The Kaiju No. 8 spinoff manga, titled Kaiju No. 8 Side B, debuted on January 4 with the first chapter and is set to release its second chapter this Thursday. According to the description on MANGA Plus, Shueisha's online platform, this spinoff will cover events involving the Defense Force not shown in the original series. This news comes amidst the anticipation for the upcoming anime adaptation by Production I.G., set to be released in April. Naoya Matsumoto has crafted a shonen series that incorporates his love for kaiju while also offering unique modifications to the genre's typical tropes.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Kaiju No. 8 spinoff manga.
Kaiju No. 8 spinoff manga will release chapter 2 this Thursday
The spinoff manga Kaiju No. 8 Side B debuted on January 4 and the second chapter will be released this Thursday. Viz Media and MANGA Plus have also confirmed that they will be providing the English chapters for free, allowing fans worldwide to enjoy Naoya Matsumoto's latest work.
The franchise is expected to have a highly successful year in 2024, with Production I.G. set to release the series' first anime adaptation in April. Additionally, the manga has exceeded one hundred chapters, marking a significant milestone for the series.
The appeal of the series
The Kaiju No. 8 spinoff manga delves into the events that occurred within the Defense Force, a part of the series' world that was not heavily featured in the original story. It is refreshing to see Matsumoto's story shining a spotlight on this particular aspect of the series.
Living in a world where kaiju attacks are the norm and Japan is the nation with the most attacks, Kafka Hibino has always harbored a dream of joining the Defense Force to combat these creatures. However, he failed to achieve his goal and now, in his mid-30s, he works as a cleaner. Everything changes when he gains the ability to transform into a kaiju after one enters his body.
The series has achieved great success since 2020 due to its exploration of an older protagonist, which is rare in shonen, and its ability to challenge many genre tropes. Additionally, the blending of kaiju monsters and shonen creates a unique and popular concept.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am thrilled about the regular serialization of the Kaiju No. 8 spinoff manga, Kaiju No. 8 Side B. The original series has captivated me with its unique blend of kaiju monsters and shonen elements, and I can't wait to delve deeper into the world of Kaiju No. 8. The spinoff's focus on events within the Defense Force promises to shed light on an unexplored aspect of the series, and I'm excited to see how Naoya Matsumoto expands upon the world he has created.
The success of Kaiju No. 8 is a testament to Matsumoto's storytelling skills and his ability to challenge genre conventions. The series' exploration of an older protagonist and its subversion of typical shonen tropes have resonated with readers, and I believe that the spinoff has the potential to be just as successful. With the upcoming anime adaptation and the manga's impressive milestone of exceeding one hundred chapters, 2024 is shaping up to be a monumental year for the Kaiju No. 8 franchise. I eagerly anticipate the release of each new chapter and can't wait to see what the future holds for Kaiju No. 8 and its spinoff.