Kaiju No 8, also known as Monster #8 (Japanese: 怪獣8号, Hepburn: Kaijū Hachigō), is a critically acclaimed Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto. First serialized in July 2020 on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ online platform, the manga has quickly become one of the best-selling and most popular action manga series in recent years, blending intense kaiju battles with emotional depth and stunning artwork.
Kaiju No. 8 centers on Kafka Hibino, an ordinary man living in a Japan constantly under threat from terrifying monsters known as kaiju. After an unexpected encounter with a mysterious parasitic creature, Kafka gains the ability to transform into one of these monsters himself. Armed with this new power, he strives to join the Japan Defense Force, a powerful organization dedicated to eliminating kaiju, while keeping his secret hidden.
Kafka’s journey is one of perseverance, redemption, and self-discovery — driven by a childhood promise and the will to protect those he cares about. Combining explosive action scenes with heartfelt character development, Kaiju No. 8 offers a refreshing take on the monster-fighting genre and delivers a gripping storyline that appeals to both new readers and longtime manga fans.