As the original manga series by author and illustrator Naoya Matsumoto continues to develop, one of its most adored elements remains the diverse and varied cast of characters in Kaiju No. 8. Despite fitting into the common shonen trope-character archetypes, the series has managed to provide fresh and entertaining takes on these tropes, resulting in a beloved and dynamic group of characters.
Similarly, one of the most satisfying aspects for fans of Matsumoto’s series is witnessing the growth of the endearing and fully developed characters in Kaiju No. 8 as the series unfolds. The recent months of publication have also revealed a significant shift in the ranks and powers of the fighters in the manga.
Important Note: The following list contains spoilers for the Kaiju No. 8 manga which the anime’s first season will not cover, and reflects the author’s personal opinion.
The Top Kaiju No. 8 Characters: Weapon Users Reign Supreme
Iharu Furuhashi
Despite always being a prominent member amongst the new recruit class fans, Furuhashi has recently reached even higher levels. This can be attributed to his transformation into a Flash Adapter, which was made possible by Fourth Division Captain Jugo Ogata’s guidance and training.
As a Flash Adapter, Furuhashi is able to temporarily boost his combat power to 88% during battles, which is just shy of a Division Captain’s level. This undoubtedly solidifies his position as one of the top ten most powerful characters in the current Kaiju No. 8 manga.
Jura Igarashi
As previously mentioned, the series has established that a Division Captain’s full combat potential is typically around 90%. This would mean that Igarashi, being a Division Captain, would have a slightly higher unleashed combat power than Furuhashi.
Despite Igarashi being considered one of the 10 strongest characters in Kaiju No. 8, his combat abilities have never been witnessed and his true strength remains unknown. This uncertainty surrounding his power warrants a lower ranking.
Jugo Ogata
Similarly, Fourth Division Captain Jugo Ogata holds the same status as Igarashi in terms of not being seen in battle and keeping his unleashed combat power a secret. However, Ogata is ranked higher than Igarashi among the 10 strongest characters in Kaiju No. 8 due to his confirmed status as a Flash Adapter.
Based on the current information on both individuals, it can be inferred that Ogata is stronger than Igarashi.
Reno Ichikawa
Despite being the first Numbers Weapon user on this list, Reno Ichikawa is likely the weakest amongst the Kaiju No. 8 characters. This does not diminish his strength, as recent chapters have shown how deadly he is with the No. 6 weapon. However, it is safe to say that he is not as powerful as the other Numbers Weapon users.
Despite recent hints in the chapters, he still carries the title of “third fiddle”to Kikoru Shinomiya and Kafka Hibino, which has been a common portrayal. However, it remains uncertain if he has truly reached their level as he has not yet defeated a numbered kaiju single-handedly.
Despite his potential, based on current information and achievements, he still falls behind other Numbers Weapon users.
6) Profile of Kikoru Shinomiya
Despite this, the fact that Kikoru Shinomiya is only ranked one spot higher than him among the strongest characters in Kaiju No. 8 speaks volumes about the incredible strength of the top fighters in the series. This is in no way a discredit to Kikoru and her use of the No. 4 weapon, as their joint defeat of Kaiju No. 15 showcases their position as some of the most formidable characters in the series.
Despite Matsumoto’s abilities, she is often outranked by those like Ichikawa who surpass her in areas such as experience, general weapons mastery, and being their superiors. While being a superior does not necessarily determine strength, it is likely that Matsumoto sees it as a way to establish a hierarchy based on abilities.
Kafka Gives
Despite having a low combat power in his human form, Kafka Hibino’s transformation into the titular monster has placed him high in the rankings among the characters in Kaiju No. 8. This was evident during the Second Wave arc, when the Defense Force chose him as their “ace in the hole”for defeating Kaiju No. 9.
Despite being introduced as the No. 8 form, Kafka was already considered the strongest Kaiju in the series at that time. This placed him at a top-tier ranking, as he was one of the most formidable creatures to exist, if not the strongest. However, he faced challenges due to his lack of experience, similar to Ichikawa and Kikoru. Additionally, Kafka’s unique disadvantage was his limited combat skills, which hindered his abilities in battle.
Soshiro Hoshina
Despite the imminent start of the anime, Kafka’s lack of fundamental combat skills is what sets him apart from individuals like Soshiro Hoshina, the Vice-Captain of the Third Division. Hoshina is widely regarded as the most powerful blade wielder in the entire Kaiju Defense Force, and his mastery of the No. 10 weapon at full unleashed potential only makes him an even more formidable adversary.
Despite his pairing with Mina Ashiro, Hoshina’s weakness lies in his inability to effectively use firearms in combat. While this is not a major issue, it does set him apart from other characters in Kaiju No. 8 mentioned later in this list who do not face the same limitation.
Mina Ashiro
Mina Ashiro is unlike the characters in Kaiju No. 8, as she is essentially the complete opposite of Hoshina. Despite her impressive combat skills with firearms, she is extremely inept with bladed weapons and will even go as far as avoiding using a kitchen knife if possible.
Despite this minor issue, the synergistic pairing of her and Hoshina is still able to effectively support each other. However, it is worth mentioning that in isolation, it may be seen as a concern.
Despite all of this, Mina’s unrivaled mastery of firearms makes her one of the most powerful characters in Kaiju No. 8. She is capable of single-handedly defeating giant-class Kaiju, as long as she has a clear shot at them. In fact, it is believed that if Mina had been present during the No. 6 incident a decade prior to the beginning of the series, the destruction would have been reduced to less than a third of its actual amount, showcasing her immense strength.
Kaiju No. 9
The latest installments of the series have solidified the fact that Kaiju No. 9 is undeniably one of the most powerful characters in Kaiju No. 8. Not only is he able to hold his own against Kafka in his Kaiju form, which is an impressive feat in itself, but he also has the upper hand in their fight at the moment.
No. 9’s strength lies in his intelligence and foresight, which allow him to anticipate and prepare for any situation. He displayed this quality during the debut of Ichikawa as the No. 6 weapons user, stating that it did not significantly affect his plans. This demonstrates the exceptional level of foresight he possesses. Additionally, his raw strength, acquired from absorbing Isao Shinomiya and the No. 2 weapon, solidifies his position as one of the most powerful characters in Kaiju No. 8.
1) Gen Narumi
Gen Narumi is widely recognized as the most powerful among the numerous Kaiju No. 8 characters currently introduced and living. Renowned as Japan’s strongest anti-Kaiju fighter, he has earned this title through his mastery of the No. 1 weapon, exceptional proficiency with both bladed and rifle weaponry, and unparalleled ability to unleash incredible combat power. In fact, in the B-Side spinoff prequel series, it was revealed that even without any training or a suit, he could wield severed Kaiju limbs as deadly weapons.
Another important aspect to consider is that, unlike Hoshina and Ashiro, Narumi possesses advanced skills in both bladed and rifle weaponry. In fact, he has even developed his own unique weapon, a bayonet-gun, by combining the two. Furthermore, as a student of Isao Shinomiya, Narumi is seen as the epitome of strength in the series at present.
In conclusion
Among the numerous characters in Kaiju No. 8 who possess remarkable strength and skill, the above 10 stand out for their exceptional abilities in different ways. Whether it be through their powerful Kaiju form, masterful expertise in a particular aspect of Kaiju combat, or innate talent, it is evident that there are various routes to success in Matsumoto’s manga series. Nevertheless, reaching the pinnacle of strength in Kaiju No. 8 requires surpassing the current peak set by these characters.
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