Series synopsis
Kaiju No. 8, also known as 怪獣８号 is a Japanese animation action & adventure sci-fi & fantasy television series that premiered on TV Tokyo on April 13, 2024. It stars Masaya Fukunishi, Asami Seto, Wataru Katoh and Kengo Kawanishi.
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.
Premise
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.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Masaya Fukunishi as Kafka Hibino / Kaiju No. 8 (voice)
- Asami Seto as Mina Ashiro (voice)
- Wataru Katoh as Reno Ichikawa (voice)
- Kengo Kawanishi as Soshiro Hoshina (voice)
Guest cast
- Fairouz Ai as Kikoru Shinomiya (voice)
- Yutaka Aoyama as Masahide Tokuda (voice)
- Mitsuru Miyamoto as Mizoguchi (voice)
- Megumi Han as Kafka Hibino as a Child (voice)
- TARAKO as Mysterious Young Beast (voice)
- Hiroki Tanaka as Street Announcement (voice)
- Sayaka Kamitani as Female Student (voice)
- Hitomi Kitazaki as Youngster's Mother (voice)
- Yuuki Takada as Girl (voice)
- Sachiko Kojima as Girl's Mother (voice)
- Hiroshi Iwasaki as Old Man (voice)
- Tomokazu Seki as AI (voice)
Episodes
This series spans 4 seasons with 55 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 32 | December 6, 2024 | July 4, 2025 |
| Season 1 | 23 | April 13, 2024 | September 27, 2025 |
| Season 2 | 0 | July 19, 2025 | September 27, 2025 |
| Season 3 | 0 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minute! Kaiju No. 8 #01: Cleaning Company Ranking Invasion! | December 6, 2024 |
| 2 | Minute! Kaiju No. 8 #02: Communication Training! | December 13, 2024 |
| 3 | Minute! Kaiju No. 8 #03: Girls Talk Operation! | December 20, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Man Who Became a Kaiju Kafka Hibino has almost abandoned his dream of joining the anti-Kaiju "Defense Force." He now works in Kaiju clean-up, disposing of the bodies of slain Kaiju and thinking back with regret to the days he spent with his childhood friend Mina Ashiro, captain of Defense Force's Third Division. |
April 13, 2024 |
| 2 |
The Kaiju Who Defeats Kaiju After turning into a Kaiju, Kafka is forced to flee. His escape is interrupted, however, by the arrival of another Kaiju... |
April 20, 2024 |
| 3 |
Revenge Match Kafka arrives for one last shot at the Defense Force entry exam... but can he pass while keeping his Kaiju powers a secret? |
April 27, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Kaiju Weapon Kafka goes on a mission with his new squad and faces Kaiju No. 9 once again. |
July 19, 2025 |
| 2 |
The Next Generation's Trial A challenge begins for the next generation of the Defense Force. |
July 26, 2025 |
| 3 |
The Strongest Division A challenge begins for the next generation of the Defense Force. |
August 2, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TBA |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | TV Tokyo |
|---|---|
| First aired | April 13, 2024 |
| Last aired | September 27, 2025 |
| Runtime | 24 minutes |
| Status | Returning Series |
| Schedule | Saturday at 23:30:00 |