Introduction

As a long fan of all things kaiju orientated—such as Godzilla or Ultraman—it was a no brainer I was going to love Kaiju No. 8. Originally a manga by Naoya Matsumoto then turned anime by studio Production I.G., Kaiju No. 8 is a fun series that fuses shonen action with kaiju greatness. That’s why when I heard there was going to be a game, I was instantly on board. Dubbed Kaiju No. 8 The Game, I first saw it in action at Anime NYC 2025 and then started playing on mobile. This free-to-play gacha RPG is also available on Steam. After 5–6 hours of gameplay, here’s my take on whether it’s a monster hit or a rubber-suit flop.

Gameplay

Kaiju No. 8 The Game is a gacha RPG where you play as Kafka Hibino, both Defense Force soldier and secretly Kaiju No. 8. The game includes an original story set around seasons 1–2 of the anime. I cleared chapter 2, plus side stories and missions, giving me a good feel for the systems.

You build a team of attackers and support. Attackers do the heavy lifting while support buffs or heals. In story missions, attackers often carry, but tougher content demands strategy. This isn’t just another gacha auto-battler—it forces you to think about comps.

Combat is turn-based with three main actions: basic attacks, SP skills, and ultimates. SPs use character specialties (Kafka’s grenades, Reno’s ice powers, Mina’s devastating sniper shot). Ultimates look incredible and trigger cinematic sequences. Breaking an enemy’s guard allows a Buddy follow-up, adding depth and synergy to fights.

The game includes multiple modes: Original Story, Character Stories, Anime Recap, and Expedition Mode. Expedition is a side-scrolling defense where you recruit allies mid-run to stop kaiju waves. It’s simple but surprisingly addictive.

The gacha side is fair but limited. I pulled most of the current roster quickly, which raises concerns about long-term content. Gacha games live on banners, so the future depends on steady updates.

Graphics

The visuals are phenomenal for mobile. Attacks and ultimates explode with anime-level flair, blending manga panel energy with high-quality animation. Characters are fully modeled instead of static portraits, making battles pop. It feels almost like watching the anime.

Sound

Kaiju No. 8 already has an amazing soundtrack, and while the game doesn’t quite hit those peaks, the OST is solid. Rock-driven battle themes get the adrenaline going, and the original Japanese voice cast reprises their roles for authenticity. It nails the atmosphere perfectly.

Story

To my surprise, the original story is engaging. Strange rifts in the sky resurrect kaiju from alternate realities, some where they were never defeated. Kafka leaps in headfirst, and a new group called CLOZER steps in with their research. The writing mixes humor and drama well, while new characters feel natural within the universe. It’s stronger than I expected for a gacha adaptation.

Overall Impression

Kaiju No. 8 The Game balances fun turn-based combat, flashy presentation, and variety in modes. The downsides are its small roster and the usual gacha pitfalls, but for fans, it’s far better than expected. Longevity will depend on updates, but right now it’s an excellent tie-in.

Conclusion

I want to believe I’ll still be playing Kaiju No. 8 The Game months from now. While gacha always carries risk, Akatsuki Games has built a title that looks and feels faithful to the franchise while adding new story content. If the devs keep rolling out banners and events, this could become a major hit. For now, it’s already a beast worth taming.

—Aaron