Top 10 Strongest Members of the Defense Force in Kaiju No. 8

Main Points to Remember

Step into the thrilling universe of Kaiju No. 8, a captivating manga series that’s set to debut its anime adaptation, providing an adrenaline rush like no other!
Discover formidable members of the Defense Force such as Eiji, Jugo, and Leno, each boasting exceptional abilities and strengths that make them indispensable in the fight against Kaiju threats.
Follow the exhilarating adventures of characters like Kafka, Mina, and Gen as they endeavor to safeguard humanity from Kaiju, demonstrating remarkable powers and skills.

Kaiju No. 8 enthusiasts must feel ecstatic right now. For those unfamiliar, Kaiju No. 8 is a manga series by Naoya Matsumoto that revolves around powerful warriors working to thwart Kaiju from obliterating civilization, adhering to a conventional Kaiju Monster storyline.

The upcoming anime adaptation is drawing in many new readers to this franchise, who quickly become enamored with the characters in the JDF (Japanese Defense Force), portrayed as the heroes of the narrative. That said, among all the Defense Force’s roster—ranging from Captains to Vice-Captains and Recruits—which members stand out as the strongest?

Updated on October 31, 2024, by Jacob Buchalter: Those who are current with the Kaiju No. 8 manga understand how utterly wild this series becomes leading to the climax, bringing excitement for anime-only viewers ahead. Between the conclusion of the first anime season and the manga’s latest arc, characters undergo considerable evolution, showcasing remarkable personal and technical growth. Let’s explore some of the most powerful Defense Force members so far in the story and see how they stack up against one another. Keep in mind that these insights reflect the characters’ current abilities in the manga, which could significantly alter the rankings by the time their anime representations are revealed.

NOTE: The following rankings are based on character information from the most recent manga chapter, which is significantly ahead of the anime, so proceed with caution—spoilers lie ahead.

10 Eiji Hasegawa

Vice-Captain of the First Division

Kaiju No. 8 - Hasegawa in His Battle Suit Fighting Against Kaiju

Name	Division	Birthday	Max Recorded Suit Output %
Eiji Hasegawa	First Division	August 24	Unknown

Starting off our list is Eiji Hasegawa, a character who took a while to appear in the manga, and fans have yet to fully grasp his abilities. As the Vice-Captain of the Defense Force’s First Division, he acts somewhat like a guardian to his Division Captain, Gen Narumi. Unlike Gen, Eiji maintains a much more serious and rule-abiding approach to his duties. On the battlefield, Hasegawa essentially serves as the command center of the First Division, relaying orders to allow Narumi to engage the enemy freely.

In terms of gear, Eiji sports a massive metal battle suit equipped with machine guns on his shoulders, but the complete scope of his suit’s capabilities remains a mystery. Nevertheless, considering the overall strength of the First Division, it’s reasonable to infer that he’s immensely powerful.

9. Iharu Furuhashi

Member of the Fourth Division & Leno Ichikawa’s Rival

Name	Division	Birthday	Max Recorded Suit Output %
Iharu Furuhashi	Fourth/Third Division	July 23	88 Percent

At the current point in the Kaiju No. 8 manga, Iharu Furuhashi’s position in the rankings could fluctuate greatly. This uncertainty arises due to Iharu being an ‘in the zone’ combatant, typically starting with a lower Combat Suit output until he finds his rhythm. Once he does, he can spike his Combat Suit percentage to staggering heights, albeit for a limited time. If he manages to harness this flow state effectively, Iharu transforms into a dangerously unpredictable fighter, capable of matching powerful foes while also being the least consistent. Fortunately, he has demonstrated some control over this flow, helping him secure a spot among the main characters and Division leaders.

8 Jugo Ogata

Captain of the Fourth Division

Name	Division	Birthday	Max Recorded Suit Output %
Jugo Ogata	Fourth Division	November 3	Unknown

Next is Jugo Ogata, the Captain of the Fourth Division and a seasoned member of the old guard. As of this writing, readers of Kaiju No. 8 have yet to see Jugo in combat despite the ongoing chaos involving Kaiju #9. Nevertheless, being the captain of an entire division and garnering respect from major powerhouses like Mina Ashiro suggests he must possess considerable strength.

Additionally, Jugo has revealed that, like Iharu Furuhashi, he can experience significant fluctuations in his Combat Suit’s Force Output depending on how engaged he is. Thus, when he does finally engage in battle, it’s likely driven by a cause that ignites his passion, potentially unleashing great power. His usual output may be low, but when it surges, it can reach an astonishing peak. Coupled with his field experience, intelligence, and knowledge of Numbers Weapons, Jugo stands as one of the stronger JDF members, especially as he has survived in a world plagued by Kaiju.

7 Leno Ichikawa

User of the Numbers Weapon 6 Suit

Name	Division	Birthday	Max Recorded Suit Output %
Leno/Reno Ichikawa	Fourth/Third Division	April 12	18 Percent

Leno Ichikawa serves as the secondary protagonist in Kaiju No. 8, closely following Kafka Hibino. He played a pivotal role in persuading Kafka to reapply for the JDF, demonstrating his remarkable support for his friend at every turn. While Leno may lack extensive combat experience compared to other JDF members, his rapid growth has earned him a respectable position on this list.

Initially appearing as detached and analytical, readers familiar with the anime will quickly recognize his caring nature, intelligence, and depth of character—albeit with a tendency to shoulder too much responsibility. Moreover, he’s recently demonstrated capability with the Kaiju No. 6 Battle Suit allowing him to assist Kafka in his retrieval of Mina.

6. Kikoru Shinomiya

User of the Numbers Weapon 4 Suit & AX-0112 Battle Axe

Name	Division	Birthday	Max Recorded Suit Output %
Kikoru Shinomiya	Third/First Division	September 7	94 Percent

Next up, we have Kikoru Shinomiya, a prime example of a prodigy in the series. As the daughter of the JDF’s Director General, she’s spent her life striving to be the ultimate Defense Force soldier, earning her parents’ pride. Her remarkable ascent—from Trainee to Officer, and eventually becoming a holder of the Numbers Weapon—has been the swiftest of any character thus far.

Kikoru simply excels across the board compared to her peers, having even achieved a 45 percent Combat Power output on her first try, which is exceptional given that the norm tends to range from 5 to 12 percent. Surrounded by talented individuals like Leno, Kafka, and Soshino, Kikoru continues to advance rapidly, motivated by the fear of lagging behind. As for her presence in the manga, she stands out as one of the foremost strong characters within the Defense Force; however, in the anime (as of this writing), she has only just made her debut.

5. Soshiro Hoshina

Vice-Captain of the Third Division

Name	Division	Birthday	Max Recorded Suit Output %
Soshiro Hoshina	Third Division	November 21	100 Percent

Next among our top picks is Soshiro Hoshina, the Vice-Captain of the Third Division and a master of close-quarter combat. While Mina Ashiro, the Third Division’s Captain, excels in utilizing large firearms and taking down behemoth Kaiju, Soshiro stands out for his unparalleled swordsmanship, specializing in dispatching small to medium-sized Kaiju or Honju.

His stunning victory against Kaiju No. 10 showcased his prowess, and he even managed to confront Kafka during his transformation. When the battle intensifies, Soshiro can unleash an astonishing amount of Force from his Numbers Weapon 10 Combat Suit, achieving a peak output near 92 percent.

4 Isao Shinomiya

Director General of the Defense Force

Name	Division	Birthday	Max Recorded Suit Output %
Isao Shinomiya	First Division/Director General of JDF	January 8	Unknown

It stands to reason that an organization dedicated to defeating Kaiju would require a powerhouse at its helm. Isao Shinomiya, Director General of the JDF—and Kikoru’s father—embodies such strength and authority, being knowledgeable, flexible, disciplined, and fiercely loyal to the mission.

Few can match his prowess as a soldier, thanks to his extensive experience and his Numbers Weapon Gauntlets crafted from Kaiju No. 2. However, Isao faces limitations imposed by his age; should he be in his prime, he’d undoubtedly top this list, yet his current standing reflects the reality of his circumstances, especially after witnessing the outcome of his clash with Kafka.

3 Kafka Hibino

The Series Protagonist & Kaiju No. 8

Name	Division	Birthday	Max Recorded Suit Output %
Kafka Gives	Third/First Division	August 5	1 Percent

Now we turn our attention to the lead character, Kafka Hibino. Known as Kaiju No. 8, Kafka is among the weaker members of the Defense Force in terms of standard physical performance and Combat Suit Output percentage. However, his remarkable Kaiju transformation abilities allow him to overcome these weaknesses, emerging as an exceptional soldier.

The manga’s storyline hasn’t yet revealed the full extent of Kafka’s capabilities as Kaiju No. 8, but so far, it is clear he stands as one of the most formidable kaiju present within this world.

2. Mina Ashiro

Captain of the Third Division

Name	Division	Birthday	Max Recorded Suit Output %
Mina Ashiro	Third Division	June 17	96 Percent

Next, we focus on the individual who represents Kafka’s aspiration, Mina Ashiro. Kafka’s profound desire within the JDF is to gain enough strength and trustworthiness to stand alongside Mina, fulfilling the bond they forged as children. Mina, having rapidly climbed the ranks, is now the esteemed Captain of the Third Division.

Mina excels as a ranged combat specialist, capable of unleashing impressive Force from her Combat Suit—up to 96 percent thus far. Beyond her long-range capabilities, she also exhibits superhuman strength, agility, and leadership skills that affirm her competence in close-quarters conflict. Plus, she has a white tiger named Bakko, which serves as a stabilizer during her cannon fire—a unique touch to her combat style.

1. Gen Narumi

Captain of the First Division

Name	Division	Birthday	Max Recorded Suit Output %
Gen Narumi	First Division	December 28	98 Percent

Finally, we arrive at the top-ranking member: Gen Narumi. As the Captain of the First Division, Gen stands out as potentially the strongest soldier in the JDF’s history, which is why he leads the most powerful team. Widely recognized as ‘Japan’s Strongest Anti-Kaiju Combatant’, he has consistently proven the validity of this title through numerous battles.

Equipped with his Bayonet, the GS-3305 (developed by Izumo Tech), Gen excels in both close and long-range confrontations. He has also achieved the highest Combat Power output recorded from his Combat Suit, peaking at 98 percent—beating Mina’s impressive record of 96 percent. Furthermore, he possesses a Numbers Weapon integrated into his eyes known as the Kaiju Retina or RT-0001, enabling him to visualize and interpret the brain signals of others, predicting their actions seamlessly. While he may seem somewhat immature compared to fellow soldiers like Mina, there is no contender more adept at eliminating Kaiju than him.

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Images Credit: Gamerant.com