Kaiju No.8: Is Season 2 Worth the Wait?

Kaiju No.8 is back with a bang. The first two episodes are fast-paced and explosive. There is never a dull moment. Production I.G. once again delivers striking animation.

After a film summarizing the first season, the highly anticipated second season of Kaiju No.8 finally premieres tomorrow on Crunchyroll! Subsequent episodes are released every Saturday. So, was it worth the wait?

STORY

Kaiju No.8 is back, and it doesn’t waste any time. Indeed, the first two episodes are fast-paced and action-packed. There is never a dull moment. These are 23-minute episodes, but it doesn’t feel like it. When it’s over, you’ll want to see what happens next as soon as possible. So, that’s a solid start for season 2. Throughout these episodes, there is a sense of urgency with high stakes. The story establishes the new team dynamics and the challenges ahead for the characters. It’s going to be quite exciting. On top of that, Gen Narumi is definitely the star of these two episodes. He has the best and most badass scenes. Who doesn’t love him? Kikoru Shinomiya also gets her time to shine. We need more of this.

VISUALS & SOUNDTRACK

Once again, Production I.G. delivers striking visuals with this second season. There is a sense of epic-ness with the action scenes; it feels cinematic. The animation team isn’t afraid to go big. We are talking about kaiju, so it has to be impressive. And it is. Yutah Bandoh’s score is one that doesn’t go unnoticed. At times, it’s a tribute to Godzilla’s soundtracks – dark and ominous. At others, it’s electrifying and dynamic.

OPENING & END CREDITS

New season means new credits. The first episode is distinct in that it lacks an opening, and the end credits consist of scrolling titles featuring the opening theme. But the second episode has both the opening and end credits. The opening theme is “You Can’t Run From Yourself” by Aurora. It’s a good pop song that’s a good fit for the theme of the season. The opening credits are a 3D one. Though it’s stylish, it’s a weird one. However, the end credits are significant. This is a peaceful credit. It contrasts with the explosive episodes. The animation has an artsy vibe that perfectly matches the song “Beautiful Colors” by OneRepublic. It’s a song that will stick with you.

VERDICT

Kaiju No.8 is back with a bang. The first two episodes are fast-paced and explosive. There is never a dull moment. Production I.G. once again delivers striking animation.