Kaiju No 8 Spin-Off Manga Begins Serializing: Release Date, Expectations, and More

At Jump Festa 2024, Kaiju fans received exciting news of a Kaiju No. 8 spin-off manga. The announcement on December 17, 2023, Day 2 of the event, was met with enthusiastic applause and cheers. The highly anticipated information comes amidst the series' rising popularity. Additionally, it was revealed at Stage Red that the anime will be available for free streaming on Crunchyroll for the first time, on the official X account. This was a delightful treat for fans of Naoya Matsumoto's series.

Kaiju No. 8 spin-off manga: Release date, what to expect, and more

Release date

Adding to the thrill on the Red Stage was the reveal of a spin-off manga for the series. Titled "Kaiju 8 Side B," it is set to start serializing on Jump+ on January 5, 2024.

What to expect

Kentaro Hidano, co-creator of Super Smartphone, will be illustrating the Kaiju No. 8 spin-off manga, while Naoya Matsumoto and Keiji Ando are credited with the original work.

The spin-off manga will focus on members of the Defense Force and delve into their individual stories, a unique approach not yet explored in the main manga. Readers can look forward to more in-depth storytelling about characters such as Kafka Hibino, Mina Ashiro, and Gen Narumi.

Other information

The highlight of the entire stage was undoubtedly the unveiling of the new trailer. This third trailer for the upcoming series provided an exciting glimpse into the activities of the Defense Force. Fans can look forward to the anime streaming in April 2024, with more information set to be announced in the near future.

The manga was launched by Naoya Matsumoto in July 2020 on Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ website. The first print volume was released in December 2020, and due to the overwhelming positive response and demand, several more printings followed. By September 2021, the manga had sold over 4 million copies, making it the fastest Shonen Jump+ manga to reach this milestone.

The Jump Festa 2024 Kaiju No. 8 panel also unveiled fresh character visuals showcasing Kikoru Shinomiya (Fairouz Ai) and Soshiro Hoshina (Kengo Kawanishi). Through the official X account, the pair conveyed messages for fans regarding their forthcoming roles.

Kaiju No. 8 plot

The image above shows Kaiju No. 8 as depicted in the manga (Image via Naoya Matsumoto, Shueisha)

Following the destruction of their town by Kaiju, childhood friends Kafka Hibino and Mina Ashiro make a pact to join the Defense Force and combat Kaiju side by side. Mina rises to become the captain of the Third Division in the Defense Force, while Kafka, unable to pass the examination, ends up working on the clean-up crew responsible for disposing of kaiju remains after battles.

After ingesting a tiny Kaiju, Kafka's destiny takes a dramatic turn as he gains the ability to morph into one. Evading the Defense Force, he reemerges as "Kaiju No. 8" and seeks to reenlist. And so the story unfolds, as Kafka grapples with his newfound powers, striving to keep them hidden while battling alongside the Defense Force.

Editor's P/S

As a devoted fan of Kaiju No. 8, I am thrilled beyond words about the announcement of a spin-off manga. The main series has captivated me with its compelling storyline, dynamic characters, and breathtaking action sequences. The prospect of delving deeper into the world of Kaiju No. 8 through a spin-off manga is an absolute dream come true. I can't wait to explore the untold stories of the Defense Force members and gain a fresh perspective on this captivating universe.

The news of the spin-off manga's release date, January 5, 2024, has only heightened my excitement. The fact that it will be available on Jump+ makes it even more accessible to fans worldwide. I am eagerly counting down the days until I can immerse myself in this new chapter of the Kaiju No. 8 saga. The creative team behind the spin-off, including Kentaro Hidano as the illustrator and Naoya Matsumoto and Keiji Ando as the original work creators, fills me with confidence that this new venture will be nothing short of exceptional.