New Monster Anime Coming To Crunchyroll Is Already Making History
Godzilla (2014), followed by 2015’s King Kong, and their subsequent movies in which they’re adversaries and then buddies—along with Pacific Rim movies—reinvigorated the people’s interest in Kaiju-themed movies. This is evident by the number of serialized and cinematic releases that have launched since, and now the world of anime is following the same trend. Get ready to witness epic battles between humans and monsters in the upcoming Kaiju No. 8.—in the first-ever global simulcast on Crunchyroll.
The Release
The Kaiju No. 8 anime adaptation, based on a popular Shonen Jump+ manga by Naoya Matsumoto, premieres on April 13. What makes the Kaiju No. 8’s release so unique is the fact that this is the first time in history Crunchyroll will stream the new episodes worldwide, simultaneously with their broadcast in Japan, starting Saturday, April 13, at 7 am Pacific Time. These streams will be available in Japanese, with English, Latin American, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and French subtitles.
The Rest Of The Series
Afterward, new episodes of Kaiju No. 8 will be available every Saturday morning, following the live broadcast of the original episodes. Worldwide dub releases of Kaiju No. 8 are also scheduled for production, including English, Latin American Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Castilian Spanish, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. These are scheduled to drop sometime after the broadcast of each individual episode in each of the languages listed.
The Hero, Kafka
The upcoming Kaiju No. 8 anime offers a unique take on the kaiju genre, presenting a story that’s beyond the typical city-destroying mega-monster show. Starting out as a cleaner after Kaiju battles (someone has to clean up the dead monsters), Kafka Hibino swears to join the elite Defense Force, a spec-ops unit, following a near-fatal brush-in with the gargantuan monster. However, a subsequent and utterly unexpected encounter with a different kaiju suddenly grants him the ability to turn into one himself.
Despite his newfound monstrous form, Kafka still harbors a deep-seated desire to join the Defense Force and combat the Kaiju threat. However, his journey becomes incredibly complex, as he now has to grapple with the additional challenges and responsibilities that accompany his newfound, unique abilities.
The Creators
The upcoming adaptation is directed by Shigeyuki Miya of The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior, Blood Lad, and Supernatural: The Animation fame, so we’re in for a pleasant action adventure.
Kaiju No. 8 will also feature series compositions and scripts written by Ichiro Okouchi, best known for Code Geass; character design and chief animation direction from Tetsuya Nishio, known for several Ghost in the Shell releases, and Cowboy Bebop: The Movie; and kaiju design from Mahiro Maeda, best known for his work on Mad Max: Fury Road, and The Animatrix—the latter is an animated version of The Matrix, which brings additional side stories and expands The Matrix universe.
How To Watch
Those interested in watching the upcoming Kaiju No. 8 premiere on Crunchyroll on April 13 will require an active subscription to the service, which can be acquired for as low as $7.99 per month.
