“Kaiju No. 8” is a popular manga series created by Naoya Matsumoto. The story follows Kafka Hibino and his desire to join the Defense Force to protect Japan from rampaging kaiju (monsters). However, in a twist of events, Kafka becomes the titular Kaiju No. 8. He uses the strength given to him to work his way up the Defense Force and fight alongside his childhood friend, Captain Mina Ashiro.
Now, this epic series is coming to mobile and PC platforms in the form of a video game. Temple of Geek spoke with Akatsuki Games’ Project Leader, Yu Sasaki, and Producer Tomonobu Nozawa about the upcoming game and the creative process behind bringing the story to life in a new way.
Kaiju No. 8: THE GAME Expands on the World Set Up in the Anime and Manga
During Anime Expo 2025, there were plenty of opportunities for fans to engage with “Kaiju No. 8.” From interactive exhibit hall booths to voice actor signings to a packed-out panel, there was no shortage of celebration. The impact of this series is evident, as large crowds of fans gathered to experience previews of season two as well as the game.
Temple of Geek: With Kaiju No. 8 having such a strong presence at Anime Expo, what are you the most excited for people to see?
Akatsuki Games:
One key highlight is how the world of Kaiju No. 8 is faithfully recreated in high-quality 3D graphics. Additionally, although it has yet to be revealed, the game will feature original settings that build upon the world of the anime. We hope fans look forward to seeing the Kaiju No. 8 universe expanded through the game.
Temple of Geek: What was it like adapting this epic series into a video game? Do you stay as true to the source material as possible?
Akatsuki Games:
Development of the game began before the anime aired and continued in parallel with the anime’s production. Working closely with the anime team, we were excited to explore and build upon story elements and worldbuilding that could not be fully portrayed in the original manga. In particular, we placed great emphasis on character and kaiju design—ensuring they were true to the manga while enhancing them visually for the game format.
Bringing Kaiju No. 8 to Life in a New Format is Exciting for the Team, Who are Fans of the Series
“Kaiju No. 8” boasts an incredibly passionate fan base. The game’s developers made sure to keep that in mind when taking these beloved characters from manga to video game. Additionally, Akatsuki Games worked closely with the anime team and the creator of the manga. This collaboration ensures that “Kaiju No. 8: THE GAME” will draw fans in with fresh content that remains true to the heart of the kaiju universe.
Temple of Geek: Were there any challenges working on this project? How did you overcome them?
Akatsuki Games:
We put significant effort into developing the game’s original storyline and characters. Since Kaiju No. 8 already has a large fanbase, it was critical for us not to disrupt the integrity of its world. To ensure authenticity and fan acceptance, we worked in close collaboration with the original manga creator Naoya Matsumoto and the anime team.
Temple of Geek: How was working on Kaiju No. 8 different than other projects you’ve worked on?
Akatsuki Games:
What set this project apart was the high level of collaboration we had with the anime team. In most cases, game development is conducted independently. However, this time we were able to align closely with the anime team, working together to make Kaiju No. 8 a major entertainment moment in the summer of 2025. This cross-medium collaboration is one of the most unique aspects of the project.
Temple of Geek: What were some highlights you remember from production?
Akatsuki Games:
As fans of Kaiju No. 8 ourselves, one of the most memorable aspects was how our original characters took shape—despite undergoing rigorous review and checks, they were brought to life within the beloved world of the series. Now, with the game’s release just around the corner, we’ve entered the most challenging yet exciting stage of development. We hope fans are as excited as we are for the official launch this summer.
Pre-Register Now!
“Kaiju No. 8: THE GAME” has officially surpassed 500,000 pre-registrations! Those who have pre-registered have unlocked ★4 “[Aiming for Greater Heights] Mina Ashiro.” Once this campaign reaches 850,000, users will unlock ★4 “[Blade Specialist] Soshiro Hoshina.”
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