This article contains spoilers for the Kaiju No. 8 manga.
After taking over the anime scene with his incredibly loving and relatable personality, Kafka Hibina is all set to return for another round of exhilarating action and new threats. Kaiju No. 8 emerged as one of the best action shonen anime in 2024, and its unprecedented success immediately earned it a second season. The first season introduced fans to the kaiju-ridden world in which humanity's only stronghold is the Defense Force.
A military organization comprising elite soldiers, who are able to wield great power, the Defense Force is the only thing standing between kaijus and total annihilation. Fans have already been introduced to the Third Division as the first season primarily focused on its members and eventual struggle against powerful beings like Kaiju No. 9. Now, with Kafka exposed and even graver dangers on the rise, the Defense Force will put the limelight on its strongest division, which include some of the most powerful characters in the entire series.
The Defense Force's First Division in Kaiju No. 8, Explained
It Is the Strongest Division Deployed tor the Most Intense Battles
The Japan Anti-Kaiju Defense Force is a military organization which specializes in neutralizing kaiju-related threats all over Japan. Only the ones with the right aptitude, passion, and strong will can have the privilege to join the force. The chosen candidates are trained and promoted as officers who are then assigned to different Divisions based on their progress. Currently, the Defense Force has a total of 16 Divisions which are further divided into four groups, which are the Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern Divisions. Each Division has a set number of members, including a Captain, a Vice-Captain, three Platoon Leaders, two Officers, and a non-member to lead the operations.
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The First Division falls under the Eastern Divisions, which operate in the Chubu and Kanto regions. Considered the strongest Division in the entire Force, the First Division contains the country's finest, spearheaded by the lethal force of Defense Force members with the best aptitude and incredible physical attributes that are on par with powerful kaijus. Although the Defense Force enjoys tremendous popularity and acceptance from the masses, the First Division is held in higher esteem than the others. They are considered the best of humanity and are most often called upon when situations spiral out of control.
As for the capabilities of the Division's members, it is implied that each officer within the group has a released force of 40% or higher at the least, making every member capable of becoming a Captain. Throughout Kaiju No. 8 Season 1, the First Division is considered a thing of legend, and it isn't until the season finale that the audience is officially introduced to the Division. Following Kafka Hibino and Isao Shinomiya's action-packed battle, the viewers get a glimpse of the strongest Captain in the Defense Force, Gen Narumi, who will play a critical role in the upcoming conflict.
Who Are the Members of the First Division?
Kafka and Kikoru Will Soon Join the First Division
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Since the Third Division had an edge with Kafka Hibino's Kaiju No. 8, they were able to take care of Kaiju No. 9 and the Daikaiju without bringing in the First Division. Therefore, they weren't able to get enough screen time besides the brief moment of Narumi's introduction toward the end. However, with the members of the Third Division officially scattered, the sequel will have the opportunity to focus on other divisions and put together the larger picture. Although most of the Defense Force's reaction to Kafka's secret was typical, only Isao understood the irony of the situation and the golden opportunity it presented.
Member Name
First Division Role
Gen Narumi
Captain
Eiji Hasegawa
Vice-Captain
Rin Shinonome
Platoon Leader
Tachibana
Platoon Leader
Unnamed Member
Platoon Leader
Kikoru Shinomiya
Officer
Kafka Hibino
Officer
Akira Kurusu
Operations Leader
Kaiju No. 8's next big conflict will see Isao putting together the First Division and presenting it as the strongest to date by making two major changes to the roster. Kafka Hibino and Kikoru Shinomiya will join Gen Narumi's squad as the only two Officers as they will prepare to deal with a wave of kaijus far more powerful than they have ever seen. As of the other members of the Division, the most notable face on the team is, of course, the strongest Captain in the Force, Gen Narumi. Going just a tad bit over Mina's combat power, Narumi currently stands at a whopping 98%, making him a force to be reckoned with.
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If one has to put it straightforwardly, Gen Narumi might be humanity's only non-kaiju weapon that can stand a daikaiju without support. Next to Narumi is Eiji Hasegaya, the Vice Captain, who is considered to be a veteran fighter, worthy of his title as Narumi's second in command. After Hasegaya, the First Division is led by Platoon Leaders Rin Shinonome, Tachibana, and an unnamed member. The next in line are Kikoru and Kafka as Officers, and Akira Kurusu as Operations Leader.
First Division's Role in Kaiju No. 8 Season 2
Gen Narumi's Team Will Lead From the Front
The First Division will be officially introduced in the upcoming Season 2, which is slated for a Summer 2025 release. Isao Shinomiya will enlist the help of the First Division after the devastating attack by Kaiju No. 9, following the unmasking of Kafka's identity as Kaiju No. 8. Under Director Shinomiya's instructions, Kikoru and Kafka will be transferred to the First Division to response to new threats rising which all lead to Kaiju No. 9. Season 2 will kick start with the highly anticipated Kaiju Weapon Arc as it follow Kafka and Kikoru's training under the infamous Gen Narumi and their first mission as a team.
The First and the Third Divisions share a rivalry because they are allocated to the same region.
Sometime after joining the team, Kaiju No. 9 will lead an attack in Shinagawa and the First Division will be sent out as first responders. Although they would manage to tackle the onslaught, Kaiju No. 9 will outsmart them and strike at the heart of the Defense Force. The confrontation will be a wake-up call for the Force as it will prove that humanity will be faced with its toughest challenge yet and that the situation has gotten way worse than simply kaijus attacking the cities. Kaiju No. 9 will come prepared, loaded with an arsenal of traps and forces which will overpower the First Division.
Despite the unified forces of Narumi, Kikoru, and Kafka, the Defense Force was plunged into a dark day, a defeat which would haunt those wrapped up in its chaos. Following the Kaiju Weapon Arc, Season 2 might also lean into The Compatible User Arc, which will see the First and the Third Division come face-to-face at the Anti-No. 9 Eastern Divisional Conference at Ariake Base. Since both Divisions operate in Tokyo, the members developed an inevitable rivalry that constantly pitted the two groups against each other. However, it will all boil down to how the Defense Force, specifically Kafka and the Third Division, will deal with Kaiju No. 9's sinister plans.
How Many Numbers Weapons Does the First Division Have?
Only a Few Are Capable of Wielding a Numbers Weapon
Kaijus that are identified by a number have their corpses turned into weapons by the Defense Force. The potential and abilities of these weapons are dependent on the strength and magnitude of the Kaiju from which it was derived. The weapons and combat suits derived from the corpses are called Numbers Weapons, which are only usable by combatants who are flawlessly compatible with them. The synchronization of the weapon and the wielder's physiology and energy is imperative to tap into the weapon's ultimate power.
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In the First Division, Gen Narumi and Kikoru Shinomiya are the only two combatants using Numbers Weapons that can equal the power of a Daikaiju. The former uses Numbers Weapon 1, which consists of a combat suit made from the corpse of Kaiju No. 1, specifically its retina. When Gen became compatible with the RT-0001 weapon, he used specialized spectacles that went directly into his retina. The weapon granted him the ability of foresight, allowing Gen to predict his enemy's moves with great precision by seeing the brainwaves of the living bodies. Surprisingly, Gen managed to evolve the Numbers Weapon by honing his senses to perceive every detail of not only the living body but the surrounding terrain as well. The collection of data then creates a clear mental picture in his head, enabling him to literally see the future.
The First Division Captain also uses another personalized weapon, a large double-bladed bayonet. As for Officer Shinomiya, when she first joined the First Division, she used a powerful, giant battle axe to rip through her enemies on the battlefield. However, when it was destroyed in a heated battle, Kikoru was given a new axe and Numbers Weapon 4 that formerly belonged to her mother, Hikari Shinomiya. Ultimately, even with a weapon as formidable as Kafka's Kaiju No. 8 with the First Division, there's no telling what awaits the Defense Force when Kaiju No. 9 comes at them at full force.
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Kaiju No. 8
Animation
Action
Fantasy
57
9.3/10
Release Date 2024 - 2023
Directors Shigeyuki Miya, Tomomi Kamiya
Writers Ichirō Ōkouchi
Franchise(s) Kaiju No. 8
Cast
See All
Masaya Fukunishi
Wataru Kato
Creator(s) Naoya Matsumoto
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