MANGA REVIEW | "Kaiju No. 8" - Volume Thirteen
It’d be easy to say that the legit enemy of Kaiju No. 8 is the kaiju themselves. However, as this story has gone on, it’s come to light that there’s a far greater foe that’s been front and center all this time. And it took until Volume Thirteen for me to realize this, a fact that has me conking myself on the head over just how dumb I’ve been. The real enemy of Kaiju No. 8: doubt.
The fight between the Japanese Anti-Kaiju Defense Force and Kaiju No. 9 lingers onward. It felt like the battle had been won by the JAKDF, but it was all a ruse. Instead, Mina Ashiro finds herself right where Kaiju No. 9 wants her, and catches her in his trap. Now, the time to rescue Mina from becoming a part of the enemy ticks down, with Kafka wondering how he’ll save her.
Those reading this review will think that it’d be easy for Kafka to just dive in and rescue Mina. However, too much is happening around him to simply ignore. Innocent bystanders, fellow soldiers-in-arms, and the country itself are in dire straits over Kaiju No. 9’s attacks. More monsters keep on appearing, and Kafka fears that if he just rushes over to save Mina, many more lives will be taken.
It’s right here where the feeling of doubt becomes Kafka’s greatest enemy. Only he can save the day, but there’s just far too much saving to do. At this point, Kafka fears that all hope is lost, as he can’t be rescuing everyone in a split second. Doubt rests heavily on his mind and shoulders, to the point where it almost paralyzes him.
However, we are quickly reminded that Kaiju No. 8 has heroes that are just as strong as both Kafka and Mina. They aren’t fighting this alone; they have a freaking army of super-talented soldiers that are ready to kill kaiju and eat their flesh for breakfast with a side of eggs! Ichikawa is the first to prove this, as he takes on many of the daikaiju Kaiju No. 9 unleashes with a fair amount of ease. Furuhashi also demonstrates his skills, followed by Haruichi and Aoi.
At this moment, doubt no longer causes Kafka to freeze up. Everyone showcases their kaiju-killing skills, proving that the entirety of JAKDF is capable of dealing with these monsters. Otherwise, well, they wouldn’t be a part of the freaking team! But as Kafka shakes off doubt, Mina deals with her own fair share as she fights off Kaiju No. 9’s absorption.
Just as Kafka did, Mina fears that she is the only one who can stop these monsters. As she goes back-and-forth between her current and childhood self, Mina sees just how much of a threat Kaiju No. 9 is. Hundreds of years of monsters, humans, and other beings are caught within his web of decay, a sight that freaks Mina out to the point of shooting everything that moves within the beast’s belly. At that point, doubt takes over Mina, to the point where she gives up all hope. That is, until a certain somebody appears.
Saying any more about what happens in Volume Thirteen will spoil the euphoria readers will get from reading it. Kaiju No. 8 has always been about overcoming doubt, in ways that have made that feeling a far greater enemy than any other monster these characters have come across. But with doubt now cast aside, we may very well see the true strengths of Kafka, Mina, and the rest of JAKDF unleashed on these monsters. Humanity has never looked this filled with hope in such a long time!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
