REVIEW: ‘Kaiju No. 8’ Episode 4 — “Fortitude 9.8”

Kafka Hibano (Masaya Fukunishi) might not excel in the entrance exam to be a part of the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. Still, he continues to prove his naturally borne heroics in Kaiju No. 8 Episode 4. His leg might be broken, and Ichikawa (Wataru Kato) is carrying him atop his shoulders to stay in the game, but when push comes to shove, his heart saves the day. “Fortitude 9.8” gives us more insight into Shinomiya (Fairouz Ai) while clarifying that, no matter his shortcomings, Kafka is the protagonist for a reason.

The physical aptitude test seems all but done early in Kaiju No. 8 Episode 4. Shinomiya’s skillset has her taking out nearly all kaiju on the scene. Kafka and Ichikawa try their best, with Ichikawa becoming a quiet series MVP because of how often he tries to help Kafka reach the top. But no matter their determination or tenacious spirit, Shinomiya is too strong to reach her level. And it’s not just them. The contestants are left to chase after her, attempting to score their own kill points.

This means there will be fewer injuries by the time the challenge ends. However, things quickly take turn for the worse, with the previously dispatched kaiju rising again, regenerating and stronger than before. It takes them all off guard. Shinomiya so much so that she’s left greviously injured as she watches a humanoid, intelligent kaiju speak to the fallen ones. This humanoid version is suitably chilling, from the clicking of the body movements to the sound design that lays over the voice, distorting it. It’s the perfect segueway to Shinomiya’s flashback.

Kaiju No. 8 Episode 4 focuses on two characters, Shinomiya and Kafka, acting as solid foils to one another. We learn that Shinomiya’s father, the director of the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force, put impossible expectations on her shoulders. He expects perfection, both for the sake of the country and as a way to honor Shinomiya’s deceased mother. It’s heavy and leads to her having an inferiority complex that is, very pointedly, reminiscent of Evagelion’s Aska—a young girl trained for war.

It makes the moment when Kafka reaches out to her all the more poignant. She praises her for keeping the contestants safe, acknowledging her power. Much to her shock, he then transforms into his kaiju form to protect her. And, in the aftermath, he admonishes her for putting herself in danger. In these few moments, he offers her the level of adult supervision and care that her upbringing denied her.

Kafka is a lovable oaf whose heart drives most of his decision-making. It makes sense that he would stand before her to protect her, risking his identity being revealed. Ichikawa points out the hypocrisy of Kafka, giving Shinomiya a hard time for endangering herself when he did the same thing. This leads to Shinomiya covering for Kafka later when asked if she is the one who took out the Honju. Our main characters possess hidden depths that make them far more than they appear.

The animation and clash against kaiju stand out in Kaiju No. 8 Episode 4. Kafka’s kaiju form is dubbed a ‘fortitude 9.8,’ the strongest kaiju in history. We see this power in his battle against Honju. It’s a quick, brutal evisceration as Kafka can blow apart the monster’s body with a single blow. The lighting is electrifying as he gets his hero moment. It’s a significant display of power and a perfect contrast to what we saw of him in Episode 3. As the kaiju, his immense power is imposing. The destruction he is capable of is encapsulated in the sequence as the remains of the kaiju he defeats rain from the sky.

Because of his fighting style, Vice Captain Hoshina (Kengo Kawanishi) can piece together similarities to the fight in Episode 2. While Kafka’s secret is still being well-kept, it’s only a matter of time before either Hoshina or Mina Ashiro (Asami Seto) discovers the truth. If anything, the series lacks stakes despite the high-impact fights Kafka and Co. find themselves in. The quick tonal shifts between drama and broad comedy work in quick bursts. But they dull the overall effect. There’s not much tension, although we should worry about Kafka’s behalf.

Regardless, it’s an engaging watch, and the writing will have ample opportunity to drive up the stakes when we move beyond introductory settings. Beyond the tension, the series finds details that help heighten the story’s atmosphere and tone. The red flare that coasts across the sky overhead the decimated training grounds casts an ominous, post-apocalyptic glow. Ichikawa slicing up fruit for an injured and hospitalized Kafka demonstrates the inherent kindness that is the backbone of the series. These touchstones, both in artistry and writing, help embolden the story.

Kaiju No. 8 Episode 4 is a strong, character-focused installment. With a significant fight centerpiece, the series continues to flirt with its full potential. This is especially true when introducing a potential new major threat. There’s so much here to enjoy, and Kafka remains an enormously lovable protagonist. With the storm settling after the test, it will be interesting to see where the series goes now that the stage has been set and the world established.

Kaiju No. 8 Episode 4 is out now on Crunchyroll.