Summary
- Kafka and Kikoru reunite in chapter 67 of Kaiju No. 8, emphasizing Kafka's mistaken belief that his friends hated him for being Kaiju No. 8.
- Kaiju No. 8 focuses on the friendship and camaraderie between Kafka and Kikoru, highlighting their individual growth and the importance of trust.
- The manga explores the potential romantic relationship between Kafka and Mina, but fans will have to wait for their heart-to-heart conversation.
Fans who have been anxiously waiting for Kafka Hibino and Kikoru Shinomiya to reunite in romance thankfully has a place in Kaiju No. 8, and it exists so far exclusively through the interactions between Kafka and Kikoru. Their relationship is by no means innovative, but they are based on major character types used by some of the most successful romcoms.
Kikoru is a tsundere of sorts as she openly mocks Kafka for his apparent weakness but can't help but being awestruck over how much he persists regardless, a reaction she tries to hide but normally fails in her endeavors as blushes get through her hard exterior. Luckily, Kafka takes on the archetypal role of the clueless guy who has no idea what's going on.
But readers haven't seen the two together since last year, and the majority of that time has been spent fighting Kaiju No. 9. Because of the major losses sustained during the ensuing battle, the Defense Force divisions were changed up, effectively separating Kafka and Kikoru who had been in the same division up until that point.
Now, in chapter 67 by mangaka Naoya Matsumoto, Kikoru and Kafka have reunited. Although they are alone, the point of the chapter was to emphasize how Kafka mistakenly thought his friends hated him for being Kaiju No. 8 when in actuality they cared and worried about him all along. But the chapter ends with Kikoru informing Kafka to get ready for training. Even though the next installment will likely focus on how much more powerful Kikoru has become after the death of her father inspired her to get stronger, hopefully, there will be some cute moments between them, not just for the sake of their characters, but for the sake of action/adventure fans who have been missing out on some good romance.
But while readers are at least getting a reunion between Kafka and his strong companion Kikoru, they are unfortunately well aware that there won't be a time for him and Mina anytime soon. In fact, Kaiju No. 8 fans are most likely keener on how that moment will transpire.
Kafka greatly suffered at the beginning of the manga knowing that only Mina made good on a pact they made as children to the Defense Force. She was a kaiju-killing superstar while he was delegated to the demeaning job of cleaning up the corpses she and others killed. Kafka eventually getting accepted into the Defense Force was a massive moment for him. Of course, all of the moments Kafka tried to get Mina's attention have resulted in disaster so far, though, readers did once catch a glimpse of Mina chuckling fondly after reprimanding Kafka.
Kaiju No. 8's Author Reveals An Underrated Movie by Evangelion's Creator Was His Biggest Influence
Kaiju No. 8's author reveals in an interview that the monstrous inspiration behind the series' unique premise is an underrated movie for Kaiju-lovers.
Kaiju No. 8 has built up to that moment when Kafka can finally speak to Mina alone and learn what she actually thinks about everything that happened since they grew up. Even though their relationship hasn't been referenced at all recently, there are a few fans who and have been anxiously awaiting when it will be brought back up again.
Some more desperate readers may have looked especially close at the picture of Kafka's text messages folder on his smartphone in chapter 67 to see if Mina was one of the many people who had texted him to find out if he was okay over the months Kafka didn't have his phone. But, alas, she wasn't. Kaiju No. 8 fans will have to wait a little bit longer.
Why Kafka & Kikoru (and Others) Are Better Apart in Kaiju No. 8
United on Multiple Fronts
Kaiju No. 8 does a great job portraying the friendship and camaraderie of Kafka and Kikoru together. However, in moments throughout the Second Wave Arc, as she fights No. 15 in Kaiju No. 8 chapter #83, Kikoru's flashback reminds readers that the Defense Force's focus intensely on becoming more individually reliable. While Kafka can win multiple battles for Kikoru as early as in their first training mission together, Kikoru and others later, like Reno, feel valued when they're trusted by Kafka enough that he doesn't feel the need to help them.
While Kafka can win multiple battles for Kikoru as early as in their first training mission together, Kikoru and others later, like Reno, feel valued when they're trusted by Kafka enough that he doesn't feel the need to help them.
However, that doesn't hurt the moments when they're able to celebrate their achievements afterward, though. Kafka witnesses Isao Shinomiya, Kikoru's father, offer her rare praise in chapter #48, letting her shine. In these moments, Kikoru is given the space to excel as she's seemingly destined to. She is recognized for her keen leadership in the Shinagawa Neutralization Operation by the legendary Isao, where she makes her father proud, a moment she gets to share with Kafka, even if Kikoru's situation is a classic cliché in Kaiju No. 8.
Finally, an understated yet important factor behind why they're great together, yet more significant apart, is that Kafka is an excellent cheerleader and a superb fighter alongside Kikoru in Kaiju No. 8 — he works best as a mentor, not a romantic partner. The most obvious reason is their significant age gap, with Kikoru being 16 at the start of the series and Kafka being 32. Fans can happily enjoy their platonic bond in Kaiju No. 8, where they can trust each other enough to handle their battles as they form the greatest Defense Force ever assembled.
Written by Naoya Matsumoto, Kaiju No. 8 is a Japanese Shonen Manga released in 2020. The series follows a man who suffers a terrible accident but suddenly gains the ability to morph into a Kaiju, complete with special powers and abilities.
