It looks like Kaiju No. 8 isn’t the only strongest monster in Production I.G’s anime adaptation of Naoyo Matsumoto’s manga. Kaiju No. 8 Episode 4, Fortitude 9.8, introduced a new villain in the form of Kaiju No. 9. So, who is this big bad and what are his powers?
Warning: Major spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.
Just when Kikoru Shinomiya thought she had killed all the kaiju and the final level of the defense member selection exam had ended, the last monster she defeated was brought back to life in Kaiju No. 8 Episode 4. A different kind of Kaiju appeared alongside the gigantic monster that Kikoru had previously killed. He shot Kikoru in the heart, but her suit helped her heal. After seeing her still moving, the mysterious kaiju talked to the monster and asked it to chew Kikoru before swallowing to ensure her death, surprising the latter.
Though the latest episode hadn't revealed the new villain’s name yet, its official X (formerly Twitter) page introduced the new additions to the series cast and shared photos of the new characters. Hiroyuki Yoshino would be the voice of Kaiju No. 9, while Tomokazu Sugita would play Takamichi Hodaka, the human version of the monster.
Who is Kaiju No. 9 in Kaiju No. 8 manga and anime?
In Kaiju No. 8 manga, Kaiju No. 9 is introduced as the series' main antagonist. He’s a humanoid Identified Kaiju who has the ability to revive the monsters that the Defense Force has killed. This way, he takes back the kaiju powers that the humans steal. As a human, he’s part of the Professional Kaiju Cleaning Company Monster Sweeper Inc., where Kakfa Hibino works.
However, Takimichi Hotaka isn’t his only human disguise. He later disguises himself as Kanji Nagamine and Isao Shinomiya.
Alternatively, his character description in the anime is that of a humanoid monster with unprecedented characteristics. He has the ability to understand and manipulate language. He can also command other monsters to do what he says. Though he’s revealed to be Takimichi, his true identity is shrouded in mystery.
What is Kaiju No. 8 about?
Kaiju No. 8 follows the story of Kafka Hibino, who also gave up on his dream of becoming a Defense Force member and working alongside his childhood friend Mina Ashiro. But while working as a janitor at Monster Sweeper Inc., his life dramatically changed when a small Kaiju entered his mouth and transformed him into a Kaiju himself. This finally gives him a chance to be part of the Defense Force. However, he has to hide his dual identity to survive.
You can read the synopsis below:
Kafka hopes to one day keep his pact with his childhood friend Mina to join the Japan Defense Force and fight by her side. But while she’s out neutralizing kaiju as Third Division captain, Kafka is stuck cleaning up the aftermath of her battles. When a sudden rule change makes Kafka eligible for the Defense Force, he decides to try out for the squad once more. There’s just one problem—he’s made the Defense Force’s neutralization list under the code name Kaiju No. 8.
The anime is based on the manga of the same title by Naoya Matsumoto. It has been serialized since July 2020 and has collected 12 tankobon volumes. Viz Media has licensed the manga in English. Production I.G then adapts it into anime, premiering in April 2024 and releasing four episodes so far.
Kaiju No. 8 Episodes 1 to 4 are now available to stream on Crunchyroll, while new episodes are set to be released every Saturday.
By the looks of it, Kafka’s Kaiju No. 8 has already found his match in Kaiju No. 9. With his introduction in Episode 4, more of this villain will be seen and a match with the titular character will soon happen.
