Kaiju No. 8 (怪獣８号)

Previously on Kaiju No. 8: I'm Reno Ichikawa.

On my way to joining the Japanese Defense Force,

I met Kafka Hibino, a senior co-worker at my part-time job,

chasing the same dream.

He'd given up on that dream once before,

but he was ready to give it another try when, suddenly,

he was transformed into the monstrously

powerful Kaiju No. 8.

WHAAAT?!

DRAWING BASED ON WITNESS TESTIMONY

But even as the Defense Force declared him public enemy

number one and tried to hunt him down,

he concealed his new identity and took their entrance exam.

And after a lot of hard fights and near misses,

we were both able to join.

As of this moment, you are no longer a cadet,

but a full-fledged defense force officer.

I swear to give myself, body and soul, to the mission.

Through grueling training and deadly battles,

Kafka proved his worth as part of the Third Division.

One day, his secret was exposed.

Kaiju No. 8 revealed himself to save us,

and we did all we could to repay him.

In the end, the Defense Force chose not to execute him.

But as of this moment, he remains in custody.

I am not Kaiju No. 8.

My name is Kafka Hibino.

The rest of us have just been redeployed

with other divisions, and we all have faith

our comrade will be released one day.

But for now, here's a story set during our time

in the Third Division on one of our rare days off.

Are you gonna be OK, sir?

Surely you knew if you kept gorging yourself,

it would make you sick.

I was stress-eating because of the track and field

meet we have this weekend. That's all.

Now your digestive system's stressed too.

Are you happy?

Help me.

All right. Fine.

I bought you a few things to try here.

Let's start with water.

You better not be fantasizing about some ill-advised Kaiju

stomach remedy right now.

9:30 AM

I wish you could enjoy this nice weather, sir,

but you have no one to blame but yourself.

It's the perfect day to be off duty.

THE PREVIOUS DAY

Oh hey, you and Reno have the day off tomorrow, huh?

Yep, you too?

Looks like most of our class is free for once.

You're right.

There's this place I've been dying to go.

Oh, really? Tell me.

Going to ask someone to go with you, old dude?

No way. Why?

So Vice-Captain Hoshina is off too?

Don't see that very often.

Anyway, nothing to do but enjoy myself.

Better get to it.

I'm gonna make it a good one.

I started training before I even realized it.

All I've been doing is working out lately.

What are you even supposed to do with a day off?

I wonder how everyone else is spending their time.

You gotta be kidding.

You don't know how to spend your days off?

You're still young, aren't you? Have some fun.

You're on your own today, but I'll teach you how to party

as soon as I get the chance.

Thank you?

So that means you've got something going on

today as well, Vice-Captain?

That's right. And I'd better be on my way.

Reno, what are you doing?

Nothing much.

What's that?

A toolbox.

I was about to tune up my ride.

Is everything cool with you, bro?

The vice-captain didn't need anything, did he?

No, but it did seem like he had something

important to take care of.

Yeah, he's a mysterious dude.

Could be anything.

He was in a rush.

Maybe he's meeting someone?

A lady?

No, it didn't feel like that.

I wonder what she's like.

Think she's hot?

You're not listening.

It's strange though.

He seemed real serious. I know!

He must be doing extra training while he has some spare time.

That could be the secret to his strength,

if I'm guessing right.

Nope.

He's still a man with needs, right?

I'll give you all the love you want.

I think that's just your fantasy, actually.

Nothing personal, but I don't think

he's the kind of guy who--

Come on. The man could fall in love if he wants to.

I don't disagree in theory, but I doubt that's what's going

on here, not today at least.

You want to bet on it?

The loser pays for dinner.

Huh?

Iharu, I'm starting to think this is a bad idea.

Yeah?

Well, it's the only way to settle the bet.

Can we drop that?

We could get in serious trouble for telling

the vice-captain like this.

What happens if he spots us?

He won't, because we're wearing helmets.

Live a little, man.

Yeah, but--

You weren't doing anything anyway.

Consider this a lesson in how to have fun.

Busted.

Look, he's going into the parking lot.

HOKKAIDO PRODUCTS EXHIBITION

HOKKAIDO PRODUCTS EXHIBITION

Hey, Captain Ashiro. Mission complete.

EZO

I have obtained the top quality,

limited run dried squid snacks you requested.

Splendid work, as always.

I thank you and the nation thanks you.

Dried squid?

That's so lame.

I wanted something juicy.

Then again, working with Captain Ashiro is not bad.

I'd buy her some squid.

Well, any way you slice it, you lost the bet.

He wasn't going to see his girlfriend.

Sure, but I didn't say girlfriend.

I said lady, so I'm the winner, just barely.

"Lady" is irrelevant.

She's his boss.

That doesn't count.

Oh, yeah?

I'm so sorry I troubled you.

I know you don't get that much time off,

but the item was a high priority target for me.

No big deal.

It was on the way to where I'm headed,

and it only took a second.

Anyway, I'll drop it off later.

Bye.

All right then.

I can't say I'm excited for this, but it's time.

Does that mean this was just a pit stop?

Lucky you.

Guess the bet hasn't been settled yet.

Come on, let's tail him.

Here.

Now here.

I don't know why they won't stop.

Something wrong?

Whoa, where'd you come from?

Funny story.

We got a reservation for lunch, but it looks

like we're gonna miss it.

We can't seem to get a taxi for some reason.

Huh. I'll take ya.

Oh, no.

We couldn't ask you to do that for us.

It's fine. Hop in.

Thank you. Really, really--

We appreciate it.

We owe you one, sir.

Look at this.

Thank you, Vice-Captain!

You all have fun in there.

I'm so excited.

Are you girls on the list?

What do you think of this one here?

The design is cool, right?