Kaiju No. 8 episode 12: Kafka vs. Isao concludes as a decision on his life is made

Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 was expected to bring an end to not just the first season, but the ambiguity regarding Kafka Hibino’s survival following the reveal of his being the titular monster. Officially released on Saturday, June 29, 2024, the installment did thankfully completely resolve this plotline before the conclusion of the first season.

Along the way, Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 showed fans the true potential of Kafka’s combative powers as a Kaiju, as well as providing some exciting lore and world building along the way. The episode and season also excitingly concludes with a tease of Kaiju No. 9’s return, seemingly setting up the already announced second season to focus on whatever its next plan is.

Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 sets up a dive straight into the action upon season 2’s premiere

Brief episode recap

Kafka and Isao's fight rages on in Kaiju No. 8 episode 12's opening scenes (Image via Production I.G)

Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 began with a focus on Reno Ichikawa and Iharu Furuhashi, where they discussed concerns for Kafka Hibino and why Reno wants to go to another division. He said he wanted to get stronger as quickly as possible so he could protect Kafka next time, with Iharu in disbelief that Reno thought he’d be coming back. Reno confirmed he believed this as the platoon leaders entered and discussed what Kafka’s ultimate fate might be.

This also revealed that Mina Ashiro was called into command, prompting a shift in focus to Ashiro at command. She was asked to wait in a meeting room until Director Isao Shinomiya was done testing No. 8’s capabilities. This prompted a shift in focus to Kafka and Isao, where Isao recognized the change in Kafka’s behavior to an animalistic nature.

Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 highlighted this by seeing an out-of-control Kafka fight in a way that damaged his body since he could rely on regeneration. Within his body, the trapped Kafka begged himself to stop as it rained down blows on Isao. Thankfully, the No. 2 weapon kept him alive and allowed him to land a counterattack, which temporarily slowed Kafka.

Kikoru is conflicted as she watches Kafka almost kill her father in front of her in Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 (Image via Production I.G)

However, it was revealed that Kafka split his core off from his body and regenerated from it, using his original body as a decoy. Isao and Kafka then clashed, resulting in a shockwave that surpassed a combined 10.0 fortitude. Kikoru Shinomiya, still observing, was amazed at the power both were displaying. Keiji Itami then commented on how it seemed like Isao was pushing No. 8 deliberately to test him, which Kikoru recognized as giving Kafka a chance to live.

Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 then returned focus to Aoi Kaguragi and Haruichi Izumo, who discussed Kafka’s situation, which inspired Aoi to call his dad and ask for a favor. Meanwhile, Kafka landed a severe blow to Isao, taking out a chunk of his stomach in the process. However, Isao continued fighting the now monstrous Kafka, who had also grown in size during the fight.

The trapped Kafka continued to plead with his body to stop as it set up a killing blow on Isao, which Kafka recognized. He then realized Kikoru was there watching, swearing not to kill her father in front of her as his body began doing exactly that. Kikoru, also recognizing this, remembered her words to Kafka about killing him, but found herself unable to stop believing in him, calling out to him nonetheless.

Kafka almost gives up hope in Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 (Image via Production I.G)

Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 saw this give Kafka the strength he needed to break free from the Kaiju’s control, but the Kaiju that infected himself then appeared and seemingly swallowed him. He then lamented how he always screws up at the most important moment as the Kaiju did indeed swallow him whole within his mindscape. In reality, Isao was seen saying he had hope, but all was now lost as he seemingly accepted his death.

Kafka, now partially transformed as he drowned in a sea, became enveloped by light as a hand reached out to grab him. He then saw Mina before him, revealing it to be her hand that grabbed him just as he went to land the killing blow on Isao. However, it was revealed Kafka hit himself instead to take back control of his body, telling Isao he wasn’t Kaiju No. 8, but Kafka Hibino instead.

Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 saw Kafka pass out immediately after saying this, reverting to his base form as First Division Commander Gen Narumi approached with a blade at Kafka’s neck. Isao ordered Narumi to stand down, who then ridiculed Isao for refusing to signal for backup. Isao admitted Kafka was more trouble as an opponent than he thought as he ordered medics to take him in.

First Division Commander Gen Narumi is finally introduced in Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 (Image via Production I.G)

The focus then shifted to a board meeting with Isao and the other higher-ups, where they asked Mina Ashiro for her opinion on Kafka as his commanding officer. Mina confirmed her history with Kafka with Isao and the others, with some claiming that her testimony would not impact Kafka’s fate and that she shouldn’t feel responsible. However, Mina did offer praise for him as a Defense Force officer, speaking on everything he’s done up to this point.

Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 saw the others attribute this to his Kaiju powers, which Mina agreed to. However, she clarified that his spirit is admirable and that he clearly wants to save people, saying he cares for others more than anyone she knows. This prompted a flashback to when they were younger, with Mina mourning the death of her cat. Kafka silently held her hand and cried with her, claiming he had more humanity than anyone she knew in the present.

Some officers seemed swayed by this, while others berated her for sharing her personal opinion and trying to cover for her subordinate. Isao then dismissed her before preparing to say what Kafka’s fate would be. However, the focus then shifted to Kafka in a healing tank, where he was remembering the same flashback, what he felt that day, and how he decided to die as a human ever since he became a Kaiju hybrid.

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Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 then saw him wake up in a hospital bed with Isao sitting on a chair nearby. Isao thought Kafka was worried at first, but Kafka then expressed his relief that he was okay. Kafka questioned what his still being alive meant, prompting Isao to instead point out that he truly does have a core instead of a heart now due to his survival. He then confirmed that Kafka is a Kaiju, before saying they’ll decide what to do with him later.

It was then revealed that Isao wanted to use Kafka as a living Kaiju weapon in combat, which many of the others disagreed with. However, Isao remained firm in his resolve, pointing to uncertainty regarding his conversion to a weapon, recent Daikaiju sightings, and the need for a stronger Defense Force as reasons why.

Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 then revealed that Isao’s wife and Kikoru’s mother died in the No. 6 attack 10 years prior, which influenced his decision. In the present, Isao called Kafka by his full name and told him to prove his worth if he wanted to survive. Kafka said he’d make Isao and the others accept him as human as the focus shifted to Mina, who received a text letting her know that Kafka had been spared.

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Kikoru also received this text but realized it also meant she needed to get stronger to stop him if she ever had to. Aoi and Izumo got similar texts, realizing that Kafka earned his survival by himself. Reno Ichikawa, Iharu, and the platoon leaders also received the same texts and celebrated.

Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 saw everyone in the Third Division get the news and share their desire to strengthen. Kafka was then shown passing out from exhaustion as the focus shifted to his old Kaiju cleanup crew.

One of his colleagues was complaining about a chess player named No. 9 topping the charts, revealed to be Kaiju No. 9 doing so to gauge humanity’s intellect. He then revealed that he was planning a new phase of his plan, aiming to “bring the Kaiju power that fell into human hands back to our side” as the episode and first season ended.

In review

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One of the most exciting aspects of Kaiju No. 8 episode 12 is its clear foresight for the future second season in almost every step of the episode. New characters, new lore, new motivations, and even new plotlines are introduced for the series’ central cast of characters, which will undoubtedly be explored in the second season.

Episode 12 also does a fantastic job of driving home who Kafka is and the type of protagonist fans can expect him to be moving forward, primarily via the lenses of Kikoru and Mina’s opinions of him. While somewhat restricted likewise, it’s an exciting and enthralling way to close out the smash-hit first season.

In summation

With Kafka’s journey to Mina’s side over for now, fans are understandably unsure of what to expect from the second season. After all, so many details regarding Kafka’s return to the Defense Force were left unclarified after the episode’s conclusion. That being said, with No. 9’s return already set up, fans can expect to see Kafka fighting side-by-side with the Third Division again sometime relatively soon.