AniManga Scroll

📚 Origin & Publication

Kaiju No. 8 (怪獣８号) is a Japanese manga series created by Naoya Matsumoto. It began serialization on Shonen Jump+ in July 2020 and quickly became one of the platform’s most successful titles, praised for its fresh take on the kaiju genre and its relatable protagonist, Kafka Hibino.

Set in a Japan constantly under siege by monstrous kaiju, the story follows Kafka—an average cleanup crew worker—who gains the ability to transform into a kaiju himself, giving rise to the titular anti-hero, “Kaiju No. 8.”

• Author/Illustrator: Naoya Matsumoto
• Published by: Shueisha (JP), VIZ Media (EN)
• Serialization Start: July 2020
• Volumes: 12+ (as of 2025)
• Status: Ongoing

Kaiju No. 8 balances brutal monster-hunting action with themes of perseverance, aging, and redemption. The art is clean, sharp, and cinematic—perfectly capturing kaiju-scale destruction and intense battles.

• Serialized in: Shonen Jump+ (digital)
• Notable Themes:
  • Mid-life dreams vs. duty
  • Military life & monster threats
  • Power, humanity, and control

🎥 Anime Adaptation

The long-anticipated anime adaptation finally debuted in 2024, animated by Production I.G with kaiju designs by Studio Khara (of Evangelion fame). The series brings Kafka’s transformation to life with intense visuals and a bombastic soundtrack.

📺 Seasons Overview:

🧙‍♂️ Main Characters

🌍 Global Impact

Despite its short run (so far), Kaiju No. 8 is already a breakout hit worldwide. Its premise—an adult finally getting his shot at greatness—is refreshing in a genre dominated by teens.

• 📈 Over 13 million copies in circulation
• 🔥 Weekly Jump+’s fastest-growing title
• 💥 Huge hype around its anime debut
• 🌐 International fanbase on TikTok, Reddit, and Twitter

🎮 Games & Merchandise

While there’s no standalone video game (yet), Kaiju No. 8 has been featured in mobile game collaborations and official merchandise is widely available—from figures to posters and T-shirts.

• Mobile collabs: With Jump+ games
• Merch: Premium Bandai, Animate, Crunchyroll Store

📖 Where to Read & Watch

• Read: VIZ Media, Shonen Jump app
• Watch: Crunchyroll
• Buy Manga: Amazon, RightStuf, Bookstores