Kaiju No. 8, currently serialized in Shonen Jump+ and currently as popular as the magazine itself, has been announced for an anime adaptation starting in April 2024! While many works become huge hits when they are adapted into anime, this spring's anime is sure to be a big hit! Today, we'll be introducing information about Kaiju No. 8's creator, production staff, and currently known cast members!
Overview of Kaiju No. 8!
Kaiju No. 8 has been serialized in Shonen Jump+ since July 2020. It is updated every Friday, but on days when it isn't updated, an illustration collection called "Kaiju Hyakkei" is published. The author is Naoya Matsumoto. Despite just being released in 2020, his work topped the annual sales rankings, was nominated for the 2021 Manga Taisho Awards, won first place in the Web Manga category at the upcoming 2021 Manga Taisho Awards, and won second place at the 5th TSUTAYA Comic Awards.
Introducing Naoya Matsumoto, the author of Kaiju No. 8!
Naoya Matsumoto is a manga artist from Hyogo Prefecture! He won the Twelve Award at the 27th Twelve Newcomer Manga Awards for his work "Neko Romancer," and made his debut in 2006 with a publication in Akamaru Jump. Subsequently, "Nekowappa!" was published in issue 27 of Weekly Shonen Jump in 2009, and the series began serialization in issue 50 of 2009, continuing until issue 11 of 2010. After a one-shot in Shonen Jump NEXT!, "Pochikuro" began serialization in Shonen Jump+ on September 22, 2014, and continued until July 31, 2015. In 2020, "Kaiju No. 8" began serialization in Shonen Jump+, and as of December 2023, 11 volumes have been published.
A brief summary of the plot of Kaiju No. 8!
Living in Japan, a "monster superpower" where giant monsters appear and are treated like disasters, the protagonist, Kafka Hibino, works as a monster cleaner. He once dreamed of joining the monster defense force, which deals with monsters, alongside his childhood friend, Mina Ajiro. However, only Mina recognized his potential, and Kafka repeatedly failed the defense force's entrance exam, causing him to give up on his dream. Then, a young man working part-time at the cleaning company, Reno Ichikawa, tells him that the age limit for the defense force has been lowered, and he decides to take the exam again. As Kafka makes this decision, a mysterious monster appears before him and invades his body, transforming him into a powerful monster. Kafka, along with Reno, who knows his true identity, must conceal his secret as he takes the entrance exam for the Defense Forces.
The anime for Kaiju No. 8 is being produced by Production I.G!
The anime for Kaiju No. 8 is being produced by Production I.G! Production I.G is a production company with its headquarters and studio in Musashino City, Tokyo, and an animation studio in Chuo Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. Its predecessor, I.G Tatsunoko Ltd., was established in 1987 with funding from Kyoto Animation and Tatsunoko Productions. It is a production company primarily focused on sports anime and sci-fi works.
Introducing Production I.G's Representative Works!
Ghost in the Shell Series
Based on the manga by Masamune Shirow, this sci-fi anime series, set in a cyberpunk world of advanced science and technology, has spawned numerous series. The first work to be adapted into a film was the 1995 animated film Ghost in the Shell directed by Mamoru Oshii, followed by a TV anime series in 2002 and Oshii's second film, Innocence, in 2004. This was followed by the four-part Ghost in the Shell ARISE and the Netflix series Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045.
PSYCHO-PASS Series
This sci-fi anime TV series was conceived by Katsuyuki Motohiro, director of the TV drama "Bayside Shakedown," and anime production director Naoyoshi Shiotani. Set in a near-future sci-fi world where people's psychology can be measured by machines, the protagonists are detectives in the Public Safety Bureau, a police organization tasked with cracking down on potential criminals. The original character designs were created by Akira Amano, known for "Katekyo Hitman Reborn!", and three anime TV series and several anime films have been produced to date.
Haikyu!!
The original story, based on a high school volleyball-themed manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, was adapted into an anime in 2014. The manga ran from 2012 to 2020, and the anime has produced four seasons (the fourth season is two cours long).
Introducing the cast of Kaiju No. 8 so far!
Hibino Kafka CV: Fukunishi Katsuya
The protagonist, Hibino Kafka, is voiced by Fukunishi Katsuya! Born February 24, 1995, Fukunishi Katsuya is from Nara Prefecture and is a voice actor affiliated with Ken Productions. His notable anime voice acting roles include the role of Ryuguji Ken (the second voice actor) in Tokyo Revengers. He has also done a lot of dubbing work for overseas films.
Ichikawa Reno CV: Wataru Kato
Kafka's partner, Ichikawa Reno, is voiced by Wataru Kato! Born July 17th in Tokyo, Wataru Kato is a voice actor affiliated with I'm Enterprise. His notable roles include Shiro Kokufu in ID:INVADED, Touka Scott in The Hero Died!, and Rentaro Aijo in 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You.
Mina Ajiro, voiced by Asami Seto
The heroine of this work, Mina Ajiro, is voiced by Asami Seto! Born April 2, 1993, she is from Saitama Prefecture and is a voice actress affiliated with StarCrew. Her notable works include the roles of Chihaya Ayase in Chihayafuru, Raphtalia in The Rising of the Shield Hero, and Nobara Kugisaki in Jujutsu Kaisen.
[Kaiju No. 8] Author, Production Staff, and Cast Summary
This article summarizes information about the author, production company, and currently known cast of Kaiju No. 8, an anime scheduled to air in April 2024! Since it's being produced by Production I.G, known for its sci-fi works, I'm confident the anime will perfectly capture the worldview of the original work! Information about additional cast members will likely be revealed in the future, so stay tuned!
