Kaiju No. 8 Season 2: Short, Sweet, and Stuffed with Kaiju Chaos

When Kaiju No. 8 first hit screens, it exploded onto the scene with the kind of hype usually reserved for shonen heavyweights like Jujutsu Kaisen or Demon Slayer. The story of Kafka Hibino—an over-the-hill former kaiju fighter who gains the power to turn into a kaiju himself—was a fresh take on the monster genre, blending heart-pounding action with genuine emotional stakes. Now, Season 2 is here, and fans have been buzzing nonstop about whether it lives up to the first season’s legacy. Spoiler: It does, but not without a few caveats that have the anime community split.

First off, let’s get the basics out of the way. Season 2, produced by the always-reliable Production I.G, picks up right where Season 1 left off: Kafka is locked up by the Defense Force, who see him as both a valuable asset and a ticking time bomb. The guy can turn into a kaiju—how do you not side-eye that? The season promises to dive deeper into Kafka’s struggle to control his powers, his complicated relationship with the Defense Force, and, of course, more epic battles against colossal monsters. But here’s the kicker that’s got everyone talking: this season only has 11 episodes.

If you’ve been scrolling through MyAnimeList or Reddit lately, you’ve probably seen the drama. Fans are divided between “11 episodes? That’s way too short!” and “Quality over quantity, am I right?” Let’s break down the discourse. On one hand, there’s the camp that’s frustrated. “Waited nearly a year for this 😔 I hope the 11 episodes they give us are as high quality or even higher than season 1,” one user wrote, echoing a sentiment shared by many. Another lamented, “It’s so short, it deserves at least 13 eps.” For context, most anime seasons (called “cours”) run 12–13 episodes, so 11 feels like a tease—especially for a show with such a dedicated fanbase.

But then there’s the other side of the argument. Manga readers, in particular, are defending the episode count. “It’s 100% enough because if they keep it up, they will finish it in the next season lol,” one user pointed out. The manga, which has around 130 chapters, is relatively short compared to long-runners like One Piece. So, three seasons of ~12 episodes each could wrap up the story neatly. “Attack on Titan was a monthly manga with much longer chapters though and a lot of dialogues and lore,” another fan explained. “Kaiju No. 8 was biweekly with fewer pages per chapter and more frequent overextended combat.” In other words, the anime can adapt the manga quickly because there’s less filler and more fight scenes to condense.

Now, let’s talk about the episodes themselves. The season premiered with Episode 1 on July 19, 2025, and already, reactions are mixed. Some fans loved it—calling the animation “top-tier” and the fight scenes “insane.” But others? Not so much. “Episode 1 was a dud, so they haven’t gotten off to a good start. And only 10 more to go,” one user griped. Another added, “It ain’t that bad, but expected more tbh.” Ouch. But wait—let’s clarify something: There was a side story episode (Hoshina no Kyuujitsu) that dropped earlier in July, which some fans confused for Season 2 content. So if you thought Episode 2 was a recap, you’re not alone—but that was actually a separate OVA, not part of the main season.

The animation quality, though, is where Production I.G really shines. The studio is known for its crisp, fluid action (think Ghost in the Shell or Haikyuu!!), and Season 2 doesn’t disappoint. The kaiju designs are even more grotesque and detailed than before, and Kafka’s transformations are a visual feast—think glowing blue veins, razor-sharp claws, and a roar that feels like it could shake your screen. One fan put it best: “It’s ok they are bringing the highest quality so 1 ep doesn’t lack!”

But what about the story? Season 2 is set to adapt the manga’s “Kaiju Weapon” arc, which delves into the Defense Force’s secret experiments to create kaiju-powered weapons. This arc is crucial because it explores the moral gray areas of using kaiju DNA for warfare—something that hits close to home for Kafka, who’s living proof of both the power and danger of that technology. Manga readers are excited to see this arc animated, especially the introduction of new characters like Kikoru Shinomiya’s rival, a prodigy with a dark secret.

There’s also the question of pacing. With only 11 episodes, will the season feel rushed? Some fans are worried. “Cramming 130 chapters into 36 episodes seems like a recipe for disaster, unless it’s 50% fight scenes that would be cut down,” one user fretted. But others are optimistic. “If they keep the pacing tight, it could work,” another argued. “The final arc is almost entirely Kafka vs. the final boss dragged on for many chapters in the manga—so the anime can trim the fat and make it more impactful.”

Another hot topic: the possibility of a movie or special episode to wrap up the series. “Maybe the actual finale could be a movie or a special episode,” one user suggested. Given that the manga’s final arc is a massive, multi-chapter battle, a movie would make sense—it could give the animators the time and budget to do the fight justice without cramming it into a single episode. But not everyone is on board. “Hope not, I prefer TV releases more,” another fan replied.

Let’s not forget the community’s love-hate relationship with short seasons. On one hand, shorter seasons mean less filler and more focused storytelling. On the other, they leave fans craving more. “This is why I miss 24-episode seasons,” one user sighed. But others are pragmatic. “Animators can’t see their families now, if all the shows were 24 episodes all the time, it would be worse for them,” a commenter pointed out, highlighting the grueling working conditions in the anime industry.

So, is Season 2 worth watching? Absolutely—if you’re a fan of the first season, you’ll find plenty to love here. The action is top-notch, the story is getting deeper, and Kafka’s journey is as compelling as ever. But if you’re someone who hates short seasons or prefers slow-burn storytelling, you might be left wanting more.

At the end of the day, Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 is a solid follow-up that delivers on the hype—even if it’s over too soon. As one fan put it: “Damn only 11 episodes, welp can’t blame if that’s how confident with adaptation.” And hey, if 11 episodes aren’t enough, there’s always the manga to dive into. Or, you know, we can all just cross our fingers for a Season 3 announcement. Fingers crossed!

In the world of shonen anime, where longer seasons are the norm, Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 is a bold move. It’s a reminder that sometimes, less is more—especially when the “less” is packed with jaw-dropping animation, emotional depth, and enough kaiju chaos to satisfy even the most die-hard monster fan. So grab your popcorn, fire up Crunchyroll, and get ready to roar along with Kafka. Season 2 is here, and it’s not holding back.

Just… don’t blink. You might miss something.

Final Verdict: 8/10. Short but sweet—with enough action and heart to keep you hooked until the end. Now, where’s that Season 3 announcement?

— A fan who’s already rewatched the first episode twice.

Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 is streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll.