REVIEW: ‘Kaiju No. 8’ Season 2 Episode 1 — “Kaiju Weapon”

Following the events of the Season 1 finale, Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 1 must introduce our characters to new settings while reestablishing and refreshing the world. Produced by Production I.G. and based on the manga by Naoya Matsumoto, the premiere episode, “Kaiju Weapon,” sets the stage for the upcoming season. That said, for all that it reminds us of its charms, it can’t escape an increasingly clear fault the longer the series progresses.  

We return to Matsumoto’s world via a feverish flashback hybrid. Kafka Hibino (Masaya Fukunishi), now working closely with Isao Shinomiya, dreams of him and his childhood friend, Mina, running away from a kaiju terrorizing the city. However, the dream quickly morphs into something nightmarish, as Kafka realizes that, in this scenario, he’s the monster – he’s the one who’s leveling skyscrapers and causing children to run away in fear. 

It’s a strong entry point for Season 2 because it reminds us of the core struggle Kafka is dealing with. His heroic ambitions and long-lasting desire to stand on the same field as Mina (Asami Seto), working against his new nature, his ability to transform into a kaiju. This fear of becoming a monster instead of someone who saves lives is the dramatic throughline of the series, even if it loses itself to easy, broad comedy and simplistic storytelling functions. 

As Division Three splinters, Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 1 finds its footing.

Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 1 divides and conquers, reintroducing us to where these characters have been split off to. Kafka, having avoided being turned into a weapon, is now working with Division One, although he is being highly monitored. He’s not just on a mission to get stronger, but to prove himself to those of higher rank who still see him as a threat. 

Kikoru Shinomiya (Fairouz Ai) is also currently at Division One, though that’s simply to bide time until Division Three is rebuilt. Her storyline opens up numerous possibilities, as it places her directly in the sight of her father, the Director General of the Defense Force. But the most interesting aspect of Division One is the introduction of Gen Narumi (Koki Uchiyama), the strongest man in the Defense Force and the leader of the First Division. 

Considering the split-up ensemble, with the kind Reno (Wataru Katoh) sent to Division Four, Kaiju No 8 Season 2 is in dire need of a new strong focal character. And Gen is the best bet. One of the best aspects of Season 1 was the easy, companionable friendship between Kafka and Reno, especially when other characters struggled to find their footing or establish themselves with worthwhile or engaging individual storylines. Separating them may heighten the dramatic tension, but it also immediately becomes less interesting. 

Gen Narumi is a welcome—and necessary—addition to the series. 

Unfortunately, Kikoru has yet to stand out as more than a mere echo of other, brazen, mecha-aided fighters who have come before her in media. Watching her is like watching someone try to sketch Evangelion’s Asuka from memory. It’s fine to be influenced by media—there’s simply no escaping it. However, these characters and iterations must be interesting on their own. Kikoru is in bits and usually teams up with other characters, such as Kafka. And, now, Gen. 

Gen makes a wonderfully chaotic first impression, both on the viewers and Kikoru, who realizes, hilariously quickly, how little respect she can muster for him. Found surrounded by trash and disarray, he’s furiously playing games in the dark the first time we meet him, as far from the calm and formidable combatant we’ll soon realize him to be. With animation that leans just a bit too close to Demon Slayer’s broadest comedy beats, he appears gremlin-like and unserious, having to be scooped by the scruff of the neck and thrown into the outside world. 

His introduction, both in the series and in battle, is necessary. First, to inject the series with necessary levity, and secondly, to allow the series to show off its direct style of action. That he’s fighting what is, essentially, Godzilla, makes it all the more fun. 

The ensemble needs to get more interesting, and quick.

That said, one character can’t carry the whole story, and Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 1 already sees signs of strain. Because of the entire cast, there are only really two characters, until now, that we care about (Kafka and Reno), and two others who get close but are just fun to watch fight (Kikoru and Hoshina).

And “Kaiju Weapon” offers very little of this. The story, in and of itself, is only interesting because of how lovable and relatable Kafka is, and the weaker elements, such as simplistic, rounded-off character designs and slow pacing, become more apparent the more we stray from the original pull. 

Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 1 maintains the same level of animation quality as Season 1, with strong backgrounds that deliver on the size and scope of the monsters they face. But the story, at the start of its next big arc, is already beginning to lag. The premiere needed an extra push beyond one exciting new character to recapture our interest, truly, especially when there are so many superb new series eating up our free time. 

Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 1 is streaming now on Crunchyroll, with new episodes every Saturday.

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