". The Beat. from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
122. Kazé [@KazeFrance] (October 15, 2021). "#Breaking Libros Avec 22 041 exemplaires vendus en une semaine, #KaijuNo8 est devenu le meilleur lancement de l'histoire du manga en France et ça, c'est grâce à vous ! 🙏 Alors merci de votre soutien !" (Tweet) (in French). Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2021 – via Twitter.
123. Crunchyroll [@CRManga_FR] (April 17, 2023). "Kaiju N°888 888! 📚 Le manga vient de dépasser le chiffre symbolique des 888 888 tomes vendus en France et ceci, c'est grâce à vous! Merci! 🙏" (Tweet) (in French). Archived from the original on February 18, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2023 – via Twitter.
124. "Star Comics in diretta da Milano svela dettagli interessantissimi". animeclick.it (in Italian). March 26, 2022. from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
125. Jones, Grant (December 7, 2021). "Kaiju No. 8 GN 1 - Review". Anime News Network. from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
126. Farris, Christopher; Silverman, Rebecca; MrAJCosplay (December 6, 2021). "The Winter 2021 Manga Guide - Kaiju No.8". Anime News Network. from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
127. hamatsu (December 4, 2020). 災害が日常の一部と化した「今」を描いた怪獣漫画 松本直也『怪獣8号』はなぜここまで注目を集めるのか. Netorabo (in Japanese). from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
128. Koiwai (October 6, 2021). "Kaiju N°8 Vol.1 - Critique du volume manga". Manga News (in French). from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
129. Zhdanova, Masha (December 21, 2021). "VIZ Media Pubwatch: December, 2021". Women Write About Comics. from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
130. Davidson, Danica (February 11, 2022). "Kaiju No. 8 Is a Funny, Refreshing Take on the Kaiju Genre". Otaku USA Magazine. from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
131. Mireles, Antonio (July 31, 2020). "Kaiju No. 8 Chapters #1 – 5 Manga Review". The Fandom Post. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
132. Mireles, Antonio (August 14, 2020). "Kaiju No.8 Chapters #06 – 07 Manga Review". The Fandom Post. from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
133. Whitbrook, James (March 21, 2021). "This Big Boy Season, Don't Miss Kaiju No. 8". Gizmodo. from the original on December 20, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
134. Dacey, Katherine; Gaffney, Sean; Smith, Michelle (April 21, 2022). "Bookshelf Briefs 4/21/22". Manga Bookshelf. from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
135. Marshall, Dallas (December 8, 2021). "Kaiju No 8. Vol. 1 Can Become the Next Shonen Hit - If It Fixes Some Kinks". Comic Book Resources. from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
136. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (January 24, 2021). "14th Manga Taisho Awards Nominate 10 Titles". Anime News Network. from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
137. マンガ大賞2021、大賞は山田鐘人・アベツカサ「葬送のフリーレン」. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 16, 2021. from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
138. . Tsutaya (in Japanese). Culture Convenience Club. June 15, 2021. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
139. "Vencedores da IIIª Edição dos Prémios Geeks d'Ouro". Geeks d'Ouro (in Portuguese). April 9, 2021. from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
140. Tokyo Manga Reviewers (March 5, 2021). 第一位は"文句なしの新世代王道漫画"！新刊マンガ大賞2021ランキングを発表します. note.com (in Japanese). from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
141. Loveridge, Lynzee (August 24, 2021). "Kaiju No. 8, Oshi no Ko Win Next Manga Awards Web, Print Categories". Anime News Network. from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
142. . Hon no Hikidashi (in Japanese). Nippan. March 1, 2021. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
143. Mateo, Alex (December 6, 2021). "Demon Slayer Tops Da Vinci Manga Ranking for 2nd Consecutive Year". Anime News Network. from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
144. 大賞受賞作は『怪獣8号』に決定！「ebookjapanマンガ大賞2022」 結果発表 (Press release) (in Japanese). eBook Initiative Japan [ja]. February 25, 2022. from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via PR Times.
145. Mateo, Alex (May 18, 2022). "Chainsaw Man, Kaiju No. 8, Spy×Family, More Manga Nominated for Eisner Awards". Anime News Network. from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
146. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 6, 2022). "Spy×Family Tops Da Vinci Manga Ranking". Anime News Network. from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
147. Silverman, Rebecca; Beckett, James; Dupree, Nicholas; Eisenbeis, Richard (April 13, 2024). "The Spring 2024 Anime Preview Guide - Kaiju No. 8". Anime News Network. from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
148. Leigh, Janet A (April 16, 2024). "Kaiju No. 8 review: New anime series is different to Attack on Titan in one key way". Digital Spy. from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
149. Egan, Toussaint (April 19, 2024). "Kaiju No. 8 goes from zero-to-100 with a great first episode cliffhanger". Polygon. from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.

Further reading

• Taniguchi, Ryuichi (December 11, 2020). 『怪獣8号』は正義を描き切れるか？ 『呪術廻戦』『デビルマン』の展開から考察. Real Sound (in Japanese). Blueprint Co., Ltd.
• Kitani, Makoto (January 19, 2021). 怪獣の力を身につけた正義のオッサンの勇姿を見よ！ 「ジャンププラス」が放つ正統派ヒーロー漫画『怪獣8号』が熱い!!. Da Vinci News (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation.

External links

• Official website at Shōnen Jump+ (in Japanese)
• Official website at Manga Plus
• Official website at Viz Media
• Official anime website (in Japanese)
• Kaiju No. 8 at Anime News Network's encyclopedia