With Season 2 of Kaiju No. 8 set to return next year, Toho Animation is giving fans the chance to relive some of the first season's most exciting moments. It was announced this week that a Season 1 compilation is coming in 2025 along with a new original episode.
The compilation movie comprises all 12 episodes of the hit anime's first season, and is scheduled to release in theaters on March 28, 2025. There's no word on a North American theatrical release.
That's not the only exciting news though. It was also announced that fans will be getting a new original episode, titled "Hoshina's Day Off." Developed by Yuto Tsukuda, the original creator of Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma, with the script originally written by Yuichiro Kido (Dr. Stone), the episode follows the titular Defense Force vice captain along with Reno Ichikawa and Iharu Furuhashi on their day off. The synopsis reads:
Days off are a brief respite for the Defense Force members... Reno, who has forgotten how to spend his days off due to his training, senses something unusual about Hoshina, who is also off duty, and decides to follow him with Iharu! However, things start to move in an unexpected direction...?!
Based on the Japanese manga written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto, Season 1 of Kaiju No. 8 aired from April to June 2024. The series follows a young man who joins The Defense Force; however, when a small Kaiju burrows itself inside of him, he gains superhuman strength and powers.
The story revolves around Kafka Hibino, a 32-year-old longing to join The Defense Force and make good on his promise to a childhood friend, Mina Ashiro. He befriends Reno Ichikawa, a new coworker, while cleaning up Kaiju remains. Reno’s determination to join The Defense Force inspires Kafka to fulfill his childhood promise to pass the entrance exam and join Mina to protect humanity. When a small Kaiju burrows itself inside Kafka, he gains superhuman strength and powers fit for fighting Kaiju. He works to earn the trust of his human teammates, defeat increasingly powerful Kaiju, and keep the world safe. Part human and part Kaiju, Kafka recognizes the creature beginning to take over more frequently, and he must fight to hold on to what makes him human.
The Kaiju No. 8 anime series was produced by Production I.G and directed by Shigeyuki Miya with Tetsuya Nishio serving as chief animation director and character designer. Ichiro Okouchi provided series composition with Mahiro Maeda on kaiju designs, Shinji Kimura as art director, and Yua Bandoh on music.
The first season received glowing praise for its tone, art style, action sequences, and compelling characters. Kaiju No. 8 can currently be streamed on Crunchyroll, which is where you'll also be able to find Season 2 when it arrives next year.