Recently, we've been out of touch with the current anime events. But even if we're not a hardcore news junkie as we were a few months ago, we are great with catching up.
Still, we caught wind of Kaiju No. 8, a really great manga that will soon hit your favorite streaming platforms. With its first episode scheduled for April 13, 2024, it's the best time to talk about this upcoming anime.
Also, read the updated list of 2024 anime.
Kaiju No. 8 Plot
Set in a world plagued by strong and violent Kaiju, humans must put up a fight, or they'll face extinction. As a kaiju magnet since the Showa era (1966), Japan faces the most attacks. We're not surprised!
Thus, the country established the Anti-Kaiju Japanese Defense Force. Using materials looted from defeated Kaijus, the resistance could craft power suits and weapons. The stronger the Kaiju, determined by fortitude levels, the more powerful the armor.
Then we have the Daikaijus, which are the types of monsters with the highest fortitude levels. Their hides are so strong that the tools forged from them become weapons of platoon leaders. The Defense Force follows a typical hierarchy observed in government armies.
Kafka Hibino is a 32-year-old man who failed to join the Defense Force despite many attempts. Thus, he became a crew in the clean-up team, which disposed of remains and debris after a bloody battle. Think of Demon Slayer's Kakushis, who are either disabled or those who didn't pass the Final Selection exam and became attendants to support those in the fighters.
His day as a loser ended when a Kaiju entered his body through his mouth. From then on, he could access the Kaiju's powers at will. He became Kaiju No. 8, and as someone who retains his morale and decision-making capabilities despite being a Kaiju, Kafka must join the Defense Force to fulfill a dream and his promise while keeping his condition a secret.
The Ultraman Reference
If you think that the title relates to Ultraman, Godzilla, and other TOHO creations, that's because you're not wrong.
According to the author Naoya Matsumoto, he was inspired by the Ultraman series, particularly Ultraseven and Shin Godzilla. He also added that he wanted to create a story in which a protagonist wished to achieve his dream of combatting a world filled with monsters while hiding the fact that he was a monster himself.
Sounds familiar?
Well, maybe because it is. Many anime titles have a secret monster MC who has to "navigate" their way through a double-agent life. We expect the fights to be as exhilarating as the protagonist's struggles to hide his real identity from a group that eliminates Kaijus.
The Psychology of Numbers
Kaiju No. 8 is a promising manga and could cause a worldwide craze after its debut as an anime. One of its charms is the advantage of using numbers.
The fortitude levels, Daikaiju numbers, and the percentage of combat power are interesting elements that warrant a show's sensibility. With math and science involved, it's safe to have an impression that it won't be easy to do an ass-pull outcome from nowhere.
The use of numbers quickly catches an audience's attention. It prepares viewers to take notes or prepare for an explanation of something very important. Otherwise, they'll miss out on a lot.
Hence, we're about to mention a list of anime like Kaiju No. 8. Not only do they use the hexes of numbers, but these titles will also give you a plot with the same dose of drama and action.
Anime Like Kaiju No. 8
Without further ado, let's continue to this list of anime you might want to watch while waiting for Kaiju No. 8's first episode.
Demon Slayer
As mentioned earlier, the hierarchy leads us to think that the platoon commanders are on the same level as the revered Hashiras or Pillars from Demon Slayer. On the other hand, those with bad swordsmanship or luck had to devote a good amount of time as support.
A bigger resemblance is the presentation of Demon Lord Muzan Kibutsuji's ranked demons. Though the Twelve Moons have names, every fan takes note of their numbers well to reckon their strength and killing ability.
Gantz
With tight armor suits and rewards upon annihilating high-level monsters, one will definitely remember Gantz while watching Kaiju No. 8. Although the show gave us an initial impression that everything's happening in a made-up world, fans will easily discard that fact and automatically compare it to Hiroya Oku's masterpiece.
Attack on Titan
Becoming one of his hated beings, Eren must have gone through intense disbelief and self-spite. Once a normal corps student, he had to access the Titan's powers to be on equal footing with other towering flesh-eating giants.
Other anime like Kaiju No. 8
- Parasyte
- Tokyo Ghoul
- Solo Leveling
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- Jagaaaaaan
- One Punch Man
- My Hero Academia
Where To Watch Kaiju No 8
The anime series Kaiju No. 8 will air on Japanese television via Tokyo TV on April 13, 2024. Viz Media will be its English publisher for North American release.
Crunchyroll has already licensed the franchise for streamers outside of Asia and will release dubbed versions in many languages.
Meanwhile, Netflix is set to stream Kaiju No. 8 in select territories. Medialink has also licensed the series for the benefit of the Asian region.
