Choosing the right units in Kaiju No. 8: The Game makes all the difference, especially when you’re working through story bosses and tough missions. Below you’ll find a Kaiju No. 8 Best Tier List breakdown of the strongest characters at launch, explained in plain language so you can see why they matter and how they fit into your team.
Kaiju No. 8 Best Tier List – Best Character Guide & Ranking
SS Tier
Reno Ichikawa (Weapon Six Suit)
Reno is currently the best overall unit in the game. His Ice Crystal effect adds extra damage even outside of his turn, and his Freeze ability can delay enemy actions. On top of that, he restores SP through his passive, keeping your skills flowing without downtime. If you pull Reno, you’ve already secured one of the strongest long-term investments in the game.
Kaiju No. 8 (Kafka Hibino)
Kafka transforms battles with his raw damage and unique passive. Every time he acts or takes damage, he builds stacks of Fighting Spirit that permanently increase his offensive power. Once fully stacked, his damage skyrockets. He also has the ability to instantly finish off small Kaiju below 50% HP, which saves time in farming stages.
Gen Narumi
Narumi stands out because of his dual resistance attributes. While most characters can only break one type of resistance plate, Narumi can handle two at once, making him a flexible pick for boss encounters. Both his skills also target multiple enemies, so he’s equally strong against mobs and bosses.
S Tier
Kikoru Shinomiya
Kikoru stacks attack and critical damage buffs as she fights, and her Ultimate skill can reduce enemy defense. She requires some timing to get the most out of her abilities, but when played well, she can deal serious damage in boss fights.
Mina Ashiro
Mina is a straightforward but effective striker. After landing three actions, she guarantees a critical hit, which makes her damage very consistent. She also deals bonus damage against giant-class Kaiju, making her a solid boss killer.
Soshiro Hoshina
Hoshina excels at cutting down small enemies quickly. His critical hit rate is naturally high, and his Ultimate hits hard against low-HP targets. He’s not as versatile as the SS tier picks, but he shines in content filled with weaker Kaiju.
Isao Shinomiya
The only 5★ defender at launch, Isao’s role is different from pure damage dealers. He provides a shield to the team and increases everyone’s overall damage. If you need survivability, especially for harder stages, Isao is a good anchor for your squad.
A Tier
Rin Shinonome
Rin’s strength is in mob fights. Her AoE attacks gain bonus damage per enemy hit, and defeating Kaiju recharges her Ultimate. She’s best used in stages filled with multiple enemies rather than bosses.
Akari Minase
Akari is one of the few support-focused characters at launch. She provides team healing, improves recovery for low-HP allies, and even speeds up Ultimate gauge charging. If you’re lacking sustain, she’s worth slotting in.
Ryo Ikaruga
Ryo passively increases ATK for the entire squad and can further boost speed and damage once ascended. Early on, his buffs might not feel overwhelming, but in the long term he becomes one of the strongest team enablers.
Lower Tiers (B and Below)
Characters like Ryo Ikaruga, Haruichi Izumo, Aoi Kaguragi, and other supporting cast members fill niche roles but don’t bring enough impact compared to higher-tier options. They can be useful early in the story when your roster is thin, but most will be replaced once you secure stronger 5★ units.
How This Tier List Was Ranked
- Damage output first: Faster clears and higher boss DPS are the biggest factors in progression.
- Resistance coverage: Characters who can break multiple resistances or unique ones (like Freeze) are rated higher.
- Team flexibility: Buffers, healers, and defenders who fit in any squad get bonus value.
- Early vs. long-term use: Some units shine early but fall off, while others remain staples throughout the game.
If you’re starting fresh, aim for at least one SS-tier unit during rerolls. That single pull can carry you through much of the early and mid-game with ease.