Jump+'s much-anticipated anime series "Kaiju No. 8," set to air in April 2024, features intense battles set in modern-day Japan, where giant monsters spawn like disasters, just like in special effects movies! While the story and worldview are typical of Jump, the protagonist is a man in his 30s whose dreams have been shattered. Today, we'd like to introduce you to the main character, Kafka Hibino!
Japan, the "Monster Nation"
In this work, giant monsters appear like disasters. Japan, in particular, is known as a "monster nation" rather than a "nation prone to earthquakes," and is plagued by numerous monster-related disasters. However, humans are not without means to fight back against the monsters. A "Defense Force" equipped with special equipment fights against monsters, eliminating any that appear and protecting the peace of Japan.
Kafka Hibino, 32, Works in the Cleaning Industry!
The protagonist of this film, "Kaiju No. 8," is not a cool member of the Defense Force who defeats monsters... but rather a 32-year-old man who works for Monster Sweeper Co., Ltd., a monster-specializing cleaning company that cleans up the messes left behind by the Defense Force. It was a smelly, dirty, and tough job, working quietly behind the scenes of the glorious Defense Force. Kafka was an excellent cleaner who thrived in such a tough workplace.
Hibino Kafka, 32 Years Old, Dreams Shattered...
Hibino Kafka was a reliable and excellent cleaner, but his true dream and goal since childhood was to join the Defense Force. As children, Kafka and his childhood friend, Mina Ajiro, promised to join the Defense Force and defeat monsters together. However, only Mina was recognized for her potential. Kafka repeatedly failed the entrance exam, eventually failing the age limit and shattering his dream. Now, his childhood friend Mina has become an indispensable member of the Defense Force, leaving him far behind.
Hibino Kafka Aiming to Rejoin the Defense Force
Kafka, an old man with such shattered dreams, possesses the courage to act without hesitation if there is something worth saving, even if it's a monster he can never defeat. After meeting Ichikawa Reno, an 18-year-old who joins the company as a part-timer with the same aspirations as Kafka, he decides to take the Defense Forces entrance exam again. Just when you think the battle between the cocky 18-year-old Reno and the dream-shattered 32-year-old Kafka is about to begin, the story takes a sudden and unexpected turn.
After being infected by a mysterious monster, Kafka becomes the monster Devilman!
Kafka and Reno face the monster together, and the two end up hospitalized together. There, Kafka is suddenly infected by a mysterious monster and, before he knows it, has transformed into a terrifying monster-human. Kafka, Reno, and the entire hospital are thrown into chaos and panic. Although Kafka has suddenly become a monster-human, the monster is not currently controlling his mind, and he remains Kafka inside. However, Kafka's power as a monster-human is so great that he easily one-punches a monster that the defense team had missed, causing a rain of blood.
Hibino Kafka has become Monster No. 8! He becomes a target for the defense team!
Kafka is named Kaiju No. 8, the eighth largest monster in history, and is recognized as the first undefeated monster in the history of the Defense Force. Kafka's powers are truly incredible. Having become a monster, Kafka possesses a kind of resonant ability that allows him to sense the presence of monsters and is apparently able to return to human form. However, if he lets his guard down, his monster form may sometimes appear.
Kafka takes the entrance exam with Reno!
Kafka, now a monster, finds himself in danger from the Defense Forces, but he takes the entrance exam to keep his promise to Mina. Reno, who takes the exam alongside Kafka, is the only one who understands his situation and acts as a supportive ally to the somewhat absent-minded Kafka. Despite a tiff with the arrogant young lady, Shinomiya Kikoru, during the entrance exam, he takes the physical fitness test. His results were so low it was easier to count from the bottom. This was partly due to Kafka's age, which meant he didn't use his powers, but also due to the high level of this year's test takers.
Liberation Power: 0! Kafka Doesn't Get Along with the Defense Force's Equipment
The Defense Force has special equipment made from monsters, and its members wear these suits to deal with monsters. The suits have a numerical value called "Liberation Power," which measures how well the suit is used. However, Kafka seems to have trouble with his suit, perhaps due to the effects of being transformed into a monster. His liberation power at the first measurement was a surprising 0! His liberation power barely increased after that.
Even if you can't perform well in battle, support them with your knowledge and experience!
Kafka's low liberation capabilities often lag behind his fellow team members in combat, but he makes up for it by leveraging the knowledge and experience he's gained from dismantling monsters, allowing him to take on approaches other than directly defeating the enemy. In fact, for Kafka, who can't transform into a monster at will, being able to analyze and consider monsters on the front lines is a valuable asset.
The beloved old man! However, he is forced to make a crucial decision...
Kafka somehow manages to pass the entrance exam and become a member of the Defense Force. As an older man, Kafka is often seen as a mood maker among the many younger members. He is well-liked and shows his reliability as an elder. However, Kafka is forced to make a certain choice to protect his comrades from the appearance of Kaiju No. 9 and the subsequent attacks of monsters with unparalleled strength.
[Kaiju No. 8] Hibino Kafka Summary
This time, I've put together a summary of Hibino Kafka, the protagonist of Kaiju No. 8! It's quite unusual for a Jump manga to have a protagonist in his 30s, but I still think he's a very Jump-esque protagonist! It's a classic Jump manga that only Jump+ can pull off, so I think the anime will be easy to understand, flashy, and entertaining! It will start airing in April 2024, so I'm really looking forward to it! If you're interested, please give it a watch!
