Kaiju No. 8 season 2 was supposed to debut with a bang. Yet, right off the bat, it is apparent that the sequel series will struggle to find its footing in the highly competitive summer 2025 anime season. The anime is debuting almost three weeks into July, at a time when most of its competitors have already found their appropriate fanbase.

Yet, its late release is the least of the anime’s problems. Episode 1 of season 2 adds too many anime-original sequences, and unfortunately, not all of them serve a purpose. The episode feels padded out with fillers instead of scenes that will actually progress the plot.

Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 Starts off on the Wrong Foot

Kaiju No. 8 season 2 begins with anime original scenes | Credits: Production I.G.

Episode 1 of Kaiju No. 8 season 2 begins with an anime-original scene showing a flashback from Kafka’s POV. It features Kafka and Mina as kids. When their town was attacked by a kaiju, Kafka supported Mina in finding a shelter. However, the scene shifts to another anime-original nightmare of Kafka in which he finds himself in his Kaiju form, surrounded by Mina and everyone else who are trying to kill him.

While this scene shows the inner conflict of Kafka and the constant stress of whether he can control his Kaiju side or not, it wasn’t entirely necessary. Everyone knows what’s at stake, and the previous season already made it clear that there was no place for errors in the division. The stakes are already high enough for Kafka, and the nightmare is just another reiteration of his fears.

Related: Is ‘Kaiju No. 8’ Worth Reading?

Next comes the much-awaited introduction of the eccentric leader of the First Division, Gen Narumi, as Shinomiya is transferred under him. They immediately receive a kaiju alert, and Kikoru is able to witness Narumi’s skills firsthand. However, the battle drags on too long in the anime, whereas the fight was short and to the point in the manga.

It was supposed to be a swift elimination of the kaiju to show how powerful the First Division is, but stretching it out was unnecessary.

Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 Episode 1 either Drags Its Feet or Strays Too Far

Episode 1 of Kaiju No. 8 season 2 is an ambitious project, but the zeal is not reflected in its entirety. Too many things happen all at once, but at the same time, not everything is necessary. Episode 1 is only supposed to be a setup, but it has been treated as a recap as well as a hype episode. A lack of sharpness is felt throughout.

Related: “It could have been way worse”: 5 Years Later, ‘Kaiju No. 8’ Comes to Its Bittersweet End

Either the episode shows anime-original scenes that don’t contribute to the overall story or stretch out the existing manga scenes. In addition to Kafka’s flashback and nightmare, another scene of Reno and Iharu has been added in which they are also on their way to new divisions. Reno is determined to become stronger, and his concern for Kafka is projected.

However, it feels very out of context because it has already been established that the entire Third Division deeply respects Kafka and wishes him to stay in the force.

Kaiju No. 8 seems to have chosen the Bleach: TYBW route and added anime original scenes. Yet, while Bleach: TYBW scenes only elaborated on the existing storyline to fill its plot holes, Kaiju No. 8 added unnecessary fillers, which amount to next to nothing.

Have you felt the same while watching the latest season of the anime, or do you think the anime did justice to the manga and its audience? Let us know in the comments below.

Kaiju No. 8 is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire