Thank you to netGalley for the eARC.

Gaea-tima the Gigantis 1 is the intro volume into the series, following a young girl as her life is changed forever by a kaiju who had come to her hometown in Japan. Even though it has disappeared, her town had a resurgence as a tourism spot, and she deals with the trauma of living through that experience. Ultimately though, a new threat has come to this peaceful town and the kaiju has suddenly reappeared to save the day, tying the protagonist's fate with the kaiju that changed her life!

This was a great translation and a spin on the usual kaiju stories on the market today. The struggles of living through such a cataclysmic event shapes the protagonist, and we can relate to her mixed feelings on now being a link to a kaiju meant to protect the human race.

I really enjoyed this story, and I'm excited to read what comes next.

This was a fun kaiju story - introducing a new kaiju can be tough, but Gaea-tima is one to root for. I enjoyed all of the characters and look forward to reading more.

A wild story with interesting artwork. I cannot wait for the next installment and I hope this story gets an anime adaptation someday. I love all the characters and the concept of the story. I'm really looking forward to spending more time with the team.

GAEA-TIMA opens very strongly with our first chapter depicting a Kaiju attack on the fishing village of Sukuba. We meet our main protagonist Miyako as she survives the attack and witnesses the death of Gaea-tima. Ten years following the attack that wiped out the village, the sea has turned a dark murky black and created a breeding ground of abundant seafood. The town is revitalized and turned into a tourist destination.

Following our protagonist Miyako, she is brought into the fold of the Kaiju Biological Research Agency (FUNE) during a new Kaiju attack. Here we discover that Miyako can summon Gaea-tima by tossing a small marble-like ball into water where he can be used to fight off other Kaiju to protect Sukuba.

While I found the first chapter extremely interesting, I had trouble seeing what the overarching plot for this series could be by the end of the first volume. The pacing here could lead to something more developed within the next volume or so, but at this point it feels more like a monster of the week format Kaiju battle series. I personally prefer when Kaiju stories lean away from the spectacle a bit and really focus more on the human element. For example, my perfect Kaiju story is something more like Godzilla (1954), where this leans more toward the Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) friendly anti-hero Kaiju.

For those wanting the spectacle, this series will absolutely deliver. GAEA-TIMA's greatest strength is in its artwork which consists of well-drawn and dynamic action scenes. Even though I was personally not super drawn into the story, it was always interesting to look at, and all the paneling and dialogue were very easy to follow.

An action-packed story, perfect for readers wanting to see a lot of Kaiju fights in a monster of the week format.

"In any case, this monster has a deep connection with me."

Gaea-tima, The Gigantis, is all of the best parts of the original Godzilla and Godzilla minus one, with all of the best parts of subsequent monster/kaiju sequels, and especially so from the Heisei era of movies. With a focus on humanization of the creature, as well as on the understanding and relatability of the human characters, Gaea-tima holds focus on recovery from trauma, survivor's guilt, and uncertainty in the face of destruction. Following Miyako, a young woman who survived the first attack of Gaea-tima, becomes intrinsically tied to the creature and is later able to somewhat control the monster when kaiju begin attacking her town a decade later.

Gaea-tima is an obvious allegory for the enduring trauma of surviving a horrific event, and it becomes quite clear that the sensationalism of these traumatic instances being glorified by uninvolved parties around her are an intentional commentary toward real life events. The story is dangerously realistic, and the emotions present feel all too close to home, as a person who has survived natural disasters and was left to pick up the emotional pieces later.

One specific thing I wanted to give great praise for is the specific choices behind the English lettering. Credited to Madeleine Jose, the lettering for many of the subtitled sound effects is nothing short of brilliant. Mirroring the style of the original sfx and the manga panel action layouts, the English words come through as though they were in the original text, and are transformative to the typical style of English sfx lettering. I found myself gasping at how many of the scenes were not just enhanced by these details, but outright transformed and made to feel somehow even more horrifying.

Already, Gaea-tima is one of my favorite releases from this year, and it's definitely thanks to Kodansha's dedicated team of translators and editors for making it feel so powerful.

Thank you so much to KENT, Kodansha, and Netgalley for the early copy to read and review!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for the opportunity to read and review this manga. This was a series that I was not sure if I was going to enjoy due to my pickiness on monsters and post-apocalyptic stories. It's one that I think my partner will like due to the fact that he enjoys Godzilla movies/stories in this format, such as Day After Tomorrow and Twisters as prime examples. I thought the art was jarring at first, along with the time jumps, but once the story got moving, I enjoyed it. I will also say though its one I need to be in the mood for continuing, so it might be a while before I read more. Because of these points, I have to give this 3.5 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi

Ten years after a monster devastates a sea-side town, you'd think that any mention of its name would have people running for the hills. instead, the town has become a tourist destination for those interested in the kaiju dubbed "GAEA-TIMA" and the bountiful fishing industry it left in its wake following its mysterious disappearance. Miyako, a girl who became famous following her dramatic survival for the attack and subsequent career selling tourist trinkets of the beast, is treading water in the wake of her continuing trauma and feelings of inadequacy. When the waters stir with mystery and monsters once more, will Miyako and her community be able to rise above and figure out the reason for GAEA-TIMA's reappearance - and can they prepare for the reality that there may be more like him?

As a certified Godzilla stan (I know people hate the 1990s movie with Matthew Broderick but I've probably seen it 13 times, and it helped spawn a lifelong love of radioactive lizards), I was instantly drawn to the idea of a Godzilla-like creature who emerges and re-emerges, leaving both destruction and abundance in its wake. I also love the drama and discussion that follows giant monster attacks, and this series promises to deliver all of these things and more as Miyako and her friends (and enemies) deal with the re-emergence of an old antagonist (but is he an antagonist?), and I'll definitely be seeking out the second volume of this book to find out what happens next! I think if you like Kaiju No. 8 you might end up liking this series so far as well!

It’s giving Godzilla vibes. I’m here for it! Artwork is good, it gives the action and fear that comes with the Godzilla vibes though there areas that bother me. Definitely plan on buying a copy for my sister who loves Godzilla and I feel she will love Gaea-Tima!

An interesting premise with a town, which was hit by a kaiju some years earlier becomes a tourist magnet becoause of it. And then another kaiju comes. Clearly, these are early stages of the overall story, but it got me intrigued enough, so I will be looking for next volumes. The art is solid, the characters are fun, and the pace is rather good, so I finished the volume in no time.

Not the deepest manga out there, but fun enough,

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me a copy 💜


Although I wanted to enjoy this, I just didn't. I grew up with the nostalgia of Godzilla; one of the movies even came out the year I was born. Despite that I found myself just bored with this story. It didn't give us time to connect at all to the characters so they felt rather stale. There's a mild element of body horror (?) I found utterly revolting and while I understand it serves the plot, I really cannot get behind it.
Sadly, I do not think I will continue the series. It could definitely get better, especially as audiences get emotionally attached to Gaea-Tima, but for me it did not work.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a copy!

Engaging story so far. I enjoyed the introduction. A town was attacked by a Kaiju, and then, for ten years, there was peace, and the town flourished on their island. Suddenly, Kaiju started appearing again, and somehow the main character, Miyako, is tied into all of this.

I cannot wait to see how they develop the story and how she relates to Gaea-Tima, and why they had to experience the trauma and devastation just to relive it ten years later.

KENT delivers the kaiju drama fans want, while keeping things sort of-kind of “real.” Recommended for readers who appreciate the genre and the manga medium. Full review here: https://www.jbspins.com/2025/05/gaea-tima-gigantis-manga.html

A kajui destroys a small seaside town, and 10 years later, the town reveres the kajui as a good luck idol. But after 10 years, that lucky kaiju suddenly returns again. This story clearly is meant to focus on Gaea-Tima and Miyako's connection to it, both from a literal sense and from her trauma. But something about this story didn't click for me. I think because it happens so fast, you don't really get to sit with anything you learn. It's just rushing off to the next thing. I think this series will be one of those "let him cook" types of stories, where it doesn't start to get good until volume 2 or 3. I did like the art style! It was pretty unique, and it's clear that the artist loves drawing kaiju. The kaiju designs are really good, and none of them feel like a basic Godzilla rip-off. Hopefully, the story pacing will even out in the next volume.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I love Godzilla and Kaiju so I was excited to try GAEA-TIMA and I have to say I was not disappointed. I’ve already preordered this series and I love the concept so far. Miyako is such a great protagonist so far and I love the mixture of action, adventure and science fiction. This is a must read for fans of Kaiju and Godzilla it has everything you could wish far and more.

As always thank you to Kodansha Comics for the advanced copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.

I requested and received this book from NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

"Gaea-Tima The Gigantis" has the potential to be an amazing series. This was such an good opening for the series. I'm left with so many questions and I worry for the future of the characters.

This series could pack a truly heart wrenching puch. That is not to say that it doesn't/won't have lighter moments as there were a few in this volume. It just also touches on a few darker subjects communities bouncing back after tragedy, bodily autonomy, and the fear of new threats.

Something that hit me almost immediately was the way people became grateful for the cause of the tragedy. Rather than being grateful for the power of their community they were grateful for Gaea-Tima.

Anither moment that hit me like a truck happens in "Episode 4: Welcome to Fune". It's in regard to bodily autonomy and Miyako. I won't go into details but you will know when you read it.

I'm want to continue this series. I need to know what's going to happen. This volume ends on a cliffhanger (like most manga). And I have so many questions. Like: What is going to happen with that crazy fisherman? Why is everything happening now? Will they make real life Gaea-Tima merch? Regardless. I'm excited for the next volume 2! Even if this series is going to give me nightmares. (Because big monsters in the ocean is my nightmare fuel).

If you're a fan of Kaiju and are looking for a fresh take on the genre, this manga may very well be what you're looking for.

The story is off with an attack on Miyako's hometown by the kaiju Gaea-tima. She survives and, ten years later, has developed a complex relationship with the kaijiu. Their attack destroyed the town, but the aftermath helped the town folk thrive financially.
All of a sudden, the town experiences an increase in Kaiju activity. Gaea-tima makes a reappearance, but surprisingly, they seem to be protecting the town this time around.

Because this is the first volume, the pacing is a little slower. I don't mind that, persoon. my preference for manga worldbuilding is getting to know the characters and the issues at hand. We don't have to wait a long time for things to start getting adventurous, and I was bummed when I hit the end of the volume before I'd realised! This is definitely a series that I'll be continuing to follow.

Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an arc of this book. This was just a good time for any Godzilla or Kaiju fan. I hope there will be more like it.

PpI received an ARC though NetGalley for an honest review.

This was a really interesting opening volume that seems to combine Godzilla, Attack on Titan, and maybe Pokemon? with a monster of the week.

Gaea-tima is the kaiju thr that absolutely isn't Godzilla. It appeared in the past, caused mayhem, death, and destruction, but following it's disappearance the fishing became spectacular and the town thrived. Now kaiju are attacking the port again and Gae-tima saves the day in classic Godzilla fashion. Unlike Godzilla, Gaea-tima is inextricably linked to the the protagonist in a bizarre manner that will likely be explored in further volumes.

This is a fun take on kaiju with some really cool designs and I'm intrigued to see more, but it didn't quite knock my socks off.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this manga in exchange for my honest opinion!

The blurb that drew me in: "A gigantic monster returns to the town it ravaged years earlier in this poignant kaiju manga from the creator of the hit series Colorless. In the spirit of the classic Godzilla and Godzilla Minus One, GAEA-TIMA combines thunderous action and character drama with the social conscience and thematic complexity of the genre's post-war roots."

In the past couple of years, I have developed a HUGE love and appreciation for different kaiju monster media, the biggest (and best) of these being the King of Monsters himself: Godzilla! So when this new manga was likened to recently released Godzilla movies, you know I had to apply to try for an advanced copy to read. AND.....that blurb was so right! It really does have the classic kaiju feel to it, complete with amazing battle sequences, as well as a very likeable FMC and plenty of interesting side characters too. There's a good mix of humor and serious moments in the manga, and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here!

I’m actually quite intrigued by this manga thanks to Netgalley and Publisher.

I thought it was going to be a wanna-be Godzilla and King Kong generic cringe but actually it’s decent enough. The monsters and the characters are really interesting like the art really stands out here, especially with the action scenes.

It’s not often that you see decent action series folks so again, I’m pretty impressed by this manga!