Kaiju No. 8 (Volume 4) – Looks Like This Game is a Draw
Hoshina drew Kaiju No. 10 into the training facility in an attempt to reduce the risk to everyone else, however, he’s about to hit his limits and it’s showing no signs of slowing. Kafka has to make a decision that will change everything!
Kaiju No. 8 (Volume 4) – Looks Like This Game is a Draw
What happened?
The wyvern kaiju continued to attack the JAKDF base, but they picked the wrong place to crash. The Third Division is packed full of raw talent and they’ve only gotten stronger since becoming Officers. The same goes for Kafka who is having a better time controlling his partial transformations, ensuring that no one sees his kaiju form. However, Hoshina has been fighting without limits for ten minutes and his suit is about to shut down. That would be fine if he was getting even close to defeating Kaiju No. 10, but it seems to be one step ahead of him constantly.
Then, when it looked like he had an opening, it changed, growing bigger and bigger. His swords suddenly became a lot less effective and with only a minute of power left in his suit, he had to push harder and harder. Finally, Kaiju No. 10 caught Hoshina. Kafka saw what was happening and raced to help, apologising to Reno and Kikoru as he prepared to transform. Then, a blast came out of nowhere, catching Kaiju No. 10 off guard and freeing Hoshina. Captain Ashiro had returned and was ready to blow this kaiju away. However, she needed Hoshina to keep it in place, but he couldn’t do it alone. Kikoru arrived with her giant axe and gave him the strength he needed. Eventually, they took it down with Ashiro blowing away its core.
However, they hadn’t won yet. Kaiju No. 10 had instructed the wyvern kaiju to blow themselves up in what would no doubt destroy the base and kill everyone there. Kafka raced towards the epicentre and then transformed in front of everyone. He launched himself into the air and punched the wyverns causing them to explode high above the ground. When the dust had settled, Ashiro took Kafka into custody. Now, he would have to wait to see what they planned on doing with him, although Ashiro confirmed that no one in the team believed that he was a threat. Still, it wasn’t her call to make!
What did you think?
This was a return to the intensity that caught my attention in the beginning. I loved that there was a moment when it looked like Kafka wouldn’t need to transform and reveal his secret, but then just as you relaxed they revealed something far worse. He had absolutely no choice but to expose himself. I’m very curious to see what happens to him next and while I fully expect him to become an official weapon of the Third Division, we need to see how he convinces Kikoru’s father who seems pretty determined to prove that he is a kaiju and kill him as a result.
It’s been almost a year since I read the third volume, but after binge-watching the first season in less than twenty-four hours, I was determined to dive back in and push beyond the anime again. That was definitely a good decision. Not only that, but I didn’t want to wait for them to become available at my library so I bought the first seven volumes, which were all on sale at the time – what a happy coincidence. I love it when the universe gives me approval to buy more books…
Anyhow, this series is excellent and was one that I did have my eyes on for a while. The anime definitely cemented that idea in my head. This is a great series with fantastic characters who have a wonderfully interesting chemistry. It’s the bonds that hold onto you once the action grabs your attention.
Volume highlights
Series Information
| English Title | Kaiju No. 8 |
| Japanese Title | Kaijuu 8-gou |
| Genres | Action, Adult Cast, Military, Monsters, Science Fiction |
| Demographic | Shounen |
Manga
| Author | Naoya Matsumoto |
| Artist | Naoya Matsumoto |
| Volumes | Ongoing |
| 1 | I Found You |
| 2 | Fight by Her Side |
| 3 | Welcome to the Defense Force |
| 4 | Looks Like This Game is a Draw |
| 5 | I Expect Results! |
| 6 | An Incredible Next Generation! |
| 7 | The Start of the Kaiju Era! |
| 8 | I’ll Teach Ya How to Fight! |
| 9 | Harbingers of the Cataclysm! |
| 10 | The Second Wave! |
| 11 | I Don’t Want to Die… |
Anime
| Season | Season One |
| Released | Spring 2024 |
| Animation Studios | Production I.G |
| Episodes | 12 |
