Extra! Extra! Read all about the Third Division! After all, who wouldn’t want to memorize every little tidbit about the talented folks saving Japan from the threat of monstrous kaiju? In this exposé, you’ll get an exclusive sneak peek into the lives of the heroes, including new recruits Kafka and Reno and their brutal training, star soldier Kikoru Shinomiya and the story behind her weapon, and Vice-Captain Hoshina and his secret worries! Want to know more about the Third Division? Read on!

Read an excerpt from Kaiju No. 8: Exclusive on the Third Division, the new novel from the hit series of the same name.

Faced with the incisive follow-up, Kafka’s eyes cast about for something else to focus on. He tried to think of a way to gloss over what had happened, but he was unable to lie to Reno’s dead-serious glare. “W-well, just for a minute there. I was a little tipsy. It was a reflex. But nothing really happened, so—”

“Oh? Nothing really happened?” Reno asked demandingly.

“I-Ichikawa!” Kafka shouted.

“Were you listening to what the vice-captain said just now? You’re gonna be on television, sir. Television! Starting tomorrow! Do you realize what’ll happen if you get outed in front of the camera?”

“Hmph! Ichikawa, you’re not giving me enough credit!” Kafka insisted. “I’m training myself to control the transformation. As long as nothing serious happens, there’s no way I’m gonna change this time!”

“I wouldn’t call that reassuring from the guy who nearly transformed just from getting drunk,” Reno said.

“Kafka Hibino, he’s exactly right.” Kikoru had appeared on Kafka’s other side and was staring right at him. “This isn’t like the base or in town. If you change in front of the camera, we can’t cover for you. You won’t just be stripped of your position as a general officer in the force, you’ll be captured and slated for neutralization.”

“I-I know that!” Kafka insisted. “With the training I’ve done recently, I’ve finally learned to control it. It’s not like before, when I’d transform if I so much as sneezed.”

“Kafka,” said Kikoru, “you were transforming if you sneezed!”

“Well, only when I first started transforming.” Kafka scratched the back of his head in embarrassment and gave a weak laugh as Kikoru stood shocked to her core with her eyes wide.

“Reno. Is this idiot really okay?” Kikoru asked.

“I’d like to think so.”

“Don’t worry about it, Ichikawa! Kikoru!” Kafka’s voice cracked a little. “I’m finally set to be recognized as a general Defense Force officer. I am not going to screw up something like that!”

Reno and Kikoru looked at one another doubtfully.

For twenty-seven raw recruits and a single cadet, tumultuous days of TV coverage were about to begin.

Read more of Kaiju No. 8: Exclusive on the Third Division here.