Kaiju No. 8 episode 11: Kafka taken into custody as Isao Shinomiya is officially introduced

Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 excitingly continued its focus on the reveal of Kafka Hibino’s secret, as well as the fallout from this reveal which saw him taken into Kaiju Defense Force Command custody. Officially released on Saturday, June 22, 2024, the installment saw several characters introduced as Kafka found himself in a fight for his life.

However, Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 did go out of its way to confirm that Kafka still has friends in the Defense Force, especially within the Third Division. Likewise, fans saw Kikoru interact with her father Isao Shinomiya (who is officially introduced in the episode) in an effort to plead on Kafka’s behalf, revealing some key backstory on both in the process.

Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 sees Isao make things personal with Kafka

Brief episode recap

Kafka's fate is discussed amongst Kaiju Defense Force leaders in Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 (Image via Production I.G)

Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 began with Kaiju Defense Force higher-ups discussing the Kafka situation, with Deputy Director Keiji Itami being introduced here.

His words gave way to the introduction of Chief of Staff for Eastern Command Juzo Nogizaka, who suggested keeping the situation under wraps. Itami agreed, electing to kill Kafka and convert him to weaponry. A scientist suggested exploring keeping Kafka as a living weapon.

This prompted Director General Isao Shinomiya’s introduction, at which point he said they’d bring Kafka in and decide from there. Focus then shifted to a restrained Kafka at Tachikawa Base, where Kafka lamented his situation and said he’s sure Mina Ashiro was mad. She entered at that moment with Soshiro Hoshina, with Kafka trying to apologize to both but being rejected.

Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 saw Kafka accept this treatment as he was escorted outside, where the entire Third Division was standing by in full uniform. Mina and Hoshina then escorted Kafka into a van, while he walked by Reno Ichikawa without being able to look him in the eye.

He thought Ichikawa was mad at him, but as he walked into the van, Ichikawa broke formation to tell Kafka he had faith that he’d come back.

Mina Ashiro makes it quite clear that the Third Division is behind Kafka in Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 (Image via Production I.G)

This confused Kafka as the van’s door shut, at which point Mina said she’d punish him for speaking out of turn.

Mina then told a confused Kafka that when he dashed in to save everyone, she was shocked at his powers but thought it was just like him. She then revealed that she’s making efforts to prove he’s human and save him, confirming that no one in the Third Division views him as an enemy.

Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 saw Mina take care of protocol after, but Kafka interrupted her to ask if he can still try to stand by her side. She said she’ll always be waiting for him, causing him to begin crying.

Meanwhile, at Tachikawa Base, Hoshina had the entire Third Division salute as Kafka’s convoy departed. Itami scrutinized his actions, to which Hoshina said he was having the Division salute Mina, which Itami said of course he is since they can’t be saluting a Kaiju.

Focus then shifted to Ariake Maritime Base, where Kafka was imprisoned under maximum security. Several days then passed, with Reno and the others clearly bothered by what happened with Reno especially upset. The others then spoke about him too, saying that he was a good guy but realizing that the decision didn’t rest with them.

Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 sees Reno especially bothered by Kafka's current status (Image via Production I.G)

Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 then saw Mina ask Konomi Okonogi to put together the supporting evidence for Kafka.

Hoshina, meanwhile, led cleanup efforts while discussing how he needs Kafka to come back so they can fight for real. Focus then shifted to Kikoru Shinomiya, who went to meet with her father to plead a case for Kafka’s survival. Unfortunately, Isao wasn’t receptive, giving her a file with Kafka’s chest x-rays which revealed his heart had become a Kaiju core.

Isao asserted that he wasn’t human, but a Kaiju like the one that killed his wife and her mother. Isao then told Kikoru to leave, but she said she still believes in Kafka before doing so.

Focus then shifted to Kafka, who steeled his resolve to return to the Third Division. Mina then revealed to the Third Division recruits that Tachikawa Base wasn’t suitable to train them in its current state, so they’d all be relocated to other divisions for training purposes for the time being.

Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 saw her attribute this move to the fact that the Kaiju seem to be planning something, and that they likewise need to take the talented recruits and hone them further.

The others argued, but Reno happily agreed. Aoi and Izumo were then seen making efforts to help Kafka via their JSDF and Izumo Tech connections. They both recognized Kafka as their comrade, as focus shifted to Kafka in containment pondering Mina’s words to him.

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Isao then entered dressed for combat, as it was revealed Kikoru was watching. Isao then asked for Kafka’s restraints to be released, causing Kafka to think he could appeal to Isao.

However, Isao immediately began shooting at him before ripping into his chest for a blood sample, asserting that something which can stop bullets with its bare skin could never be human.

Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 saw Kafka assert he was human, prompting Isao to don the No. 2 weapon before announcing his intent to dispose of Kaiju No. 8.

Kafka elected to only partially transform to prove he’s still human, but Isao rushed at him and took off one of his arms with the No. 2 weapon. Itami and others commented on how Isao is still the strongest soldier in the Force while Kafka’s transformation progressed.

The two played cat and mouse briefly, but Isao landed additional hits on Kafka which severed his limbs, forcing him to transform further in order to regenerate. Kafka then started dodging, recognizing that his Kaiju detector skills were reacting to the No. 2 weapon.

Itami then explained that they turned No. 2 into a weapon after it died, and that Isao was the only compatible user to ever exist. Kafka finally recognized the weapon as one of the Numbers as he got overwhelmed.

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Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 then saw Kafka fully transform, to which Isao said he’s finally shown his true form.

However, Kikoru noticed something was wrong, as did Isao when a crack appeared in Kafka’s face. Kafka then let out a monstrous roar, as focus shifted to his mentalscape where he was trapped within his own body.

Kafka then saw the Kaiju which infected him at the start of the series, which kept repeating the words “kill” and “Kaiju.” In reality, Kafka had clearly lost control of himself, roaring and moving monstrously rather than fighting as a human would. The episode ended with him charging at Isao as Kikoru called out and asked Kafka if he’s still human.

In review

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A moment of subtlety that highlights one of Kaiju No. 8 episode 11’s major strengths is the reveal that Kikoru and Isao lost their mother and wife to a Kaiju sometime ago.

With this info coming out just before Isao fights with Kafka, it adds an extra layer to his actions in the fight and why he’s going out of his way to prove that Kafka is a Kaiju.

In turn, it also emphasizes the prejudice Kafka may have to face if he is allowed to live beyond the current events of the series. From such a subtle seemingly throwaway line, the series clearly is looking to the future and setting up later developments.

The serves as a microcosm of the anime’s strengths thus far, being deceptively deep despite progressing through what many would consider the “opening” stages of the series.

In summation

Kaiju No. 8 episode 11 sets up an action-packed finale to the first season which will also likely give a conclusive answer on what Kafka’s ultimate fate will be.

Regardless of what this answer is exactly, fans can expect a second season to be set up in the finale’s final moments, most likely via a focus on No. 9 who has been absent from recent installments.