REVIEW: ‘Kaiju No 8’ Season 2 Episode 2 – “The Next Generation’s Trial”

Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 2 confirms the greatest concern coming out of the premiere: it’s getting boring. Or, rather, the pacing was always a little sleepy because there are only a few characters easy to engage with. But now, there’s a dulling effect to the commotion, even as “The Next Generation’s Trial” introduces a pretty big threat for Division 1 to conquer. There’s a strong, personal dilemma at the center of the third act climax, and yet the episode drags as it pushes through the action. 

In large part, Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 2 is focused on one battle. The direction captures the gray, city-leveling disaster of this new threat—a horde of ant kaiju ascending from the depths below. The image of a camera trying to see what lies underneath before it surfaces is suitably creepy, with the multitudes of eyes shining in the dark. And, once they’re surfaced, the direction continues to showcase their sheer scale and scope by having them terrorize civilian children before Narumi (Koki Uchiyama) sweeps in to save the day. 

The episode is divided into several structured fight scenes. Narumi is the most entertaining character, being the best new addition to the series. While “The Next Generation’s Trial” cycles through a lot of new names and gives these characters brief, introductory glances, Division 1 has yet to leave a mark. Narumi, meanwhile, is a blast of a character. 

Narumi remains the breakout character of Division 1. 

It’s the contrasts that work so well for him. To start the episode with him on his knees, begging his subordinate, Kikoru Shinomiya (Fairouz Ai), for cash, and to end it with him going up against Kaiju No. 9, is a wonderful blend of character. He’s a self-absorbed disaster who is also one of the strongest fighters in the Kaiju Defense Force. Everything, from his design to the voice work by the always great Uchiyama, gives Narumi a fun and engaging personality. 

His power also allows for some dynamic, brutal fight scenes as he’s often able to decimate an opponent with one hit. Shinomiya has a similar effect, and Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 2 at least showcases her growth as we see in mid-battle, trying to emulate the speed of Hoshina and the power of Mina.

After witnessing both of them in battle, she’s determined to reach the bar they’ve set. That said, Shinomiya’s fight scene lingers too long with too many cuts to other characters. She needed to stay on her at least the entire time. 

Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 2 struggles to engage despite the return of a major villain.

All of which is done to show Shinomiya and Kafka (Masaya Fukunishi) fighting to show their worth and full potential. And all of this comes to a head with the arrival of Kaiju No. 9, who resurfaced after sensing Kaiju No. 8. However, in a moment of mounting panic, Kafka realizes he can’t transform. Each time he achieves his kaiju form, it shatters, leaving him defenseless. 

Kaiju No. 9 remains a fantastic villain, boasting a great design that effectively conveys his alien threat. That, plus the audio effects layered over his voice, suggests a character often hidden in shadows, lurking until the right time to strike.

And he’s found the perfect mark with Kafka, who is much more vulnerable now without his ability to transform. That it happens at such a critical moment for the character makes it all the more stress-inducing. Or, instead, it should. 

Kafka is lovable, but Kaiju No 8 can’t rely on that. 

Because there lies the biggest issue with Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 2: the stakes don’t feel high enough, and the pacing slows down at any moment, making it a dull watch. In shonen, you’re always going to have to suspend your disbelief when it comes to protagonists being put in dangerous situations. For the most part, we know that even if they’re up against ridiculous threats, they likely aren’t dying mid-story. 

But there’s at least, in the best shows, a feeling of “how on earth can they stand back up”? Kaiju No 8 never achieves that sense of ambiguous fate. We know Kafka will be fine, and there’s no real need to question how, because problems are solved quickly, even if, in this case, we’re left on a cliffhanger as Shinomiya sweeps in to save him. 

Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 2 has all of the pieces to be a strong installment with its major villain reveal and character-driven crisis. However, it fails to stick the landing due to pacing issues, largely bland action, and a blander growing ensemble beyond our main players. Kafka, Narumi, and Shinomiya are easy to root for, but it’s beginning to seem like that isn’t enough. 

Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 2 is out now on Crunchyroll. 

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