怪獣8号 RELAX 1 [Kaijū 8-gō Relax 1]

怪獣8号 RELAX [Kaijū 8-gō Relax] #1

by Kizuku Watanabe, 渡邉築, Naoya Matsumoto (Original Creator)

『怪獣8号』のスピンオフギャグ漫画！　迫りくる怪獣から命がけで人々を守る防衛隊員。そんな彼らの非番の姿を描いた物語！　日比野カフカは同期のレノとキコルと共に登山へ行くことになり…？

Genres: Manga, Comedy, Fiction, Fantasy, Slice Of Life, Monsters, Japan

168 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2024

About the author

渡邉築

Reviews

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun collection of stories about what the main cast of the “Kaiju no 8” universe get up to on their days off.

Some of the stories are more interesting than others, especially those that feature Kafka getting into more shenanigans. We get lots of cameos from other characters in the Kaiju defense force.

All around, it’s a fun read for fans~

[mikaela (spinebreaker) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely smashing good time! It's great to see Kafka and the crew in some fun shenanigans, especially because we don't have many of those break chapters in the main storyline. This is a breath of fresh air, a fun perspective shift, and extremely hilarious.

[[Name Redacted] · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is cute and dumb.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher on Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review.


I am a big big fan of Kaiju No.8 so imagine my delight when I spotted this one up on Edelweiss. I had to try my luck at requesting it and YES, I was approved! I could finally read this fun delightful volume full of rest and probably plenty of humour!

In this one we get 5 chapters in which we see various characters from our defense force have a good time as they relax after a busy and gruelling day hunting/defeating Kaiju. There is a lot of focus on Ichikawa, Kafka, and Kikoru, but also other characters come by in big or smaller roles and I was so excited to see them all and get to see what they are going to do in these chapters. Each chapter is a day relaxed and is split up in several sections and I really adored how that one was done, instead of just giving it all in one go you get parts. Fun! What kind of fun things can you expect? Zombie hunting in the arcade (and catching some cats), photographing Hoshina with his eyes open (which made me laugh as this was indeed something I always wondered about in the OG series, how does he see and does he ever open his eyes), eating cake, we see how Kikoru became friends with 2 other girls in the squad, and there is more. It was such a feast to read and I had oodles of fun.

Oh, and I had such a laugh at the two old timers at the arcade! I hadn’t expected that one!

But there was a moment that I was confused. In the first chapter Kikoru, Kafka, and Ichikawa are going hiking. That starts with Kafka not able to turn back and him panicking as no one can know he is Kaiju. Yet in the next part they are going hiking (I would think it is the same moment) and Kikoru is not fazed by him transforming in Kaiju 8 when he is chomped by a venomous snake.

The art was a great one! While it is by a different mangaka the style of the characters and the feel of the OG manga is still all there. And I love seeing characters make different faces and stuff from the OG manga. Kikoru has some fabulous ones in this one.

All in all, I really would like more of this series, it is cute to see the teams just relax and have a good time. Given all the things that are happening in the OG manga they deserve some peace and quiet and I could use it as well. 😂 I would recommend this one to fans of the series, this is definitely one you need to read along with the OG, if you read it without any basic knowledge you will probably be confused by many things or get spoilers.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Astilbe The Hobbit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t realize when I bought this it wasn’t written and illustrated by the original author. So the art style is a little different but I find still obviously good.

One thing I was worried about is maybe the characters feeling a little maybe not themselves? I think Kizuku Watanabe did an okay job. I love the idea of seeing my favorite characters being goofy and doing fun things in their days off but some of the characters, at least to me didn’t feel like the characters I fell in love with it or maybe even how I’d see them act in situations? Maybe I’m being picky?

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So silly, I loved it!!

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is pretty good for a spin-off! The art style is pretty close, and the humour is DEFINITELY on-par with the (comedy parts of the) original! I even really appreciate the mental image of the brass (Director General Shinomiya and Deputy Director Itami) being EXTREMELY good at Taiko no Tatsujin and DDR, haha.

I'm... LESS excited about the mental image here:



Unfortunately, you probably are now, too!

Recommended for fans of the main series, though if I'm being honest, I don't know if I'll pick up any more. It's good but actually... TOO relaxed??

[Vanna Book-Mage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaiju No. 8: Relax, Vol. 1 is a spin-off of the popular manga series Kaiju No. 8 and showcases the lives of the kaiju fighting members of the Third Division of the Japan Defense Force on their days off as they blow off steam, hike, chill, do karaoke and spend time with their friends.

Overall this was a heartwarming, lighthearted slice-of-life manga. It fills the gaps of what the Third Division do in their spare moments amongst the stress of ridding the city of kaiju.

If you’re looking for a funny and fast-paced manga filled with hijinks and chaos then this is for you.

Thanks NetGalley and VIZ Media for this free arc/copy of Kaiju No. 8: Relax, Vol. 1; all opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Adam Howells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never read a gag manga before, and this seems a good place to start. I audibly chuckled (twice!) at some truly puerile antics. Kaiju No. 8 is a patently ridiculous series, and the absurdism turned up to 11 in these short stories mostly works well if you overlook Shinomiya’s chapter. (Did I miss that her friends are part of this world? Were they made up for this story? Regardless, this one felt tacked on.)

Highlights:

- Misunderstood (precisely understood?) homoeroticism throughout
- Reno’s essential goodness parodied to perfection
- Cupcakes
- Snake venom nipple dispersal (Oops—spoilers!)

There are two more translations in the pipeline. Happy to read them.

[The Book Dragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a spin-off of Kaiju No. 8. It appears to take place after Kafka joins the Defense Force but before the end of Volume 4.

Basically, it's a bunch of gag stories based on the Kaiju No. 8 characters. As always, gag manga tend to be hit-or-miss in the laugh department. But there doesn't appear to be any major spoilers so feel free to read at your leisure.

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's more Kaiju No. 8! Do you love Kaiju No. 8 and want to see goofy side stories of their characters? Maybe you'll like it. Do you hate Kaiju No. 8 and dislike the characters, as I do? You probably won't like it! Hey, maybe the main series could have used more downtime stuff like this, maybe it would have made the series better. But I don't know, this did nothing for me. A few panels in the entire volume were alright.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read! I love when manga series do silly little spin-offs like this.

We learn what the gang get up to during their downtime. Some of the stories are more fun than others, but this was a really enjoyable read overall. They're all so loveable and silly.

thanks to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an amusing collection of stories featuring the Defense Force on their day off. I enjoyed it, even though the art style is a bit different from the original manga and Kafka being a little bit over the top in his childishness.

*ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.*

[Hannah (semi-hiatus + slump) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Viz Media for the arc! This was an enjoyable and refreshing read that explored the daily lives of Kafka and his crew outside of combat. I loved seeing the different perspectives and quieter moments, which added more personality and charm to the characters we already know. A fun, lighthearted addition to the Kaiju No. 8 universe.

[Sem Sannen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Kaiju book. The anime got me into the manga and when i saw they made this type of manga for kaiju i knew i had to read it. Love the world and it’s nice to see the characters in a chill/funny setting.

[Karima · Rating 5 out of 5]

so funny

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick interesting read about the characters and their down time.

[Singe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like seeing what shenanigans the crew get up to in their free time. :)

[Orson Witte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very funny addition to KN8

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a cute/fun read lol

[Paulette · Rating 2 out of 5]

These stories were just…not good. It tried to comedically amp up various characters, but it wasn’t amusing.

[Kuroyuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super funny

[maddi]

as someone who actually enjoyed the hoshina’s day off episode of the anime I liked seeing the characters in more casual settings again

[John William Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most goofiest and strangest mangas I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

3.5*