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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 moving story of Kafka Hibino and his comrades battling the growing Kaiju threat is packed with drama and a touch of comedy for levity. With such a compelling story, fans can only hope the anime does Matsumoto's story justice.

As with any book-to-TV or film 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 provided audiences with many of these defining moments, but there's so much 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 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 her father's recent passing, 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 truly 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 IDF 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 being finally rescued by Kafka as Kaiju No. 8. However, even Kafka's rescue is hampered when No. 9 brings an army of fungus-like Kaiju to the surface. The Defense Forces eventually prevail, 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's introduction. 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 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 begins cleaning up. However, in his next scene, Narumi is seen perched atop 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 faces Kaiju No. 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. Kafka's true identity is still a secret at this point, so Hoshina believes he is simply another powerful Kaiju ready to be exterminated. Hoshina immediately goes on the offensive, demonstrating the full power of his swordsmanship for the first time.

Kafka does his best to keep Hoshina at bay, but Hoshina proves why he's known as one of the strongest soldiers in the Defense Forces. Kafka manages to survive in the end—leaving a deeply 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. Unfortunately, Kafka fell behind Mina, and she is now the captain of the third division, while he is merely an officer with Kaiju powers. Although Kafka eventually managed to join the Defense Forces, Mina refuses to speak to him until one fateful day, when she invites him to lunch with her.

The scene is strange because of their history, but it provides important insight into their current relationship. After all this time, Mina still hopes Kafka will fight by her side. However, she also sees that Kafka is beginning to intrude 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 almost defeated by Kaiju No. 10

Volume 3, Chapters 25-26

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

When Soshiro Hoshina first encounters Kaiju No. 10, he initially disbelieves 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 too strong for even the famous Hoshina. He even pushes Hoshina to his limit. Fortunately, Captain Mina Ashiro and Officer Kikoru Shinomiya arrive to help Hoshina. They eventually defeat the Kaiju (with Kafka's help) and take part of the monster back to Tachikawa Base. This fight is one of the best, as it proves Hoshina's courage 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 #8In the 1980s, Iharu Furuhashi and Reno Ichikawa were rivals. Although Furuhashi initially achieved a higher percentage of his energy output, Ichikawa quickly surpassed him. Ichikawa improved so much that he even became a candidate for Weapon Number 6. When Ichikawa was ready to test it in live combat, he performed well at first, until the synchronization began to take over. 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 offers 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 pass 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 unseen 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 tail-shaped. Number Weapon 10 can also still talk to Hoshina, despite becoming a tool, and has some control over the Weapon. In the field, Hoshina and Number 10 fight for control before Hoshina relents. This is a stunning 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 eventually gets 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 time 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 usher in 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 came in ninth place in the first popularity poll.

When Kafka reveals himself to his Third Division comrades, there seems no other course of action than to transform 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 toward 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 he still has humanity in him. The two engage in one of the most explosive battles, with Isao even using the Numbers Weapon 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.