KAIJU NO. 8 THE GAME New ★5 Ax Soshiro Hoshina Joins The Battle!
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 9, 2026 — Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME, co-produced by Akatsuki Games, TOHO, and Production I.G, announces the new ★5 character [Ax Technique Proficiency] Soshiro Hoshina and a Special Event pairing Hoshina and Kikoru in intense training.
Earn Up to 1,500 Dimensional Crystals in the Special Event “The Weapon Within” Featuring Kikoru and Hoshina!
Special Event: “The Weapon Within” (Now Available)
The Special Event centers on Soshiro Hoshina and Kikoru Shinomiya, revealing moments of their daily lives outside the main story. The event begins January 9, 2026, and takes place at Tachikawa Base. During a warehouse cleanup, two prototype weapons are found: a Greatsword originally prototyped as Kikoru’s custom weapon and a prototype Ax developed during her current weapon’s production. When Kikoru visits the Third Division for training, Soshiro challenges her to a spar using those weapons.
Hoshina uses the Ax and Kikoru the Greatsword as they spar fiercely with unfamiliar arms. During the battle Hoshina suggests Kikoru may be “critically lacking one thing” — discover what he means by following the event story.
Event Rewards
- New Home background
- Up to 1,500 Dimensional Crystals
- Event-limited ★4 weapon “Ax-Bison 91” (Ax)
Dimensional Crystals can be earned via quest clear rewards, mission rewards, and from the event item Exchange Shop.
New ★5 Character: [Ax Technique Proficiency] Soshiro Hoshina
★5 [Ax Technique Proficiency] Soshiro Hoshina joins the roster in this update. Hoshina is the Vice-Captain of the Japan Defense Force Third Division and a sword specialist from a family that has fought Kaiju since the Muromachi period. Although renowned for his swordsmanship, Hoshina is also proficient with the ax and now mentors Kikoru Shinomiya. Learn what Hoshina hopes to teach Kikoru in the Special Event “The Weapon Within.”
New ★5 Character
[Ax Technique Proficiency] Soshiro Hoshina (optimal weapon type: Ax)
New ★5 Weapon
Ax-0087 (Ax)
Pickup Character Trailer: https://youtu.be/FdDxTEpDZUI
Introduction
Naoya Matsumoto’s manga Kaiju No. 8 has been serialized on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ and has more than 19 million copies printed and distributed in Japan (including digital editions) across 16 volumes. The anime adaptation has become widely popular in Japan and internationally, especially in North America.
Following the series’ global success, Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME — co-produced by Akatsuki Games, TOHO, and Production I.G — is available on the App Store, Google Play, and Steam®.
About Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME
- Title: Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME
- Planning & Production: Akatsuki Games Inc., TOHO CO., LTD., Production I.G, Inc.
- Development & Operation: Akatsuki Games Inc.
- Publicity Cooperation: TOHO CO., LTD., Production I.G, Inc.
- Distribution: Akatsuki Games Inc.
- Available Platforms: App Store, Google Play Store, Steam®
- Supported Languages: Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, French
- Price: Free-to-play (with in-app purchases)
- Copyright Notice: © JAKDF 3rd Division © Naoya Matsumoto/SHUEISHA; © Akatsuki Games Inc./TOHO CO., LTD./Production I.G
- Official Game Website: https://kj8-thegame.com/en/
- Official Game X: https://x.com/kj8_TheGame_EN
- Official Game YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kj8-TheGame-EN
- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/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 manga by Naoya Matsumoto, serialized on Shonen Jump+ since 2020, the anime portrays intense clashes between the Japan Defense Force and Kaiju. The manga has surpassed 19 million copies in circulation (including digital editions) with 16 volumes published (as of Sept. 4, 2025). The Anime Season 1 (April–June 2024) ranked No. 1 on domestic daily rankings across major Japanese streaming platforms. A theatrical compilation of Season 1 (including the side story Hoshina’s Day Off) premiered in Japan on March 28, 2025. Season 2 aired July–September 2025, drawing strong global fan reactions.
- Official Website: https://kaiju-no8.net/
- Official X: https://x.com/KaijuNo8_O
Company Overview: Akatsuki Games Inc.
Akatsuki Games aims to connect emotions around the world by putting its beliefs and purpose into games. The company strives to create global hits with world-class development and operation standards in Japan. With experience operating titles such as Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle and Romancing SaGa Re; Universe, Akatsuki Games pursues high-end 3D graphics and multi-device development to deliver high-quality games to a global audience.
- Official Website: https://games.aktsk.jp/en/
- Founded: December 2021
- Representative: CEO Yuki Totsuka
- Headquarters: 8F oak meguro, 2-13-30 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Business Activities: Game Development & Operations
To reuse content or graphics, include the copyright notice: © JAKDF 3rd Division © Naoya Matsumoto/SHUEISHA; © Akatsuki Games Inc./TOHO CO., LTD./Production I.G
Additional assets: HERE
Source: Akatsuki Games Inc.