Snowball Earth
If you love the giant monster battles of Kaiju No. 8, then Snowball Earth is for you. This story jumps into the future, after humanity’s savior has failed. Tetsuo, who fought interstellar monsters with his giant robot Yukio, wakes up after eight years of cold sleep. He returns to a world covered in ice and overrun by monsters. Despite the devastation, people still live there.
Like Kafka, Tetsuo is a relatable and determined protagonist. He’s a bit awkward and wants to make friends. Can he leave behind his training and form real connections? You can find out in the ongoing manga, and soon in the anime adaptation coming in 2026!
GAEA-TIMA the Gigantis
Kaiju No. 8 starts with a small monster in an unexpected place: Kafka’s face. If you like the idea of “tiny kaiju where they shouldn’t be,” check out GAEA-TIMA the Gigantis. But there’s much more to this series than that. It’s similar to Godzilla Minus One, using monsters as a metaphor for war, destruction, and the complex emotions that come with rebuilding.
GAEA-TIMA the Gigantis is set in a small seaside town that actually benefits from monster attacks. Tourism is up, and fishing is great after the monster’s arrival. But a young woman discovers she has a strange connection to the monster. This connection might be important as more kaiju start appearing in the area.
Go! Go! Loser Ranger!
From the creator of The Quintessential Quintuplets, Negi Haruba, Go! Go! Loser Ranger! might be less focused on kaiju, but it shares similarities with Kaiju No. 8. The story takes place in a world at war with fighters who resemble those from Super Sentai. The colorful ranger teams, known as the Dragon Keepers, are there to protect everyone. But is everything as it seems?
The series begins with one fighter who’s tired of the weekly staged battles. He decides to uncover the truth about the Dragon Keepers. Like Kafka, he’s a monster among heroes, but for different reasons. As the manga progresses, bigger and stranger secrets about the Dragon Keepers are revealed. Once you’re caught up with the manga, you can also watch the anime!
These three manga series offer unique takes on the monster genre, providing plenty of action, intrigue, and compelling characters to keep you entertained. Each series explores different aspects of humanity’s relationship with monsters, from battling them head-on to coexisting with them and even questioning the very nature of heroism.
Snowball Earth presents a post-apocalyptic world where humanity must survive in the face of overwhelming odds. The series delves into themes of resilience, adaptation, and the importance of human connection in a world ravaged by monsters. Tetsuo’s journey to find his place in this new world is both heartwarming and thrilling, as he grapples with his past as a weapon and his desire for a normal life.
GAEA-TIMA the Gigantis offers a more nuanced perspective on monsters, exploring their impact on society and the complex emotions they evoke. The series examines how communities can adapt and even thrive in the presence of these colossal creatures, while also highlighting the potential for destruction and the psychological toll it can take on individuals. The young woman’s connection to the monster adds a layer of mystery and intrigue, suggesting a deeper understanding of the relationship between humans and kaiju.
Go! Go! Loser Ranger! subverts the traditional superhero narrative, questioning the motives and methods of those in power. The series explores themes of corruption, deception, and the struggle for justice in a world where appearances can be deceiving. The protagonist’s journey to expose the truth about the Dragon Keepers is filled with twists and turns, as he navigates a complex web of lies and betrayals.
All three series offer a fresh and exciting take on the monster genre, providing plenty of reading material to fill the void left by the end of the Kaiju No. 8 manga. Whether you’re looking for epic battles, thought-provoking themes, or compelling characters, these series have something to offer every fan of monstrous adventures.
So, while it’s sad to see Kafka Hibino’s story come to an end in the manga, there’s no shortage of exciting new series to explore. Dive into the icy world of Snowball Earth, uncover the mysteries of GAEA-TIMA the Gigantis, and challenge the status quo with Go! Go! Loser Ranger! Your next monstrous adventure awaits!