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怪獣8号 side B [Kaijū 8-gō Side B] #1
怪獣8号 side B 1 [Kaijū 8-gō Side B 1]
『怪獣8号』本編では描かれなかった防衛隊員達の姿を描いたノベルズをコミカライズ！ 攻撃の主流が銃器になる中、刀とともに生きてきた保科宗四郎は刀を手放せず、防衛隊から去ることもできずにいた。そんな中、第3部隊隊長・亜白ミナに出会い──!?
206 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2024
38 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 6, 2024
Great backstory of some characters. I love Narumi more now, but Hoshina’s story got me. Hopefully they’ll find a way to incorporate this into the main story in the anime.
May 20, 2025
Hoshina’s one of my favorite characters.
It is also odd to me that the original author/artist isn't writing/illustrating this story.
It is also odd to me that the original author/artist isn't writing/illustrating this story.
Read
June 2, 2025I have mixed feelings about this volume, but ONLY because I read the novel of this story first and was bummed that some of the original content was left out. 😭
I know that's such a small thing, especially considering this is a really good manga adaptation and the artist did a great job of mimicking the original artist's work, but I kept catching myself wanting more of the novel's details. The introduction was completely skipped over which would make sense because this is a manga from Hoshina's perspective, but I would have loved to have ALL of it.
Outside of that though, I think this was a strong first volume! It doesn't quite match the dialogue/energy of the original series, but it's still deeply engaging!
I think if you're looking for a Hoshina-focused story or a good manga adaptation of the novel, I would give this a try!
I know that's such a small thing, especially considering this is a really good manga adaptation and the artist did a great job of mimicking the original artist's work, but I kept catching myself wanting more of the novel's details. The introduction was completely skipped over which would make sense because this is a manga from Hoshina's perspective, but I would have loved to have ALL of it.
Outside of that though, I think this was a strong first volume! It doesn't quite match the dialogue/energy of the original series, but it's still deeply engaging!
I think if you're looking for a Hoshina-focused story or a good manga adaptation of the novel, I would give this a try!
June 27, 2024
ch 11- we have been BLESSED with 52 pages this chapter!!!!!!!!!!! of Narumi origins!!!!!!!!!! i can't even BREAAAATHEEEE
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ch 9/10- narumi is capable of ruining my life and is using that ability to the full :)
ch 5-8- i simply love kikoru and that's all there is to it
ch 1-4 - Hoshina is diabolical. I love his origin chapters and his dynamic with Mina
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ch 9/10- narumi is capable of ruining my life and is using that ability to the full :)
ch 5-8- i simply love kikoru and that's all there is to it
ch 1-4 - Hoshina is diabolical. I love his origin chapters and his dynamic with Mina
Read
May 17, 2024i’ve fallen head first into a kn8 hole
August 4, 2025
kinda redundant after reading the series
October 28, 2025
two volumes showing some of the back stories of characters..in this one Hoshina ...determined to make a name for himself.
April 30, 2025
This was awesome. I already enjoyed the original manga for Kaiju No. 8, but this spin-off side story is also amazing. The artwork is still great, and I still love that the action scenes are neat and not cluttered with "action" details.
The story itself was great and it was a well paced volume, though at the same time I consumed the volume and it was over way too soon. I am absolutely ready for the next volume already.
Absolutely would recommend if you like the original, and would recommend this and the original if you enjoy kaiju stories.
The story itself was great and it was a well paced volume, though at the same time I consumed the volume and it was over way too soon. I am absolutely ready for the next volume already.
Absolutely would recommend if you like the original, and would recommend this and the original if you enjoy kaiju stories.
September 20, 2025
người đu ngược từ anime sang manga cảm thấy sốc vì nét manga đẹp quá =)) dù được biết là họa sĩ vẽ bộ side B này không phải họa sĩ vẽ bộ chính.
nhưng sẽ không đọc bộ chính vì đây là bộ truyện hiếm hoi tôi thích hết các nhân vật trừ nhân vật chính 🙄 theo tiến độ anime thì nội dung cũng đang đi theo hướng mà tôi không thích, chán chán (despite all those "epic" battles) chưa kể đã bị spoil cho quả kết truyện không thể nào cụt hơn... xem tiếp phim chỉ vì thích Hoshina Soshiro thôi.
nhưng sẽ không đọc bộ chính vì đây là bộ truyện hiếm hoi tôi thích hết các nhân vật trừ nhân vật chính 🙄 theo tiến độ anime thì nội dung cũng đang đi theo hướng mà tôi không thích, chán chán (despite all those "epic" battles) chưa kể đã bị spoil cho quả kết truyện không thể nào cụt hơn... xem tiếp phim chỉ vì thích Hoshina Soshiro thôi.
February 14, 2025
I love Hoshina
October 12, 2025
it's true, i'm a whore
January 12, 2025
Il s'agit d'un spin-off issu du roman de Kaiju n°8. Je n'ai pas encore lu le roman, donc je n'ai pas de point de comparaison.
J'ai beaucoup aimé celui-ci, car déjà, l'ambiance est plus légère. On est bien loin de celle des derniers tomes du manga, où nous sommes en plein combat. Ici, on découvre nos personnages lors de leur temps libre et pendant une interview.
Ce spin-off serait en deux tomes, et ici on se concentre beaucoup sur Soshiro Hoshina, membre de la troisième division. On en apprend un peu plus sur son passé (même si dans le manga nous en avons déjà quelques bribes) mais surtout sur sa situation au sein de la division. J'ai d'ailleurs adoré en apprendre encore un peu plus sur lui. C'est un personnage que j'apprécie beaucoup.
Ensuite, on a une dernière partie sur Shinomiya, un autre personnage que j'adore. Par contre, pour elle, on découvre sa démonstration de son arme spéciale.
J'avoue que j'espérais que le côté interview soit plus présent. Ici, j'ai eu l'impression que les journalistes se baladaient. Ils restent beaucoup en second plan.
L'humour est au rendez-vous dans ce tome, et ça fait du bien. Comme dit plus haut, c'est plus léger. Et ça permet de découvrir nos personnages ailleurs qu'en pleine action. J'ai eu l'impression de retrouver l'ambiance des premiers tomes.
J'ai vraiment apprécié ce premier tome, j'attends la suite avec impatience (comme chaque tome de Kaiju n°8 en fait). J'essaierais de lire le roman avant.
J'ai beaucoup aimé celui-ci, car déjà, l'ambiance est plus légère. On est bien loin de celle des derniers tomes du manga, où nous sommes en plein combat. Ici, on découvre nos personnages lors de leur temps libre et pendant une interview.
Ce spin-off serait en deux tomes, et ici on se concentre beaucoup sur Soshiro Hoshina, membre de la troisième division. On en apprend un peu plus sur son passé (même si dans le manga nous en avons déjà quelques bribes) mais surtout sur sa situation au sein de la division. J'ai d'ailleurs adoré en apprendre encore un peu plus sur lui. C'est un personnage que j'apprécie beaucoup.
Ensuite, on a une dernière partie sur Shinomiya, un autre personnage que j'adore. Par contre, pour elle, on découvre sa démonstration de son arme spéciale.
J'avoue que j'espérais que le côté interview soit plus présent. Ici, j'ai eu l'impression que les journalistes se baladaient. Ils restent beaucoup en second plan.
L'humour est au rendez-vous dans ce tome, et ça fait du bien. Comme dit plus haut, c'est plus léger. Et ça permet de découvrir nos personnages ailleurs qu'en pleine action. J'ai eu l'impression de retrouver l'ambiance des premiers tomes.
J'ai vraiment apprécié ce premier tome, j'attends la suite avec impatience (comme chaque tome de Kaiju n°8 en fait). J'essaierais de lire le roman avant.
August 1, 2025
Series: Kaiju No. 8: B-Side Chapters 1-6
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
This was an enjoyable spin-off series that focuses more on the other members of the Defense Force. The first few chapters follow Vice-Captain Hoshina and his journey to becoming part of Mina’s team. It was great getting some background on Hoshina and his motivations for being a swordsman in an age of guns.
Then we jump to Kikoru and see her testing out a specialty weapon by fighting crab Kaiju. This does end in the middle of her test so I am very interested in seeing what happens next.
*ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.*
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
This was an enjoyable spin-off series that focuses more on the other members of the Defense Force. The first few chapters follow Vice-Captain Hoshina and his journey to becoming part of Mina’s team. It was great getting some background on Hoshina and his motivations for being a swordsman in an age of guns.
Then we jump to Kikoru and see her testing out a specialty weapon by fighting crab Kaiju. This does end in the middle of her test so I am very interested in seeing what happens next.
*ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.*
September 16, 2024
Kaiju no. 8 is life 😭❤️
April 27, 2025
A pretty standard spin-off, like with other titles: some involvement with the original author/artist, but drawn by someone else. It's a very close likeness to the original's style, such that you would have surprised me to tell me it's NOT the same artist!
(I know how manga productions work, though—similar styles across multiple artists isn't really that surprising, like how keeping the style the same is important in animation.)
As a spin-off, though, it has the natural limitations of it can't veer too far outside of the main continuity; Hoshina clearly can't lose to the kaiju, because he has to do (and has already done) other things in the main story that shows that he wins. That's the biggest drawback to spin-offs, at least where the risk of death is involved—something like Shokugeki no Soma would easily be able to do some really wild spin-offs, since it's about competitive cooking (which COULD then become violent if staged after the main series ends, or it could do almost literally anything where violence isn't involved without really contradicting the main storyline).
So this really ends up being "This is what the other characters were doing while Kafka was doing HIS thing" more than anything else. Kafka barely shows up, and they do talk about him a little, but it's primarily what the other characters are focusing on when Kafka's away: Hoshina and his impostor syndrome about bringing his swords to a gun fight, and Shinomiya (Kikoru) handling her treatment at being the top rookie of the new recruits.
It's not a bad read, but it's definitely More of the Same. Recommended for fans of the series, but absolutely confusing for newcomers (who will definitely be spoiled by the offhanded bit about Kaiju No. 8 Kikoru thinks about).
(I know how manga productions work, though—similar styles across multiple artists isn't really that surprising, like how keeping the style the same is important in animation.)
As a spin-off, though, it has the natural limitations of it can't veer too far outside of the main continuity; Hoshina clearly can't lose to the kaiju, because he has to do (and has already done) other things in the main story that shows that he wins. That's the biggest drawback to spin-offs, at least where the risk of death is involved—something like Shokugeki no Soma would easily be able to do some really wild spin-offs, since it's about competitive cooking (which COULD then become violent if staged after the main series ends, or it could do almost literally anything where violence isn't involved without really contradicting the main storyline).
So this really ends up being "This is what the other characters were doing while Kafka was doing HIS thing" more than anything else. Kafka barely shows up, and they do talk about him a little, but it's primarily what the other characters are focusing on when Kafka's away: Hoshina and his impostor syndrome about bringing his swords to a gun fight, and Shinomiya (Kikoru) handling her treatment at being the top rookie of the new recruits.
It's not a bad read, but it's definitely More of the Same. Recommended for fans of the series, but absolutely confusing for newcomers (who will definitely be spoiled by the offhanded bit about Kaiju No. 8 Kikoru thinks about).
April 16, 2025
I mean, if you enjoy the main series, you’ll probably enjoy this collection of short stories about some fan favorite side characters.
Hoshina is really the central figure in this collection—we get several glimpses into his background and how he came to join the force fighting Kaiju. Predictably, his history speaks to the bravery and determination he demonstrates in the main series. He’s always been headstrong—but courageous and firm in his convictions when it comes to protecting others.
We also get to see Shinomiya as well—and get to see some of the friendships she shares with background female characters on the force. Which is nice.
Overall, it’s a fun collection. If you’ve read the light novel, none of these stories will be a surprise. But, it’s always neat to see those novels come to life~
Hoshina is really the central figure in this collection—we get several glimpses into his background and how he came to join the force fighting Kaiju. Predictably, his history speaks to the bravery and determination he demonstrates in the main series. He’s always been headstrong—but courageous and firm in his convictions when it comes to protecting others.
We also get to see Shinomiya as well—and get to see some of the friendships she shares with background female characters on the force. Which is nice.
Overall, it’s a fun collection. If you’ve read the light novel, none of these stories will be a surprise. But, it’s always neat to see those novels come to life~
June 20, 2025
Ce spin-off de Kaiju N°8 est dans la lignée de cet univers, il est toujours aussi incroyable 😌. On a pu voir les difficultés qu’a rencontré Hoshina pour pouvoir imposer son style combat malgré qu’il soit « obsolète » pour les grand gabarit. Il nous montre une grande forme de détermination qu’on doit avoir pour pouvoir faire ce que l’on souhaite et de jamais baisser les bras face aux obstacles 🥲.
Et à la fin où on voit comment Kikoru a pris en main son arme spéciale qui n’était qu’un prototype.
En tout cas ça me donne envie de continuer à lire ce spin-off en attendant de voir la suite de l’univers !!!
Et à la fin où on voit comment Kikoru a pris en main son arme spéciale qui n’était qu’un prototype.
En tout cas ça me donne envie de continuer à lire ce spin-off en attendant de voir la suite de l’univers !!!
April 7, 2025
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. Most of this volume focuses on Hoshina, which is great for me as a fan of the character. He also shows up in the Shinomiya chapters. The Hoshina section of the book would actually work as a standalone story, if anyone who had no prior knowledge of Kaiju No.8 were to read it. Obviously this book already has a preexisting fanbase, but I think the potential for being a standalone read factors in as to how good a spinoff can be. I'm curious to see the second volume.
January 18, 2025
Thank you, VIZ Media | VIZ Media LLC AND NetGalley for allowing me access to the e-arc before it's release. All opinions are my own!
Thrilled that, in a way, we not closing the door on the kaiju world!
For someone who was very much a vital part of the team, it is very interesting to see more of Hoshina’s backstory and how many people doubted his abilities and weapon choice. Well they ate those words! Might have needed some upgrades but using old & new can always be utilized together!
Thrilled that, in a way, we not closing the door on the kaiju world!
For someone who was very much a vital part of the team, it is very interesting to see more of Hoshina’s backstory and how many people doubted his abilities and weapon choice. Well they ate those words! Might have needed some upgrades but using old & new can always be utilized together!
February 5, 2025
oh this was an excellent side story to the characters of Kaiju no 8. I can't wait to read more of these volumes in the pov of various characters. hoshina is a stand out character of kaiju no.8 series and he takes the spotlight in this volume as we get a look behind the curtain and understand why he gave kafka the chances and encouragement he did.
February 27, 2025
Hoshina reminds me of a much more bubbly Levi Ackerman and I LOVE it! The character dynamics and “side quest” feel of this story/beginning of this spin-off adds another layer of understanding to his character and the other characters we know from the original series. I can’t wait to see what happens in the coming volumes!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!!
March 4, 2025
I received a digital ARC from Viz Media via NetGalley. Fans of Kaiju No.8 will also enjoy this lighthearted backstory with all the kaiju gore we’ve come to expect. We get to delve a little deeper into our beloved characters while we await more volumes of the original series. I will definitely read Volume 2 of the B-Side!
September 8, 2025
Rất thích nhân vật đội phó Hoshina hehe. Nên đọc tập truyện này được mở mang thêm về nhân vật này, vì trong truyện chính anh cũng lên hình hơi ít. Câu chuyện được xây dựng chỉn chu và trọn vẹn, mình thích.
Truyện có dẫn nhẹ nhàng sang câu chuyện về Shinomiya. Hai tập truyện sẽ tập trung khắc họa 3 nhân vật nên mình chờ xem cô này và Narumi Gen sẽ lên truyện như thế nào.
Truyện có dẫn nhẹ nhàng sang câu chuyện về Shinomiya. Hai tập truyện sẽ tập trung khắc họa 3 nhân vật nên mình chờ xem cô này và Narumi Gen sẽ lên truyện như thế nào.
November 25, 2025
This is a spin-off series within the Kaiju No.8 series. This book is about Vice Captain Hoshina's backstory as well as some of the current time story. I love the idea of these books because I love knowing the backstory of a character.
I enjoyed it very much and it was nice to see that Hoshina is very much like Kafka.
Brilliant.
I enjoyed it very much and it was nice to see that Hoshina is very much like Kafka.
Brilliant.
December 3, 2025
Unsure when I actually finished this. It wasn’t bad. Annoyingly my bag got wet and the book warped slightly :(. That being said the back story was alright oh Hoshina. I would have liked to have seen what it was like before kofka joined the force and true back story but hopefully v2 sheds some more like on this especially how we get to see narumi.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2024
It was so nice to get more backstory on the characters and delve a little deeper into their motivations. I hope the central storyline will start to incorporate that more, too. It's much more interesting than the constant battles with no reprieve.
Narumi & Hoshina are favs for sure 🫶🏻
Narumi & Hoshina are favs for sure 🫶🏻
October 11, 2024
A nice spin-off.
Soshiro Hoshina's backstory is something we’ve already had glimpses of in the main storyline, but this new addition really adds depth to his character 💜
And a little bit of Kikoru Shinomiya.
Soshiro Hoshina's backstory is something we’ve already had glimpses of in the main storyline, but this new addition really adds depth to his character 💜
And a little bit of Kikoru Shinomiya.
May 22, 2025
A "side story"/slice of life that's still full of action that predominantly follows Hoshina with sections about Shinomiya, Kaiju No. 8: B-Side, Vol. 1 is an excellent read for any Kaiju No. 8 fan. I absolutely loved this!
July 16, 2024
5 stars
I will read and love everything Kaiju no. 8, I simply will 😂. This story is incredible, funny, and straight up just a joy to read.
I will read and love everything Kaiju no. 8, I simply will 😂. This story is incredible, funny, and straight up just a joy to read.
August 15, 2024
Excelente manga, de los mejores que hay!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews