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With over 13 million copies in circulation of the hit manga, Kaiju No. 8, it's no surprise it got an anime adaptation. Beginning serialization in Shonen Jump's web app in 2020 it exploded in popularity thanks to its unique premise, characters and artwork. If you haven't gotten in on the craze but are interested in a blend of adventure and sci-fi with a twist on the classic kaiju genre, Kaiju No. 8 might be just what you're looking for. Let's dive into the world and take a look at some of the characters (and figures) fans have loved!

The story is set in a world where monstrous creatures known as kaiju regularly wreak havoc. As with most kaiju stories, Japan uses its military to battle them. In Kaiju No. 8, Japan establishes the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. Kaiju are assigned a fortitude level based on strength, with higher levels given a number as an identifier. The numbers aren't related to power but instead solely based on when they first appear.

Borrowing from Monster Hunter, in this world Defense Force officers wear power suits made from kaiju remains. Luckily we don't have to sit through hundreds of skinning cutscenes! These suits grant them increased strength, speed and durability. The suit's power varies from person to person depending on their ability and influence how strong an officer's weapons are.

Those kaiju who are strong enough to be numbered are used to create stronger weapons. These special weapons can only be wielded by a small group of individuals that are deemed compatible. With power far exceeding a normal kaiju suit, the heroes of the story obviously emerge. Kaiju No. 8 is definitely a fresh take on kaiju storytelling but it is a shonen story after all. Typical shonen tropes are very much present.

As a shonen story at its core, Kaiju No. 8 follows the basic structure of the hero's journey. Our main protagonist, Kafka Hibino, has their home town destroyed by kaiju. He vowed to become a member of the Defense Force, but life doesn't always pan out. After failing the examination numerous times (and surprisingly not being a shouting high school boy), he is part of the clean-up crew that gets rid of the kaiju remains after the real heroes do the fighting.

His motivation gets reignited and he sets his eyes again on achieving his goal of joining the Defense Force. Except this time he is also a kaiju. He ends up ingesting a kaiju and gains the ability to transform into one. In kaiju mode, he is granted a number, 8, but he attempts to keep this new found ability a secret while aiming to rise the ranks and protect humanity. The author might have been a fan of Attack on Titan 👀

With the anime doing well, Good Smile Company and Kotobukiya have both gone all in on Kaiju No. 8. For those on a budget, we have decent Kafka and Kaiju No.8 figures as part of a Pop Up Parade series.

Kotobukiya has done the same with 1/8 scales of both. As part of their ARTFX J figure line, we have nicely done action oriented figures of Kafka and Kaiju No. 8.

These can be nicely mixed and matched depending on budget and preference allowing you to build a collection including just about all the main characters. Both companies have multiple figures from the show available for pre-order!

While we watch Kafka go from middle-aged failure to hero, his childhood friend achieves the goal. Mina Ashiro shared Kafka's dream to become a member of the Defense Force to fight kaiju together. Since their town was stomped on, she became the captain of the Defense Force's Third Division.

She's the type of person who'd bring a rocket launcher to a knife fight and still look elegant doing it. Mina's as fearless as they come, and her aim is so good she could probably shoot the wings off a fly. Serving as the rival to Kafka, Mina’s very impressive combat abilities are on full display. She is a source of inspiration for Kafka to reach her level and fight alongside her. Her character adds depth to the story with her leadership qualities and formidable strength, making her a fan-favorite.

Pop Up Parade delivers a figure that captures her cool, calm demeanor perfectly. Her hair blowing in the wind with a stern, determined gaze makes it clear, she is one chick you don't want to mess with.

Kotobukiya hasn't opened pre-orders yet for their ARTFX J figure but it shouldn't be much longer of a wait!

As Kafka is cleaning the streets of monster parts, he meets a young part-time worker, Reno Ichikawa. Reno is also an aspiring Defense Force member and his determination is infectious. It is Reno’s ambition that reignites Kafka’s desire to join the Defense Force.

Reno witnesses Kafka’s transformation into a kaiju and together they help each other join the Defense Force. When Kafka transforms, Reno supports him, emphasizing the power of friendship even in dire circumstances. Again, a typical shonen trope but the show handles it well.

Always thinking about how to become more powerful, Reno aims to eradicate the kaiju once and for all. His courage and determination make him a standout character. Despite the risks, Reno faces danger head-on, pushing his limits to become stronger. Kafka, Reno and Mina make up the core trio of the series.

Kotobukiya gives us a very nice figure of Reno. The pose captures the heat of the action as Reno takes aim.

The base for all the figures features a destroyed road so it is very easy to pair them together and create a cohesive visual.

The Pop Up Parade figure in comparison is very simple. Unlike with the Mina PUP figure, there isn’t much movement depicted in the Reno version. In my opinion the Kotobukiya one is worth the higher price tag but to each their own!

Kikoru Shinomiya hails from a prestigious lineage. She is not just a member of the Defense Force, but the daughter of the organization’s director. As such, she carries the weight of high expectations. Kikoru becomes the youngest entrant in the Defense Force, taking the entrance exam alongside Kafka and Reno. Taking great pride in her status as the director’s daughter and having exceptional combat capabilities she quickly rises in the ranks.

Kikoru starts off being a little arrogant. She likes to show off her skills to those she views as having abilities below hers. Her weapon of choice is a massive battle ax, built from parts of a powerful, numbered kaiju. Not limited to just melee abilities, she also likes to display her sharpshooting skills which makes her a versatile force on the battlefield.

Through her interactions with her comrades, we can see her personal growth. Her power stemmed from a desire to prove herself beyond her family name but she eventually begins to question her initial arrogance. For figures, we have our pick for the combat style we prefer. If you want Kikoru wielding her ax, showcasing her strength, Kotobukiya has you covered. Taking a confident pose, the ARTFX J figure perfectly captures Kikoru on the battlefield.

If you prefer the crew toting guns, then the Pop Up Parade version is what you are looking for. Good Smile is also able to grab that confident and arrogant air that surrounds Kikoru in the series.

Soushirou Hoshina is a Kaiju Slayer, part of a lineage that dates back to thousands of years. He is a Vice-Commander of the Defense Force and leads the group into battle against kaijus. Soushirou is an easygoing and carefree person, but his dedication to protecting others runs deep. He balances his responsibilities with a sense of humor, making him a relatable and endearing character.

Despite his laid-back demeanor, Soushirou possesses exceptional combat skills. Following his family tradition, he specializes in using bladed weapons to take down Kaiju threats. Soushirou's personal weapons are two swords which are sharp enough to slice through incredibly tough kaiju. He also wields a single katana as a secret weapon, only bringing it out when faced with a worthy foe.

Soushirou is a very interesting and well liked character, so much so that he has his own spin-off manga. If you’re interested in exploring more about Soushirou and his adventures, check out Kaijuu No. 8: B-Side!

Like Mina, Soushirou has a figure announced by Kotobukiya but it is not available for pre-order yet.

We can however take a look at Good Smile’s Pop Up Parade figure. Creating a visual pulled straight from the manga, Souhsiro is shown ready to draw his fearsome blades. His calm and easygoing demeanor is perfectly recreated and the pose is iconic for the character.

The spring 2024 anime season will end in just a few more weeks so you can expect to see plenty of new figure announcements! Which series are you watching?

Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed it!