Defense Force

Lore & Background

The Defense Force is structured into divisions, each led by a captain and vice-captain whose combat power exceeds 90%. The Third Division is captained by Mina Ashiro, renowned for her uniquely destructive marksmanship. Kafka Hibino, after passing the entrance examination, is assigned to the Third Division alongside Kikoru Shinomiya, a prodigious kaiju slayer. Later, Kafka and Kikoru are transferred to the First Division, led by Captain Gen Narumi. The Defense Force also includes a Director General, Isao Shinomiya, who wields the Numbers 2 weapon, a powered suit of armor derived from Kaiju No. 2. During the invasion, kaiju designated Nos. 11 through 15 attack specific Defense Force members, with Gen, Soshiro, Kafka, and Kikoru defeating their assigned opponents, and Mina being the last to prevail. After the final battle, a year later, Kikoru is promoted to vice-captain of the First Division, and Kafka is appointed platoon leader of the Third Division in recognition of his service. The Defense Force permits him to use his kaiju form when necessary, provided he exercises caution to remain undetected.

In Their Own Story

Following the destruction of their hometown by a kaiju, childhood friends Kafka Hibino and Mina Ashiro vow to join the Japanese Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. Mina ascends to become captain of the Third Division, while Kafka repeatedly fails the entrance exam and works on a cleanup crew disposing of kaiju remains. His resolve is renewed upon meeting Reno Ichikawa, a young coworker and fellow aspirant to the Defense Force. A parasitic creature subsequently enters Kafka's body, granting him the ability to transform into a humanoid kaiju. Designated "Kaiju No. 8", Kafka escapes military custody and enlists in the Defense Force, concealing his powerful alter ego. Kafka and Reno pass the entrance examination and are assigned to the Third Division alongside Kikoru Shinomiya. During their first mission, they confront another humanoid kaiju, "Kaiju No. 9", which Kafka fails to eliminate. He is later forced to reveal his kaiju form to save the Tachikawa base from destruction during an attack by "Kaiju No. 10". Apprehended by Mina, Kafka is taken to Defense Force headquarters. He proves his value by defeating the Director General, Isao Shinomiya, in a duel. Kafka and Kikoru are then transferred to the First Division, led by Captain Gen Narumi. No. 9 attacks Shinagawa, and while two of its duplicates are destroyed, the genuine entity confronts and absorbs Isao Shinomiya, acquiring his Numbers 2 weapon. Empowered, No. 9 escapes to prepare a full-scale invasion of Japan. Months later, the invasion begins with kaiju designated Nos. 11 through 15 attacking specific Defense Force members. Gen, Soshiro, Kafka, and Kikoru defeat their assigned opponents, with Mina being the last to prevail. No. 9 uses the corpse of Kaiju No. 14 to teleport to Mina's location, intending to kill and absorb her. Kafka reaches her in time with Reno's assistance. Together, Kafka and Mina defeat No. 9, but its corpse mortally wounds Kafka and is subsequently taken over by an ancient, powerful kaiju from the Meireki era that it had absorbed. This entity, Meireki, easily overpowers the remaining defenders. Kafka revives as a Kaiju in a stronger form and, alongside Soshiro and Gen, confronts Meireki, who resurrects previous kaiju to battle them. Kafka, Kikoru, and Mina ultimately defeat Meireki, with Kafka delivering the final blow. After the battle, Kafka's health deteriorates, but he recovers from a four-month coma. His heart is restored by the spirit of Isao Shinomiya, who entrusts him with the future. He returns to active duty at the Tachikawa base, welcomed by his comrades. A year later, Kikoru is promoted to vice-captain of the First Division, and Kafka is appointed platoon leader of the Third Division in recognition of his service. The Defense Force permits him to use his kaiju form when necessary, provided he exercises caution to remain undetected.

Reader's Guide

The Defense Force is the organization established by Japan to combat kaiju, which regularly cause disasters. Japan has the highest rate of kaiju attacks in the world. Defense Force officers wear powered suits made from kaiju remains that grant them increased strength, speed, and durability. The suits have a total power output measured as a percentage ("unleashed combat power"), which varies from person to person, with a maximum of 100%. The suits also influence how strong an officer's weapons are. Daikaiju remains are used to create stronger weapons named Numbers (ナンバーズ, Nanbāzu) that are named after the daikaiju they are made from, but only a select few can use them if deemed compatible. Numbers weapons are much stronger than regular suits and provide their users with special abilities. The Defense Force consists of field officers led by platoon leaders, with varying levels of unleashed combat power, and captains and vice-captains whose combat power exceeds 90% and who lead divisions. Field officers are supported by a team of operators who provide information on kaiju, and monitor the field officers' health and suit output. To join, individuals must pass an entrance examination. Notable members include Mina Ashiro (captain of the Third Division), Kikoru Shinomiya (a prodigious kaiju slayer who later becomes vice-captain of the First Division), Kafka Hibino (who becomes a platoon leader of the Third Division), and Captain Gen Narumi (leader of the First Division).

Did You Know?

• The Defense Force's powered suits have a maximum unleashed combat power of 100%, with captains and vice-captains exceeding 90%.
• Daikaiju remains are used to create Numbers weapons, which are named after the daikaiju they are made from and are much stronger than regular suits.
• Kafka Hibino was appointed platoon leader of the Third Division a year after the final battle against Meireki.
• The Defense Force permits Kafka to use his kaiju form when necessary, provided he exercises caution to remain undetected.
• Kikoru Shinomiya was promoted to vice-captain of the First Division one year after the defeat of Meireki.