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This article contains spoilers for Kaiju #8 manga.

Kaiju #8 is one of the newest animes airing this season. However, Naoya Matsumoto’s manga has been running since 2020. The heartwarming story of Kafka Hibino and his comrades fighting the growing threat of Kaiju has plenty of drama with a dash of comedy for levity. With such a compelling story, fans can only hope that the anime does justice to Matsumoto’s story.

As with any book-to-TV or movie adaptation, there will always be some things that are changed or omitted. However, some moments from the Kaiju #8 manga are too iconic to ignore. These scenes provide character growth as well as emotionally moving moments. This includes many of the fan-favorite scenes that make Kaiju #8 so good. Some of the episodes have already given audiences many of these defining moments, but there are many more to come that readers are eager to see come to life.

10 Kikoru continues his family's legacy

Volume 10, Chapters 70-71

• Kikoru also wields a specialized axe.
• Kikoru came in fifth place in the first popularity polls.

Kikoru Shinomiya lost her mother when she was very young. Hikari Shinomiya was one of the best officers in the Defense Forces and the wielder of the Number 4 Weapon. Now that Kikoru is a prodigious officer in the Defense Forces, it is her turn to wield the Number 4 Weapon. Despite being distressed by the recent passing of her father, Kikoru proudly dons the suit and vows to eliminate all Kaiju in the name of her family.

Seeing Kikoru flying across Japan with Weapon Number 4 is so moving simply because of the story behind it. It really highlights Kikoru's strength, as well as the legacy she carries. The scene doesn't last more than a few pages, but it's so moving that fans can't wait to see it in the anime.

9 Reno Ichikawa and Iharu Furuhashi face Kaiju #9

Volume 2, Chapters 16-17

• Reno Ichikawa loves shonen manga.
• Ichikawa became part of a Kaiju cleaning company to learn more about them for his Defense Force aptitude test.

When Kaiju No. 9 reappears after injuring Kikoru Shinomiya during the training battle, he finds himself face to face with two other new Defense Force Officers, Iharu Furuhashi and Reno Ichikawa. Ichikawa witnessed No. 9 during the first attack and skillfully (albeit narrowly) avoided No. 9's blasts this time. Furuhashi is not so lucky. However, the two young men argue over who will stay behind and who will receive help.

In the end, they decide to face No. 9 together before they are finally rescued by Kafka as Kaiju No. 8. However, even Kafka's rescue is marred when No. 9 brings an army of fungus-like Kaiju to the surface. The Defense Forces eventually win, but not without No. 9 wreaking as much havoc as possible. This battle highlights not only Ichikawa and Furuhashi's growing and reluctant partnership, but also gives readers a glimpse of the destruction to come.

8 Gen Narumi is introduced

Volume 3, Chapters 38-39

• Gen Narumi's released combat power is the highest in the series so far.
• Narumi came in second place in the first popularity poll.

While this doesn't necessarily constitute a scene, many manga readers can't wait for Gen Narumi to be introduced. Narumi is a unique character. Despite being the strongest member of the current Defense Force, as well as the Captain of the First Division, Narumi prefers to do his own thing. He enjoys video games and spending more money than he has. However, he also loves killing Kaiju and is quite spectacular at it.

Narumi is first introduced when Kafka appears to have the upper hand over Isao during their fight. However, Isao tells Narumi to retreat. Later, readers see him vegetating in his room with snacks and clutter scattered across the floor. He even begins to complain when one of his subordinates starts cleaning up the place. However, in his next scene, Narumi is seen perched on top of a dead Kaiju, staring wistfully out at the ocean. Narumi is a complex and remarkable character that fans can't wait to see more of.

7 Vice-Captain Hoshina takes on Kaiju #8

Volume 3, Chapter 19

• Soshiro Hoshina likes coffee.
• He came first in the first popularity poll.

During the first major battle with Kaiju No. 9, Kafka (in Kaiju form) finds himself on the battlefield when the Third Division's vice-captain, Soshiro Hoshina, arrives on the scene. Kafka's true identity is still a secret at this point, so Hoshina believes that he is simply another powerful Kaiju ready to be exterminated. Hoshina immediately goes on the offensive, showing off the full power of his swordsmanship skills for the first time.

Kafka does his best to keep Hoshina at bay, but Hoshina proves why he is known as one of the strongest soldiers in the Defense Forces. Kafka manages to survive in the end – leaving a rather distraught Hoshina in his wake. This scene not only highlights Hoshina’s acuity, but also gives the audience a glimpse into Kafka’s struggle to remain human on the inside while still fighting as a Kaiju.

6 Mina and Kafka have lunch

Volume 9, Chapter 69

• Mina likes sweet food and felines.
• Mina came in seventh place in the first popularity poll.

Mina Ashiro and Kafka Hibino were once childhood friends who dreamed of becoming officers in the Defense Forces. Every day, they would train and practice for their future future. Unfortunately, Kafka fell behind Mina, and she is now the captain of the third division, while he is just an officer with Kaiju powers. Although Kafka eventually managed to enter the Defense Forces, Mina refuses to speak to him until one fateful day when she invites him to have lunch with her.

The scene is strange because of their history, but it provides important information about their current relationship. After all this time, Mina still expects Kafka to fight by her side. However, she also sees that Kafka is starting to get in the way and becomes fearful of what comes next. Despite their connection, Mina and Kafka don't have many scenes together, so this lunch is particularly important for their character development.

5 Hoshina is nearly defeated by Kaiju #10

Volume 3, Chapters 25-26

• Kaiju No. 10's eye is similar to Hoshina's eyes.
• Kaiju #10 and Hoshina's relationship becomes similar to that of Spider-Man and Venom.

When Soshiro Hoshina first encounters Kaiju No. 10, he is at first incredulous that such a powerful Kaiju could exist—much less that it could command other Kaiju. Undeterred, Hoshina does his best to expose the Kaiju's core and win the day.

Unfortunately, No. 10 proves to be too strong for even the famous Hoshina. He even pushes Hoshina to his limits. Luckily, Captain Mina Ashiro and Officer Kikoru Shinomiya arrive to help Hoshina. They eventually defeat the Kaiju (with help from Kafka) and take part of the monster back to Tachikawa Base. This fight is one of the best, as it proves Hoshina's mettle and establishes the strange bond that later forms between Hoshina and No. 10.

4 Furuhashi and Ichikawa become unlikely partners

Volume 8, Chapters 60-63

• Iharu Furuhashi's hairstyle is a callback to Matsumoto's other works.
• Furuhashi likes punk rock.

Since they met in Kaiju #8, Iharu Furuhashi and Reno Ichikawa were rivals. Although Furuhashi initially had a higher percentage in his energy output, Ichikawa quickly surpassed him. Ichikawa improved so much that he even became a candidate to use Weapon Number 6. When Ichikawa was ready to test it in live combat, he did well at first, until the synchronization began to take over his body. Ichikawa was frozen (literally and figuratively) on the battlefield. Captain Ogata and the other senior officers were ready to rescue him until Furuhashi appeared at Ichikawa's side.

Although Furuhashi is jealous of Ichikawa, he gives him words of encouragement and grabs Ichikawa to get him out of the line of fire. The pair eventually form a partnership. Furuhashi creates an opening to allow Ichikawa to break through the core. Neither of them could have defeated the Kaiju without the other. This scene emphasizes the growing bond between the two men. Furthermore, it features a plethora of incredible combat that has not been seen in any other fight thus far.

3 Hoshina and Kaiju No. 10 become one

Volume 10, Chapter 73

• Soshiro Hoshina is better at video games than Gen Narumi.
• Soshiro and Gen have a fierce rivalry.

After Kaiju No. 9 assimilates Director General Isao Shinomiya, Kaiju No. 10 suddenly awakens in the Third Division's captivity, wanting to talk. He then asks Vice-Captain Soshiro Hoshina to use him as a Number Weapon. Hoshina is skeptical at first, but eventually agrees in exchange for vital information about Number 9. The Defense Force then begins work on creating Number Weapon 10.

The scene where Hoshina uses it for the first time in Kaiju #8 It's a sight to behold. Unlike the other Number Weapons, Number Weapon 10 is shaped like a tail. Number Weapon 10 can also still talk to Hoshina despite becoming a tool and having some control over the Weapon. In the field, Hoshina and Number 10 fight for control before Hoshina gives in. This is a surprising scene not only because Number Weapon 10 is unprecedented in many ways, but also because of Hoshina's willingness to sacrifice control for the sake of survival.

2 Kaiju no. 9 Looking for Isao Shinomiya

Volume 6, Chapters 48-51

• Isao enjoys whiskey, jazz and playing chess.
• He avoids wearing reading glasses around Kikoru out of embarrassment.

Kaiju No. 9 returns in full force after being defeated by the Third Division. Determined to fight Kaiju No. 8, No. 9 searches for his prey, but ends up finding something even more attractive: Number Weapon 2. This weapon is made from Kaiju No. 2 and is wielded by Isao Shinomiya. Determined to defeat No. 9 at all costs, Isao uses all his strength to defend the First Division and rid the world of No. 9 forever.

Unfortunately, No. 9 ends up getting the better of Isao, and assimilates the Director General, and No. 2's power, into his body. No. 9 poses as the Director General for a while before Kafka realizes the truth. It's an intense and moving moment - especially when Kikoru realizes his father's fate. However, it's also the turning point for No. 9 and his plan to bring about the next Kaiju Era.

1 Kafka proves his worth to Isao Shinomiya

Volumes 4-5. Chapters 35-37

• Isao Shinomiya wields the Number Weapon 2.
• Isao ranked ninth in the first popularity poll.

When Kafka reveals himself to his comrades in the Third Division, there seems to be no other course of action than to turn him into the Director General of the Defense Forces, Isao Shinomiya. Isao is Kikoru's strict and almost unfeeling father. He leaves no room for chance and is especially spiteful towards the Kaiju that took his wife so many years ago. When Isao challenges Kafka to a duel to prove his humanity, the prospects do not look good for the future hero.

Fortunately, Kafka fights back just enough to prove to Isao that there is still humanity in his body. The two engage in one of the most bombastic battles, with Isao even using the Numbers Gun 2. Although Kafka is nearly defeated by the Director General, Isao sees a fire in Kafka that proves his worth. After this battle, Isao agrees to keep Kafka in his division to use Kafka as a weapon against the threat of a Kaiju cataclysm.