Kaiju No. 8 episode 5 release date and time (and an episode 4 recap)

Kaiju No. 8 had its series premiere last month and already, viewers are hooked. Its fifth episode was released this past weekend, so we're here to break down how to watch and what happened last so you don't forget a thing.

The series introduced the Kaiju world where Kafka Hibino obtains the power to turn into a Kaiju and becomes part of the defense corps to fight other creatures. The previous episode covered the remainder of the defense force exam where an intelligent Kaiju was unveiled and Kafka saved Kikoru from falling to one of the monsters. This next episode will likely reveal the results of the exam for Kafka, Reno, and the rest of the recruits.

Episode 5 release date and time

Kaiju No. 8 episode 5 is titled "Joining Up!" and was released on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 11:00 pm Japanese Standard Time (JST) and was simulcast on Crunchyroll in the United States. The episode has been available in the U.S. as of Saturday, May 11, 2024.

The new episode of Kaiju No. 8 was released in the following time zones found below:

• 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time 
• 9:00 a.m. Central Time 
• 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time Zone 
• 4:00 p.m. in the UK 
• 8:30 pm India Standard Time 
• 12:30 a.m. in Australia

Watching on Crunchyroll? Head to the link here to stream Kaiju No. 8 episode 5!

Episode 4 recap

In the previous episode, Kafka stands up after sustaining multiple injuries but he remains determined to finish the exam. Reno supports Kafka and carries him over his shoulder as they continue their support role. They decide to follow Kikoru, who defeats multiple monsters that were remaining. The exam is over as the participants are notified that all the Kaiju were eliminated. The personnel plan to send medics and are impressed with Kikoru's skills and the audience learns that she is the daughter of the Defense Force director. As she heads over to Kafka to gloat, a creature appears before her and deals a heavy blow to her.

The examinees begin to realize that the monsters are reviving and the area becomes another battlefield. Kikoru is shocked by the creature as it displays higher intelligence. The creature is able to speak and charge up the fallen Kaiju powers while damaging Kikoru further. Hoshina and Mina head over quickly to the exam grounds and demand the examinees' shields be turned on. They turn on the alert to direct the examinees to evacuate but Kikoru remains fighting the Kaiju. She is knocked over and over and sustains major damage.

The show then cuts to a flashback where the relationship with her dad is shown. Her upbringing and her father's ideals have turned her into a perfectionist as she aims to become better. The Honju is able to regenerate and aims its attack towards Kikoru who is left defeated on the ground. Kafka arrives in time to stop the attack and praises Kikoru for buying enough time for evacuation. He transforms into his Kaiju form in front of her and deflects the Honju attacks.

Reno realizes Kafka went off to help Kikoru and is worried about his transformation. Kikoru is taken aback that Kafka is a kaiju and he begs her to keep it a secret. Mina and Hoshino are informed that there is a fortitude level of 9.8 at the exam grounds which would indicate one of the most powerful Kaiju in history is present there.

Kafka takes out the Honju with a single strike and regroups with Kikoru and Reno. Reno and Kafka argue while Kikoru faints and they evacuate the area. Mina, Hoshina, and the defense corps arrive to find the Honju corpse left in the area similar to what they witnessed when Kafka's Kaiju appeared months ago. Kafka is treated at the hospital with Reno and they are interrupted by Mina who voices her gratitude for saving Kikoru. Later, Hoshino visits Kikoru and questions her about the Honju and she responds she was the one to take down the monster in order to protect Kafka. At the end of the episode, the intelligent Kaiju is revealed to be a part of the Kaiju cleanup crew.