REVIEW: ‘Kaiju No 8’ Episode 5 — “Joining Up!”

Despite mainly working as a setup for what is likely to be the first major storyline, Kaiju No 8 Episode 5 is enjoyable for the most part. But for all the charisma and energy from the series, whatever big showdown is about to happen as Kafka Hibano (Masaya Fukunishi) and company embark on their first official mission, it’s coming at precisely the right time. While the episode brings the laughs and moments of secondhand embarrassment for poor Kafka, it meanders in the down-to-earth vibe it’s trying to achieve. Bring us the monsters, and let the characters reveal more about themselves through it.

Kaiju No 8 Episode 5 tries to play a bait and switch at first of whether or not Kafka makes it into the Kaiju Defense Force. He does, but there’s still a twist. While Ichikawa (Wataru Kato), Shinomiya (Fairouz Ai), and co. are officers, Kafka is relegated to a mere cadet. With the lowest score and poor aptitude tests, it’s a near miracle he made it. Less so, of course, once we realize that Vice Captain Hoshina (Kengo Kawanishi) is vying for him. He’s pulling the strings when it comes to Kafka’s inclusion.

He sees Kafa as fit to join their ranks for three reasons, even if every other officer doesn’t understand. First, he witnessed Kafka’s innate understanding of kaiju anatomy during the mock test and how he helped others rather than trying to attain points for himself. The second is that Kafka makes Hoshina laugh — he’s unpredictable after working in such a self-serious environment. But the most exciting development is that Hoshina seems to know more than what he’s letting on. He doesn’t have the complete picture of how the mysterious 9.8 kaiju and Kafka relate. At least not yet. But his senses are telling him to keep Kafka nearby just in case.

However, we don’t see any of Kaiju Kafka during the episode. Instead, Kaiju No 8 Episode 5 combines multiple storytelling elements. There’s the training montage as officers get stronger, with Ichikawa, in particular, improving his output and going up 10% in power. Then there’s the getting to know the supporting characters portion. Kafka studies, trains, and relaxes with the other younger officers, something Hoshina warns him of due to the dangerous nature of their job.

But while we spent quite a bit of time with Kafka hanging out with the other young men, his one scene with Shinomiya stands out. She’s struck between wanting to thank him or hit him. To her chagrin, he treated her like a kid who needed comforting, not realizing that, in his eyes, she was precisely that. Along with Ichikwa, the three go out so that Kafka can explain himself to her. And while she accepts the reality and promises to keep his secret, she also makes him a promise. If his powers are ever to turn and pose a threat to humanity, she’ll kill him.

The sequence sticks out because of her steadfast declaration and because Kafka accepts it. He thanks her, telling her he’ll hold her to that promise. For a character who is often depicted as a loveable goof, it’s a reminder of his maturity and ability to see the big picture. He may succumb to childish instincts or lose his cool in public, but he ultimately is logical and understands that this kaiju power could be deadly.

Kafka, Shinomiya, and Ichikawa make for a robust and central trio, though it’s good to see characters such as Hoshina and Mina Ashiro (Asami Seto) get more screen time. Mina, in particular, needs more development beyond what the officers think of her. To Ichikawa’s generation, she’s a superhero and the reason so many people enlisted for the force. In comparison, Kafka still sees her as the little girl he made a promise to. It’s an interesting dynamic with a rich foundation worth exploring.

The episode stumbles over some awkward moments and heavy, forceful development. It’s hard not to believe that the reason this group’s camaraderie is being so spotlighted is that, in whatever upcoming mission they’re facing, someone will die. This is because the writing reminds us on many occasions just how dangerous this profession is. But it’s a shame the episode didn’t slow down the pace and rely more on interactions than the heavy-handed montage. It certainly isn’t helped by the needle drop, an alarming recent trend.

Kaiju No 8 Episode 5 is a lighthearted, enjoyable installment promising more significant upcoming developments. This arrives at a pivotal moment where the series will hopefully graduate from its current pacing and allow its characters to grow beyond what we’ve learned about them. And to do so without it being through a rushed montage.

Kaiju No 8 Episode 5 is out now on Crunchyroll.