Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
    Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 2 But Why Tho 10

    Spider-Man Is Coming To Magic And It’s Just Like The Comics

    08/29/2025
    Star Wars Visions Volume 3 Black

    ‘Black’ Sets The Tone For A Bold New Mixtape In ‘Star Wars Visions: Volume 3’

    08/28/2025
    Olivia Colman in The Roses

    ‘The Roses’ Is A Reimagining, Not A Remake, And That’s Why It Works So Well

    08/27/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Anime » REVIEW: ‘Kemono Jihen,’ Episode 8 – “Truth”

REVIEW: ‘Kemono Jihen,’ Episode 8 – “Truth”

Olive St. SauverBy Olive St. Sauver03/01/20213 Mins ReadUpdated:04/05/2023
Kemono Jihen Episode 8
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Kemono Jihen Episode 8

There is something beautiful to be found beneath the horrific in Kemono Jihen Episode 8, which brings resolution to Shiki’s confrontation with his uncle. The anime production from Ajia-do (Ascendance of a Bookworm, Kakushigoto) takes place in a reimagining of modern-day, where supernatural beings called kemono live among humans. Inugami runs an agency that deals with kemono-related issues, and he also provides a home for young kemono and hangout (half-kemono/half-human) children. Kabane, a half-ghoul hanyo is one of those kids who has recently joined the group, hoping to track down his family. The anime is based on the manga series of the same name by Shō Aimoto, currently being published in Japan.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Last week was rough, and not because it wasn’t a good episode, it was just emotionally draining to watch. Viewers all knew from Shiki’s own admission that he had suppressed traumatic memories. However the truth was likely a lot more horrifying than anyone, the show’s cast included, could have imagined. Shiki’s uncle, Akio, was experimenting on his mother. Akio would force Kumi to give birth to multiple offspring after mating with different kinds of kemono. Akio was trying to create the spider kemono from legend that could produce golden thread. Shiki walked in on them one day, so Akio hit him on the back of the head with a rock, and then lied to him. Honestly, Akio might be one of the most revolting characters I’ve seen in a while, reminiscent of Fullmetal Alchemist‘s Shou Tucker.

Kemono Jihen Episode 8 is focused on Shiki trying to process all the information coming at him at once. He is enraged that his uncle abused and experimented on his mother. Additionally, he feels misplaced guilt for suppressing his memories. He blames himself for hiding from the truth as a child. This is all the more painful for viewers because Shiki is only fourteen, he is still a child.   Kemono Jihen Episode 8 once again does an excellent job of using atmospheric elements to add horror here. Nothing overly gory is shown.

What will horrify viewers is the imagery of Shiki’s face contorting in ugly tears, the grotesque kemonos in the woods Akio says are Shiki’s siblings, and the sounds of Kumi’s voice coming out of the creatures attacking her son.

Yes, all of this is very traumatizing to Shiki, but Kemono Jihen Episode 8 makes sure that it is still about overcoming trauma. All of the horrors don’t entirely feel like traumaporn. There is a greater narrative at play even for the other characters. Viewers get to see a genuinely enraged Kabane. Additionally, the scenes between Kabane and Shiki are a lovely counter to traditional toxic masculinity tropes. The brief exchange between the boys deals with consent, and the ability to ask for help.

Shiki’s strength this week lies in his ability to admit when something is too much for him and ask for help. For all of my concerns last week, without spoiling, the ending of Kemono Jihen Episode 8 resolves all of this in the best way it could at this point. It was also genuinely unexpected.

Kemono Jihen Episode 8 is fantastic. It is horrifying in all the worst ways. A good comparison would be to Shou Tucker’s crimes in Fullmetal Alchemist. However, it is in how the characters fight back (or don’t) and rely on each other that sends it home as a great week for character development.

Kemono Jihen is streaming now on Funimation.

  • 9.5/10
    Rating - 9.5/10
9.5/10

TL;DR

Kemono Jihen Episode 8 is fantastic. It is horrifying in all the worst ways. A good comparison would be to Shou Tucker’s crimes in Fullmetal Alchemist. However, it is in how the characters fight back (or don’t) and rely on each other that sends it home as a great week for character development.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Wonder Egg Priority,’ Episode 7 – “After School at 14″
Next Article REVIEW:‌ ‘The‌ ‌Promised‌ ‌Neverland‌,’ ‌Season‌ ‌2‌ ‌Episode‌ ‌7
Olive St. Sauver

Olive is an award-winning playwright with BAs in English and Theatre. At BWT she is a manga and anime critic, with an additional focus on mental health portrayals in media and true crime.

Related Posts

Marin in My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 9
8.5

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 9 — “Because I Don’t Intend to Sleep Tonight”

08/30/2025
Shiki in Tougen Anki Episode 8
5.0

REVIEW: ‘Tougen Anki’ Episode 8 — “The Unreliable Hero”

08/30/2025
DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 9
8.0

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 9 – “I Want to Rebuild the House”

08/28/2025
Sakamoto Days Episode 18
7.0

REVIEW: ‘Sakamoto Days’ Episode 18 – “Kanaguri”

08/27/2025
Captivated By You Episode 1
6.0

REVIEW: ‘Captivated By You’ Episode 1 — “Someone Adorable”

08/25/2025
Marin in My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 8
7.0

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 8 — “The Only Way I Can Think to Express That Gratitude Is With Money”

08/23/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Cosmic Spider-Man card details Features

[EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

By Kate Sánchez09/02/2025Updated:09/02/2025

An exclusive look at a new 5-Color Spider entering Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man set, and Cosmic Spider-Man is going to be a tough one to take on.

Hololive EN at Radio City Music Hall Events

Hololive EN At Radio City Music Hall Was A Pure Expression Of Fandom

By Adrian Ruiz08/31/2025Updated:09/03/2025

Hololive EN turned Radio City in New York City into the pure expression of fandom: chants, penlights, and community in perfect sync.

Karl Anthony Towns in NBA 2k26 But Why Tho
8.5
PS5

REVIEW: ‘NBA 2K26’ Brings Basketball To Life

By Kyle Foley09/03/2025

NBA 2K26 combines improved visuals with some important tweaks to keep the series feeling fresh in the latest yearly release.

Cronos: The New Dawn Nest
8.0
PC

REVIEW: ‘Cronos: The New Dawn’ Does Post-Apocalyptic Psychological Horror Right

By Mick Abrahamson09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

While not particularly sacry, Cronos: The New Dawn is a lot of fun as a survival horror that puts you in the futuristic armor of the Traveler.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here