Kaiju No. 8 is one of the newer anime adaptations from the online platform Shonen Jump+, set in a world where kaiju are a constant threat to humanity. In an attempt to stop their assault, Japan puts together the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force, handing out the state-of-the-art weaponry needed to combat these monsters. Season 1 is pretty good, and season 2 maintains that momentum. More importantly, the manga concluded its run in 2025, coming to a polarizing end (which seems to be standard practice nowadays).
The Anti-Kaiju Defense Force is host to a variety of diverse characters, each one from different backgrounds and situations. While still relatively early in the adaptation process, the anime has done a good job of introducing most of the story's most important figures. Here are the ages, heights, and birthdays of Kaiju No. 8's main characters (provided that information has been revealed).
Updated on August 28, 2025, by Mark Sammut: Kaiju No. 8 season 2 has been pretty great so far, and it is slowly approaching its final few episodes. At this point, most of Kaiju No. 8's biggest characters are well-established. We have gone ahead and added two more important figures: Isao and Gen.
Kaiju No. 8 Character Chart
The majority of the characters in Kaiju No. 8 are soldiers who make up the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. With so many soldiers involved in defending the country against all kinds of kaiju attacks, it can be hard to keep track of all of them. Here's a quick chart detailing a few personal notes about the major characters present in the series.
|
Name |
Age |
Height |
Birthday |
|
Kafka Hibino |
32 |
5'11 (181 cm) |
Aug 5 |
|
Reno Ichikawa |
18 |
5'8.5 (174 cm) |
Apr 12 |
|
Kikoru Shinomiya |
16 |
5'2 (157 cm) |
Sep 7 |
|
Mina Ashiro |
27 |
5'7 (169 cm) |
Jun 17 |
|
Soshiro Hoshina |
??? |
5'7 (171 cm) |
Nov 21 |
|
Iharu Furuhashi |
??? |
5'10 (177 cm) |
Jul 23 |
|
Haruichi Izumo |
??? |
5'8 (178 cm) |
Oct 14 |
|
Aoi Kaguragi |
??? |
6'0 (183 cm) |
May 20 |
|
Hakua Igarashi |
??? |
6'0 (185 cm) |
Feb 7 |
|
Isao Shinomiya |
??? |
6'3 (190 cm) |
Jan 8 |
|
Gen Narumi |
??? |
5'9 (175 cm) |
Dec 28 |
|
Kaiju No. 9 |
??? |
6'5 (200 cm) |
??? |
Kaiju No. 8: 10 Strongest Characters, Ranked
Kaiju No. 8's action-packed story has no shortage of incredibly powerful characters who take the stand in impressive fights.
Kafka Hibino
The Man Who Became A Kaiju
- How Old Is Kafka: 32
- How Tall Is Kafka: 5'11" (181 cm)
- Kafka's Birthday: August 5
- Debuted in Episode 1
- Former clean-up crew turned kaiju
Kafka Hibino used to dream of joining the Defense Force, but after failing to get in, he ends up as a member of the clean-up crew, disposing of kaiju remains after they have been killed. In a refreshing change of pace for a shonen anime, Kafka is in his 30s, making him way older than the typical protagonist. That said, he still kind of acts like a traditional shonen MC.
Though he takes pride in his work, Kafka still regrets not being able to join the Defense Force, and after being encouraged by Reno, he decides to attempt the exam once more. However, just as he decides this, his body is invaded by a strange parasite, which transforms him into what becomes known as the mysterious Kaiju No. 8.
Reno Ichikawa
A Passionate Defense Force Hopeful
- How Old Is Reno: 18
- How Tall Is Reno: 5'8.5" (174 cm)
- Reno's Birthday: April 12
- Debuted in Episode 1
- Young Defense Force Applicant and Kafka's confidant
Reno Ichikawa is a young man hoping to join the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. While initially he does not seem to get along with Kafka, they end up forming a friendship fairly quickly, with Reno becoming his best bro and almost a secondary protagonist in his own right.
Though Reno Ichikawa seems prickly at first, he is a passionate young man who has a heroic spirit. He befriends Kafka quickly after working with him in the clean-up crew, and he is the first to discover Kafka's transformation into a kaiju. Though he helps Kafka hide his transformation, he frequently gets exasperated at his senior's lack of discretion.
Kikoru Shinomiya
A Proud And Talented Prodigy
- How Old Is Kikoru: 16
- How Tall Is Kikoru: 5'2" (157 cm)
- Kikoru's Birthday: September 7
- Debuted in Episode 2
- A Young Talent Among the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force Recruits
Kikoru Shinomiya is a young woman who takes the Defense Force Exam alongside Kafka and Reno. Depicted as a prodigy, Kikoru is the youngest Kaiju No. 8 main character, at least when it comes to confirmed ages (which is just four).
Kaiju No. 8: 6 Characters Who Got The Best Endings In The Manga
Now that the Kaiju No. 8 manga has finally concluded, the following characters received satisfying endings that fans will want to see.
Kikoru is easily the strongest of the new entrants, having trained to fight against kaiju since her youth. Though she is incredibly haughty and cares little about people she has no interest in, she is unmistakably skilled for her age. Though she initially starts on the wrong foot with Kafka and Reno, the three soon become a tight trio of comrades. She has issues with her father, and she does end up respecting Kafka as he treats her with way more respect than her parent.
Mina Ashiro
The Long-Estranged Childhood Friend
- How Old Is Mina: 27
- How Tall Is Mina: 5'7" (169 cm)
- Mina's Birthday: June 17
- Debuted in Episode 1
- The Invincible Captain of the Defense Force's Third Division
Mina Ashiro is the captain of the Third Division of the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force, and essentially one of its aces, often killing massive kaiju single-handedly. Mina is young for a captain, but she has been hunting kaiju as part of the Defense Force since she was 18, so she is quite experienced by this point. She is also one of the most consistently dangerous and dependable soldiers, although she is very much a ranged fighter.
In her childhood, she and Kafka Hibino made a promise to join the Defense Force and defeat the kaiju once and for all. However, she was the only one to make it into the force, with Kafka unable to pass the exam. Despite this, she still hopes to one day be able to fulfill the promise she made with him as a child.
Soshiro Hoshina
The Wise-Cracking Vice-Captain
- How Old Is Hoshina: N/A (Seems To Be Younger Than Mina, But That Is Speculation)
- How Tall Is Hoshina: 5'7" (171 cm)
- Hoshina's Birthday: November 21
- Debuted in Episode 3
- The Vice-Captain of the Defense Force's Third Division
Soshiro Hoshina is the Vice-Captain of the Third Division, serving as a subordinate to Mina Ashiro. One of the most beloved Kaiju No. 8 characters, Soshiro is just really likable, all the while being a capable operative who is also a pretty good leader. The "Hoshina's Day Off" episode showed just how much he does for his community.
Unlike the other members of the Defense Force, who generally use firearms, Hoshina uses bladed weapons in battle, a skill that he uses to slaughter smaller kaiju. Though he can at times seem like an unserious joker, Hoshina is one of the strongest members of the Defense Force's Third Division, and his ability is unquestioned.
Iharu Furuhashi
A Hot-Blooded, Competitive Soldier
- How Old Is Iharu: N/A (However, Iharu Was In Middle School When Mina Was Already A Defense Force Member, And He Graduated from College. So, He Is Likely Between 19–21)
- How Tall Is Iharu: 5'10" (177 cm)
- Iharu's Birthday: July 23
- Debuted in Episode 3
- A Hot-Tempered Recruit With More Vigor Than Sense
Iharu Furuhashi is another new Defense Force applicant who took the exam with Kafka and Reno, and he comes across as pretty arrogant at first. However, like all of the anime's core characters, Iharu is ultimately trying to make a positive difference while risking his life, so he very much has the makings of a hero. He also forms a fun friendship with Reno.
Iharu is someone with a lot of pride in his skills, which often makes him butt heads with other soldiers who happen to match him in terms of achievement and ability. He quickly strikes up a one-sided rivalry with Reno Ichikawa for this reason, though he can still back up his boasts.
Haruichi Izumo
Has a Lot of Natural Talent and Dedication
- How Old Is Haruichi: N/A (However, He Did Graduate from University, So Probably Between 21–23)
- How Tall Is Haruichi: 5'8" (178 cm)
- Haruichi's Birthday: October 14
- Debuted in Episode 1
- Heir to Izumo Tech
Haruichi Izumo is yet another member of the Third Division of the Defense Force in which Kafka Hibino serves. He has a very casual and laid-back demeanor and is known for being the heir to the Izumo Tech company. This company serves as the largest manufacturer of weaponry used to fight against Kajus.
He has shown that this is not just some rich-kid thrill-seeking venture, but rather that he takes this position quite seriously. He actively strives to improve and has a higher aptitude than most of the other members of the Third Division. While initially high to begin with, the total percentage he can pull from his suite has been shown to double when he needs it.
Kaiju No. 8: Kaiju No. 2, Explained
Kaiju No. 2 stands as a formidable enemy, evolving and adapting in battle, making it a persistent threat to humanity.
Aoi Kaguragi
Former Member of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force
- How Old Is Aoi: N/A (Not Stated, But Likely In His Early 20s)
- How Tall Is Aoi: 6'0" (183 cm)
- Aoi's Birthday: May 20
- Debuted in Episode 3
- Served in the Defense Force’s Second Division
While Haruichi Izumo is a very impressive member of the Third Division, he actively competes against the performance of Aoi Kaguragi. Haruichi pulled an initial 18% from his special suit, while Aoi only managed 15%.
Despite this lower percentage, he has an established background in the JGSDF (Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force) and has served in numerous different divisions. This gives him the edge in terms of experience and seniority to keep up with Haruichi’s natural talent. This dynamic is a well-known anime staple of hard work vs. Being a genius.
Hakua Igarashi
A Highly Skilled and Likable Member of the Third Division
- How Old Is Hakua: N/A (Not Stated, But Could Be In Her Mid-20s)
- How Tall Is Hakua: 6'0" (185 cm)
- Hakua's Birthday: February 7
- Debuted in Episode 5
- The Little Sister of Jura Igarashi
Just like Aoi and Haruichi, Hakua is a member of the Third Division of the Defense Force. She is the younger sister of Jura, who serves as the active captain of the Second Division. She has very stoic features akin to those of a stereotypical soldier archetype.
She is very energetic and strong-willed, and easily imposes her presence in social settings by being friendly. She has been shown to possess a high level of skill and prowess in her combat. Some of this can be credited to her background with Kendo.
Isao Shinomiya
Defense Force Director General
- How Old Is Isao: N/A (Late-40s/Early 50s seems the most likely)
- How Tall Is Isao: 6'3" (190 cm)
- Isao's Birthday: January 8
- Debuted in Episode 4
- Kikoru's Father
The Defense Force has to bear the weight of protecting Japan from the constant shadow of widespread catastrophe and destruction. Consequently, the organization needs a head who is fully capable of carrying that responsibility and has earned the respect of every soldier, ensuring that their word is law. Isao Shinomiya is that person, and he has been the Defense Force's Director General for a very long time at the start of Kaiju No. 8's present timeline. Before earning this position, he was the First Division's captain and garnered a reputation as the strongest fighter, even if that distinction was eventually inherited by Gen Narumi as Isao grew older and took a step back.
Isao's role as Director General defines him, but the most interesting aspect of his character is his relationship with Kikoru. Although he clearly loves his daughter, Isao keeps her at a distance and expects the world from her, a dynamic that arose following the death of his wife and Kikoru's mother. Nowadays, their relationship is strained, with Kikoru mostly trying to earn her dad's respect. From his perspective, Isao knows that his daughter needs to be pretty much perfect if she wants to survive while fighting as a Defense Force member.