Kaiju No. 8 Episode 9 Review: The Kaiju Strike Back (2025)

The Defense Force and the kaiju population have been going at it for years now, long before Kaiju No. 8's events even began. One side is responsible for safeguarding human civilization and the other hellbent on destroying it. As this military organization grew with time, so have these Titans, becoming deadlier with each new encounter. The only difference is that the kaiju evolved more noticeably, with some even taking on human forms and mimicking human nature. Kafka Hibino's alter ego and Kaiju No. 9 are two such humanoid kaiju who surfaced. But the Defense Force is worried that there are more out there. And, as fate would have it, they would have been better off not knowing, given how Episode 9 turns out.

Kaiju No. 8 pulls out the big guns right as the anime nears the end of its first cour. Produced by Toho Animation and animated by Production I.G, Kaiju No. 8 Episode 9 has the most fun yet as it amps up the action and brings some grave stakes into a plot that's been in dire need of some. It begins with an ambush on the Defense Force's Tachikawa Base and takes no time to explode into a full-blown war. The episode has gigantic kaiju, massive explosions, and electrifying set pieces to hook fans in. However, it also reserves a part of the storyline for individual brilliance, as characters take on enemy kaiju on the back of superb animation.

Kaiju No. 8 Episode 9 Is the Ticking Time Bomb That Finally Goes Off

Action Takes Over the Plot in this Episode

For eight episodes, Kaiju No. 8 created a heroic aura around the Defense Force, touting it as humanity's last line of defense. So far, the story took Kafka, Kikoru Shinomiya, and Leno Ichikawa through many ups and downs in their efforts to join the prestigious organization. The anime also gave them a taste of the danger that comes with the job. It only took a few seconds to destroy the Defense Force's untouchable myth and the whole base as wyvern-type kaiju rained down fire from the sky. Kaiju No. 8 Episode 9 cuts through the silence of the night with an opening scene that starts with a bang. From this point onward, the episode turns into a battlefield where the bad blood between humans and kaiju leads to some spectacular fights. The action dictates the story's pacing, taking it through some wild turns before branching into separate narratives to let characters swing freely and frequently.

The most surprising part of the episode is not the intensity of the battle but the audacity of the kaiju to bring the fight to their sworn enemy, the Defense Force. Kaiju No. 8, like most shōnen anime, offers little in the way of philosophical or political musings and nuance. Instead, it prides itself on marking clear lines between good and evil. Despite the anime's detachment from heavier discussions, the audience gets the feeling that the kaiju only retaliated with a targeted attack against an institution that oppresses them. It's hard to say that the kaiju were unjustified this time around. Survival is the watchword of the episode, as both camps fight a fierce battle to kill each other to stay alive. With the monsters burning everything down indiscriminately and their boss singling out Vice Captain Soshiro Hoshina, the stakes are at the highest they have ever been since the anime started.

The episode constantly jumps between two narratives, namely one where Kikoru leads the Third Division on the counteroffensive and the other showing a fierce battle between Hoshina and the ruthless humanoid kaiju. Needless to say, action directs the flow of these parallel narratives. The rush of the emergency situation is multiplied tenfold when the plans fail and the characters have to renew their efforts. There is a feeling of exasperation that builds with every scene, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. Fortunately, Kikoru and Hoshina pull through with their flashy heroics. Their handiwork gives hope despite the death and destruction in the episode.

Kaiju No. 8 Episode 9 Puts Kafka Hibino on the Sidelines

Kafka, Kikoru and Hoshina Steal the Spotlight From Everybody Else

Episode after episode, the anime threw Kafka into one danger after another. And each time, he put on his best Clark Kent expression, knowing full well that his "Superman" self (read: kaiju transformation) can easily save his friends from the jaws of death. But with Kafka's alter-ego being a kaiju whom his Defense Force comrades hunt regularly, he cannot be more wary of the repercussions he might have to face if he transforms in front of them. Kaiju No. 8 Episode 9 makes Kafka run a million thoughts and calculations through his head as he measures the pros and cons of transforming into a kaiju amid a raging battle. While these scenes open up a window to the selfless character who is usually ready to pounce into action in his kaiju form, Episode 9 is where he hits a snag. Still, as always, Kafka is on his feet to provide his friends with vital information instead, which might be more useful to his squad than his weak human self and his understandable hesitations about transforming now.

However, Kafka is not the hero of the episode, as Kikoru and Hoshina take that spot in their individual narratives. The episode begins abruptly and throws the characters into a whirlwind of events. But it also gives attention to almost everyone in the supporting cast. It is just that Kikoru -- with her brash attitude, combat skills, and a brand-new weapon -- stands head and shoulders above her teammates, despite her young age. The way she disposes of one wyvern after another is mildly scary, if not wildly impressive. The actual excitement of the episode comes from Vice Captain Hoshina's fight with the kaiju ring leader, who shows an innate human-like nature. A Daikaiju that can talk and feel emotions spells trouble for Hoshina. Thankfully, he adeptly takes control of the situation and unleashes his full combat abilities to the elation of fans. That is, until everything goes horribly wrong.

Masaya Fukunishi voices Kafka as a man slowly coming into his own, making up for his 1% combat ability with 99% knowledge of kaiju physiology. Because of Fukunishi, Kafka seems immature yet confident. Similarly, Fairouz Ai -- who voices Kikoru -- gives her character an overconfident charm. Meanwhile, Kengo Kawanishi's performance as Hoshina keeps up a playful front behind a deadly instinct. All three of these actors give high marks to the episode's use of their respective characters. However, this came at the expense of the supporting cast. There are many other characters who pop up and even get called out by name in this episode. But whether it was due to the bloated cast and story or otherwise, they were never given enough time to shine or even do anything of relevance. By throwing these extra characters into the mix with explosions going off everywhere, the audience is left contemplating if the rest of the cast are expendable to the cause or just an afterthought.

Kaiju No. 8 Episode 9 Boasts the Anime’s Rawest Fights & Sound Design Yet

Production I.G. and Studio Khara’s Collaboration Paid off Incredibly Well

Kaiju No. 8 Episode 9 is incredibly focused on the combat and, as such, the animation keeps up with the action with high-quality frames. As the story pans out at night, the animators use the yellowish hues of fire and the sparks of gunfire to light up scenes. The wyverns themselves -- being fire-spewing monsters -- help in this regard. Kikoru's new prototype weapon that glows brightly in her hands also deserves special mention. Altogether, there is no dearth of creative lighting, as there is an abundance of near-death fights in this episode.

This is the first time that the kaiju attacks in the anime feel devastating and are reminiscent of the popular tropes of the genre, especially kaiju movies like classic Godzilla. From the Daikaiju evolving in the middle of a battle to the wyverns' terrifying roars, there is a distinct feel to the episode that will appease fans of the King of Monsters to no end. The best way the episode pays homage to its kaiju predecessors is through its sound design. The sound effects complement Studio Khara's kaiju designs and give the wyverns an animalistic roar that makes the monsters scarier. The music from Yuta Bandoh is phenomenal, with the orchestral arrangement actually getting as close to Toho's masterpiece as possible.

Kaiju No. 8 Episode 9 shows the tussle between humans and kaiju in its rawest form. The angry wyverns direct their rage at puny soldiers as the Daikaiju find pleasure in the cargnage and gore they leave in their wake. In response, the Defense Force brings out the big guns. This skirmish was bound to get ugly from the get-go, and Episode 9 did not disappoint with the rapid increase in suspense and destruction. The only thing that the episode is missing is Kafka in kaiju action. But with Mina Ashino currently out of the picture and the Daikaiju evolving into a humongous beast, it may not be too long before he's forced to join the fray -- whether he wants to or not. Kaiju No. 8 Episode 9 is worth all the hype, as it features some of the best fights in the series and of this season's batch of anime so far.

Kaiju No. 8 is now streaming on Crunchyroll, Netflix and Prime Video.

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9

10

Kaiju No. 8 Episode 9

Science Fiction

Action

Kafka Hibino merges with a kaiju and gains powers, leading him to attempt his childhood dream in Kaiju No. 8.

Release Date

2024-04-00

Cast

Fairouz Ai, Wataru Katou, Masaya Fukunishi

Main Genre

Anime

Studio

Production I.G.

Main Cast

Masaya Fukunishi, Fairouz Ai, Wataru Katou

Pros

• The episode begins in medias res and consistently raises the stakes.
• The action dictates the pacing, giving the episode a frantic feeling.
• Cool fight scenes that showcase the true strengths of Kikoru and Hoshina.

Cons

• Despite being the protagonist, Kafka takes a backseat.