Kaiju No. 8 has been a welcome addition to the world of weebs. This manga has achieved unprecedented amounts of popularity for its unique plot base, great art, and contemporary relevance.
Couple that great combination with some Kaiju monsters and a dystopian setting and we have a stellar anime. That’s probably why many fans have compared this anime, Kaiju No. 8 to the likes of Attack on Titan.
The Kaiju No. 8 manga has had a maximum of 1.2 million copies in circulation as recently as March 2021. Only 2 volumes, Kaiju No 8 Volume 1 and 2, are in circulation.
A manga series written and illustrated by the mangaka Naoya Matsumoto, Kaiju No 8 is available for free reading on Shonen Jump+. You can read the manga on Viz Media or Shueisha. This manga has been received well to the point of it getting a nomination for 2021’s 14th Manga Taisho.
So, let’s take a look at why this Shonen manga has struck a chord with many fans!
Engaging and Thrilling Plot
The plot takes place in a dystopian Japan, which has been run over by Kaiju monsters. These monsters have become a huge public calamity. Thus, Japan has formed an organization called the Japanese Defense Force to fight off Kaiju monsters.
The plot highlights this situation by taking us through the trials and tribulations of Kafka Hibino. Kafka has always wanted to be a part of the Defence Force since childhood but has failed the exam many times. Thus, he’s part of the cleanup crew, Monster Sweeper Inc, and helps in disposing of Kaiju corpses.
One fateful day after a tiny monster enters him via the mouth, he metamorphosizes into a monster himself and gains supernatural strength.
Beautiful and Intricately Detailed Art of Kaiju No 8
The art of Kaiju No 8 is remarkably beautiful and clean that it evokes interest and thrill in the story. However, its depictions of Kaiju monsters and fights can get incredibly violent and grotesque. So, if you’re triggered by these imageries, be warned.
Apt Literary Allusions to Franz Kafka’s Literary Classic The Metamorphosis
Antonie Mireles, writing for The Fandom Post, speculated that the main character’s name might be a reference to Franz Kafka. Franz Kafka was a German-language writer who wrote novels and short stories that revealed his nihilistic and pessimistic view of life.
His remarkable story, The Metamorphosis, tells the tale of a man who wakes up one day to discover that he’s turned into a giant bug. It dealt with themes like the burden of responsibility, isolation, and alienation from modernity, etc. These are themes that even Kaiju No 8 deals with.
Will There be a Kaiju No 8 anime?
Unfortunately, there have been no such announcements of the release of Kaiju No 8 anime. Hopefully, with the release of more manga volumes, there will be a Kaiju No 8 soon.
