Kaiju No. 8 Chapter 38 – The Kaiju Weaponry

Clarity has finally been attributed toward the intentions of the Kaiju faction antagonizing humanity. Not only do the Kaiju seek to eliminate humanity but they also wish to recover the power of their brethren that have fallen into the hands of humanity over the decades. And in humanities case, we also learn how the option of converting Kaiju into weaponry has supplemented their fear and added to the opposition of alternative methods in dealing with Numbered Kaiju. Kafka’s case and Isao’s desire to use his power is unprecedented. Humanity in the past (in regards to Japan) were too afraid of the Kaiju that they never once considered that the Kaiju they were exposed too weren’t representative of every single Kaiju in existence. If humanity were aware that there were Kaiju that were willing to work with humanity, would they act differently?

Kaiju No. 8 Chapter 37 – The Human Of Monster #8

Cornered into a position that threatens his promise, Kafka consolidates every essence of his being to will his body into action and away from the blind rage consuming the Kaiju within him. To stop Monster #8, Kafka first stops himself. The hand that pierced his core jolted his mind back into consciousness. Injured yet in control, Kafka meets Isao’s regret with a expression of who he is. Kafka is not Monster #8, he IS Kafka Hibino. After such a display, beyond the terror Monster #8 can bring, the Defense Force now has concrete proof that Kafka can stop himself from running rampant if such a situation arises. The evidence Kafka has provided should be enough to merit his survival despite the risk it could pose to the Defense Force. And if Chief Shinomiya oversees Kafka’s presence, the Defense Force should be more comfortable allowing Kafka to remain within the Defense Force.

Kaiju No.8 Chapter 23-27 – Kikoru Rising

Destruction. That is the objective sought by the Kaiju currently in the process of assaulting the Defense Force base. More than one Humanoid Kaiju determining such a tactic, the planned attack appears scripted by a larger force heading the Kaiju terrorizing the denizens of the world. Whether that goal be the extermination of humanity or a distraction for a more overt mission or the desire to draw out Monster #8 or something else entirely, the Kaiju faction behind this attack are committed. The Kaiju prepared countermeasures for the attack patterns utilised by the Defense Force and even singled out the strongest member on the base to keep them away from the Kaiju infantry. With Soshiro occupied by the Humanoid Kaiju, it has been left to Kikoru to lead the others troop members against the Base Kaiju.

Kaiju No.8 Chapter 22 – Celebration

With all the Defense Force recruits recovered and gathered, a celebration is held in light of their accomplishments achieved during their first mission. A mission that ended in success and discovery. The celebration gathers all the Defense Force rookies together which on deeper inspections is a moment none of the members will get to experience again as some will inevitable fall before the next gathering. Deep down, the Defense Force rookies are aware of this. And through that introspection of ones own self and abilities, certain characters lost in the background become more prominent and noticeable.

Kaiju No.8 Chapter 21 – Retreating Into Obscurity

The Humanoid Kaiju continues its infiltration of human society by changing the body it guises itself as. Understanding the failure of its mission to silence those who discover its identity and presence, it has no choice but to abandon the identity it posed as previously in favour of a face not targeted by the Defense Force whom have labelled it, Monster #9. Additionally, with Monster #9 aware of the problems Monster #8 poses to their well being and their mission, it resolves to kill Monster #8 once it gets used to its new body.

Kaiju No.8 Chapter 18 – Kafka VS Humanoid Kaiju

Rage. Unbridled and Seething. The sight of his comrades state drives Kafka into a mode completely dominant over the Humanoid Kaiju that moments before had it playing with Reno and Iharu’s lives by experimenting on the resilience of their battle suits. Now with Kafka’s response precipitated, the Humanoid Kaiju attempts to collect Kaiju #8 as a corpse yet the ignorance shaping its perspective makes it blind to the true monster standing in front of it. Unleashed and craving retribution, Kafka closes in to the Humanoid Kaiju with the stare of an executioner.

Kaiju No.8 Chapter 15-17 – Battle Against The Humanoid Kaiju

For a second there, I was worried Leno would die. Even though his death could have served a purpose to drive the story, I have grown really fond of his character so I am glad the direction the manga is heading involves Leno being alive and developing alongside Kafka, Kikoru and the other Defense Force members. Further, I wasn’t expecting Iharu to get such focus in this moment. I suspected Leno would send him away to get help but to have Iharu wrestle with his own past and doubt in himself, that was a welcome addition to the developments in this arc. It helped create a defining moment for Iharu. Even though the Humanoid Kaiju was too overwhelming for both Leno and Iharu, they managed to delay it long enough for help in the form of Kaiju No.8 to arrive. With Kafka and the Humanoid Kaiju having now encountered each other, I am fascinated to learn what the Humanoid Kaiju has to say about Kaiju No.8.

Kaiju No. 8 Chapter 13-14 – Beyond The Threshold

What a captivating display of power. Unleashed overwhelming power. Ashiro Mina has expressed to all those present just what is capable from one person when the force of their will exceeds the boundaries of rational limitation. And beyond just taking down the Kaiju, Mina ensured it was completely annihilated. Any unexpected surprise the Kaiju may have held due to a lack of information could be removed through destroying it completely. One could say that Kaiju was eli-Mina-ted O.o.

Kaiju No. 8 Chapter 12 – First Mission

Circumstances aren’t going to unravel the way the Defense Force envisions. The wall has already begun crumbling and the hands of the evolved Kaiju have started manipulating lesser Kaiju toward an intention yet to be revealed. Events precipitating destruction only seem to serve as a precursor toward a larger narrative behind Kaiju and Humanity. The new recruits face their first mission but are they truly aware of what they are fighting for? And who?

Kaiju No. 8 Chapter 8-11 – Hiding In Plain Sight

Apart from the Defense Force being aware of an increase in activity by the Kaiju, they appear oblivious to the extent of the Kaiju’s true capabilities. Furthermore, would the Kaiju have lulled the human race into such a frozen state that challenging the concept of Kaiju having higher intelligence seems implausible to the Defense Force? And lets not forget the mini-dragonmosquitofly that had itself consumed by Kafka after intentionally choosing and locating him. Something doesn’t add up and I suspect deeper involvement between the Kaiju and the human race or at least a faction of the Kaiju. But answers to those mysteries will have to wait as the focus has now shifted to Kaiju integrating themselves directly into human society via the Kaiju Cleaning Company, Monster Sweepers Inc.