Why Kafka Hibino & Vice Captain Hoshina's dynamic gives me life [Kaiju No. 8]
I cherish these characters so damn much that I just had to express my love for their dynamic. So... um, here we go...
Spoiler warning- i'm all caught up with Kaiju No. 8, so this analysis expands to some of the most recent chapters. Also, before I begin, lemme just say, if you haven't read Kaiju No. 8, READ IT. It'll blow your mind.
First and foremost, It was Hoshina who pushed for Kafka to be a general officer. "He has faith in you."
Next, here comes Kafka, willing to risk everything and exploit his identity, all to save his vice captain. He didn't have to in the end, thanks to Ashiro, but not soon after, Kafka did have to reveal his identity to save the division. DESPITE, Hoshina's initial suspicions, his own weariness never stopped him from liking Kafka. He even ignored all the warning signs in favor of believing in him. If you look at the bottom right panel here, as Ashiro is aiming her gun at Kafka, Hoshina won't even look. He's the only one who isn't aiming at Kaiju No. 8, and that says a lot.
Now, in this first snapshot here, we've got our boy, Kafka, doubting his own abilities. We can't blame him, especially when he's only considered a Kaiju with most of everyone in the first division. Without Kaiji No. 8, believe it or not, our boy Kafka doesn't harbor the physical skills or the extra power to take on other Kaiju. "I'm not the one who's needed around here. It's kaiju No. 8." OH??? BUT WAIT. Check out that next snapshot. Hoshina thanks him for saving everyone the day Kafka revealed himself, and he's not thanking Kaiju No. 8. NO, he's thanking KAFKA himself and thoroughly contradicting Kafka's own beliefs about himself.
NOW. THIS SCENE. THIS SCENE!!!!! This whole chapter was beautifully crafted. Kafka says in the last snapshot, "he's always been the kindest person around." After realizing that the more Kafka transforms into Kaiju No.8, the less human - and the more kaiju he becomes, Hoshina is willing to give it his all to defeat Kaiju No. 9 in his stead so that Kafka doesn't have to risk losing his humanity. TALK ABOUT A FANTASTIC BROMANCE- sorry, I live for this kind of stuff.
NEXT
SO, okay, we knew Kafka wasn't just going to let Hoshina fight Kaiju No. 9 while Kafka kicks back and takes things at his own pace. OF COURSE NOT. So, what does Hoshina decide to do??? He decides to train Kafka. Why? So that way, even though Kafka will still transform into Kaiju No. 8, he won't have to rely on the Kaiju in him as much if he can actually kick physical ass in his human form; therefore, Kafka can continue to fight whilst staving off the effects of losing his humanity.
Also, another example of Hoshina baiting Kafka- the two snapshots above ^ he knows that it's Kafka's goal to stand beside Ashiro, yet, that doesn't stop him from building upon that goal. He just pushes and inspires Kafka to strive for it all the more.
SKIRRRRT to Kafka fighting Hoshina. Near the end, after Hoshina is beating the shit outta him, Kafka begins to doubt himself once more, claiming that he can't do anything worthwhile without transforming into a Kaiju, but we've got Hoshina over here (and i swear, it always feels like Hoshina can read Kafka's mind. He reads him like a book), and he pulls the best damn face and says, "Kafka, you've gotten stronger." :,)
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