1. Introduction
Starting in April 2025, the hit anime Kaiju No. 8 will return to TV as part of the spring anime lineup.
Originally aired in 2024 to great acclaim, this rebroadcast aims to reach even more viewers on terrestrial and BS channels.
The story takes place in a world where monster disasters have become part of everyday life.
The protagonist, Kafka Hibino, who gains the ability to transform into a kaiju himself, once again sets out to pursue his dream of joining the Defense Force.
Brought to life by renowned animation studio Production I.G—famous for titles like Ghost in the Shell—this action-packed series blends intense monster battles with heartfelt human drama.
Despite being a rebroadcast, the show is generating buzz rivaling that of a new series.
Want more great picks from the Spring 2025 anime season?
👉 Check out Zatsu Tabi, The Shiunji Family Children, and the rebroadcast of Bunny Girl Senpai!
2. Where to Watch
Broadcast Channels
- TV Tokyo: Airing from Monday, April 7, 2025, at 2:00 AM (JST)
- TV Aichi: From Friday, April 4, 2025, at 2:05 AM (JST)
- TV Hokkaido: From Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 2:05 AM (JST)
With its late-night slots on three major networks, the rebroadcast offers a perfect opportunity for new viewers and returning fans alike to enjoy the series.
Streaming Information (as of March 2025)
Streaming Platforms and Availability:
- Crunchyroll: Previously, Kaiju No. 8 was simulcast globally on Crunchyroll, excluding Asia, with episodes available on-demand shortly after their Japanese broadcast. The platform also offered dubbed versions in multiple languages, including English, Latin American Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Castilian Spanish, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
- Ani-One Asia (YouTube): For viewers in South and Southeast Asia, the series was streamed on the Ani-One Asia YouTube channel.
Regional Availability:
During the initial broadcast, Crunchyroll provided access to viewers in regions such as the USA, Europe, and other territories outside Asia.
In Asia, platforms like Ani-One Asia facilitated streaming. While it’s expected that the rebroadcast will follow a similar distribution pattern, official confirmation is pending.
Release Date and Time:
The rebroadcast of Kaiju No. 8 is scheduled to commence in April 2025. Specific release dates and times for international streaming platforms have yet to be announced.
Historically, Crunchyroll streamed episodes simultaneously with the Japanese broadcast, typically on Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. PDT.
Subtitles and Dubbed Versions:
During its original run, the series was available with subtitles in multiple languages, and dubbed versions were released approximately one hour after the Japanese premiere.
The languages included English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil.
Similar offerings are anticipated for the rebroadcast, though official details are forthcoming.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s advisable to monitor official announcements from streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Ani-One Asia as the rebroadcast date approaches.
📺 Streaming Services for Kaiju No. 8 in Japan (Season 1)
🔸 SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand)
| Service Name | English Name |
|---|---|
| ABEMAプレミアム | ABEMA Premium |
| Amazonプライムビデオ | Amazon Prime Video |
| dアニメストア | d Anime Store |
| dアニメストア ニコニコ支店 | d Anime Store Nico Nico Branch |
| dアニメストア for Prime Video | d Anime Store for Prime Video |
| ディズニープラス | Disney+ |
| DMM TV | DMM TV |
| FOD | FOD |
| Hulu | Hulu |
| J:COM STREAM | J:COM STREAM |
| Lemino | Lemino |
| milplus | milplus |
| Netflix | Netflix |
| TELASA | TELASA |
| TELASA（auスマートパスプレミアム） | TELASA (au Smart Pass Premium) |
| U-NEXT | U-NEXT |
| WOWOWオンデマンド | WOWOW On Demand |
| アニメタイムズ | Anime Times |
| アニメ放題 | Anime Hodai |
| バンダイチャンネル | Bandai Channel |
🔸 AVOD / FVOD (Ad-Supported or Free Viewing, Limited-Time Episodes)
| Service Name | English Name |
|---|---|
| ABEMA | ABEMA |
| Lemino | Lemino |
| TVer | TVer |
| ニコニコ生放送 | Nico Nico Live |
| ネットもテレ東 | Net mo TV Tokyo |
🔸 TVOD (Rental / Transactional Video on Demand)
| Service Name | English Name |
|---|---|
| Amazonプライムビデオ | Amazon Prime Video |
| Google TV | Google TV |
| HAPPY!動画 | HAPPY! Dōga |
| J:COM STREAM | J:COM STREAM |
| milplus | milplus |
| music.jp | music.jp |
| Rakuten TV | Rakuten TV |
| TELASA | TELASA |
| VIDEX | VIDEX |
| カンテレドーガ | Kansai TV Dōga |
| ニコニコチャンネル | Nico Nico Channel |
| バンダイチャンネル | Bandai Channel |
| ビデオマーケット | Video Market |
| ムービーフルPlus | MovieFull Plus |
⚠️ Notes for Watching in Japan
- 📆 Streaming schedules may differ slightly by platform. Some services offer same-day simulcasts, while others may have delays.
- 🆓 Free streaming (AVOD/FVOD) is often limited to the latest episode and only available for a limited time after the original broadcast.
- 💬 Subtitles and audio: Japanese audio is standard. Some platforms offer Japanese subtitles, but English subtitles or dubs are usually not available on domestic services.
- 🔐 Some platforms require a Japanese IP address or region-specific account (e.g., Hulu Japan is different from Hulu US).
- 💳 Paid plans: SVOD and TVOD services generally require a Japanese credit card or payment method.
3. Trailers and Early Buzz
Official Trailers
No new trailer has been released for the rebroadcast, but teaser and main trailers from the 2024 release are still available on the official TOHO Animation YouTube channel.
These videos showcase the series’ high-quality animation and thrilling battle scenes—well worth rewatching.
▶ Kaiju No. 8 Official Trailer
Reactions from Social Media and Fans
| Category | Score (out of 10) | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Story | 8 | An engaging plot with a fresh take on the kaiju genre. Balances action and emotional moments effectively. |
| Characters | 7 | Solid character development, especially for Kafka. Some side characters could use more depth. |
| Animation | 9 | High-quality visuals by Production I.G with smooth action scenes and dynamic monster designs. |
| Music | 7 | Effective and atmospheric soundtrack. The OP/ED are well-received, though not groundbreaking. |
| World-Building | 8 | A believable and immersive setting where kaiju threats feel real. Good use of military and sci-fi elements. |
| Action | 9 | One of the anime’s highlights. Intense and well-choreographed fights with excellent visual impact. |
News of the rebroadcast quickly sparked excitement on X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube:
- “The animation is incredible—I’m absolutely rewatching it!”
- “Kaiju No. 8 exploded in popularity after the anime aired. So happy it’s getting another run.”
- “Production I.G’s visuals are amazing. This is one to keep saved!”
Fans of the manga praised how faithfully the anime adapted the original, with seamless integration of anime-original content.
4. Key Information
- Title: Kaiju No. 8
- Air Date: Begins April 7, 2025
- Animation Studio: Production I.G
- Directors: Shigeyuki Miya, Tomomi Kamiya
- Series Composition / Script: Ichirō Ōkouchi
- Character Design / Chief Animation Director: Tetsuya Nishio
- Music: Yuta Bandoh
- Main Cast:
- Kafka Hibino (CV: Masaya Fukunishi)
- Mina Ashiro (CV: Asami Seto)
- Reno Ichikawa (CV: Wataru Katō)
- Kikoru Shinomiya (CV: Ai Fairouz)
- Soshiro Hoshina (CV: Kengo Kawanishi)
- Kaiju No. 9 (CV: Hiroyuki Yoshino)
- Kaiju No. 10 (CV: Kenta Miyake)
- Official website and official Twitter(X)
5. Story (Spoiler-Free)
In a Japan constantly under threat from giant monster attacks, Kafka Hibino once dreamed of joining the Defense Force.
Now, having given up on that dream, he works for a cleanup crew that disposes of dead kaiju remains.
His life changes when he meets Reno Ichikawa, a young recruit aiming to join the Defense Force.
Their encounter rekindles Kafka’s ambitions—just in time for a mysterious parasitic kaiju to infect him.
Kafka transforms into a powerful monster, dubbed “Kaiju No. 8” by the authorities. With humanity on one side and the kaiju within him on the other,
Kafka must decide what to fight for. His journey is a unique blend of heroism, inner conflict, and second chances.
6. Original Source
- Author: Naoya Matsumoto
- Published On: Shonen Jump+ (Shueisha)
- Serialization Start: July 2020
- Volume Count: 15 volumes (as of March 2025)
- Total Copies in Circulation: Over 18 million
- Past Adaptations: Season 1 aired in Spring 2024
Kaiju No. 8 quickly rose to fame on the Jump+ app, becoming one of its flagship titles. Its fast-paced story, accessible format, and deeply relatable protagonist struck a chord with readers, especially among younger audiences.
7. Highlights and Why It’s Worth Watching
- A unique adult protagonist
→ Kafka Hibino is a rare shonen hero in his 30s who gets a second chance at his dreams—by turning into a kaiju. - Epic monster battles
→ High-impact, well-animated action scenes between kaiju and the Japan Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. - Top-tier animation and visuals
→ Produced by Production I.G, featuring character design by Tetsuya Nishio and monster design by Mahiro Maeda. - Cinematic soundtrack
→ Powerful and emotional background music by Yuta Bandoh, with memorable opening and ending themes. - Immersive sci-fi worldbuilding
→ A realistic military-meets-monster universe with detailed systems, ranks, and weaponry. - Strong emotional themes
→ Explores perseverance, friendship, teamwork, and finding purpose after failure. - Well-paced story structure
→ Balances serious action with character development, humor, and mystery.
8. Final Thoughts and Anticipation
Whether you’re a first-time viewer or returning fan, Kaiju No. 8 offers an exciting blend of high-stakes action and meaningful character development.
Its production quality rivals brand-new titles, and many fans consider it one of the standout anime of recent years.
If you’re planning to tune in, reading the original manga beforehand will deepen your appreciation of the story and characters.
Don’t Forget:
- Broadcast Starts: April 7, 2025
- How to Watch: TV Tokyo, TV Aichi, TV Hokkaido, and more. Streaming services TBD—follow official sources for updates!
If you’re a fan of thought-provoking teen drama, here’s great news:
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is returning with a special rebroadcast this April!
👉 Get all the details about the Bunny Girl Senpai rerun here.
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