Kaiju No. 8 stands out in one way many shonen works fail to. It is relatable in a way most coming-of-age stories wouldn’t be. At the same time, it keeps tropes from the genre in a flow that helped it gain its popularity even more. There is much support for the idea introduced, however, it is the protagonist who holds the aces.
As the series premiere approaches, questions are being thrown here and there about just how such a concept came into being. A character who is regarded as well past his prime gets to live his journey through life in a way he never saw coming.
A man in his early 30s gets his main character moment. So to understand how Kafka became the hero he now is, Naoya Matsumoto, the author, quenched every fan’s curiosity.
Kaiju No. 8 Found Its Roots in Japanese Archetypes
In an interview with Manga Plus by Shueisha, Kaiju No. 8’s editor, Seijiro Nakaji revealed just what inspired Naoya Matsumoto to make a protagonist as unique as Kafka. He explained that in order to better understand his character, it was important to understand where the mangaka’s interests lie. Japanese action heroes became one of the biggest inspirations for him. It wasn’t just the thought of saving the world, but one that involved sacrifice, special abilities, and a bildungsroman.
“I feel that Kaiju No. 8 differs significantly from the protagonists Matsumoto has depicted in the past. Kafka carried an atmosphere that linked to Matsumoto when he was first creating the character. I believe this adds an extra layer of passion to the work.”
He compared such an archetype to Western and American anti-heroes. In today’s day and age, an audience loves an anti-hero more than a superhero. One would lean more towards Loki than Thor, Punisher than Iron Fist, and Deadpool than Superman.
With great power comes great responsibility. This was explained perfectly by the editor, stating that the internal struggle between a character and the world surrounding him is one that is filled with depth. However, that alone is not the reason why Kafka is a brilliant protagonist.
The Inner Demons of Kafka Were Also Worn on His Face
The Youkai are part of an old Japanese folktale. Through them, the concept of oni, or demons, comes into being. Oni are regarded as frightening creatures and were used as old bedtime tales to keep children from waking up in the night. However, each tale lost in time has more sides to it than just a child’s mind.
“The design explores a combination of fear and coolness. The current Kaiju No. 8 is inspired by oni and skulls, resulting in a somewhat eerie yet finely balanced visual that makes it hard to determine if it leans towards the side of justice or evil.” (Manga Plus by Shueisha)
Naoya Matsumoto also found inspiration for Kafka in the oni and skulls, resulting in the Kaiju No. 8’s final design. Instead of showing a clear moral ground, the design chose to incorporate the idea of balance. That good and evil coexist. One cannot function without the other. What is good without the understanding of evil and what is a good character without his own conflicting morals?
Kaiju No. 8 will be available to watch on X and Crunchyroll from 13th April, 2024.
