MANGA REVIEW | "Kaiju No. 8: B-Side" - Volume One
Spinoffs can be tough. While the writer of the main series can “advise” a spinoff, they don’t often contribute to the actual storytelling. As such, the outcome of the spinoff can sometimes be terrible. (I’m looking at you, My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions!) Kaiju No. 8: B-Side is different. Not only does Kaiju No. 8 creator Naoya Matsumoto contribute to the narrative (which he cowrote with author Kenji Ando), but it does the one thing spinoffs absolutely should: take the spotlight off of the main character.
The first volume of B-Side is actually based off of Ando’s Kaiju No. 8: Close-up! The Third Division novel. Chapters 1-4 focus on Soshiro Hoshina, who’s being followed around by a camera crew. New rookies are in the middle of training, as Hoshina talks about the potential these up-and-comers have. It then gives Hoshina a chance to reflect on how he became a member of Third Division.
What follows is a tale of how Soshiro transformed into the soldier that he is today. While he’s always been good with a blade, his confidence wasn’t at the level that it is in the present. However, with strong words from Mina Ashiro — on top of an impromptu Kaiju-killing mission — Soshiro finds a way to break out of his shell and land onto the battlefield. However, that first battle was no picnic, even for Soshiro Hoshina.
Although Matsumoto isn’t drawing B-Side, he found someone who can easily replicate his style: Kentaro Hidano (Super Smartphone, ZIGA). While the human characters don’t have thick outlines, they pretty much look the same as the main series. However, the monster designs on display are excellent, with even iguana-looking Kaiju appearing in a terrifying manner. Where it shines is in the action, with Hoshina’s attacks being both rough and badass.
However, it’s watching him go great lengths to save a child that show the sort of character Soshiro Hoshina becomes. Yes, he’s kind of cocky in the present day, but you find that he only does that to reassure everyone around him that things will be fine. Having to put a hero’s face on to save a swallowed boy from the gullet of a monster taught him to never show fear, even in the bleakest of moments. In the end, Hoshina impresses his fellow soldiers, and his choices lead him to become the man that he is today.
Kikoru Shinomiya is the focus of the second narrative in B-Side, as she’s given a brand-new weapon. This story leans more into the humorous side of Kaiju No. 8, as the twin-tailed warrior takes on a particular Kaiju: giant crabs! Threatening as they are, there’s a real Ray Harryhausen-like appeal to them. Although this volume doesn’t show the conclusion of this mission, it at least gives audiences a glimpse of what kind of damage Kikoru is capable of with her new Berserk-ish sword.
Kaiju No. 8: B-Side gets a whole lot right in its first volume. The stories, characters, and visual art all stay true to the main series's lore. On top of that, it allows Kafka to have a breather while somebody else does all of the hard work. Because of that, readers will get a wonderfully refreshing take on the Kaiju No. 8 world, one that fits perfectly with the mainline story. Here’s hoping the second half delivers as strongly as this first one.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
