Crunchyroll Expands Kaiju No. 8 IP With Licensed Weapon Replicas

Crunchyroll has expanded the commercial footprint of Kaiju No. 8 by announcing plans to release officially licensed weapon replicas tied to the franchise. The initiative is being executed in partnership with California-based Pacific Solution Marketing Inc., a firm known for producing replica props based on Japanese pop culture IP.

The announcement outlines plans to manufacture and distribute screen-accurate replicas inspired by the weapons used in the Kaiju No. 8 anime series. The weapon replicas will be inspired by the weaponry used by the four core members of the Defense Force: Kafka Hibino, Reno Ichikawa, Soshiro Hoshina, and Kikoru Shinomiya.

While production volumes or pricing details were not disclosed, the replicas are being positioned as premium, officially sanctioned items, highlighting the project as part of Crunchyroll’s broader licensing and consumer products strategy. As of now, the collection is aimed for a North American launch. For wider availability, the products will be made available through Pacific Solution’s wholesale, retail, and online storefronts. 

The move aligns with the sustained popularity of Kaiju No. 8, one of the most successful anime adaptations from Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ catalog. The manga has enjoyed global popularity, selling 19M copies by September 2025. The anime series aired in April 2025, and has consistently ranked among Crunchyroll’s most-watched titles globally since its debut.

Kaiju No. 8 Weapon Replicas and the Cosplay-Collector Economy

The introduction of officially licensed Kaiju No. 8 weapon replicas is expected to resonate strongly with the cosplay and collector communities. Anime News Network positions the new effort as the first premium collectible line-up based on the Kaiju No. 8 IP. 

The collection will feature the characters' iconic weapons, character-specific firearms, a massive axe, and a dual-sword set, in 1:1 scale. The screen-accurate replicas are expected to boost collector and cosplay communities upon release.

Within the global fandom economy, cosplay has developed into a quantifiable economic sector. Collectibles and cosplay accessories are also becoming two fast-growing areas in the global anime merchandise market. Licensing companies like Bandai Namco have raised their forecast for anime-specific merchandise after the first half of 2025. 

The new true-to-screen premium Kaiju No. 8 weapon replicas are expected to tap into the merchandising economy, driven in part by demand for premium licensed gear. Similar franchises like Demon Slayer and Attack on Titan have shown how legally licensed weapons and outfit elements can maintain long-tail earnings. Instead of restricting the series' lifetime to episodic releases, Crunchyroll is positioning Kaiju No. 8 to follow a similar trajectory through cosplay circuits, exhibitions, and collector markets.