Entertainment Desk:

Kaiju No 8 follows Kafka Hibino, a 32-year-old who aspires to join the Defence Force to fight Kaijus alongside his friend Mina, despite repeated failures. Watch the anime for its relatable protagonist, stylish action and seamless comedy.

Imagine this – a boy who wants to make it big and be one of the most accomplished people in a field highly looked up to. He wants to play shoulder-to-shoulder with his friend, who happens to be the best in the profession and an inspiration to many. However, his powers are not at par! But, something changes midway, a transformation happens.

That’s every anime storyline ever, you will say. Be it My Hero Academia’s Midoriya with no quirks, or the failure Naruto who just wants to be at par with Sasuke or Black Clover’s Asta or the recent favourite Sung Jin-woo, all their storylines are awfully similar. The same holds true for Kafka Hibino and/or Kaiju No 8. However, what makes the show stand out, besides the stunning animation and the even more stunning opening sequence, is how comedy is so seamlessly integrated into the narrative without taking away the emotional depth of the storyline.

In Kaiju No 8, we have the failure Kafka, who had once promised his school friend Mina that he would stand beside her to fight the Kaijus (monsters). However, despite 12 attempts, he just couldn’t qualify for the Defence Force exam. Almost giving up, and stuck at cleaning the intestines (read poop) of dead and disfigured kaijus, he finds hope when Ichikawa joins his team. On one such cleaning mission, they encounter a Kaiju. One thing leads to another and Hibino transforms into a monster himself! Yeah, shit happens (way more in this anime).

Funnily, 32-year-old Kafka manages to also finally pass the Defence Force exam, not without becoming a laughing stock, and not by using his powers. But, the secret has to be maintained, or else he faces a chance of being annihilated. Will he be able to do that (after all, even Sung Jin-woo had to finally retake the exam and give himself away)!

But, who are we kidding here? Most fans must have already read the manga, and by now have probably watched and re-watched the anime. But, like me, if you are late to the party, don’t be disheartened. If Hibino can join Defence Force at 32, is it ever too late? In fact, if you are yet to watch it, the best part about starting with this one could be the crisp 12 episodes of 23 minutes each, which can be binge-watched in a day or two.

In exchange, you get some amazing animation (of course), a part rib-ticklingly funny anime with solid action, a show that celebrates friendship and of course, inspirational stuff that can motivate you to achieve whatever you want (just like it did to me to ram the keyboard right after finishing it). Some parts Attack On Titans and some part One Punch Man, Watch it for its refreshingly relatable protagonist who’s more “why am I still here?” than “believe it (Dattebayo)!”

Kaiju No 8 is available on Crunchyroll. The second season will be released in July 2025.