Welcome back to Manga Unmasked! In this series, we take a deep dive into the various manga series available in our collection. So, whether you're already a fan of manga or just a curious reader, we hope you might learn a little about your next potential reading obsession. In this edition, kaiju are attacking and Kafka Hibino wants to join the fight against them, only... can he do that after becoming one?
Check out more manga explored with the Manga Unmasked series—My Hero Academia, Spy x Family, Sailor Moon, Wolf Children: Ame & Yuki, One-Punch Man, One Piece, Delicious in Dungeon, Apothecary Diaries, and Witch Hat Atelier.
Download the Libby App to access eBooks and digital audiobooks on your Apple or Android smart device. If you prefer to read on a larger device, go to www.aclib.us/LibbyApp for the browser option.
Don't see your favorite manga, anime, or author in this list or our collection? Suggest materials to add to our catalog.
Kaiju Alert
Kaiju No. 8 is a shounen science fiction manga à la Godzilla and Pacific Rim. This series is written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto. It was first serialized digitally in Shueisha's Shounen Jump+ app and website in July 2020, and the chapters have since been published digitally on Manga Plus. Viz Media has also published the series digitally since August 2020.
The published chapters have since been collected into 13 volumes.
In addition to Kaiju No. 8, Naoya Matsumoto wrote and illustrated Kaiju No. 8: B-Side (2024), Kaiju No. 8: Micchaku! Dai-3 Butai (2022), Pochi Kuro (2014), Neko Wappa! (2009).
Kaiju No. 8 hit the small screen in April 2024 with a second season confirmed. The series has expanded with two spin-off manga, a light novel, and a video game.
The Kaiju No. 8 manga was listed among the 12 best manga series of 2020 by The Fandom Post, the 11 best manga series of 2021 by Kotaku, the top 10 manga of 2021 by School Library Journal, and the best comics of 2021 by Polygon. Kaiju No. 8 also ranked third on the 2022 list of best manga for male readers by Kono Manga ga Sugoi! and second on the Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2022.
Kaiju Cleanup
Kaiju are walking disasters, giant monsters that have plagued the world for centuries—particularly in Japan, the country with the highest rate of attacks. From the smaller yoju class kaiju to the larger, stronger honju to the abnormally powerful diakaiju, these attacks devastate cities and endanger the lives of all in their path.
Enter the Japanese Defense Force. These specially trained and armored combat specialists are tasked with defending the populace and destroying the kaiju wreaking havoc on Japan. After their heroics are celebrated, their mess needs cleaning up. This task falls on the workers of Monster Sweeper Inc.—a kaiju body disposal company.
Which is where we first meet our protagonist.
More Than Meets the Eye
Kafka Hibino
Kaiju No. 8
At 32-years-old, Kafka Hibino still daydreams about his promise to his childhood friend, Mina Ashiro: they would join the Japanese Defense Force to fight kaiju side by side. Unfortunately, after repeated failed attempts to pass the exam to get into the training program and aging out of the opportunity, Hibino is stuck working kaiju cleanup. It's a dirty, thankless job, but someone has to do it.
That's enough. Isn't it?
Meeting Reno Ichikawa and learning the age restriction has been moved up restores Hibino's hope and determination to try again. One problem. A mysterious creature has turned Kafka Hibino into a powerful kaiju. Can a kaiju really join the Defense Force?
Reno Ichikawa
Reno Ichikawa started as a part-time worker for Monster Sweeper Inc. to get experience breaking down kaiju, believing the skill will come in handy when trying out for the Defense Force.
When he witnessed Hibino transform into a kaiju, he became his trusted confidant and attempted protector. Can he support Kafka Hibino while they both attempt to join the Defense Force?
- Kaiju No. 8 Volumes
**This list includes a brief summary of the events in each book. Here there be spoilers, so read the later summaries at your own risk.
Image
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 1 by Naoya Matsumoto
With the highest kaiju-emergence rates in the world, Japan is no stranger to attack by deadly monsters. Enter the Japan Defense Force, a military organization tasked with the neutralization of kaiju. Kafka Hibino, a kaiju-corpse cleanup man, has always dreamed of joining the force. But when he gets another shot at achieving his childhood dream, he undergoes an unexpected transformation. How can he fight kaiju now that he’s become one himself?!
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.
Image
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 2 by Naoya Matsumoto
The final test of the Defense Force has come to an end, but the examinees’ challenges aren’t over yet. A mysterious humanoid kaiju revives a neutralized honju and sics it on Kikoru Shinomiya. Just when Kikoru seems to be at the end of her rope, Kafka rushes to her defense! But what is the humanoid kaiju’s goal?
Image
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 3 by Naoya Matsumoto
Kafka manages to fight off a humanoid kaiju, rescuing Iharu and Reno. But before he can change back to his human form, Kafka is spotted by Defense Force officers, and the neutralization unit—led by none other than Vice-Captain Hoshina himself—is dispatched to dispose of him. Can Kafka withstand his superior officer’s attacks without revealing his true identity?!
Image
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 4 by Naoya Matsumoto
The raid on the Defense Force’s Tachikawa base continues as the officers expend their efforts to fend off the yoju. Meanwhile, Hoshina unleashes his full combat power to take on the daikaiju—the mightiest kaiju of the group. Just when the battle seems to be over, the daikaiju transforms and Kafka’s detection ability reacts to it! Can Kafka find a way to save the day without revealing his secret?
Image
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 5 by Naoya Matsumoto
The Defense Force has taken Kafka into custody and has plans to dispose of him. Kafka attempts to plead his case with Director General Shinomiya, wielder of the mighty Kaiju No. 2’s power and the person lauded as the strongest in Defense Force history. But when Kafka’s pleas fail to move the director general, he winds up facing him in combat! What’s more, he starts to lose control of his kaiju form! Can Kafka keep it together long enough to save his own skin?
Image
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 6 by Naoya Matsumoto
Kafka has encountered Kaiju No. 9, but he finds himself unable to transform. Luckily, Kikoru comes to the rescue and goes head-to-head with it. Meanwhile, the Kaiju No. 9 that Captain Narumi encountered undergoes an evolution during battle! With the pressure on, Director General Shinomiya is left with no choice but to act!
Image
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 7 by Naoya Matsumoto
Kaiju No. 9 shows up to steal the power of Kaiju No. 2, wielded by Isao Shinomiya, director general of the Defense Force. At the end of the deadly battle, Isao manages to get No. 9 on the ropes, but he ends up exhausting all his strength, allowing the kaiju to steal No. 2’s power. With Isao defeated, No. 9 fuses with the director general and takes on Kafka, Kikoru, and Narumi! Will they be able to defeat No. 9 and save their fearless leader?!
Image
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 8 by Naoya Matsumoto
Reno finally puts his Numbers Weapon training to the test in a live kaiju-combat field test. Meanwhile, Iharu, feeling left behind after witnessing Reno’s explosive progress, shifts his focus to improving his own skills—that is, until an abnormality strikes Reno during their neutralization mission and forces Iharu into action!
Image
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 9 by Naoya Matsumoto
With the looming threat of a cataclysm induced by No. 9, the next generation of the Defense Force takes steps to prepare. Reno undergoes training and becomes the first compatible user of No. 6 in history. Kafka sharpens his skills by learning squadron-style combat techniques under Hoshina’s tutelage. Meanwhile, Kikoru gets clearance from Narumi to inherit a powerful memento that once belonged to her mother.
Image
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 10 by Naoya Matsumoto
With kaiju cataclysms transpiring across Japan, Hoshina heads into battle equipped with Numbers Weapon 10. Hoshina soon discovers, however, that wielding the first-ever sentient kaiju weapon won’t be as easy as he thinks. Meanwhile, back in the Oizumi area where Kafka is, six supergiant class kaiju emerge, worsening an already grave situation. But just as things get dire, some unexpected backup arrives!
More to come!
Image
Image
Image
Anime Available on Crunchyroll