Forum - View topicKaiju No. 8 (TV).
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2984 |
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#11
Although unsurprising, it's good to know the rest of the 3rd Company are not detestable ingrates. All of them have laughed at, lived with and fought together with Hibino Kafka that the final intervention was just the icing in a very elaborate cake he has baked together with them since he joined as a provisional cadet. They are more or less powerless in the face of military bureaucracy, but all of them want him alive and returned to their squad. They even gave him a guard of honour, which the vice-captain cleverly fudged to the unaware top brass as a salute to their respected Captain. Even the well-connected cadets (Kikoru and Aoi) pull in what favours they can to tip the balance towards Kafka. Kafka now faces up to the consequences of divulging his big secret. Standing orders are that all numbered Kaiju like him have ended up one way or another as weapons for the next generation of anti-Kaiju soldiers, and Kafka is finding out the hard way just how big the leap in power is between regular anti-monster weapons and the "Numbered" specialties. Kikoru's father Isao clearly wants to finish the job himself because he cannot believe the reports and it would be easier for Kafka to revert to stereotype making the execution a much simpler affair. Unfortunately using the "Numbered" weapon has triggered some kind of response in the drone which turned Kafka into No. 8 at the start. It's interesting the drone only took over operations when faced with "brethren" and with Kafka's human limiter clearly holding back performance. If it continues like this, there's no way back for Kafka so he needs to regain control somewhat and convince the supreme commander of his value as a human. Only way he can do that now is to subdue the supreme commander so that he can plead his case, which is easier said than done. For the rest of the corps, Mina's orders that they separate and move to different companies ostensibly to train the next generation of cadets as recognised veterans has not gone down well. Rino is the only one who is receptive, but he has his own reasons for not objecting. For the others, they'll have to come to terms with it as military orders are absolute and disobeying is more than just a matter of military discipline. If Mina is right and some kind of large-scale operation is in play to test the anti-Kaiju soldiers' resiliency, then the faster they disperse to train and share their battle knowledge the better it is for everyone if/when the expected wave of attacks begins in earnest. Regardless, next week's episode is the last of the quarter and for the adaptation. If it concludes the way it's expected to, then Mina's company splitting up is something to be covered in future adaptations as there's not enough time. |
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smurky turkey
Posts: 2741 |
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It was nice to see Kafka's former squadmates stick by him, it confirms that their time together meant something. As for the finale, I assume that Kafka will regain control somehow and show that he is indeed more worthwhile alive (plus more human than monster), that is basically the only way it ends with Kafka alive.
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ACｘS
 Posts: 965 |
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11:
I actually forgot how authoritative Shinomiya's father was. It was mentioned before but it slipped my mind that possibly he could be the key figure to decide what happens to Kafka. Everything was according to what I predicted—Division 3 doing everything they could to save Kafka—until the Director-General decided to confront him. Kafka (and his division) can keep telling himself that he is Kafka and not a Kaiju as much as he likes, but the authority has a legit reason to doubt him as much too. Kafka knows that he is himself, but that's just him saying what he already knows. Physiologically, he isn't human anymore. The heart is literally a Core. And now, out of self-preservation, he loses control of his own body (in fact, is it even his body anymore now?). So how much of himself can Kafka claim to be his own? It's a pretty straightforward question, but with philosophical roots. So now we have final lingering questions, which I appreciate that the show is addressing. First, what is the Director-General planning to do? Does he simply want to kill Kafka, or is he pushing him to the limit to test Kafka's sense of humanity and self? Second, and most importantly, what was the purpose of that "Fly Kaiju" choosing Kafka to be Kaiju No. 8? It mentioned "found you (finally)" so apparently, Kafka wasn't chosen on a whim. Does it want Kafka to be the Kaiju's infiltrator (it did say "kill" to Kafka)? Or did it have something else in mind? I love how the show addresses the second question and brings the story into a full circle. This was what set the story in motion in the first place. P.S. I love how Kaiju No. 2 was a clear nod to Godzilla. This show is literally a homage to the Kaiju genre. |
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Edjwald
 Posts: 1670 |
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I wound up watching Kaiju #8 and Tonari no Yokai back to back, and it occurred to me that the two shows are mirror images in a polar opposite kind of way, both excellent.
The tension driving Kaiju #8 revolves around an ordinary guy trying to embrace a dangerous profession, and his life becomes ramped up and freaky because of an extraordinary being. Tonari is about extraordinary beings who are surprisingly ordinary as they try to live mundane lives. Kaiju #8 is all dark or striking colors and crazy well animated. Tonari is all tans and pastels, basically drawn like a kid's show with mediocre animation. Kaiju #8 is mostly energetic and funny and basically optimistic despite its ravaged world and tense situations. Tonari is generally slow paced and melancholy despite the dangerous events that get injected into its plotlines. Despite it's seemingly mundane, slice of life approach, I have a hard time predicting where Tonari no Yokai is going to go from episode to episode. I knew exactly where Kaiju #8 was going from episode two, and pretty much knew what time of the season it was going to get there. The anime came with plenty of road signs. And yet, it's a testament to how excellent Kaiju #8 is that I'm still completely invested. It's one of those shows where you know what's going to happen, but you still can't help but get hooked in and watch as the main character fights to survive. |
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smurky turkey
Posts: 2741 |
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Yeah, it was a rather predictable first season up until the very end yet they made it work. Most of the characters have grown on me, the animation is good with lots of hectic fights and also some bonding moments, seeing their Japan being so used to Kaiju popping up was very interesting. In fact, I would have liked to see a bit more of the latter, maybe an episode on how a common person gets taught and deals with the whole ''a monster can pop up at anytime'' situation. I am sure that there is a whole economy based around Kaiju (besides the cleaning companies).
Anyway, it was a great first season that given the ending felt like the opening act to a war between human and Kaiju. |
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Blood-
 Bargain Hunter Posts: 24225 |
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Episode 12 (Finale)
I'm rating this show Very Good. Glad to hear there will be a second season and look forward to it. Personally, I'm glad the "have to hide what I am" stage is over and now Kafka can just go flat out without the distraction of keeping his secret. |
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ACｘS
Posts: 965 |
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Final:
The final episode that the show deserves. Everything happened the way I thought it should, so I have absolutely no complaints about it. The Director General was indeed testing Kafka, and indeed, he is going to be weaponized after all (not literally turned into a weapon per se, but being used as an ace up the military's sleeve). Kafka can retain his humanity after all... and maybe for now. Plus, we got a glimpse of the other divisions too; Ashino may be the strongest in Division 3, but there may be others as strong as her in other divisions, so that's promising. I like how the upper brass told Ashino that they had already made up their minds before asking for her two cents. One, they're doing due diligence and avoiding public fallout; two, by doing so, they don't give Ashino an incentive to fight for Kafka anymore. And of course, the Kaijus are not resting on their laurels either. Like how the humans are analyzing the Kaijus, they in turn are also analyzing the humans and seeing how they tick (getting some hints of Parasyte once again). Interesting to see how Kaiju No. 9—who seems to be the most intellectual out of all the other numbered Kaijus—was more interested in identifying the humans' weak points than Kaiju No. 8 instead. Can't wait for the second season. There are still so many things the show can work from here. In sum, 8/10. We are in Kaiju season now, and it's encouraging to see how Kaiju No. 8 is a worthy nod to the genre. There's nothing complex about the idea—humans versus Kaijus, and they have an ally who is a Kaijus—in fact, I would say it's nothing original. But that's perfectly fine; the show just runs with the idea and focuses more on 1) the action sequences, and 2) Kafka's earnest yearning to fight alongside Ashino and destroy the Kaijus. The action never lets up: once one battle is up, another one starts brewing, with fight scenes on par with say, One Punch Man S1. Best of all, the show offers the enticing plot development that the Kaijus are rapidly evolving, borrowing some ideas from say, Parasyte. The only minor part was the comedic bits. It can be a little interruptive at times, but thankfully, it doesn't take away the overall enjoyment of the show. The dark horse of Spring 2024. Production I.G got a banger this season. |
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Gina Szanboti
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And then proceeded to jump all over her when she didn't sound like she was on board for their (unrevealed) decision. I mean, don't ask if you don't want to hear the answer and it won't change your mind no matter what. And if you ask anyway, it's obnoxious to complain that you're not getting the answer you wanted. |
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Edjwald
Posts: 1670 |
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I don't know if its better that the board was honest about having already made the decision or not. On the one hand, at least they're not lying about it. On the other, it just shows that they are so arrogant or incompetent that they don't worry about the effects it will have on the morale of their best officer in the field.
Great new show. |
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ACｘS
Posts: 965 |
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Well, you know how some people are. When they ask you something, it's either they 1) seek your honest opinion, or 2) seek validation. Especially when you have old (read: stubborn, also) people on the panel, you're very likely to get "GET OFF MY LAWN" level of outrage if Ashino doesn't see it their way. Of course, you have the most level-headed of the bunch which is the Director General. You know, the one who risked his own life facing Kaiju No. 8 and yet was the least outraged. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2984 |
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#12 End
Even if the outcome wasn't in doubt (the adaptation wasn't announced as complete to begin with), the process through which Kafka gained his right to survive and continue his day job was thoroughly entertaining. Turns out if he's not in control and his Kaiju frame goes into autonomous mode he's capable of so much more than shown to date. Shinomiya senior's motives in forcing him to the wall aren't completely explained, and his own admission that they wanted Kafka alive because of his potential combat ability to overcome their current deficit for the battles to come was just about the only way he could let Kafka off the death penalty. Regardless, Kafka earned it the hard way (which he's been doing all season) and he'll have the opportunity to strut his stuff in the upcoming movie. Like all large organizations, bullying politicians are a dime a dozen even in military committees. Mina probably knew this better than anyone having been part of the elite office grouping for so long, yet she still stated her case in the most understated fashion imaginable. Even if it didn't make any impression on the majority of the committee, Shinomiya Senior certainly acknowledged it having survived his "examination" of Kaiju No. 8. The committee was so sure Shinomiya Senior was going to give the kill order that the shock of his decision was animated with more care than it should have been. The post-credits scene is probably the biggest teaser. Shinomiya Senior was right in trusting his instincts on Kafka being a combat asset: No. 9 has identified all of the weaknesses in the Kaiju Corps and the next scheme he pulls will certainly annihilate them if No. 8 is not present as the trump card. Their next confrontation will be one to watch, although I'm not sure it will be in the upcoming movie. The source material also needs to do well enough on its own to keep the momentum going, what with recent criticism of the quality of its latest offerings and lukewarm reception to Kafka himself in the home market's casual viewers. The franchise might do a Hellsing and sustain itself purely from its overseas viewers, but it'll have to work harder to win more adaptations (just as Kafka does since the start). The formula presented is certainly unique enough for excellent entertainment, and I'm looking forward to the movie just like many casual viewers. |
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