Anime NYC is one of the United States’ premier anime conventions, where some of the biggest names and players in the industry come to interact with fans and give insight into the series that shape the modern world of anime. Few anime can match this description better than Kaiju No. 8, which has taken the world of Shounen by storm as it concluded its second anime season, and the manga will be releasing its final volume on September 1st, 2026.
On Friday, August 21st, Kaiju United was in attendance for a special panel featuring Masaya Fukunishi, voice of protagonist Kafka Hibino, composer/musician Yuta Bandoh, and producer Shunsuke Yanagisawa! Tons of fans packed the main stage, eager to see the creative minds and forces behind the premier Kaiju anime.
*Note. Please keep in mind that all answers to the Q & A sessions were given by a translator and interpreter, as the members of the production answered in Japanese*
©LeftField Media
Things got started quickly as the host began a Q & A session with each member of the panel, starting with Fukinishi. Clearly excited to be there, he stated that it was “the first time us 3 are all on a panel together like this” and that he was a huge fan of Bandoh’s work, asking him to be present in music recording sessions. This was interesting to see because while it is not uncommon that a musical composer and voice actor rarely interact on a production set, but to see this kind of synergy and camaraderie between the two says a lot about the energy that exists behind the scenes of the series.
Fukinishi was then asked, “Over the course of the series, how has your approach to playing Kafka changed and transformed?” He answered, “In the first season, it was my first time playing a lead character, so I was nervous. But after I saw the finished product of season 1, I saw how beautifully everything was done and it made me feel that what I was doing was right, and it made me feel confident. For season 2, I grew I as a voice actor and had deeper conversations with staff.”
Everyone was glad to see that the actor, still early on in his career, feels that he is growing into his performance and is ready for the future. After being asked, “Is there a particular scene that affected you the most?” Fukunishi answered, “Obviously a lot of scenes are memorable, but in season 2, Kafka is facing a new challenge. He was concerned about being out of control and hurting his friends so that he was unable to transform. Kikoru Shinomiya yells at him, ‘Don’t underestimate me!’ And it gives him the strength he needed to transform again. That’s the scene that left a big impression on me.”
Fans were then treated to a viewing of that scene, and it is definitely a great choice and impactful moment of the series. Fukunishi was joyous and passionate throughout his answers to questions- it was great to see how much he pours into this series.
©LeftField Media
A Q & A session for Yuta Bandoh began in regard to his music composition of the series. Bandoh is already an experienced composer with a resume including Yuri on Ice (earning a nominee for Best Soundrack at Japan Expo Awards 2018), and will also be composing music for the 2026 live-action adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s (Chainsaw Man, Fire Punch) Look Back one-shot, which will be released and distributed late 2026 to the United States, Canada, UK, and Ireland by Shin Godzilla (2016) and Godzilla: Minus Zero (2026) North American distributor GKIDS.
Bandoh was asked, “What do you keep in mind while composing scenes?” as some exclusive behind the scenes music room footage was being shown on projectors. Bandoh answered, “Not losing to Godzilla!” with a laugh. He continued, “You know Godzilla is sort of a benchmark for Japanese Kaiju Music, and many composers have worked in that scope in the genre, but I aimed to go beyond that.” Producer Shunsuke Yanagisawa chimed in, “You may or may not know, Godzilla is a Toho IP, so hearing that gives me mixed feelings a little bit,” with an endearing chuckle, “but I know that he will do a great job.”
Bandoh continued, “When I was offered this position, I was asked to please go ‘beyond’ Godzilla music. It was a lot of pressure!” Certainly, the King of the Monsters had a large influence on Kaiju No. 8 in more ways than one. And fans got to hear this in full force when the panel played Bandoh’s favorite composition on screen, which is Hoshina’s scene at the end of season 2. The sound system in the room was gorgeous, and this was a truly well composed music that captured the motifs of the kaiju genre. There was certainly lots of Godzilla influence to be heard, but it was made its own in a modern style just as Bandoh intended!
The host asked, as many were probably wondering after hearing the theme boom through the speakers, what the creative process was of writing Narumi’s theme. Bandoh replied, “Narumi is a strong and cool character, so I wanted a theme with an aggressive pace.” It was shown that 2 time Grammy nominee Mark Juliana performed drums on Narumi’s themes, and some more exclusive footage was displayed for everyone to see!
Finally, the panel was collectively asked one final question, “In this show there are many meaningful relationships between characters. Do you have any advice regarding relationships in real life?” Producer Shunsuke Yanagisawa answered, “I’ve worked with many production higher ups, and they have told me that anime production is many things. It is art, of course it is business, but what stuck out to me is that I was told, ‘you should make anime that makes the world a better place to live.’ When it comes to Kaiju No. 8, that is what I have in mind.”
Bandoh answered, “My composer teacher who advised me in my early years told me to not say, ‘do your best,’ because it is not necessarily positive. He said that when you are enthusiastic about something and you pour yourself in, you’re not thinking about doing your ‘best’ because that naturally happens. Those words came to my mind during my composition and production.”
Finally, Fukinishi answered, I come on stage and perform, I am very grateful for the opportunity to do that. At the same time, voice actors don’t have unique work. Voice acting could be powerless in that sense. That’s why the words of the original author means so much to us because that’s the person who created something out of zero. After recording the first episode, the mangaka made it to the booth and said in a natural way, ‘you are just Kafka himself.’ Those words just made me be the happiest I’ve ever been. This was a while ago, but the flame those words gave me still burn in my heart.”
Fans were then treated to two spectacular live dubbing performances by Fukinishi. His performance was full of energy and visceral to see in person- it is clear he takes great pride in delivering an impactful performance in his work. Finally, fans were treated to another surprise, with a special message from Narumi’s voice actor giving regards and thanks and discussing the short series, “Narumi’s Day at Work” coming to Crunchyroll on September 4th. The attendees were the first in the world to see this premiere!
The panel was very informational and full of personal insights that bring a new lens on to one of the most prominent Kaiju anime in the world. It is clear there is a synergy and understanding in objectives between the main creative forces of the show- a commitment to an authentic adaptation of Naoya Matsumoto’s manga that honors motifs of the Kaiju genre while also doing something new with moxie. Fans of the series are in great hands as the anime gets ready for its conclusion!
