Summary

• Kaiju No. 8 diverges from typical Shonen genre tropes, featuring an older protagonist with unique motivations and physical traits.
• Despite initial promise, the series falls into traditional Shonen storytelling, missing the opportunity to highlight Kafka's distinctiveness.
• The series ultimately fails to innovate within the genre, with Kafka's journey following a standard Shonen protagonist arc despite his age.

The manga series Kaiju No. 8, penned by Naoya Matsumoto and stemming from the renowned Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ publication, saw its anime adaptation debut in April 2024. Amidst a flurry of new anime releases so far this year, Kaiju No. 8 by Production I.G has emerged as a standout, thanks to the manga's established popularity and its fresh take on the protagonist. Notably, the first episode of Kaiju No. 8 diverged from the typical trajectory of Shonen Jump titles, setting it apart right from the start.

While popular Shonen Jump anime like One Piece, My Hero Academia, and Jujutsu Kaisen often center around teenage protagonists striving towards their dreams, a hallmark of the genre, Kaiju No. 8 took a different approach. It diverged from established tropes, charting its own course distinct from the foundation it had already laid.

Kaiju No. 8 boldly breaks the classical trope of the Shonen genre by introducing Kafka Hibino, a man in his 30s tasked with cleaning up monster remnants. Departing from the core theme of youth traditionally associated with the genre, Kaiju No. 8 takes a unique narrative path with Kafka, signaling a deviation from expectations. However, as the story progressed, it became increasingly apparent that Kaiju No. 8 may not deliver on its initial promises, leading to its perceived downfall.

Starting As an Atypical Shōnen Protagonist, Kafka Hibino Has Become What Fans Feared

Kafka's distinctiveness among Shonen Jump protagonists faded over time, blending into familiar tropes

The classic trope of the Shonen genre typically features a young protagonist driven by a dream rooted in an event from their early years. These characters often acquire unique powers that propel them towards their goals, forging friendships and rivalries along the way, culminating in a final battle. However, Kafka Hibino's narrative in Kaiju No. 8 diverges significantly from this formula, setting it apart from most other Shonen Jump anime.

Kafka's aspiration to combat monsters stemmed from a comedic mishap, where his desire for revenge sparked simply because they destroyed his game. This contrasts sharply with the calamitous events that drive other Shonen Jump protagonists, such as Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece, who pursues his dream after a tragic encounter with Shanks, or Izuku Midoriya from My Hero Academia, who is inspired by his idol, All Might, to protect others. While Kafka's unconventional motivation already sets him apart from typical Shonen protagonists, his failure to achieve his dream during his teenage years further distinguishes his journey from theirs.

Kafka's unique physical attributes, including his fat belly and facial hair, further distinguish him from typical Shonen genre protagonists. With these unconventional traits, Naoya Matsumoto seemed poised to redefine the foundations of the Shonen genre. However, as the narrative unfolded, Kafka's journey began to adhere closely to the traditional Shonen trope, with the main difference only being the protagonist's age. Kafka acquired incredible powers that set off his journey in a typical Shonen style, straying away from what might have made this narrative even more different than any other Shonen manga or anime would have dared to convey.

Kafka's Unique Traits Would Have Made Kaiju No.8 an Even Bigger Hit

Naoya Matsumoto wasted his protagonist's unique trait

Naoya Matsumoto missed the opportunity to highlight Kafka's distinct traits, instead falling into the classic Shonen trope.

In the first episode of Kaiju No. 8, the protagonist embarks on an unconventional journey, straying from the typical Shonen mold. Kafka's repeated failures in the Defense Corps entrance exam paint him as inept, leading him to abandon his dream. As the anime unfolds, it becomes clear that Kafka's pursuit of his dream seems improbable, given his numerous setbacks and his age. If Naoya Matsumoto had portrayed Kafka's unique characteristics through his first job, cleaning up after epic battles between the elite defense forces and monsters, the narrative would have retained its distinctiveness within the genre.

However, as manga readers are already aware of, Naoya Matsumoto missed the opportunity to highlight Kafka's distinct traits, instead falling into the classic Shonen trope where Kafka swiftly transitions into the Shonen system to train, forge friendships, and grow stronger upon gaining his powers. Despite his unique age, Kafka's narrative largely sidesteps this aspect except for occasional humorous nods. Throughout the series, instances arise where Kafka's age could have provided an advantage or showcased his intelligence, yet he often follows the archetype of a typical Shonen protagonist, starting from square one in learning new concepts.

Ultimately, Naoya Matsumoto's Kaiju No. 8 fails to distinguish itself beyond featuring a protagonist in his 30s, whose maturity is overshadowed by a personality more akin to a teenager. This oversight leads Kaiju No. 8 to ruin what made it special in the Shonen genre, despite its initial potential for innovation.