Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 is expanding its vocal talent, with the announcement that veteran voice actors Yūko Kaida, Shunsuke Sakuya, and M.A.O have joined the cast. The highly anticipated second season, which premiered on July 19, 2025, on TV Tokyo in Japan and simultaneously on Crunchyroll globally, sees these new additions taking on key roles within the narrative.
New Voice Cast Bolsters the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force
The newly announced cast members will portray integral characters within the Japanese Anti-Kaiju Defense Force, an organization dedicated to protecting Japan from devastating kaiju attacks.
- Yūko Kaida (known for roles like Tsukuyo in Gintama and Isabella in The Promised Neverland) joins as Jura Igarashi, the commander of the 2nd Unit.
- Shunsuke Sakuya (recognized for his work as Ethan Hawke’s voice double and roles like Simon Blackquill in Ace Attorney) will voice Jūgo Ogata, commander of the 4th Unit.
- M.A.O (whose extensive credits include Shion in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime and the titular Mao Mao in The Apothecary Diaries) takes on the role of Kirimori Touko, the vice commander of the 4th Unit.
These characters hold significant positions within the Defense Force, suggesting their roles will be crucial as the battle against the kaiju intensifies in the upcoming season.
Kaiju No. 8 Season 2: Adapting Key Arcs and Expanding the Lore
Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 is set to adapt the “Kaiju Weapon Arc” and the “Compatible User Arc” from Naoya Matsumoto’s popular manga, promising more intense training, the introduction of new characters like Gen Narumi, and high-stakes battles. The season premiered on July 19, 2025, with new episodes airing every Saturday. Fans worldwide can stream the new season on Crunchyroll, while it also airs weekly on TV Tokyo in Japan.
Prior to the main season, a bonus prequel episode titled “Hoshina’s Day Off” was released early on July 5, 2025, on X (formerly Twitter) and is also available on Crunchyroll. This special episode focuses on fan-favorite swordsman Soshiro Hoshina, providing additional insight into his character.
The Ongoing Fight Against Kaiju
The Kaiju No. 8 series centers on Kafka Hibino, a 32-year-old man who once dreamed of joining the elite Anti-Kaiju Defense Force alongside his childhood friend Mina Ashiro. After failing numerous times and settling for a job cleaning up kaiju remains, Kafka’s life takes an unexpected turn when a parasitic kaiju transforms him into a humanoid kaiju, later designated “Kaiju No. 8.” He must then navigate using his newfound powers while attempting to fulfill his promise to Mina and fight alongside the very organization tasked with eliminating creatures like himself.
The new season promises to delve deeper into the lore of the kaiju and the intricacies of the Defense Force, with improved animation and a continued blend of action, comedy, and emotional depth.
