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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Manga

Kaiju No. 8

Kaiju No.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kaiju No. 8 is a Japanese manga series by Naoya Matsumoto that follows Kafka Hibino, a man who gains the ability to transform into a kaiju while trying to join Japan's Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. The series also received an anime adaptation that premiered in 2024. The manga ran from 2020 until 2025.

Premise

The series is set in a Japan threatened by recurring kaiju attacks and follows Kafka Hibino as he tries to join the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force after unexpectedly gaining the power to become a kaiju himself.

Publication and adaptation

Kaiju No. 8 was created by Naoya Matsumoto and published as a manga from 2020 to 2025. An anime adaptation by Production I.G aired in 2024.

Main characters

Kafka Hibino is the central protagonist, and the story also prominently features Mina Ashiro, his childhood friend and a Defense Force commander.

Reception and release status

The manga ended in 2025 after a five-year run, while the first anime season finished airing in June 2024.

Key facts

  • Kafka Hibino is a 32-year-old kaiju cleanup worker who gains kaiju powers.
  • Kafka becomes known as Kaiju No. 8 after a parasitic creature grants him transformation abilities.
  • The manga ran from 2020 to 2025 and was written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto.
  • The anime adaptation by Production I.G aired from April to June 2024 with 12 episodes.
  • The story is set in a Japan regularly attacked by kaiju, with the Defense Force protecting the country.
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Canadian context

The series is widely available in English-language manga and anime markets that serve Canadian readers, and its anime adaptation is part of the broader international release of Japanese animation.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kaiju No. 8 about?
It follows Kafka Hibino, who gains the power to transform into a kaiju and tries to join the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force while hiding his secret.
Who is the main character in Kaiju No. 8?
The main character is Kafka Hibino.
How many episodes of Kaiju No. 8 are there?
The first anime season has 12 episodes.
Is Kaiju No. 8 finished?
Yes. The manga ended in 2025, and the first anime season finished airing in June 2024.
Where to watch Kaiju No. 8?
The provided search results do not list official streaming services. They do confirm that the anime aired in 2024 and that it is a television series.
Who is Kaiju No. 8's voice actor?
The provided search results do not identify a single voice actor for Kaiju No. 8. If you mean Kafka Hibino in the anime, the cast listing is not included in the search results provided here.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiju_No._8
    Supports: Premise involving Kafka Hibino, kaiju transformation, and the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21975436/plotsummary/
    Supports: Detailed plot summary and identification of Kafka Hibino as the central character.
  3. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiju_No._8
    Supports: Manga series by Naoya Matsumoto and character/cast information.
  4. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiju_no_8
    Supports: Kafka Hibino as protagonist and manga context.
  5. Wikipedia (Portuguese) — https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiju_No._8
    Supports: Anime adaptation by Production I.G and release window.
  6. MyAnimeList — https://myanimelist.net/anime/52588/Kaijuu_8-gou
    Supports: 12 episodes, airing dates, and finished first season status.
  7. ScreenRant — https://screenrant.com/kaiju-no-8-ending-explained/
    Supports: Manga ending in 2025.