Kaiju No. 8 chapter 124: Kikoru's compatibility with No. 1 explained as she and Kafka attack

Modified Mar 29, 2025 13:48 GMT

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 124: Kikoru's compatibility with No. 1 explained as she and Kafka attack (Image via Production I.G)

Following Kikoru Shinomiya’s shocking arrival with Numbers Weapon 1 in the previous issue, Kaiju No. 8 chapter 124 was expected to explain exactly how this development occurred. Officially released on Thursday, March 27, 2025, the installment explained how Kikoru was discovered to be compatible with and came to wield Numbers Weapon 1.

In the process, Kaiju No. 8 chapter 124 also revealed that Kikoru had achieved an “unprecedented” feat in the process of discovering her compatibility with No. 1. Excitingly, the issue also saw her spring into action against the Meireki Era Mega Monster (Meireki for short) alongside Kafka Hibino as the issue concluded.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 124 teases Mina Ashiro getting back in the fight with a favor from Konomi Okonogi

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Kaiju No. 8 chapter 124 began with a flashback, presumably to the time of the Compatible User Arc. Gen Narumi was shocked to learn Kikoru Shinomiya had Class 4 and up compatibility with four different Numbers Weapons. She showed Class 5 compatibility with her mother’s Numbers Weapon 4, while showing Class 4 compatibility with Numbers Weapons 1, 2, and 7. Keiji Itami and Akira Kurusu called this unprecedented and never before seen.

Itami ordered the top brass to be notified, given the unprecedented nature of the situation, but Kikoru requested this be kept secret. Since it could prove key to defeating Kaiju No. 9, she wanted to minimize the risk of information leaks via those No. 9 has already assimilated. She then asked Narumi to teach her how to wield No. 1, as the focus shifted to her doing so in the present. Soshiro Hoshina complained about the Third Unit not knowing of Kikoru using No. 1.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 124 saw Narumi throw the same criticism back at him for training Kafka Hibino in transformation combat secretly. He explained that No. 1 was their trump card due to its “countless eyes,” all the fields of vision of which are shared. This also applied to the spares stored for No. 1’s restoration, as a panel appeared of Kikoru and Itami retrieving these spares after her fight with No. 15 in the Second Wave Arc.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 124 further confirms Kikoru as a generational talent (Image via Production I.G)

Likewise, this meant Kikoru saw everything Narumi saw as he fought Meireki, already studying the enemy for this exact situation. Itami critiqued Narumi’s secrecy and how indefensible it was, as Narumi said he’d take full responsibility for this final move. He then instructed Kikoru to settle the score from the day her father died, with her thinking of her father still trapped inside Meireki while making eye contact with the monster.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 124 saw Kikoru stoically tell Kafka she’d make sure his fist reached its core, telling him not to pull his punches likewise. Another flashback began, focusing on Kafka hearing Kikoru cry while saying mourning her father must wait until after No. 9, and likewise, now Meireki, was defeated. Returning to the present, Kafka promised he’d attack with full force while saying Isao Shinomiya was waiting for them to set him free.

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Kafka began powering up, officially starting the operation to subjugate No. 9 and Meireki alongside Kikoru. The two then leaped into action, with Meireki attacking Kafka first with its explosive glyphs. However, Kikoru interrupted its attack by shooting at it, focusing on preventing it from attacking Kafka and taking out its attack points while also locating its core. However, Meireki began attacking her instead, seemingly deducing her plan.

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 124 then shifted focus to Mina Ashiro watching as Kikoru was attacked. She then asked Konomi Okonogi for a favor, which seemingly shocked her. However, the focus immediately returned to Kikoru, who was charging back into action while lamenting her uselessness on the day her father died. The issue ended with her promising to set her father free as she charged directly at Meireki, seemingly intent on attacking it herself.

Final thoughts

Kaiju No. 8 chapter 124 teases Mina Ashiro having a trump card of her own (Image via Production I.G)

While chapter 124 doesn’t explain exactly why Kikoru is compatible with so many Numbers Weapons, it explains how she came to wield No. 1. Likewise, the issue also justifies her wielding of No. 1, both in her resolve and in her role as Narumi’s student. The issue also does a great job setting up an additional twist with Mina Ashiro, who is seemingly set to somehow reenter the fight.

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Edited by Joseph Brogan