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
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    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
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Anime » REVIEW: ‘Kaiju No 8’ Episode 12 — “Kafka Hibino”

REVIEW: ‘Kaiju No 8’ Episode 12 — “Kafka Hibino”

Allyson JohnsonBy Allyson Johnson06/30/20244 Mins Read
Kaiju No 8 Episode 12
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

In the action-packed finale, Kaiju No 8 Episode 12 unleashes Kafka Hibino’s full potential. It’s a solid conclusion to a season that’s faced its ups and downs with tone and pacing and promises a thrilling second season. Kafka battles within himself to reclaim control over his body while those who know and care for him rally. And while the ending tees up the incoming arcs, it’s that first half of the episode that genuinely thrills with some of the best animations of the season and reaffirmation of why Kafka makes for such a tremendous leading character.

Kafka (Masaya Fukunishi) is put through the emotional and physical ringer through Kaiju No 8 Episode 12 as he squares off both with the kaiju hijacking his body and General Isao Shinomiya (Tesshō Genda). The General is a formidable opponent, but with the kaiju overtaking Kafka’s body becomes more vulnerable. Isao notes that Kaiju No. 8 is now attacking with animalistic fury and intellect. His attacks are thought out, destroying his body to move and gain the upper hand since it knows it can regenerate as long as its core is intact.

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

It makes for a thrilling and stress-inducing fight sequence, as the reverberations of both attackers are visualized as the manifestation of echoes. Isao and Kafka are shrouded in deliberately messy animations that help visualize the sheer power emanating from both of them. For a moment, “Kafka Hibino” even convinces us that Isao could die here or, at least, face a devastating injury. It’s made worse when we realize that Isao isn’t just out for the kill but is testing Kafka. The only reason he doesn’t is because Kafka is fighting for his life and, mainly, the happiness of Shinomiya (Fairouz Ai). He refuses to be the monster that kills her father right in front of her.

But even he can’t simply overcome the kaiju through positive thought. Instead, he loses once more, it seems, with the kaiju consuming him, severing his legs as he lay defenseless. He thinks of Mina (Asami Seto) and his promise to her as kids. It’s a genuinely affecting moment as the visage of her as a child reaches out to him, pulling him along with her. He was meant to follow and stand by her side. And this pushes him to the surface, delivering what should be a killing blow through his chest. If he must die here, he’ll die as a human.

Kaiju No 8 Episode 12

Kafka lives, of course. But it’s not without severe scarring. His chest is molted over from his self-inflicted wound. He is to be kept alive and utilized as a weapon. It’s not so much a victory in Kafka’s eyes as he wants to be seen as a human and member of the Defense Force, not simply a kaiju they can wield however they please. But he’s using it as an opportunity to prove his worth further.

His team is already well aware of his heroism, and they all have gone to bat for him while his trial awaits. Mina, in particular, tells the leaders that Kafka’s humanity burns bright despite them believing him to be a kaiju. His heart is what makes him a hero, something the upper ranks scoff at. They don’t believe something as simple as “heart” is enough to justify saving him. It’s ironic, then, that it’s his core that determines him a monster in their eyes, as it takes the spot a human heart would be.

While the back half doesn’t live up to the energized spectacle of the start, and the series seems determined to introduce and linger on characters we aren’t interested in, Kaiju No 8 Episode 12 is a solid enough closer to the season. Ichikawa (Wataru Kato) deserves more time as he desperately trains to be strong enough to save Kafka next time his friend needs it, and Shinomiya isn’t given the spotlight she deserves. Even Mina and her relationship with Kafka need more time, considering how much their dynamic drives the series. The flashback of the two of them as kids is moving but would’ve been more effective had we spent more time with them.

But it, at the very least, honors the episode’s namesake and allows Kafka to be on the center stage. Kaiju No 8 Episode 12 is at its best when it remembers who the series’ soul is. With tremendous action sequences that hone in on the brutality and physicality of its characters, the finale delivers some lasting blows.

Kaiju No 8 Episode 12 is out now on Crunchyroll.

Kaiju No 8 Episode 12
  • 7.5/10
    Rating - 7.5/10
7.5/10

TL;DR

Kaiju No 8 Episode 12 is at its best when it remembers who the soul of the series is. With tremendous action sequences that hone in on the brutality and physicality of its characters, the finale delivers some lasting blows.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘My Adventures With Superman’ Season 2 Episode 7 — “Olsen’s Eleven”
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation’ Season 2 Episode 24 — “Succession”
Allyson Johnson

Allyson Johnson is co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of InBetweenDrafts. Former Editor-in-Chief at TheYoungFolks, she is a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics and the Boston Online Film Critics Association. Her writing has also appeared at CambridgeDay, ThePlaylist, Pajiba, VagueVisages, RogerEbert, TheBostonGlobe, Inverse, Bustle, her Substack, and every scrap of paper within her reach.

Related Posts

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

09/11/2025
Sakamoto Days Episode 20
6.5

REVIEW: ‘Sakamoto Days’ Episode 20 — “Mutual Fans”

09/08/2025
Tougen Anki Episode 9 still from Netflix
4.0

REVIEW: ‘Tougen Anki’ Episode 9 — “Momotaro Spirit”

09/06/2025
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 10 promotional image from Crunchyroll
10.0

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 10 — “So We’re Gonna Do It All Right Now?”

09/06/2025
Arknights Rise From Ember Rosmontis

REVIEW: ‘Arknights: Rise From Ember’ Is Phenomenal But Drags On Too Long

09/06/2025
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity Episode 1
7.5

REVIEW: ‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity’ Episode 1 – “Rintaro and Kaoruko”

09/05/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen - But Why Tho (2) Features

Everything To Know About Satoru Gojo

By Kate Sánchez09/07/2023Updated:02/16/2025

Satoru Gojo is the heart of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 — now, heading into Cour 2, here is everything you need to know about the character.

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