REVIEW: ‘Kaiju No 8’ Episode 8 — “Welcome To The Defense Force”

Kaiju No 8 Episode 8 proudly announces its next audience-favorite character, Hoshina (Kengo Kawanishi). While the Vice Captain has already been a scene stealer, “Welcome to the Defense Force” solidifies him as one of the top-tier alongside protagonist Kafka Hibino (Masaya Fukunishi), his best friend Ichikawa, and Shinomiya, the girl he’ll bully (or be bullied by) into being his younger-sister stand in. Immediately set ablaze with ferocious, kinetic energy, Hoshina goes for broke as he attempts to take down the Kaiju No 8.

Hoshina and Kafka’s first big fight is the standout moment in Kaiju No 8 Episode 8 — even if Hoshina doesn’t realize it’s Kafka, he’s fighting. Directed by Haruo Okuno, the sequence is electrifying as we, alongside Kafka, realize the immense power that Hoshina wields. Mina might have a handle on the big blows, but it’s the close-quarters battles where Hoshina excels. He nearly does so again, but Kafka demonstrates his keen spatial awareness and tactical thinking. He might lack strength in his human form, but he’s knowledgeable and a quick thinker, which is something made clear as he faces Hoshina’s blades.

Shot with the necessary intensity, the fight is a standout in the series thus far, though it feels all too brief. Kafka escapes, leaving Hoshina glum and out of character as Mina finds him moping over his loss. He informs her that Kaiju No 8 must be a daikaiju based on the power output. We don’t realize how much the fight lingers in his mind until the ending moments. Kafka stumbles upon Hoshina’s training and realizes he’s mimicking their fight to try and see when and where he went wrong. He knows his mistakes now, making Hoshina a much more imposing threat than he already was.

These bookends are the highlight of the episode as they shine a light on yet another formidable dynamic in the series. Even though Hoshina recognizes that Kafka has a long way to go to earn anything other than 1% of his expectations, he also sees the promise. It’s why he pushes for Kafka to be promoted to a full-time officer. It also means that the potential consequences will be devastating whenever the shoe drops and Kafka’s secret is revealed. At least in this case, we understand the secrecy, though considering how Ichikawa (Wataru Kato) and Shinomiya (Fairouz Ai) have reacted, you’d hope that others would, too, recognize that Kafka’s power to transform was of no fault of his own.

The action works to push the story into high gear and inform the cool down. Hoshina points out to Ichikawa that, during their celebratory dinner, all new recruits are now bickering about the fight in a way that demonstrates their learning process. They’ve now seen battle, which means they can approach any ensuing ones with a new level of practice. On some level, they know what to expect. It’s a fun way of showing the incremental ways these characters are allowed to grow through combat, even if only some of their personalities shine.

But there’s no denying that even with the setup for a larger ensemble, it’s Kafka, Ichikawa, Shinomiya, and Hoshina that capture our interests. The central trio has a sweet, wholesome bond, especially as we find Kafka and Shinomiya waiting at Ichikawa’s bedside as he heals from his injuries in battle. Like Kafka, Hoshina has an interesting dynamic with Ichikwawa, continuing to express support for the recruits’ growth. But outside of them, the characters dull in comparison. It’s still the early days, but if there will be a back catalog of characters the series focuses on, first impressions are crucial.

Kaiju No 8 Episode 8 isn’t all celebration, though. There’s the looming possibility of Hoshina learning about Kafka and the continued threat of Kaiju No 9 who got away. We witness more of his powers as he takes on the body of a man he kills, and the series captures the off-kilter horror of the moment. Kaiju No 8 excels with exterior shots and cityscapes that have turned to rubble, and the scene in front of the tunnel is no different. As the nameless man approaches Kaiju No 9, the ominous nature of the moment is oppressive. We know his fate is sealed, choosing to pivot the camera away from the death blow all the more sinister.

But it’s not just Kaiju No 9 that the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force has to worry about. As the episode ends, we see a new monster lurking above the clouds, ready to sink its teeth into unknowing victims below. It’s a fantastic creature design, the blood red of its exterior in opposition to the electrifying green that lights Kafka up.

Kaiju No 8 Episode 8 channels the energy of the opening sequence into the rest of the episode, setting the stage for more extensive, moving parts. As monsters continue to lurk in the shadows, any moments of peace bring tension with them as we wait for disaster to strike. While there still needs to be a better balance of ensemble characterization, “Welcome to the Defense Force” maintains our interest.

Kaiju No 8 Episode 8 is out now on Crunchyroll.