Kaiju No. 8 Returns With a New Commander and a Recap Film

Naoya Matsumoto’s Kaiju No. 8 made waves when its anime adaptation premiered last year, earning praise for its faithful execution. Now, the series is gearing up for a comeback in the summer anime season, introducing a fresh face who’s set to shake things up.

The previous season concluded with Kafka imprisoned after he lost control and nearly took out Defense Force general Isao. In a desperate act of self-restraint, he punched himself in the heart to stop the attack. Instead of punishment, the Defense Force sees potential in him and decides to promote him to the First Division, placing him and Kikoru under the leadership of Gen Narumi. While Gen may seem more like a hardcore gamer than a battlefield leader, he is an unstoppable force when it comes to battling kaiju. Armed with a massive bayonet rifle, he expects only one thing from his subordinates—proof of their overwhelming strength as they face even more terrifying creatures. His no-nonsense approach and formidable combat skills make him a likely fan-favorite, especially since he also played a key role in the final chapters of the Kaiju No. 8 spinoff, B-Side.

To prepare for the next chapter, Toho is set to release Mission Recon, a special recap film covering season one. The 119-minute movie will also include an original episode titled “Hoshina’s Day Off,” which follows Reno and Iharu as they tail Hoshina to see what he does outside of combat. The episode will feature a brand-new ending theme, Invincible, by OneRepublic. Fans in the US and Canada can catch Mission Recon in theaters on April 13, 14, and 16, with screenings available in both subtitled Japanese and English dub. With its blend of intense action and new character dynamics, Kaiju No. 8 is poised to keep audiences on the edge of their seats once again.