Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111: True nature of Kafka's powers teased as Mina is set up for a killing blow

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111 was expected to primarily focus on the exciting continuation of Kafka Hibino and Mina Ashiro’s fight against Kaiju No. 9, who has also manifested No. 2 in the same body. Officially released on Thursday, July 17, 2024, the series did continue Kafka and Mina’s final fight but hit some unexpected flags along the way.

One of the most significant of these flags in Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111 is the biggest tease on the true nature of Kafka’s powers fans have gotten in the series yet. In turn, this tease also suggests (via the way it’s presented) that humanity could have another Kaiju ally beyond Kafka, who is responsible for Kafka’s powers.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111 teases No. 9 as intimately familiar with the source of Kafka’s powers

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111: Berserk-ish

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Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111 opened on Kafka now in what fans previously knew as his “berserker” mode. Keiji Itami was seen remembering it in this form from former Director General Isao Shinomiya’s fight with Kafka during the Kaiju No. 8 Captured arc. This led to a flashback showing Kafka explaining to Gen Narumi that he needs his help in training to unlock this form as a controlled “secret move.”

Narumi initially reacted cheekily as Soshiro Hoshina often does with Kafka, but initially agreed as there was something he also wanted to work on in training. Narumi then said he hoped Kafka was prepared, as he may not be able to turn back from this path. Naruma adds that he should fight for his future beyond that as the flashback ends with Kafka remembering Hoshina’s similar sentiment.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111 then saw Kafka lament that the fight had come to this as he let out a scream, destroying the area immediately surrounding him. No. 9 was shown to be shocked by this as Mina called out for Kafka to stop this. Reminding himself and readers that he only has one minute of control, he told Mina there was no time to argue and to cover him.

Kaiju No. 9 is shocked but not overwhelmed by Kafka's new form in Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111 (Image via Production I.G)

Mina remembered the smile he gave her on the roof before the battle, saying it was frustrating but all she could do now was lean on her resolve to stand by Kafka. Kafka then charged at No. 9, shocking him with his power, which spread across a sizable area. Kafka swiped and punched at No. 9, missing the former but landing the latter to pummel No. 9 into the ground.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111 saw Kafka charge up a beam attack from his mouth and seemingly hit No. 9 with it. However, it began creating distance between them after Mina radioed in that she was providing cover while guiding the target to drop site 14. She then took shots at No. 9, which opened up an opportunity for Kafka to get close again, letting them exchange blows while Kafka said he had two more moves left.

The two locked up while No. 9 stared into Kafka’s kaiju-like eyes, saying how intriguing it was that Kafka held a power that was highly lethal against monsters and an ability to delay regeneration. This presumably meant that Kafka’s powers delayed the regeneration of the Kaiju he attacked, which is one of, if not the very first time that has been confirmed in the series.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111: No. 9’s true enemy teased

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Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111 then saw No. 9 point out that Kafka is himself a monster, but meant to kill other monsters. It then shockingly said it knew “beyond a shadow of a doubt… what [Kafka] really [is],” teasing that it is fully aware of Kafka’s origins and possibly even the origins of the Kaiju that infected Kafka.

The trio then reached the drop site, where Kafka revealed it had been 40 seconds since he released his power. However, he added that everything was lined up perfectly as No. 9 landed by the corpse of Kaiju No. 14 and took stock of where he was. Seemingly realizing something, he had no time to react as Kafka rushed at him with the Alternative Fifth Form, Neo Whirlwind attack.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111 then saw Kafka call out to Mina, prompting No. 9 to look over in shock. Mina was seen through the dust walking up with her massive signature weapon in hand and fire in her eyes. The issue ended with Mina lowering it and preparing to fire, potentially setting up No. 9 for its demise with Kafka still having roughly 20 seconds in his berserker form.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111: In summation

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One of the biggest aspects of the issue’s events is the tease that No. 9 may have a true enemy beyond Kafka, potentially another seemingly ancient Kaiju like him who is directly opposed to him. This could even be the Kaiju that infected Kafka specifically or yet another Kaiju who created the Kaiju that infected Kafka.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 111 does, at a minimum, seem to be setting up No. 9 as taking a substantial and heavily damaging loss here with Mina now having her signature weapon in hand. Capable of taking down giant-class Kaiju with ease, its power should at least be enough to severely would No. 9 if she can land the hit.