Right now, the anime industry is in the midst of its spring season, and several standout hits have climbed the charts since their launch earlier this year.
As the summer season approaches, shows like Kaiju No. 8 are making waves due to their impressive hype. From animation to pacing, Kaiju No. 8 has become a must-watch series for netizens this spring. Interestingly, the story’s creator found inspiration in Godzilla.
Yes, you read that correctly. The King of the Monsters played a crucial role in the creation of Kaiju No. 8.
Kaiju No. 8 Creator Reveals Shin Godzilla as Inspiration for the Hit Series
In an interview with Bunshin in Japan, artist Naoya Matsumoto discussed their journey with Kaiju No. 8 and revealed that Shin Godzilla was a significant source of inspiration.
It turns out that the film directed by Hideaki Anno greatly influenced Matsumoto to create Kaiju No. 8. The timing aligns well, as Shin Godzilla was released in 2016.
This movie marked Godzilla’s 33rd appearance with Toho Company, and Anno’s direction propelled it to global fame. The modern-day rendition of Shin Godzilla received rave reviews, revitalizing the Godzilla franchise for contemporary audiences.
Its success also paved the way for Toho’s subsequent project, Godzilla Minus One, which achieved historic acclaim by winning an Academy Award.
Inspired by Shin Godzilla, Matsumoto began working on Kaiju No. 8. The manga debuted in July 2020, a few years after the release of Shin Godzilla.
Since then, the sci-fi drama has gained immense popularity and shows no signs of slowing down. Kaiju No. 8 has become a new-generation success for Shonen Jump, and its recent anime adaptation by Production I.G. has further cemented its place in the anime world.
If you want to learn more about Kaiju No. 8, here is its official synopsis for all the details:
“With the highest kaiju-emergence rates in the world, Japan is no stranger to attacks by deadly monsters. Enter the Japan Defense Force, a military organization tasked with neutralizing kaiju.
Kafka Hibino, a kaiju-corpse cleanup man, has always dreamed of joining the force. But when he gets another shot at achieving his childhood dream, he undergoes an unexpected transformation. How can he fight kaiju now that he’s become one himself?!”
