Kaiju No. 8 game syncs with anime as Soshiro Hoshina unlocks Numbers Weapon 10

Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME, co-produced by Akatsuki Games, TOHO, and Production I.G, has brought a major character release to its global audience. On September 20, the game introduced Soshiro Hoshina wearing the formidable Numbers Weapon 10, just hours after the character’s dramatic turn in Episode 22 of the Kaiju No. 8 anime.

The event marks a carefully timed cross-media collaboration between the anime and the game, rewarding fans with a login campaign offering up to 10 Gacha tickets. The debut of Hoshina, one of the franchise’s most admired characters, signals how closely the game is now aligning itself with the anime’s ongoing narrative.

How does Soshiro Hoshina’s Numbers Weapon 10 debut connect anime and game fans simultaneously?

Soshiro Hoshina enters the game as a ★5 unit under the title [United Front] Soshiro Hoshina, equipped with the SW-Susanoo twin swords. His introduction follows directly from the storyline in Episode 22, where he partners with Kaiju No. 10 in a dramatic activation experiment. The storyline explores whether Hoshina can master a weapon with its own will, while deepening his character’s quest for strength and self-discovery.

To expand the experience, a dedicated character story has been added to the game. Players can navigate to Story > Characters to unlock and play through Hoshina’s arc, which brings together both anime canon and interactive content. This kind of synchronized storytelling is designed to appeal to long-time fans of the manga and anime while keeping mobile players engaged with fresh challenges.

The launch also includes new game assets. Alongside Hoshina, the ★5 weapon SW-Susanoo is now obtainable, giving fans an incentive to participate in the special event banners. The limited-time login campaign allows players to collect five THE GAME Gacha Tickets and five Pickup Gacha Tickets simply by logging in during the event period.

Why is the Kaiju No. 8 franchise expanding so strongly into multimedia formats?

The Kaiju No. 8 universe began as a manga by Naoya Matsumoto, serialized on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ since 2020. Over 19 million copies have been printed and distributed, with volumes consistently ranking among bestsellers in Japan. With its dynamic art and darker tone compared to typical shonen works, the series quickly became one of Shueisha’s standout hits.

The anime adaptation, which began airing in April 2024, brought the franchise to an even wider audience. Season 1 climbed to the top of streaming charts in Japan and gained traction internationally, particularly in North America. A theatrical compilation of the first season, including the side story Hoshina’s Day Off, premiered in Japan in March 2025 and further stoked enthusiasm ahead of Season 2’s launch.

Season 2 has been airing weekly on TV Tokyo and simulcast worldwide, with Episode 22 setting the stage for Hoshina’s Numbers Weapon 10 storyline. The global audience is responding strongly, with Kaiju No. 8 trending across social media platforms each week. By tying Hoshina’s anime debut directly to his in-game release, Akatsuki Games and its partners have doubled the impact across platforms.

What role do Akatsuki Games, TOHO, and Production I.G play in this global rollout?

The collaboration behind Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME reflects a blend of creative and operational strengths. Akatsuki Games, the lead developer, has experience in global mobile titles such as Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle and Romancing SaGa Re; Universe. Its technical expertise in 3D graphics and cross-device development underpins the game’s smooth expansion onto platforms like iOS, Android, and an upcoming Steam release.

TOHO, one of Japan’s most iconic film distributors, brings decades of experience in marketing and international distribution. Its involvement ensures that Kaiju No. 8 is positioned not only as an anime but as a comprehensive entertainment property.

Production I.G, renowned for works like Ghost in the Shell and Haikyuu!!, provides high-quality animation and creative input. By linking the anime and game at the production level, the studio ensures that story arcs remain consistent across mediums, preserving the integrity of the franchise.

Together, these companies are turning Kaiju No. 8 into a full-fledged multimedia property capable of competing with the likes of Attack on Titan and My Hero Academia in terms of global cultural reach.

How are fans and industry observers reacting to Kaiju No. 8’s multimedia strategy?

Early indications suggest that the synchronization between the anime and the game is being positively received. Fans have noted on social platforms that the timing of Hoshina’s in-game debut immediately after his anime spotlight adds to the immersion. For the gaming industry, this kind of simultaneous release is seen as a smart engagement strategy, keeping fans inside the franchise ecosystem for longer periods.

Industry watchers point out that gacha-based mobile titles thrive on these kinds of limited events, where popular characters and weapons are tied to specific storylines. For Kaiju No. 8, leveraging this strategy with one of its most popular characters could significantly boost both daily active users and monetization.

From a broader perspective, institutional sentiment around Akatsuki Games suggests that the developer is carving out a stronger position in the anime-game tie-in market. By demonstrating the ability to align global release schedules with popular anime episodes, the company positions itself as a reliable partner for future cross-media projects.

What is next for Kaiju No. 8 and its growing global fanbase?

Looking forward, the franchise is on a clear trajectory of expansion. The upcoming Steam release of Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME will bring the title to PC audiences, broadening its reach beyond mobile platforms. With multilingual support already in place, including Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese, the game is positioned to sustain international momentum.

The anime’s ongoing Season 2 and the popularity of manga volumes continue to build audience loyalty. By weaving together print, screen, and interactive media, Kaiju No. 8 is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious cross-platform franchises in recent memory.

For fans, the immediate focus will be on securing Soshiro Hoshina with Numbers Weapon 10 and exploring his story arc in the game. For industry players, the lesson is clear: coordinated rollouts that merge narrative and interactivity can extend the lifecycle of an entertainment property far beyond traditional limits.