Kaiju Anime Series Coming To Crunchyroll Is Everything Godzilla Fans Have Wanted
Crunchyroll announced at the New York Comic Con yesterday that the streaming service will be the home of a new anime that is everything Godzilla fans have ever wanted. The streaming service is adapting an anime version of the popular manga Kaiju No. 8, which follows the main character, Kafka Hibino, who has the ability to turn into a giant monster. This new anime adventure will be hitting the Crunchyroll streaming catalog in April 2024, which gives anticipating fans plenty of time to catch up on the 10 volumes of the series’ manga.
Kaiju No. 8 will arrive on Crunchyroll in April 2024.
Production I.G., renowned for classics such as Ghost in the Shell: Stand-Alone Complex, is the main studio behind animating this epic story. Meanwhile, the Kaiju designs and artwork are being handled by Studio Khara, the studio founded by Hideaki Anno, the creative genius behind Neon Genesis Evangelion. With such powerhouses at the helm, it’s clear that Kaiju No. 8 is poised to deliver top-notch visuals and a stunning audio-visual experience sure to captivate viewers.
The storyline of Kaiju No. 8 introduces us to Kafka, an atypical protagonist in the world of shonen manga. At 32 years old, Kafka is far from the teenage heroes often seen in this genre. Still, though he’s much older than the typical manga protagonist, his struggle to get by in a harsh world has made Kafka endearing and relatable to the manga’s readers.
Kaiju No. 8 is coming from Production I.G., the same studio behind Ghost in the Shell: Stand-Alone Complex.
Kaiju No. 8 unfolds in a world where Kaiju, enigmatic colossal creatures, cast a perpetual shadow of peril over humanity’s existence on Earth. In his youth, Kafka Hibino and his childhood friend Mina Ashiro vowed to eradicate these Kaiju, but life’s divergent paths led Kafka to a role in a Kaiju aftermath cleanup service, while Mina achieved their shared dream. However, Kafka’s life takes a profound turn when he crosses paths with Reno Ichikawa, whose fervor for joining the Defense Force rekindles Kafka’s long-forgotten commitment.
The main plot of Kaiju No. 8 follows Kafka after he gains the power to turn into a Kaiju. This newfound power propels Kafka into a complex and dangerous world, where he must navigate the challenges that come with being a part of the one thing he vowed to destroy. The series unfolds across a tale of resilience, transformation, and hope.
The anime adaptation of Kaiju No. 8 has generated immense excitement among fans ever since it was announced in August 2022. The manga, which commenced serialization in July 2020, has been an incredible success, and it was the fastest Shōnen Jump+ series to surpass 30 million views. Fans of the series in Japan will be able to watch the anime as soon as April 2024, though no specific date has been announced yet.
Kaiju No. 8 tells the story of Kafka, a young man on a Kaiju cleanup crew who gains the ability to turn into a Kaiju.
Soon after hitting the screens in Japan, Kaiju No. 8 will debut in the United States and 200 other countries worldwide in both dubbed and non-dubbed versions. The manga, which has now released 95 chapters, continues to captivate readers with its evolving narrative. It’s a popular series, which sets high expectations for the animated adaptation to be just as good.
With such a powerhouse of talent and a compelling narrative, Kaiju No. 8 promises to be a standout addition to the world of anime. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the manga or a newcomer to Kafka’s adventures, the anime adaptation in 2024 is bound to be an experience worth the wait.
