Review originally featured on our website: https://www.anime-atelier.com/review-kaiju-no-8-b-side-vol-1/

"You're bound to get killed using blades alone."

These are the words that have haunted the promising young soldier, Soshiro Hoshina, for most of his life. The vice-captain of the Japan Anti-Kaiju Defense Force is renowned on the battlefield for his mastery of bladed weapons, but that hasn't always been the case—in fact, Hoshina has struggled to prove his worth to the military for a long time, risking his life and his reputation in the process.

Kaiju No. 8: B-Side, illustrated by Kentaro Hidano, is the manga adaptation of Keiji Ando's light novel Kaiju No. 8: Exclusive on the Third Division, itself a spin-off from the popular monster-slaying series, Kaiju No. 8 by Naoya Matsumoto.

Volume 1 of Kaiju No. 8: B-Side opens just after the Sagamihara Neutralization Operation, with Hoshina fielding questions from reporters about the recent crop of recruits. When quizzed about the unusual choice of recruiting Kafka Hibino, Hoshina cheerfully declares that Kafka is only there for "comic relief." The reality, however, is that Hoshina sees the burning drive in Kafka—a passion to stand beside his childhood friend and captain of the Third Division, Mina Ashiro.

Through a flashback, we meet a younger Hoshina and see how the defense force admired his sword skills, but only valued him as a potential instructor. With kaiju increasingly leaning towards "giant-class," it's assumed that Hoshina's bladed techniques will become impractical, despite his clan's lineage of kaiju-slaying. Hoshina's headstrong confidence has almost broken entirely when he's given an unexpected proposition by Third Division Captain Ashiro: join her division to deal with miniature-sized threats.

During an operation to neturalize some smaller kaiju, Hoshina demonstrates his value by tackling the smaller "yoju," but is outclassed by dangerous, acid-spewing monsters. He recklessly charges into the fray to save a child, and after a close brush with the inside of a kaiju's digestive tract, succeeds in rescuing the young boy, and earns the respect of his fellow troops in the process.

Back in the present day, Kaiju No. 8 B-Side follows Kikoru Shinomiya as she acquires her very own custom weapon, forged from a slain kaiju. Surprisingly, this weapon isn't her iconic ax, but rather a single-edged cleaver which, while devastatingly effective, leaves Shinomiya less than impressed. The volume ends in the middle of Shinomiya's weapon trial, with her about to face a mid-sized kaiju alone.

Kaiju No. 8: B-Side struggles a little in its artistic direction, managing to look similar enough to Kaiju No. 8, but unable to carve out a truly separate identity. Without Matsumoto's signature style of bold lines and dramatic shots, B-Side feels, for lack of a better word, generic. It's a minor complaint, nonetheless, and the sheer charm of Kaiju No. 8's characters is enough to merit the price of admission.

In summary, Kaiju No. 8: B-Side, Volume 1, is an entertaining, if not strictly necessary, addition to the world of Kaiju No. 8 and its colorful cast of characters. What the spin-off lacks in the main series' artistic direction, it makes up for in familiar comedy and action pieces. If you're a dedicated fan of Kaiju No. 8 and want to see more sides of your favorite characters, Kaiju No. 8: B-Side, Volume 1 is definitely worth keeping an eye out for.

Kaiju No. 8: B-Side, Volume 1 releases on April 8, 2025, via VIZ Media.

Loved finding out more about Hoshina the vice commander of Third Division. I really hope more stories about the other side characters in Kaiju No. 8 will be coming out. I want a book about Mina and what she did during the time she and Hibino were separated. I am so excited for this manga and anime series.
It is fresh and original. The story line is full of humor and action and the characters are varied and compelling. As a long time fan of the genre this series has my heart racing.

oh this was an excellent side story to the characters of Kaiju no 8. I can't wait to read more of these volumes in the pov of various characters. hoshina is a stand out character of kaiju no.8 series and he takes the spotlight in this volume as we get a look behind the curtain and understand why he gave kafka the chances and encouragement he did.

Thrilled that, in a way, we not closing the door on the kaiju world!

For someone who was very much a vital part of the team, it is very interesting to see more of Hoshina’s backstory and how many people doubted his abilities and weapon choice. Well they ate those words! Might have needed some upgrades but using old & new can always be utilized together!