Kyoto Branch Arc
Training exercises turn deadly when ancient monsters awaken in the west.
Liden Films, Inc. (株式会社ライデンフィルム, Kabushiki-gaisha Raiden Firumu; stylized as LIDENFILMS) is a Japanese animation studio and production enterprise headquartered in Kamiogi, Suginami, Tokyo, with animation studios in Kyoto and Osaka. Founded on February 22, 2012, the company joined joint-holding company Ultra Super Pictures alongside studios Sanzigen, Trigger, and Ordet. It is currently represented by Barnum Studio's Tetsurou Satomi. The company has expanded to include five separate branches and the Suginami branch: Liden Films Kyoto Studio (founded in 2015), Liden Films Osaka Studio (founded in 2013), two Tokyo Studios (Tokyo 1st Studio and Tokyo 2nd Studio), and Liden Films Fukuya Studio (founded in 2018). In 2016, the Kyoto Studio produced its own series, and in 2020 the Osaka Studio did the same.
- Location
- Kyoto Defense Force Branch
- Key Characters
- Kafka Hibino, Mina Ashiro, Kai Chisaki, Asa Mitaka
- Affiliation
- Japan Defense Force
- Threat Level
- High (Multiple Kaiju Encounters)
- Arc Status
- Completed Narrative Segment
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Beyond the tactical maneuvers, this period emphasizes the growing tension surrounding Kaiju No. 8's existence. As threats escalate in Kyoto, the Defense Force realizes that monsters are not confined to Tokyo alone. The events here strengthen the bonds between Kafka and his teammates while introducing new variables regarding the origin and spread of Kaiju energy across the country.
In Their Own Story
The neon lights of Kyoto reflected off the rain-slicked pavement as Kafka adjusted his collar, feeling the familiar weight of the uniform. It was a different city from Tokyo, yet the air carried that same metallic tang of impending disaster. He watched the training grounds where new recruits sparred, unaware that beneath the soil something ancient stirred. His hand twitched near his pocket, not for a weapon, but to suppress the monster within. Tonight, the line between protector and predator would blur once more.
Reader's Guide
The arc begins with the Tokyo Division team traveling to Kyoto for collaborative training exercises intended to improve inter-branch coordination. Initial sessions go smoothly, showcasing the skills of Kafka and his fellow officers under the watchful eyes of local commanders. Tension rises when a Kaiju signal is detected nearby, disrupting the routine. The team must shift from trainers to combatants immediately, deploying into the city streets to contain the breach. This forces Kafka to make split-second decisions about using his enhanced abilities without exposing his true nature. The climax involves a fierce battle against a powerful Kaiju that tests the limits of the Defense Force's weaponry and tactics. Pivotal moments occur where character bonds are solidified through shared danger, shifting the balance of power as Kafka proves indispensable despite the risks to his secret.
Did You Know?
- Liden Films was founded on February 22, 2012.
- Liden Films Kyoto Studio was founded in 2015 and produced its own series in 2016.
- Liden Films Osaka Studio was founded in 2013 and produced its own series in 2020.
- Liden Films Fukuya Studio was founded in 2018.
- Liden Films is headquartered in Kamiogi, Suginami, Tokyo.
More in Story & Timeline
Elsewhere in the Kaiju No 8 universe
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