Yes, we’re talking about “Kaiju No. 8” again, and honestly, I don’t think any of you would complain, right? Well, that’s how it is: we all know that “Kaiju No. 8” is one of the most significant anime at the moment, and it has made a considerable impact during its first season; the fan community has been extremely satisfied and excited about the action, the plot, and the development the series has had. And, as we had mentioned previously in our last article about this franchise, it was expected that new information pointing to its next season would emerge, but none of us could have imagined or expected so much:
Through official channels, news about “Kaiju No. 8” has flooded the networks of fans, both of the anime and the manga: it has finally been announced that, as we could assume, this animated adaptation will have a second season scheduled to premiere at some point in 2025 in Japan.
Additionally, the same 56-second preview also announces the scheduled premiere of a compilation movie of the first season, as we have seen with many other anime, like “Demon Slayer,” which will also arrive alongside a special OVA focused on the vice-captain of the Third Division of the Defense Force, Yoshihiro Hoshina, titled “Hoshina’s Day Off,” and which will also reach Japanese cinemas next year.
“Kaiju No. 8,” also known by its original Japanese title, “Kaijuu 8-gou,” is a manga in the action, adventure, kaijuu, and science fiction genres, written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto, and its publication began in July 2020 in the digital magazine Jump+ by the famous publisher Shueisha. The announcement of the anime adaptation came in August 2022, and was undertaken by Production I.G.
This adaptation of “Kaiju No. 8” consisted of 12 episodes, and it premiered from April to June, during the spring season of this year 2024 in Japan, being available worldwide through the popular platform Crunchyroll. The opening theme called “Abyss” was performed by English singer Yungblud and the closing theme called “Nobody” was performed by the American band OneRepublic.
Production Info
- Shigeyuki Miya (Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou, Blood Lad) and Tomomi Kamiya (Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuukoku no Moriarty, Carole & Tuesday) are in charge of directing the anime at Production I.G. studios.
- Ichirou Ookouchi (Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch, DEVILMAN crybaby, Guilty Crown, SK8 The Infinity) is responsible for writing and supervising the scripts.
- Tetsuya Nishio (Naruto, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Vampire in the Garden, Innocence) is in charge of character design and animation direction.
- Mahiro Maeda (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Rebuild of Evangelion, SSSS.GRIDMAN) is responsible for monster design at Studio Khara.
Synopsis
The plot of “Kaiju No. 8” positions us in a Japan constantly invaded by creatures called “kaiju” (kaijuu), monsters of various shapes and sizes, predominantly large, that cause catastrophes and wreak havoc wherever they go. They are, in fact, the reason for the existence of the “Defense Corps,” an armed group whose function is to annihilate the kaiju as soon as they arrive in the cities, and the “Monster Sweeper,” a cleaning service that takes care of the remains of the Kaiju corpses, once the Defense Corps has dealt with them.
At 32 years old, Kafka Hibino is one of the Monster Sweeper officials, who once aspired to join the Defense Corps. He had even made a promise with his childhood friend to enter the group and fight together, but over the years, he lost his hope.
One day, Kafka’s life turns around when a new guy, Reno Ichikawa, arrives intending to gain experience with kaijus by working at Monster Sweeper, to eventually join the Defense Corps. Reno motivates Kafka to try for his dream again, and fulfill his promise, but unfortunately, they are attacked by a residual kaiju, ending up in the hospital. At a certain moment, a small, flying kaiju enters Kafka’s body through his mouth, giving him the ability to transform into a kaiju. From that moment, Kafka, who has become publicly known in his kaiju form as “Kaiju No. 8” (for being the eighth kaiju to appear that year), must avoid revealing his identity at all costs if he wants to fulfill his dream and keep his promise.
Okay, we understand that our brains and hearts might not be able to handle so much excitement, between a second season, a movie, an OVA, and even a videogame on the way! Obviously, we can understand you because we are part of the same group, and we feel exactly like you. So, since we share the same heart, in addition to our obvious tastes, how about you stop by the comments and give us your thoughts on this news? And while you’re at it, you could leave us your favorite moments from the first season, which you undoubtedly have! You know, Kaijuu, we’ll be reading! 😉
Images Source: TOHOanimation Official YouTube Channel, ANIME TIME MEDIA
