Summary
This article may have spoilers from Kaiju No. 8 chapter 112.
the conclusion ofChapter 112ofKaiju No. 8, fans are left on the edge of their seats after a cliffhanger ending leaves the conclusion of the battle against Kaiju No. 9 in question. It will take another two weeks forKaiju No. 8Chapter 113to answer some of those uncertainties, as the manga roles out new chapters every two weeks and delivers some of the best action-packed sequences in new-age manga. Thanks to an opening created by Mina Ashiro, the Third Division Captain of the Defense Force, Kafka now has an opportunity to crush the core of Kaiju No. 9 and bring an end to the battle. Despite landing a destructive blow directly to his core, it remains uncertain whether it truly is the end.
The battle betweenKafka and Mina against Kaiju No. 9has had many peaks and valleys, with the battle nearly reaching its end on multiple occasions. Despite their best efforts, Kaiju No. 9 is an intelligent beast unlike anything the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force has ever seen, and it’s ability to adapt to any fighting style has thrown its opponents off guard. Adding to his repertoire, Kaiju No. 9 can regenerate and hide his core once exposed, making it extremely difficult to land a blow fast enough before it’s gone. Thankfully, the core’s location can’t be changed, and it is now known by the Defense Force after Mina’s blast opened up Kafka’s best chance to destroy it.
The Destruction Of Kaiju No. 8’s Core
Was The Defense Force’s Final Plan Successful?
After opening up an opportunity withher Anti-Giant-Class Kaiju Rail Gun, Mina did everything she could to support Kafka Hibino and his attempt to land a decisive blow. Thanks to some unexpected help from within the body of Kaiju No. 9, Kafka used his alternative sixth form, the Neo God of Thunder attack, and made direct contact with the core. The strike not only connected, but appears to have shattered the frontal cortex, sending out jolts of electricity and a thunderous blast behind Kaiju No. 9. Before readers could determine whether this shot was what the Defense Force needed to finally beat Kaiju No. 9, the chapter ended, leaving everyone on one of the most tremendous cliffhangers during the manga’s run.
In the time I resist your attacks, I’ll be able to regenerate again. - Kaiju No. 9
Leading up to the blow, Kaiju No. 9 made several remarks on the resilience of humans, and their ability to hold hope during times of despair. As Kafka charged up his fortitude level and attacked, Kaiju No. 9 made note that his opponents continued to surpass his expectations, something he had not revealed out loud to Kafka or Mina. Despite his aspirations to dominate the world and usher in a new era of kaiju takeover, Kaiju No. 9 appears to be enjoying his fight with Mina and Kafka, similar to whenThird Division Vice-Captain Shoshoro Hoshinatook on Kaiju No. 10.
Bloodied, battered, and on the brink of defeat, it’s still uncertain whether Kafka and Mina were able to successfully destroy Kaiju No. 9’s core and bring an end to the fight. As many have learned over the course of the last two dozen chapters, not all is like what it seems when Kaiju No. 9 is on the defense. Always coming with a trick up his sleeve, Kaiju No. 9 has pulled a fast one on his enemies multiple times, includinghis fight against Reno Ichikawa and Iharu Furuhashi. Should he have magically survived the last-ditch effort of the Defense Force, he’ll certainly adapt to any future plan and begin his offensive assault on Kafka and Mina.
The one hope that Kafka and Mina can hang onto is that the core does in fact look to be shattered. It has yet to be seen where any type of kaiju or honju survives its core’s destruction, and Kaiju No. 9 still suffers from this same weakness as the rest of his comrades. Bringing an end to Kaiju No. 9 may also be what the Defense Force needs to repel the rest of the kaiju threats surrounding the city, which would ultimately bring an end to the conflict. The plan of Kaiju No. 9 began all the way back inChapter 97, when Hoshina had appeared to defeat Kaiju No. 10 before the reveal was made that the initial battle was a ploy to set up a larger attack on the city.
The Potential Return Of General Isao Shinomiya
How His Survival Can Give The Defense Force Its Biggest Morale Boost
General Isao Shinomiya was recognized asthe strongest member of the Defense Force, and the user of the most lethal Numbers weapon. It was a sad moment when Kaiju No. 9 got the best of Shinomiya and absorbed him into his body, signalling the end of his life. For over two dozen chapters, it was believed that Shinomiya was a lost cause, digested by Kaiju No. 9, turning his power and intellect into food for the monster and giving him the power he needed to defeat the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. Kikoru, his daughter, swore vengeance for her father’s loss, and gained the power she needed to take down a kaiju-level threat single-handedly, giving her the confidence to chase her father’s killer.
The situation may have been dire at first glance, but it appears there is still life in Shinomiya after spending countless hours in the belly of Kaiju No. 9. During the battle with the kaiju against Mina and Kafka, Shinomiya managed to overthrow the influence of Kaiju No. 9 and reject his use of the Kaiju No. 2 power, forcing him to go back on the defensive. The panels indicate that Shinomiya still has a conscience and will, rebelling against Kaiju No. 9 and even slowing his regeneration. If this is possible, Shinomiya could very well be alive and thus could be saved following the conclusion of the battle with Kaiju No. 9.
How… is he still exerting so much power? - Kaiju No. 9
InKaiju No. 9 Chapter 99, Mina was absorbed by Kaiju No. 9, which led to the audience getting an in-depth look into what it meant to be swallowed by a kaiju. Inside Kaiju No. 9, Mina reverted to her childlike form, faced with her insecurities and familiar faces encouraging her to give up and allow herself to be taken over. In this such case, it was Mina’s sheer willpower and some encouraging words from her childhood friend that snapped her out of the trance and gave her the resiliency to fight back and hold out long enough for Kafka to make the save. The same may then be said for General Shinomiya, who certainly has more willpower than any living human, and the stubbornness to not die.
General Shinomiya’s survival could also be the morale boost that the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force desperately needs. Not only would they take down Kaiju No. 9 and end the world’s greatest threat to date, but bringing back General Shinomiya would also give back the Defense Force’s strongest member. His return to the Defense Force could also lead to a beautiful father-daughter moment between him and Kikoru, and could also increase the mental strength of every division. Once Kaiju No. 9 is taken down and defeated, readers will know whether it’s more good news on the way, or a bittersweet moment that will leave many in tears.
Kaiju No. 8 is available to read via Viz Media. The series can be read by the fans officially and for free on the Shonen Jump and theManga Plusapp. The release date for the next chapter of Kaiju No. 8, Kaiju No. 8 Chapter 113, is set to be August 01, 2025.
