“Kaiju No. 8” Analyzing the Fleshed-Out Original Anime Depictions

The anime adaptation of “Kaiju No. 8” by Naoya Matsumoto began on April 13th. Animated by Production I.G, it features dynamic animation and meticulous monster designs & color schemes by Studio Color, elevating the scale of the world to something akin to a cinematic experience. The completion of the anime has drawn astonishment not only from fans of the original manga but also from viewers who were introduced through the anime.

While the story closely follows the original manga, what particularly shines are the original anime depictions that complement scenes from the manga. This article aims to explore these original anime depictions that enhance the resolution of the original work.

The Depth of Depiction During the Monster Cleanup Contractor Era

Just when you think a normal day is being portrayed, monsters suddenly emerge from drainage channels, roads collapse, and emergency monster alarms blare, sending people scrambling to underground shelters. From the very beginning of the first episode, original anime depictions are generously included, showcasing the terrifying nature of monsters as disasters and the abnormality that these scenes are not out of the ordinary. These fleshed-out elements not only vividly convey the ominous nature of the monsters but also serve to delve deeper into scenes from the original manga. This is particularly evident in the cutscenes involving the monster cleanup business.

Kafka, who aspired to be a member of the Japan Defense Force but saw his dreams dashed midway, worked in a monster cleanup business, handling the disposal of defeated monster carcasses and cleaning the streets stained with their blood. The task of disassembling and processing monsters required various knowledge, from handling viscera due to their unique properties. The knowledge he gained during this time would later prove to be very useful when he took the Defense Force entrance exam.

With the addition of original anime depictions, the tremendously hard work of the cleaners was highlighted, including large-scale cleaning with heavy machinery, high-altitude work standing on giant monsters, and dismembering with chainsaws that spray blood. Furthermore, gadgets like tablets that display the anatomy of monsters and drones that assist in disassembly were added, illustrating a systematic approach to the work. While Kafka’s dream and the Defense Force’s actions tend to be the focus, the cleaning business is in fact an important job that involves a “hidden battle with monsters.” The enhanced original depictions serve as a tribute to these “unsung heroes,” significantly increasing the resolution of the cleaner era depictions.

Original Dialogue Emphasizes Character Traits

Original dialogue in the anime also enhances the work significantly. For example, the scene between Mina Ashiro and a young girl in Episode 2 is entirely original to the anime, featuring memorable dialogue. Mina, confronting a girl battered by monster attacks, firmly vows, “I will annihilate all the monsters.” The girl then responds, “Can you not defeat the kind monster…?”

The girl had been protected from the monsters by Kafka (Kaiju No. 8) until she was rescued by the Defense Force. Although she was initially afraid of Kaiju No. 8, a creature just like the ruthless monsters, this dialogue reveals that Kafka’s kindness had clearly reached her.

In the original manga, Kafka, or Kaiju No. 8, often demonstrates kindness by saving others in dire situations, but until now, no one has spoken the words “kind monster.” This is because of the fear, doubt, and conflict associated with being seen as the same type of creature that attacks humans. Is Kaiju No. 8 a friend or foe to humanity? Perhaps the anime chose to include this line to emphasize Kafka’s kindness, hinting at his potential to emerge from the gray zone as a “hero protecting the citizens.”

From Episode 3, the Japan Defense Force exam begins at the Tachikawa Base, introducing a new cast of characters and promising engaging interactions. I look forward to watching their developments and focusing on the original anime depictions as the story progresses.

If you’re interested in this work, please check out the original comic here : https://amzn.to/3UfyPSV