Kaiju No. 8 season 2 episode 1 review: Production I.G kicks off the Kaiju Weapon Arc with impact

Premiered on Saturday, July 19, 2025, Kaiju No. 8 season 2 episode 1 kicks off the new season with a seamless start. Naoya Matsumoto’s acclaimed manga had already left a great impression after the first season aired in Spring 2024, and now, after about a year’s wait, it’s finally back in Summer 2025.

Production I.G perfectly continues Kafka Hibino’s journey, picking things up right where they left off. From the reveal of Kafka’s Kaiju identity, the story moves forward with striking narrative direction and consistently impressive production values. The season 2 premiere not only lives up to the bar set in season 1 but raises it.

It makes for an episode's thoroughly engaging, visual, and narrative delight. The addition of some anime-original moments enhances the character dynamics further and makes it an entertaining experience for both manga readers and anime-only viewers alike.

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Kaiju No. 8 season 2 episode 1 review: Production I.G’s flawless direction delivers an engaging story continuation

Kaiju No. 8 season 2 episode 1 makes for an excellent premiere (Image via Production I.G)

Adapting manga chapters 39 and 40, Kaiju No. 8 season 2 episode 1, titled Kaiju Weapon, starts the sequel season with a bang. The premiere leaves an impact from the get-go. The narrative stays largely true to the source material but also adds a few anime-original scenes, though they blend in well and actually enhance the overall experience.

This entry picks up the story right after season 1, continuing Kafka Hibino’s story after his identity as Kaiju No. 8 was revealed during the battle to defend Tachikawa Base from Kaiju No. 10.

Kafka clashed with Chief Isao Shinomiya, was eventually spared from execution, and was instead given a chance to fight alongside humanity against the growing Kaiju threat. Season 2 picks up from there, diving into the aftermath of that decision, following the direction Kafka’s journey is now taking.

From the start, Kaiju No. 8 season 2 episode 1 leaves an impact. The premiere keeps the momentum from season 1 with well-paced storytelling and brilliant direction. Production I.G. once again shows their production brilliance; the animation is top-tier, expressive, and executed with careful detail, the pacing is well-balanced, and the music and voice acting all work together to elevate the viewing experience.

What really elevates the experience in Kaiju No. 8 season 2 episode 1 are the small anime-original moments that weren’t in the manga. Instead of feeling like filler content or unnecessary additions, these scenes add an emotional note, fleshing out the characters’ personal struggles and thoughts even more.

This, in turn, enhances the storytelling, helping both anime-only audiences and manga-reader viewers have a chance to connect closer to their favorite characters. While the pacing might be a bit slower than the source material, it doesn’t feel boring. Rather, it gives the story room to breathe and set things up with perfect pacing.

Kafka, as seen in the trailer (Image via Production I.G)

There are also moments of action in Kaiju No. 8 season 2 episode 1 to keep things exciting. The narrative is heading into a training phase, likely focusing on their character development arcs.

Some new characters are also introduced, and are hinted to play a key role in future arcs. And even though the story is transitioning into a new phase, the looming Kaiju threat is still very present, as hinted in the season 1 finale.

Production I.G continues to impress in other aspects as well. The animation and visuals are detailed with fluid character movements, especially in the action scenes.

The emotional scenes and other moments are also handled perfectly. As always, the voice cast delivers impactful performances, bringing their respective characters to life with finesse. The music further adds to the overall atmosphere, giving the entire episode a cinematic feel.

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Final thoughts

All in all, Kaiju No. 8 season 2 episode 1 is a fantastic start to the series's second season. It keeps the manga's essence while expanding the story in its own impactful ways. The production quality remains consistently high.

With brilliant writing, great pacing, significant character moments, and an exciting overall setup for the future narrative, it’s everything fans could’ve hoped for in a season premiere, making for a promising start in the Summer 2025 season that fans have been waiting for.

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