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One of the main reasons whyKaiju No. 8has become so increasingly popular in such a short period of time is its protagonist, Kafka Hibino. Kafka Hibino might be the only 32-year-old main character in the entire Shonen genre, and his age has only worked in his favor, as many fans are able to connect with him on a realistic level.
However, his age was more than just a plot device; it was something Naoya Matsumoto incorporated from his own personal life. In an interview, the creator ofKaiju No. 8revealed that he based Kafka on himself, as he knew the struggles of adulthood and wanted to incorporate these struggles within his main character.
Initially portrayed as a disadvantage, Kafka’s age plays a huge role in the story as it adds realism to the story and explains that the shining moment in anyone’s life doesn’t depend on age but rather on the hard work and ambition that they need to put in no matter what.
Kaiju No. 8’sProtagonist is Based on its Manga Creator
Matsumoto was recently featured in an interview forBunshun online, where he was asked about his contribution to the most anticipated anime series of the season and the main character that helped in the success of the series. Talking about Kafka’s age being relatively old for a Shonen main character, Matsumoto revealed that he actually included the age factor because of his personal experience.
Kaiju No. 8 Editor: Real Reason Kafka is the Best Character Ever Created by Naoya Matsumoto
Kafka stated:
There is a large part where I projected myself into the story. At the time, I couldn’t make a living from my manga either, so I was earning a living in a place that was close to my dream but far away. Every time I saw my manga friend doing well in magazines, I had mixed feelings and wondered, “Why am I on this side?” I think that Hibino Kafka was born naturally from within me.
Talking about his past,Naoya Matsumotoexplained that while he was struggling with making money through his manga, his friends were doing well as they already had their works in the magazine. Thus, he decided to include this frustration in his work and came up with the idea of making Kafka a 32-year-old man who was not able to fulfill his dreams.
Kafka Hibino’s Age Doesn’t Stop Him From Being a Protagonist
Kafka’s journey inKaiju No. 8starts just like every other basic shonen main character. He and the people he loves face a calamity that gets him motivated to get stronger and fight the danger in the future. However, unlike other protagonists, Kafka was not able to follow his ambition and grow up to become a simple worker for Monster Sweeper Inc.
He reaches an age where he can’t really be as active and fast as he used to be, and thus, stereotypically,he does not fit the descriptionof a character who could save the world from terrifying monsters. But somehow he ingests a small Kaiju, and it grants him the powers of an actual Kaiju monster.
Kaiju No. 8: Five Reasons Upcoming Monster Anime is Just What We Needed after Godzilla x Kong
Therefore, his role as a heroic main character starts pretty late in the story and in his life, but this doesn’t stop him from fulfilling his role and doing his best to save the world. It becomes an inspiring story of a man who has still not given up and is willing to go till the end.
You can watchKaiju No. 8on Crunchyroll.
Tarun Kohli
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2959
Tarun Kohli is the Senior Anime Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,900 published articles. He currently specializes in critiquing One Piece and other Shonen anime. A passionate fan of the genre, his love for thoughtful analysis reflects his genuine appreciation for the art of anime. His deep understanding of anime culture has earned recognition from industry figures such as Adi Shankar and the creators of Blood of Zeus.
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Kaiju No. 8Naoya Matsumoto
