Get your Kaiju on.
Big fan of Pacific Rim or Godzilla? Missing your big monster fix? Well, Crunchyroll has the anime for you – Kaiju No. 8.
Despite the manga having begun just a few short years ago, in 2020, Kaiju No. 8 has quickly escalated through the ranks – and currently has over 11,000,000 copies in circulation.
It’s no surprise that an anime adaptation was soon on the way afterwards, then, and with the manga receiving laudable praise for its unique premise, well-written characters and striking artwork, we expect the anime will be a monster-sized hit too.
Here’s everything we know about Kaiju No. 8, including release dates, trailer and cast.
Kaiju No. 8 release date
Kaiju No. 8 is very nearly here – and will hit Crunchyroll on 13th April 2024.
New episodes will be available weekly on Saturdays at 3pm BST.
Just 3 days until the battle begins! Kaiju No. 8 is coming, and you won’t want to miss it!#KaijuNo8 pic.twitter.com/aCYwJwruPU
— KAIJU NO. 8 (@KaijuNo8_O_EN) April 10, 2024
Dubs will also be released in multiple different languages – English, Latin American Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Castilian Spanish, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Ahead of the season premiere, fans have been given sneak peeks at the show on social media – and it looks completely epic.
Kaiju No. 8 cast
The following cast members are set to appear in Kaiju No. 8:
- Masaya Fukunishi as Kafka Hibino/Kaiju No. 8
- Asami Seto as Mina Ashiro
- Wataru Katoh as Reno Ichikawa
- Fairouz Ai as Kikoru Shinomiya
- Kengo Kawanishi as Soshiro Hoshina
- Yuki Shin as Iharu Furuhashi
- Keisuke Komoto as Haruichi Izumo
- Shunsuke Takeuchi as Aoi Kaguragi
What is the plot of Kaiju No. 8?
The official synopsis for Kaiju No. 8 reads: “In a world plagued by creatures known as Kaiju, Kafka Hibino aspired to enlist in The Defense Force.
“He makes a promise to enlist with his childhood friend, Mina Ashiro. Soon, life takes them in separate ways.
“While employed cleaning up after Kaiju battles, Kafka meets Reno Ichikawa. Reno’s determination to join The Defense Force reawakens Kafka’s promise to join Mina and protect humanity.”
Series creator Naoya Matsumoto was also present at Crunchyroll’s industry panel at the 2023 New York Comic Con panel, and more than happy to give audiences a little explanation into the inner workings of the series: “[Kaiju No. 8] is a story about someone struggling in a harsh world without ever giving up, in the hopes of leading people into an even slightly brighter future.
“To anyone dealing with the complexities of reality that reads this manga, I hope it can help make your future a little brighter, too.”
The basic outline of Kaiju No. 8 is actually a little similar to Spider-Man – 32-year-old Kafka Hibino is a blue-collar worker who dreams of a more aspirational life, fighting alongside his longtime friend Mina Ashiro.
However, he’s instead tasked with cleaning toilets.
That is, until he accidentally finds himself at the centre of a life-changing accident that gives him the ability to transform into a human-like kaiju. Basically, instead of Spider-Man, he’s Godzilla-Man.
The series is being directed by Shigeyuki Miya (director and character designer of Onihei; director of The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior) and Tomomi Kamiya (Yotsuiro Biyori).
Kaiju No. 8 trailer
The latest trailer for Kaiju No. 8 can be seen below:
Kaiju No. 8 is coming to Crunchyroll on 13th April 2024.
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