Kafka Hibino/Relationships

## Defense Force

Kafka is very fond of the Defense Force, wishing to join its ranks ever since he was a kid. Failing numerous times, Kafka never gave up on his dream of joining the Defense Force to stand once again next to his long-life friend Mina Ashiro.

#### Isao Shinomiya

Kafka first met Isao after he revealed his status as No. 8 during the raid at Tachikawa Base. Brought to the Ariake Maritime Base, Kafka was initially considered a mere kaiju by Isao, who quickly showed a hostile behavior towards him. On the other hand, Kafka respects Isao and, even when he couldn't control his body, struggled not to harm Isao for the latter's safety and to avoid making Kikoru sad. Then, as Kafka proves that he is a human, Isao changes his mind about him and gives him a chance by deciding against killing and settling on using him as a living weapon. Isao personally informed Kafka on his decision, suggesting him to prove his worth as an officer too. It was shown that, despite his kaiju nature, Isao held Kafka in high regard as one of the pillars of the new generation of the Defense Force.

### First Division

#### Gen Narumi

At first, despite knowing about each other, Kafka and Gen's relationship was quite negative due to Gen's reluctancy in cooperating with him. However, after the fight with Kaiju No. 9 and Isao Shinomiya's death, Gen and Kafka's bond grew due to them being present in the moment Isao was absorbed by No. 9, with Gen asking Kafka to "lend him" his powers to kill No. 9 and avenge Isao. Kafka in return respects Gen for his role and power, and swore to stand by their side to avenge Isao, due to their shared respect towards the late Director General.

### Third Division

In spite of his low released force and while hiding his identity as Kaiju No. 8, Kafka still does his best to support the other Third Division members with his knowledge of kaiju. His support proved fundamental on many occasions during neutralization operations, earning him the respect of several members of the Defense Force. Ever since revealing his status as Kaiju No. 8, Kafka can still count on his allies in the Third Division, whereas most people in the Defense Force still see him as a threat initially. However, upon remaining a Defense Force member even as Kaiju No. 8, Kafka's efforts to support his allies are still genuine and strong enough to allow him to push himself past his limits and protect his friends.

#### Leno Ichikawa

Kafka and Leno first met each other at the Professional Kaiju Cleaning Company Monster Sweeper Inc., where Kafka worked at the time. Despite their first interaction being rather stormy, Kafka later helped Leno through his first day of work and Leno then showed his gratitude towards his new friend, striking new hope in Kafka by encouraging him in joining the Defense Force. After the sudden attack of a kaiju, the two were saved by the Defense Force and, in the hospital, Leno was present when Kafka was suddenly turned into Kaiju No. 8.

Ever since that event, Leno followed and supported Kafka both with his new condition and with the Defense Force Entry Exam, which the two of them decided to try once again, as rivals. During the tests, Leno informed Kafka about the other candidates and later assisted him during the Aptitude Test. With Leno at his side, Kafka finally made his dream of joining the Defense Force come true, counting on such an important ally to back him up. Leno's presence would become so significant for Kafka that, when he revealed his kaiju nature to save everyone, Kafka would feel genuinely sorry to have failed his friend, as seen when Kafka was struck by guilt after revealing his kaiju form, in spite of every time Leno struggled to prevent that. Still, the two share a deep bond of trust and friendship, always thinking about each other's thoughts and sake whenever facing great threats, with Kafka hoping not to fail Leno's trust and Leno struggling to become strong enough in order to prevent Kafka from transforming.

#### Mina Ashiro

Mina Ashiro, the young Captain of the Third Division, is Kafka's childhood friend and his main reason to join the Defense Force. Ever since promising her to join the Defense Force with her standing side by side, Kafka never forgot her and never stopped to try to reach her on the battlefield, though failing multiple times to enroll. During his last chance of joining, Kafka's results were noted by Mina herself, who reprimanded Kafka when he became an official member for informally addressing a superior officer, as a memento of her higher rank in the Force. Despite her seemingly cold behavior towards Kafka, Mina still remembers him and his promise and follows his achievements with interest and genuine friendship.

When Kafka revealed his identity as Kaiju No. 8 to save everyone, he left Mina so much in shock that she felt uneasy when securing his friend, showing how much Kafka's presence and impending fate could shake Mina's self-confidence. Despite this, Mina still did her best to assure her friend's safety and, in an intimate moment, admitted that she'd be waiting for Kafka to stand at her side one day, regardless of his condition as Kaiju No. 8.

#### Kikoru Shinomiya

Right before the Fitness Test to join the Defense Force, Kafka and Leno came across Kikoru, who quickly antagonized the two, especially Kafka whom she called "old man", and promised him to show him her superiority. Upon being informed about her by Leno, Kafka started to admire Kikoru for her incredible fame and ability in combat, despite her still making fun of Kafka for his poor skills as a Force member.

During the incident of the Aptitude Test, Kafka had to transform into Kaiju No. 8 to save an injured Kikoru from a revived kaiju. After saving her, and revealing his secret, Kikoru swore to not tell anyone but also to be the one to personally kill Kafka, should he ever become a threat to humanity. From that moment, Kafka and Kikoru kept a relationship of mutual respect and friendship, with occasional rivalry moments from both of them. Kikoru's hidden concern for Kafka goes as far as asking her father, the Director General, to spare Kafka's life and to encourage Kafka to trust in his comrades when he couldn't transform due to his own fear. In return, Kafka cares about Kikoru and tries to subconsciously protect her every time he can.

#### Soshiro Hoshina

As the Vice-Captain of the Third Division, Soshiro first met Kafka during the Aptitude Test. Initially making fun of him for releasing 0% of his suit force, Soshiro started to have significant doubts in Kafka ever since the incident during the test, believing Kafka could be a kaiju. By having Kafka enter the Defense Force as his personal cadet, Soshiro could see Kafka's true value with his own eyes and eventually grew high expectations on him, even preaching his support on the battlefield and promoting him to an official Corps member. By showing his kinder side to Soshiro, Kafka unwillingly made him put his guard down on the possibility that he could be a kaiju.

After watching Soshiro giving his all against the Kaiju No. 10, Kafka couldn't help but transform to save the whole Third Division from a Yoju bomb, much to Soshiro's shock. Every since this event, Soshiro felt grateful towards Kafka for saving their division and even visited him to thank him and show concern about his current state. Kafka's determination and usual charm even brought Soshiro to teach Kafka hand-to-hand combat techniques.

Even if untold, Soshiro was always a bit irritated at the fact that Kaiju No. 8 beat him in a fight, and started training by recreating his fight with No. 8 to defeat him. In his first encounter with Kafka after he had discovered his identity as No. 8, Soshiro attacked him the same way he first did back in Sagamihara, as a way to even the odds between them.

### Iharu Furuhashi

Despite the two not interacting much, Kafka still considers Iharu a friend of his and, despite being called "Old-timer" by Iharu sometimes, both of them are friends and comrades within the Third Division.

## Others

### Kaiju No. 9

Kaiju No. 9 first encountered Kafka during the Sagamihara Subjugation Operation, right after defeating and almost killing Leno and Iharu Furuhashi. With a transformed Kafka arriving on the scene, Kaiju No. 9 promptly recognized Kaiju No. 8. During their fight, No. 9 was surprised by Kafka's power and was forced to retreat, with the intention to find a way to kill Kaiju No. 8 the next time he meets him. On the other hand, Kafka deeply hates No. 9 for injuring his friends and posing the largest threat to the Defense Force yet, going as far as killing Isao Shinomiya in front of Kikoru. Ever since these events, Kafka's efforts to grow stronger to kill No. 9 increased.

### Toku

Toku was Kafka's boss at Professional Kaiju Cleaning Company Monster Sweeper Inc. He introduced Leno to Kafka and kept following them with their team during their mission with the Defense Force.

## Reference

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Chapter 1
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chapter 34
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chapter 37
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chapter 38
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Chapter 40
6. ↑ Chapter 50
7. ↑ Chapter 51
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chapter 55
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Chapter 13
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Chapter 24
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Chapter 22
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Chapter 33
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Chapter 3
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Chapter 4
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Chapter 5
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Chapter 10
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Chapter 32
18. ↑ Chapter 62
19. ↑ Chapter 9
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Chapter 23
21. ↑ Chapter 6
22. ↑ Chapter 7
23. ↑ Chapter 12
24. ↑ Chapter 11
25. ↑ Chapter 45
26. ↑ Chapter 52
27. ↑ Chapter 53
28. ↑ Chapter 31
29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Chapter 65
30. ↑ Chapter 21
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Chapter 17
32. ↑ Chapter 18
33. ↑ Chapter 19
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Chapter 54
35. ↑ Chapter 15