Kaiju No. 8 has set itself apart from other kaiju anime with its splendid art style and humor. It is the third serialization of mangaka Naoya Matsumoto and recently received an anime adaptation as well.
In an interview published on the Shueisha website, Seijiro Nakaji, the deputy editor-in-chief of Shonen Jump+, discussed the creation of Kaiju No. 8 and the inspiration behind it. From iconic movies to beautiful visuals, this interview has it all.
What does Kaiju No. 8 draw inspiration from?
Seiijiro Nakaji discussed the creation procedure of Kaiju No. 8 at length. There were long discussions with Matsumoto sensei, which resulted in a superhero story where the mangaka’s personality shone through.
Nakaji did share a very interesting fact as well. He claimed that the effect of light shining through the muscles of the kaiju in the manga and anime was inspired by the movie Tron. The blue light contouring the kaiju bodies in the series is an iconic design, and we finally know where it’s from.
“So, in that way, I often draw inspiration not only from the content but also from the visual aspects as well.”
The 1982 movie Tron and the 2010 Tron Legacy featured light suits, which resembled motorcycle suits but with fluorescent glowing strips contouring the bodice. These suits are worn by programs in the Tron universe. The second movie ended up amassing $400 million during its theatrical run. The visual aspect of the light suits inspired the construction of kaiju in Kaiju No. 8.
The Tron franchise is also receiving a standalone sequel called Tron: Ares, produced by Walt Disney Pictures and starring Jared Leto. It will also feature popular comedian Hasan Minhaj and will be released on October 10, 2025.
How are the distinct personalities and action scenes crafted in Kaiju No. 8?
Nakaji explained that the outfits and other action-related characteristics are often based on the personalities of the characters. The constant communication between Nakaji and Matsumoto also helps them to come up with more interesting concepts.
“For example, I wanted a cool weapon for Narumi, so I conveyed the somewhat vague image of a bayonet I had in mind through illustrations. Matsumoto then refined it, taking on its current form.”
Nakaji then talked about his favorite characters in the manga, Hoshina and Iharu. Hoshina has a lack of self-confidence despite looking like a carefree individual. Iharu, on the other hand, suffers from an inferiority complex. He loves characters with complex issues like them.
A favorite scene of the editor is the one in which Kafka stands under a rain of blood after punching a kaiju for the first time. The striking colored spread was key to keeping readers hooked. Another scene where Kafka and Leno jump out a hospital window with a gigantic kaiju in the background is also a fan favorite.
You can read the latest chapters of Kaiju No. 8 of MANGA Plus and Viz Media and watch the anime adaptation on Crunchyroll.
