[PR] “Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME” Finally Launches — Protagonist VA Masaya Fukunishi Reveals the Game’s Unique Appeal, Different from Both the Original and the Anime: “‘Kaiju No. 8’ Is the Ideal Form of a M

Having surpassed one million pre-registrations, “Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME” has finally been released. As Season 2 of the anime, which began airing on July 19, generates buzz on social media (SNS) with comments like “the camera work in the battle scenes is god-tier” and “the animation is incredible—the way the kaiju move and the way the city crumbles, and so on,” expectations for “Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME” are truly at their peak. Following the anime, the role of the protagonist, Kafka Hibino, in the game is also played by voice actor Masaya Fukunishi, who is himself a big fan of “Kaiju No. 8.” Together with Fukunishi, who has breathed voice into Kafka’s humanity-filled character, we take an in-depth look at the key highlights of “Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME.”

■Kafka’s Journey of Redemption Resonates Deeply with Fans — How Did Masaya Fukunishi View the Anime’s Soaring Popularity? “Voicing Kafka Is the Greatest Honor of My Career”

Season 2 of the anime Kaiju No. 8 began its simultaneous global broadcast on July 19, sparking a wave of impassioned reactions across social media in various languages. Following the global success of Season 1, the series continues to captivate audiences—not only through the immersive direction that only anime can provide, but also thanks to its unconventional protagonist, Kafka Hibino, whose deeply human character sets him apart from typical battle heroes. Voice actor Masaya Fukunishi reflects on this life-changing encounter: “Kafka made me believe in my voice acting career.”

“This series marks my first lead role in an anime. As the years went by, I began to face the reality that I might never fulfill my dream of playing the protagonist of a shōnen manga. Even as I wrestled with that, I found myself repeatedly uplifted by Kafka, who keeps getting back up after every setback and never stops challenging himself. To have played a character like Kafka—someone who will undoubtedly inspire so many others as well—is the greatest honor of my career as a voice actor.”

Starting in Season 2 of the anime, Kafka Hibino is officially operated by the Defense Force as a Kaiju Weapon—Kaiju No. 8. Yet despite this major shift, his slightly clumsy charm and his unwavering resolve to protect his comrades at all costs remain intact. At the start of Season 2, social media was flooded with emotional responses such as, “Even after learning he’s Kaiju No. 8, everyone still trusts him—I cried,” and “I’m so happy to see his efforts finally paying off,” reflecting the overwhelming sense of relief and empathy fans feel for Kafka.

Fukunishi describes Kafka’s deeply layered personality with a single word: sunao—“genuine.”

“He acts and speaks with complete honesty about his feelings. But expressing that genuineness isn’t something voice acting alone can achieve. For every recording session, I carefully plan how to sync Kafka’s movements and facial expressions with his breathing and voice. After recording Episode 1 of Season 1, I received a message from the original creator, Naoya Matsumoto, who told me, ‘You were Kafka.’ That comment has been my greatest source of encouragement in portraying him.”

While Kaiju No. 8 earned high praise for its quality battle sequences from the very first season, Season 2 continues to deliver with its dynamic camera work and intense pacing. The series also shines in its sound effects—from explosive impacts to the roars of kaiju—and especially in the transformation sequences when Kafka becomes Kaiju No. 8. These moments, enhanced by powerful background music, have left viewers in awe, prompting reactions like “goosebumps” and “just seeing this scene alone makes the anime adaptation worth it!”

Even before being cast in the role, Fukunishi was already a devoted fan of the original Kaiju No. 8 manga. As a fan himself, he shares his view that “Kaiju No. 8 is the ideal form of a media mix.”

“Kaiju No. 8 is a work filled with such multifaceted appeal that it can’t be summed up in a single phrase. That’s exactly why the media mix approach—allowing each platform to express the story through its own unique strengths—is incredibly meaningful. If the manga excels at delving deep into the characters, then the anime gives the battles a visual dynamism that only animation can achieve. And now, with the game being developed on top of that, I’m convinced it will allow us to immerse ourselves in the world of Kaiju No. 8 in a completely new way—one that’s different from both the original and the anime.”

■“The Seamless Feel of the World Is Incredible” — Original Character Sagan Shinomiya Appears Alongside a Brand-New Story in Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME

Since the release of its teaser trailer in April, Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME has been generating nonstop buzz. Expectations have been particularly high for its high-end 3D graphics and dynamic battle effects, with eager fans sharing reactions like, “It looks like you’ll be able to fight while truly immersed in the game’s world,” and “The special move animations have a different kind of impact from the anime—this is going to be epic!” The anticipation leading up to the release has been palpable.

And now, the download is officially available. We asked Mr. Fukunishi for his first impressions after getting an early hands-on experience.

“Above all, I could really feel the deep love the developers have for Kaiju No. 8. From the sleek designs and logos seen in the original manga and anime to how they’re carried over into the game, the sense of continuity across the franchise is just incredible. Even the turn-based command-style battle system shows how committed the creators are to letting players fully experience what it feels like to take down a kaiju with the most spectacular presentation possible.”

In addition to a mode that lets players relive the anime’s story, the game also features an all-new, original storyline created specifically for this title.

“Unlike anime, the game doesn’t have strict time limitations, so I’m really looking forward—as a fan myself—to seeing new sides of the Defense Force members portrayed in full voice. What I’m especially curious about is the game-original character Sagan Shinomiya. He shares the Shinomiya surname, and I can’t wait to see how he and Kafka interact. I’m thrilled to see how the world of Kaiju No. 8 will continue to expand from this game as a starting point!”

The Kaiju No. 8 manga concluded its nearly five-year serialization on July 18—just one day before the anime’s Season 2 premiere. On that day, the outpouring of emotion from longtime readers was joined by excitement for the continued story through Season 2 and the highly anticipated game release. The topic even trended on X (formerly Twitter). Masaya Fukunishi, who has been at the heart of the project, describes the experience as the ultimate honor for an actor.

“Veteran voice actors often say, ‘Even when the project ends, the role stays with you forever.’ I never quite grasped what that meant—until I met Kafka. In this entertainment-saturated era, I feel like truly rich experiences where you can explore a single story from multiple angles are becoming rare. That’s why it has been such an incredible privilege to be part of Kaiju No. 8, a work that offers just that. Kafka has taught me the value of a gritty, never-give-up spirit, and I want to carry that lesson with me throughout my voice acting career. I hope everyone enjoys the Kaiju No. 8 universe as it unfolds across manga, anime, and now the game.”

Source : Sponsored by Akatsuki Games .Inc