Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117: Origins of Kafka's power revealed as the flashback begins

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117 was expected to begin the flashback, focusing on the origins of Kafka Hibino’s powers as the titular monster, as set up in chapter 116’s final pages. Officially released on Thursday, November 7, 2024, the issue revealed the origins of Kafka’s powers, yet it seems like there’s more to the flashback still to come.

However, Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117 at least clarifies how Kafka’s power came to be, even if the exact mechanics behind such a creation aren’t fully explained. Nevertheless, it excitingly answers one of the series’ biggest lingering questions and is also seemingly setting up even more lore to be addressed in the flashback.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117 sets up the reveal of Kafka’s power is the key to Meireki Era Mega Monster’s defeat

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117: An ancient battleground

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Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117 begins immediately where the last issue ended, with the oni-mask warrior beckoning Kafka Hibino to come on a journey with him. He specifically says that doing so will strengthen his connection with them, prompting Kafka to be taken to an ancient battlefield suddenly.

He’s in the same style of armor that the oni-mask warrior wields, which the other soldiers present have also donned. When Kafka is put into this world, a massive Kaiju leads a charge. Kafka is likewise confused and gets berated by other soldiers for hesitating as he tries to figure out where he is and what’s going on.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117 likewise sees him question how they’re supposed to charge at and defeat the Kaiju with the primitive tools at their disposal. Kafka explains that the weapons and armor they’re using are all derived from monsters, but the lack of scientific knowledge results in no major benefits from using the raw materials.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117 confirms that Kaiju No. 9 isn't the first Kaiju to be taken over by the Meireki Era Mega Monster (Image via Production I.G)

Kafka says he learned about this while studying, with these ancient warriors fusing their bodies to the tools and armor “with the help of a sort of parasitic monster.” Kafka adds that the method barely draws out any power while also putting a huge toll on the body, being vastly inferior to the Kaiju Defense Force’s modern equipment.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117, then sees an “after-beast” appear by Kafka, prompting someone to save him. The soldier asks what he’s doing as Kafka looks at him, revealing the soldier as Soshiro Hoshina’s ancestor, who says Kafka isn’t worthy of serving in the Monkey unit. Kafka is shocked to meet Hoshina’s ancestor, who immediately begins ordering the Tiger and Rooster units to attack and guide the Kaiju.

The soldiers successfully take down the Kaiju and limit its mobility before opening fire on it with cannons, leading to Kafka being awestruck at the results they’re getting. The oni-mask warrior’s spirit appears behind Kafka, saying they lost many soldiers that day but carried out their duty with unrelenting ferocity.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117: Evil appears

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However, Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117 sees the oni-mask warrior caveat this by saying that they at least thought they had done so. As Kafka questions this, several soldiers are sent flying into the air with severe injuries. It’s then revealed that the Kaiju this ancient force was fighting turned into the Meireki Era Mega Monster as Kaiju No. 9 had in the present, its body splitting open in the same way to reveal the couple's eyes.

A commander tried ordering his troops to fall back while he distracted it, but the Meireki Era Mega Monster immediately wiped out every troop in the area with one swipe. As Kafka watches this horror unfold, the oni-mask warrior spirit tells him that the fastest, strongest, and peerless among them were defeated that day. A shot of Hoshina’s ancestor being killed and eaten appears as the oni-mask warrior says this.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117 makes the origins of Kafka's powers clear, but doesn't explain why he was chosen (Image via Production I.G)

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117, sees Kafka try to fight but immediately have his legs cut off by a glyph attack from the Meireki Era Mega Monster. The oni-mask warrior says all were equal in death that day, their forces completely wiped out. He continues that their friends, families, fields, and homes were all destroyed by the Meireki Era Mega Monster, with nothing they could do.

Kafka sinks into the water in his internal mindscape as the oni-mask warrior says this, as someone begins cursing. The spirits of several fallen warriors then appear and cling to Kafka’s body, curing their powerlessness and the fates that befell them. These spirits eventually consume Kafka and eventually come together to become the Flying Larva that infected Kafka. The issue ends on this reveal, as the oni-mask warrior says they were as insignificant as a tiny insect.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117: In summation

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Kaiju No. 8 chapter 117’s reveal of the origin of Kafka’s powers is incredibly significant, confirming it as the will of the souls of those who fell to the Meireki Era Mega Monster. This likewise explains the oni-mask warrior’s use of plural pronouns and its bitter hatred for Kaiju in general. With the flashback seemingly set to continue, fans can expect to learn more when the series returns on Thursday, December 5, 2024.