After a long wait, the second season of
Kaiju No. 8 is scheduled to premiere on July 19. However, a recent announcement from
Netflix has left many fans living on continents other than
Asia disappointed. The streaming platform confirmed that, as with the first season, the new episodes will only be available in certain regions of the Asian continent.
According to the official announcement, the second season will be available on
Netflix exclusively in
Japan,
Hong Kong,
Indonesia,
Malaysia,
the Philippines,
Singapore,
South Korea,
Taiwan,
Thailand, and
Vietnam. The rest of the world, including
the United States,
Latin America, and
Europe, will not be able to access the series on this platform, at least for now. This decision has generated frustration among fans who were hoping to see the return of
Kafka Hibino and the rest of the squad on the world's most popular streaming service.
A hard blow to the international community
Netflix has been one of the main avenues for access to anime in recent years, and its catalog has grown with original productions and popular acquisitions. However,
Kaiju No. 8's regional exclusivity once again brings to the fore the issue of fragmented global distribution. For many, this strategy creates confusion and encourages unofficial practices, such as piracy.
"It's incomprehensible that in 2025 there are still regional blocks for such a popular anime. Netflix should facilitate global access from day one," commented one social media user.
Kaiju No. 8 fans have demonstrated their loyalty and enthusiasm since the manga's release. That's why
Netflix's exclusion outside of
Asia has been seen as a snub.
Crunchyroll to the rescue
Fortunately, fans outside of Asia won't be left completely without options.
Crunchyroll has confirmed that it will stream the second season of
Kaiju No. 8 starting July 19, simultaneously with its Japanese broadcast. Episodes will be available with both subtitles and dubbing, ensuring a complete experience for all audiences.
This move by
Crunchyroll has been applauded by the global otaku community, which appreciates the immediate availability without geographical restrictions. With this strategy,
Crunchyroll reaffirms its commitment to offering anime content in an inclusive and equitable manner to fans around the world.
What to expect from the second season
The story of
Kaiju No. 8 will continue with
Kafka Hibino taking on a more active role within the Defense Forces. His evolution as a character promises to be one of the central focuses of the new season, as he faces increasingly lethal threats. Additionally, the introduction of the charismatic
Gen Narumi, teased in the final episode of the first season, will bring new challenges and dynamics within the squad.
The official trailer, released a few weeks ago, revealed action-packed scenes. It also showcased high-quality animation courtesy of
Production IG and emotional moments that pave the way for a more intense season than ever. The series' simultaneous streaming on
Crunchyroll and active presence on
X (formerly
Twitter) point to a major media impact from its premiere.
A missed opportunity for Netflix
While
Netflix continues to push its anime game with original productions like
Yasuke,
Onimusha, and the recent adaptation of
Samurai Legend, decisions like that of
Kaiju No. 8 could cost it traction against niche competitors like
Crunchyroll. Anime has become a key player in global entertainment. Restricting access to a booming series like this could alienate a significant portion of its user base.
"
Netflix has the infrastructure to do simultaneous releases worldwide, but it still doesn't seem to fully understand anime fans," another user commented on specialized forums. Meanwhile,
Crunchyroll scores points by showing that it understands and prioritizes the needs of its otaku audience.
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