New characters and a lineup of anniversary events are on the way for KAIJU NO. 8 THE GAME, a joint project between Akatsuki Games, TOHO, and Production I.G. based on the popular manga and anime Kaiju No. 8.
A special broadcast titled "Anime and Game, Always at Full Power! Kaiju No. 8 Day Special Program" aired on August 5, 2026 (Wednesday), unveiling a wave of major information to celebrate the game's 1st anniversary.
The program announced the return of Reno Ichikawa in a new form for the first time in about a year, alongside the long-awaited debut of Kikoru Shinomiya equipped with Numbered Weapon 4, a character fans of the original manga and anime have been waiting for.
It also revealed the full lineup of the "1st Anniversary 8 Major Events" awaiting players, along with a wide range of other new information.
The full broadcast archive can be viewed at the link below.
Broadcast Archive:
https://www.youtube.com/live/-yoaTiahG5U
New ★5 Character [The Reigning King of Kaiju] Reno Ichikawa Arrives!
Starting August 10, 2026 (Monday), the ★5 character [The Reigning King of Kaiju] Reno Ichikawa will arrive, equipped with Dimension Numbered Weapon 6.
Special energy released from his four tails strengthens his allies, a power befitting the "king of kaiju."
New ★5 Character
[The Reigning King of Kaiju] Reno Ichikawa (Optimal weapon type: Assault Rifle)
New ★5 Weapon
AR-Okuzoromu (Assault Rifle)
New ★5 Character [Successor to the Valkyrie] Kikoru Shinomiya Arrives!
Starting August 20, 2026 (Thursday), the ★5 character [Successor to the Valkyrie] Kikoru Shinomiya will arrive, equipped with Numbered Weapon 4.
Numbered Weapon 4 was once used by Kikoru's mother, Hikari Shinomiya. Wearing that same equipment, Kikoru soars freely across the battlefield, truly living up to the name "Valkyrie."
New ★5 Character
[Successor to the Valkyrie] Kikoru Shinomiya (Optimal weapon type: Axe)
New ★5 Weapon
Ax-Freyja (Axe)
"1st Anniversary 8 Major Events" Announced
A series of battle events will roll out over the coming months, including additions and updates to the "Contested Area."
A new battle mode is also planned for the second half of the anniversary period.
Details on each event can be found in the broadcast archive linked above.
KAIJU NO. 8 THE GAME Official Mini Broadcast Announced
A live "Official Mini Broadcast" will stream on the KAIJU NO. 8 THE GAME official YouTube channel starting at 8:00 PM on August 30, 2026 (Sunday).
The program will share information and updates that could not be fully covered during the Kaiju No. 8 Day special broadcast.
*The streaming URL will be announced later via official social media accounts.
About KAIJU NO. 8 THE GAME
Title: KAIJU NO. 8 THE GAME
Planning/Production: Akatsuki Games Inc., TOHO CO., LTD., Production I.G
Development/Operation: Akatsuki Games Inc.
Promotional Cooperation: TOHO CO., LTD., Production I.G
Distribution: Akatsuki Games Inc.
Platforms: App Store, Google Play, Steam®
Supported Languages: Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, French
Price: Free to play (with in-app purchases)
Copyright: ©Defense Force Third Unit ©Naoya Matsumoto/Shueisha
©Akatsuki Games Inc./TOHO CO., LTD./Production I.G
Official Website: https://kj8-thegame.com/
Official X: https://x.com/Kj8_TheGame
Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kj8-TheGame
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/kaiju-no-8-the-game/id6742088839
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.aktsk.games.kaiju_no8_the_game
Steam®: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3393070
About the Anime Kaiju No. 8
Based on the popular manga by Naoya Matsumoto, serialized in Shonen Jump+ (Shueisha) since 2020, the anime Kaiju No. 8 is set in a world where kaiju regularly threaten humanity. It follows the Japan Defense Force, which fights kaiju to protect civilians, in a series of intense battles against the invading monsters. The original comic, spanning 16 volumes, has surpassed 19 million copies in cumulative domestic circulation (as of September 4, 2025).
Season 1, which aired from April to June 2024, ranked No. 1 in domestic daily rankings on major streaming platforms and earned strong popularity. Building on that momentum, a Season 1 recap film with the simultaneously released short "Hoshina's Day Off" hit theaters on March 28, 2025, followed by the broadcast of Season 2 from July to September 2025. With production of the finale confirmed and anticipation running high, an original short anime, "Narumi's Weekday," has been confirmed for a four-episode run airing weekly on Saturdays at 8:00 PM starting September 5, 2026, drawing attention from fans around the world.
Anime Official Website: https://kaiju-no8.net/
Anime Official X: https://x.com/KaijuNo8_O
