Add as a preferred source on Google
It is somewhat decided that the Anti-Kaiju Defence Force will soon face Kaiju No. 9, which will be the final war of Naoya Matsumoto’s magnum opus. With that thought in mind, the Defence Force is sharpening their skills on the training grounds. Kafka Hibino is the trump card of the Defence Force, and he is training with his former Vice Captain, Soshiro Hoshina. Surprisingly, in Kaiju No. 8 Season 2, Episode 9, Hoshina used a special attack on Kafka before the lunch break, leaving several fans wondering. The attack was similar to Bruce Lee’s One-Inch Punch!
Was Bruce Lee Referenced In Kaiju No. 8?
Soshiro Hoshina specializes in hand-to-hand combat, with his family being regarded as the founder of the Hoshina Style, a specific type of swordplay. He was the first one who took an interest in Kafka Hibino, even though it was only for entertainment purposes. However, Kaiju no. 8 Season 2 saw a shift in tone, with Soshiro training the lackluster Kafka. The latest episode featured him hitting a one-inch punch to Kafka, which is the signature move of legendary martial artist Bruce Lee.
It is not only the punch, but also the stance that he took after performing the attack. Both the attack and the stance are taken from late Bruce Lee. While there has been no official confirmation regarding it, but it is not uncommon to see mangaka using real-life scenarios to bring the best out of their creation, and in this regard, Kaiju No. 8 explicitly showcases Bruce Lee’s technique as a reference or homage to him. The technique was indeed popularized by the late Bruce Lee, but several martial arts anime have showcased it.
If the question is whether Soshiro Hoshina performed a one-inch punch, then the answer is yes. However, the character’s connection to martial arts proved that he is quite efficient when it comes to using his ability to perform popular hand-to-hand combat styles, similar to the one-inch punch. In a way, the technique can be used to highlight Bruce Lee’s contribution to the field.
Other Possible References In Kaiju No. 8
While the mangaka has not confirmed it, several other vivid references in Kaiju No. 8 were most likely inspired by real-world incidents. Firstly, the concept of Kaiju is likely derived from Godzilla, who is known as the King of the Monsters. Kaiju No. 6 bears an uncanny resemblance to Godzilla, with similar features and attributes.
Secondly, the Meireki Era cataclysm in Kaiju No. 8 could be taken from the Great Furisode Fire during the Meireki Era, in 1657 (same as Kaiju No. 8). A massive fire engulfed Edo, modern-day Tokyo, destroying almost two-thirds of the city, causing the government to take new measures to ensure the safety of citizens and prevention of such man-made disasters in the future.
Lastly, the protagonist Kafka Hibino bears a similar name to the popular author, Franz Kafka. The latter wrote a novella named The Metamorphosis, where the protagonist transforms into a dragonfly. Surprisingly, when Kaiju No. 8 first appeared in front of Kafka, it looked like a large dragonfly, showcasing the similarity.
The Kaiju No. 8 anime series is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Priyanko is currently pursuing his Master’s in Economics. He loves to read manga or watch anime in his spare time. He is a massive fan of One Piece, Naruto, and Haikyu. Amidst the Great Pirating Era, he wishes to become the greatest Hokage, even though he is short.
Leave a Reply