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Saved Kaiju No. 8 critical reception, June 28, 2023[edit]
Kaiju No. 8 has been well received by Anime News Network in a series of positive reviews of the first volume of the manga.[1][2] Grant Jones praised the series, highlighting its premise, characters, art work and its comedy concluding with: "Honestly, this one has a lot of promise and I'm eager to see what else is in store."[1] Christopher Farris commended the series for having an older protagonist and praised its comedy writing that "Matsumoto's art and paneling have a great sense of using timing and page-turns to block the various gags they play out."[2] Rebecca Silverman wrote that "Kaiju No. 8 is simply a fun read. It's an entertaining take on a crowded genre and still manages to be successfully serious when it needs to be."[2] MrAJCosplay praised Matsumoto's artstyle and the series' focus on kaiju in general, writing: "[I]t feels like the perfect recipe for a smash hit and while I can't speak to how successful this manga series is, so far it's definitely hitting all the right notes for me."[2]
Hamatsu of Netorabo praised the series for its art, specifically its depiction of kaiju, the environments and its use of page spreads to tell its story as well as Kafka as a novel aspect of the series due to his age.[3] Koiwai of Manga News wrote a positive review of the series' first volume describing it as entertaining with impressive art and endearing characters.[4] Masha Zhdanova of Women Write About Comics was positive about the series' first volume writing: "What makes Kaiju No. 8 really stand out is its unusual take on the monster-fighting premise and the incredibly striking and well-drawn kaiju designs and action sequences."[5] Danica Davidson of Otaku USA, in a review of the first volume of the manga, praised the series' unique premise within the kaiju genre and its comedic tone writing that "it's regularly very funny, and its characters are unique and likable."[6] James Whitbrook of Gizmodo described Kaiju No. 8 as "a typical kind of shōnen series" but praised Kafka as a character writing that "[e]ven when he finds power thrust upon him in the unlikely way it is, Kafka retains that sort of goofily earnest mix of imperfection and kind-heartedness that makes him relatable and easy to root for."[7]
In a positive review of the first five chapters, Antonio Mireles of The Fandom Post wrote that Kaiju No. 8 has an engaging premise and a "ton of engrossing aspects that it can play with."[8] Although metamorphosis is a plot device that is seen often, he felt that the character Kafka "adds new life" to the trope. However, Mireles said it was "such a shame" that the story moved on from Monster Sweeper Inc to the Defense Force, as the former could have been a source for captivating stories. He strongly praised Matsumoto's kaiju designs and the art as "beautiful and grotesque but in a good way," but did not like how the monsters' intestines are self-censored by the author.[8]
In a mixed review of the first volume, Dallas Marshall of Comic Book Resources praised the series' subversion of genre tropes by having an older protagonist and because of its focus on the aftermath of battles. He criticized the art writing that "the artwork of Kaiju No. 8 flip-flops between passable and outstanding" and ended his review by writing that the series "is still a little wet behind the ears, but it has the potential to become something great."[9] In a negative review of the first volume, Katherine Dacey of Manga Bookshelf wrote that the series "follow[s] an all-too-familiar formula" and that "Matsumoto is more interested in writing a monster-fighting manga than writing a thoughtful story about a man who unwittingly becomes a monster."[10]
Kaiju No. 8 critical reception with multiple sources[edit]
The series' first volume has been positively received by various publications [a] with particular praise aimed at its artwork[b] which has been described as "gorgeous and incredibly detailed."[2] Matsumoto has received praise for his use of page spreads for storytelling purposes[2][11] and for his kaiju designs.[11][13][8] Kafka Hibino has also been singled out as an endearing character[15] and a novel aspect of the series due to his age.[c] The series has also been lauded for its comedy.[1][2][14]
The series has drawn a mixed reception with some publications.[16][17] Dallas Marshall of Comic Book Resources thought that "the artwork of Kaiju No. 8 flip-flops between passable and outstanding" but believed that the series could become better with subsequent volume releases.[16] Katherine Dacey of Manga Bookshelf was more critical of the series describing the first volume as formulaic and writing that "Matsumoto is more interested in writing a monster-fighting manga than writing a thoughtful story about a man who unwittingly becomes a monster."[17]
Side B draft[edit]
Kaiju No. 8 B-Side (Japanese: 怪獣8号 side B, Hepburn: Kaijū 8-gō Saido B) is a Japanese action manga series written by Naoya Matsumoto and Keiji Ando and illustrated by Kentaro Hidano. Kaiju No. 8 B-Side is a spin-off series of Kaiju No. 8, its story based on a light novel titled Kaijū 8-gō Mitchaku! Dai-3-butai that was released on November 4th, 2022. The series follows characters from Kaiju No. 8 during their training in the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force.
Shueisha began serializing the series in January 2024 on Shonen Jump + and in English on its Manga Plus app. Viz Media began publishing the series on its website in January 2024 and has licensed the series in English.
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