MANGA REVIEW | "Kaiju No. 8" - Volume Twelve
If there’s one word I could use to describe Kaiju No. 8, it’s slobberknocker. The Jim Ross-coined word is meant for legendary fights, and Naoya Matsumoto’s manga is chock-full of them. Although Kafka plays second fiddle in the twelfth volume, it gives his comrades a chance to shine in the spotlight. And it starts with Vice-Captain Hoshina’s battle against Kaiju No. 12.
At first, it appeared that No. 12 would have the upper claw against Hoshina, as the Vice-Captain flashes back to his failed matches from childhood. But it’s his sentient suit (formerly Kaiju No. 10) that reminds him why he likes to fight in the first place. It is not for honor, nor is it because it’s the right thing to do. Nay, Hoshina’s reason for taking up the blade is a simple one: it’s fun!
That’s when Hoshina and No. 10 finally bond together, as they aim to defeat No. 12. But as I just said: this ain’t work for the Vice-Captain; it’s playtime! It awakens something deep within Hoshina that unleashes a whole new level of power from within. Not even his warriors-in-arms can believe the kinds of attacks he’s using against No. 12, as the sight of him laying one hit after another leaves them gobsmacked! This fight shows that Kafka isn’t the only one who’s a badass in Kaiju No. 8; everyone is!
There’s no better character to prove that than Captain Mina Ashiro. Kafka’s childhood friend has come a long way since their early days. A flashback shows that there were times where Ashiro was filled with doubt over her capabilities, but it was Kafka’s promise (and her anger at him for being unable to keep it) that pushed her to do the coolest shit on the battlefield. And no, her riding a tiger isn’t even the top thing on that cool list!
With her own version of a BFG, Ashiro faces off against Kaiju No. 14. Although there are parts of her story that show how stressful it is to have everything on your shoulders, that stress and worry are the exact motivation she needs to protect those she cares about. Just with the press of her trigger finger, the Captain demonstrates the level of power she can unleash on any kaiju that wishes to destroy Tokyo.
It’s just a shame that there’s no time to celebrate these victories. Hoshina and Ashiro certainly deserve it. But no, Kaiju No. 9 appears, and he’s got a wild amount of power and kaiju waiting to begin his next strike. They’re all massive, frightening, and truly overwhelming. Fortunately, this is when Kafka drops the second fiddle and grabs himself the biggest cello he can find!
Volume Twelve of Kaiju No. 8 gifts us with two fights worthy of being called slobberknockers. We’ve always known how strong both Hoshina and Ashiro have been, but these fights truly cement them as two of the mightiest members of Defense Force. After all, it’s not like they were given their Captain and Vice-Captain titles; they earned that shit! This twelfth volume of Kaiju No. 8 simply shows readers exactly how they did.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
