Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 2 (Kaiju No. 8)

by Naoya Matsumoto

Kafka wants to clean up kaiju, but not literally! Will a sudden metamorphosis stand in the way of his dream?

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?!

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?

• ISBN10: 1974727149
• ISBN13: 9781974727148
• Publish Date: 26 May 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Viz Media, Subs. of Shogakukan Inc
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 212
• Language: English

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Summary:

When Kafka Hibino was a little boy, he promised to grow up and join the Japan Defense Force. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, the latter part of that promise hasn't come to fruition. So instead, Kafka has settled for working on the kaiju corpse cleanup crew. It's just as gross as it sounds – and frequently more dangerous than expected.

Kafka has one last chance to join the Defense Force. If he doesn't make it through this time, he'll officially be too old to try again. It's now or never – with the added complication of keeping his new kaiju side a secret.

Review:

Kaiju No. 8 Vol. 2 is arguably even more interesting than the first volume. The stakes have been set, and Kafka has a long way to go. What made this volume more interesting had to be the new problem.

That one raised some questions – but it also felt obvious, if not inevitable. I mean, really, what are the odds that Kafka is the only humanoid of his kind? Still, I'm looking forward to seeing where this plot leads.

The second volume did a great job of amping up the whole hero vibe. The new Defense Force team is working hard to protect the people, but they have a bit of learning to do. Despite this, they keep stepping up time and time again. It leaves a lot of action for readers to follow.
That said, the cliffhanger ending is mean. Must get my hands on volume 3.

Highlights:
Horror Manga
Kaiju!

Trigger Warnings:
Body Horror
Bullying/Hazing

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