Will the Kaiju No. 8 manga get a sequel?

Kafka as seen in the Kaiju No. 8 manga
Kafka as seen in the Kaiju No. 8 manga (Image credit: Shueisha)

Kaiju No. 8, created by Naoya Matsumoto, has been in heavy controversy lately due to the announcement that the manga will end with chapter 129. This has taken fans by shock since many were expecting it to continue for a long time and expand upon its fascinating world.

Alongside the criticisms of a rushed ending, however, some readers have recently theorized that the series may not be ending for good and that a sequel may be in the works. Though there is no tangible proof that Kaiju No. 8 will have a manga sequel, it would help explain the series’ unusual choice to end early, while also providing the mangaka with more time to develop new arcs.

Kaiju No. 8 is among the most popular shonen series in recent history, captivating fans with its world of dangerous Kaiju and the Defense Force that protects humanity. The series follows Kafka, a middle-aged man who mysteriously gains the power to turn into a humanoid Kaiju.

Meireki vs Kafka as seen in the Kaiju No. 8 manga (Image credit: Shueisha)
Meireki vs Kafka as seen in the Kaiju No. 8 manga (Image credit: Shueisha)

While hiding his identity, Kafka works towards helping his loved ones, fighting against the deadly monsters. The recent chapters of the manga have revealed the main antagonist of the series, the Meireki Era Mega Monster, as well as the centuries of history surrounding Kafka's Kaiju abilities. However, this is also the reason why fans are unable to understand why the story is ending.

When a manga is approaching its conclusion, it aims to provide closure to character arcs, tie up loose ends, and resolve unanswered questions. Kaiju No. 8, on the other hand, has drastically added to the lore of its own narrative and has yet to begin concluding the stories of any character in its large cast.

No matter how rushed a manga ending may be, it typically spends at least 5-10 chapters providing satisfying resolutions to all its elements. Matsumoto has not tried doing this, which may hint at the possibility of a manga sequel.


How Kaiju No. 8 may be taking a page out of Tokyo Ghoul's book

Some fans may be thinking that a manga sequel with no prior notice may be far-fetched, but it has happened in the past. Tokyo Ghoul faced a similar situation, where its ending was well-received but came out of nowhere. After weeks of fans being convinced that the comic had ended, Sui Ishida's epilogue revealed that the series would be returning for its sequel, Tokyo Ghoul: re.

Kaiju No. 8 may be trying to attempt something similar, likely for two reasons. The first is the author's health issues, which have already caused the series to go on hiatus several times. Taking a break before returning with a new arc would benefit both Matsumoto's health and the quality of his storytelling.

Secondly, the series has captured the attention of the world with the surprising announcement of its ending. If this publicity is used effectively, the reveal of a manga sequel could skyrocket its popularity. Hence, while there may not be much proof at this point, a manga sequel would perfectly explain why Kaiju No. 8 is ending so soon.

Edited by Sugnik Mondal