Kaiju No. 8 has been to a great start and is shaping up to be one of the best anime of 2024. Based on Naoyo Matsumoto’s manga, Kaiju No 8 characters are well written even though the anime is still in its first season.

Kaiju No 8 is set in a world where colossal monsters known as Kaiju wreak havoc, the elite Japan Defense Force stands as humanity’s last line of defense. Kafka Hibino is the protagonist, who is a sweeper tasked with cleaning up after Kaiju attacks, and unexpectedly gains the ability to transform into a Kaiju himself.

Here is a list of all the major Kaiju No 8 characters introduced in the anime, so far.

Hibino Kafka

The main protagonist of the series, Hibino Kafka is a goofball whose playful antics bring a sense of camaraderie and levity to the otherwise intense atmosphere of the Defense Force.

Kafka’s motivation is deeply rooted in a promise he made to his childhood friend, Mina Ashiro. As children, they vowed to fight Kaiju side by side, a promise that Kafka holds close to his heart.

Kafka’s path takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious parasite invades his body, transforming him into the titular Kaiju No. 8 after he and Ichikawa get injured by a kaiju. Ichikawa forms a good bond with Kafka and helps him to keep his Kaiju identity a secret.

Despite his transformation to Kaiju form, he retains his humanity and has helped his fellow officers several times. He is a fearless hero who bravely plunges into perilous situations, especially when the lives of his friends are at stake. His courage and his knowledge of the weakness of the Kaijus make him a reliable ally, even out of his Kaiju form.

Ichikawa Reno

Reno Ichikawa is an ambitious young man with a clear goal: to join the Japan Defense Force and eradicate the Kaiju threat once and for all. His journey begins when he joins Monster Sweeper Inc., to learn more about Kaiju in preparation for the Defense Force’s written exam.

Reno reignites the fire in Kafka to join the Defence Force and both pass the exam. Reno starts off as one of the weaker candidates but his Combat Power increases dramatically as he trains.

His loyalty to Kafka is fierce as he helps him keep his Kaiju identity a secret and calls him ‘Sensei’ as he sees him as a mentor figure from his days in Monster Sweeper.

Reno is liked by everyone in the force and has the respect of his seniors. He has a friendly rivalry with the likes of Shinomiya and more notably with Iharu.

Kikoru Shinomiya

Kikoru gets a flashy introduction during the Defence Force exam as she showcases the highest Combat Power and clears out a lot of Kaiju on her own.

Although she starts off as a haughty character who gets in a tussle with Kafka, she quickly becomes a friend after she is saved by Kafka who reveals to her his secret.

She is the daughter of the Director General of the Defense Force, Isao Shinomiya, who is shown to be very cold towards her daughter. She is also put under a lot of pressure by her father to be the best and unbeatable. Kikoru also gets a specialized weapon (a huge axe) very early in her career because of her Combat Power.

Ashiro Mina

Mina Ashiro is one of the most formidable Captains in the Japan Defense Force and leads the elite Third Division at Tachikawa Base. Renowned for her exceptional Combat Power, Mina has inspired many of her officers to join the Defense Force.

Mina maintains a stoic and professional demeanor, rarely showing her emotions. However, her childhood friendship with Kafka Hibino is a significant part of her story, as she challenges him to rise to her level so they can finally achieve their shared dream of fighting Kaiju together.

She shares a good rapport with her Vice-Captain, Soshiro Hoshino, and is never seen without her loyal pet tiger, Bakko. Despite her stoic outlook, her emotional side often comes out in subtle ways.

Hoshina Soushiro

Soshiro Hoshina is the Vice-Captain of the Third Division and hails from a distinguished lineage of swordsmen. Despite being not able to use guns effectively, he opts for swords which are often criticized as outdated.

Hoshino is often shown laughing around and takes a liking to Kafka because he is funny. When he is on the battlefield, his demeanor becomes a lot scarier as evident when he fights Kaiju No. 10.

Despite being at a disadvantage when facing a larger Kaiju, he still manages to fight Kaiju No. 10 giant form and keep it occupied long enough till Mina arrives.

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Iharu Furuhashi

One of the strongest rookies to join the Third Division, Iharu is a brash, yet lovable character. He shows incredible potential during the exam but quickly finds himself stagnating during the training.

Although he is not antagonistic towards anyone, he does get outraged at his comrades surpassing him, especially Reno. Despite his feelings, he rushes to save Reno and shows incredible fighting spirit when they face Kaiju No. 9.

Haruichi Izumo

Haruichi is a promising rookie and one of the strongest new recruits of the Third Division. He is a skilled combatant and has a friendly rivalry with Aoi who are both on the same level.

Haurichi is also the son of the CEO of Izumo Tech – the company that makes the gear for the Defense Force. Despite his laid-back attitude, he shows promise on the battlefield and has a warm personality liked by his fellow officers.

Aoi Kaguragi

One of the more stoic characters in Kaiju no. 8, he is also one of the rising stars in the Third Division. Despite his stoic nature, he deeply cares about his fellow officers. He is even seen talking to his old commander from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to help Kafka.

He is most close to Haruichi and opens up about his feelings about Kafka with him.

Isao Shinomiya

Isao Shinomiya is the Director General of the Defense Force, tasked with making critical decisions and leading by example as one of the strongest soldiers.

His immense power is exemplified by his ability to wield Numbers Weapon 2, a melee weapon forged from the Kaiju No. 2. Known for his strictness in all aspects of life, Isao maintains high standards but remains adaptable to situations.

Beneath his stern and cold exterior, Isao is deeply caring, especially towards his daughter, Kikoru. Following the passing of his wife, Hikari, Isao raised Kikoru on his own, ensuring she grew up strong and capable.

Konomi Okonogi

Konomi Okonogi is a dedicated and essential behind-the-scenes officer in the Defense Force. Tasked with monitoring communications and tracking the positions of both Kaiju and officers, Okonogi embodies the archetypal “computer geek” and often finds herself frustrated by Vice-Captain Hoshina’s antics.

She plays a crucial role in the Defense Force, not only by managing the whereabouts of everyone involved but also by providing critical information on the strength and capabilities of incoming Kaiju.

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Other Kaiju No 8 Characters

While, the above-mentioned are the major Kaiju No. 8 characters, a few other characters are worth mentioning as well, including humanoid Kaiju.

Masahide Tokuda

Known for his light-hearted moments, Masahide ensures his team stays motivated and gets the job done efficiently. Despite his love for drinking and gambling, he strives to keep his vices in check, especially for the sake of his beloved daughter, Chieko. Masahide’s selflessness and generosity make him an outstanding leader for Monster Sweeper Inc.

Akari Minase

She is one of the rookie members of the Third Division with a quiet personality, unlike other loud members of the division. She is often seen giving her best in the training and in battle. She is often seen closer to Kikoru and Hakua Igarashi.

Tae Nakanoshima

Tae is a platoon leader and is a laidback character. She is a senior officer who is skilled in battle and leads her own platoon. She is seen praising the new rookies, especially Aoi and Haruichi for their skills and looks.

Ichitaka Mitsuike

Another vital member of the team, he is known for his candid nature and laid-back approach to life. He never hesitates to speak his mind, often ribbing Kafka Hibino for his repeated failures in the Officers’ Exam. Despite his teasing, Ichitaka is genuinely happy for Kafka when he finally succeeds.

Hiroto Mori

The quietest member of Monster Sweeper Inc., might not say much, but he diligently performs his duties and maintains good relationships with his coworkers. Hiroto, along with the rest of the team, supports Kafka in his journey to rise through the Defense Force ranks. He also warmly welcomes new members like Takemichi Hotaka, showcasing his kind and inclusive nature.

Takemichi Hotaka/Kaiju No. 9

Takemichi Hotaka joins the Monster Sweeper Inc. crew after Reno and Kafka join the Defence Force. In reality, Takemichi is Kaiju No. 9 in disguise, infiltrating human ranks to gather intelligence. His mission is to remain undetected for as long as possible, all while learning about his human adversaries.

As Kaiju No. 9, Takemichi possesses formidable abilities, including shapeshifting, summoning an army of Kaiju, and unleashing high-powered blasts from his body. He harbors a deep-seated vendetta against Kaiju No. 8, especially after being defeated by Kafka in their first encounter.

Kaiju No. 10

Kaiju No. 10 is a rare and formidable Kaiju known for its ability to command other Kaiju. Typically, Kaiju do not travel in packs, but its influence is so powerful that lower Honju follows its every command, creating a coordinated threat unlike any other.

As noticed by Hoshino, Kaiju No. 10 is seen enjoying the battle with the Vice-Captain, which is unusual at this point in the story.

These are all the major Kaiju No 8 characters introduced in the anime so far. Most of the characters introduced are well-written and make the Third Division a lively team.

We will see more of the other characters who are from different divisions soon, as the anime is still airing.