Kaiju No. 8: Iharu Furuhashi’s Flash Adapter Power, Explained

Kaiju No. 8: Iharu Furuhashi's Flash Adapter Power, Explained

As a dedicated fan of Kaiju No. 8, I find myself thoroughly captivated by the dynamic and intriguing characters that Naoya Matsumoto has brought to life. Among these captivating personalities, none have left a more indelible impression on me than the fiery, ambitious Iharu Furuhashi. His journey, much like a kaiju itself, is one of resilience, determination, and growth that never fails to ignite my fascination.


In the universe of Kaiju No. 8, aspiring members of the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force must demonstrate exceptional combat skills and the ability to withstand powerful kaiju attacks, all while harnessing the power of a specialized combat suit. Every year, countless individuals strive to become Platoon Leaders or Captains across various divisions. However, only a chosen few, who possess the right qualities, are promoted to Officer rank. While Kafka Hibino serves as the main character in Kaiju No. 8, mangaka Naoya Matsumoto skillfully weaves in numerous characters throughout the story by expanding on the different divisions within the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force and allowing each group to evolve and develop independently.

One such character is Iharu Furuhashi, a strong-willed and loudmouthed character that wishes only to be recognized for his strength and willpower, while aiming for heights seldom reached. Furuhashi makes his presence felt in Chapter 4 of the Kaiju No. 8 manga, and Episode 2 of the official anime release. Known as a hot-blooded aspiring Officer, Furuhashi is an immediate stand-out among the group of trainees, due to his desire to out-perform against some of the top candidates who are capable of drawing out more power than him. Not blind to his own shortcomings, Furuhashi harnesses a unique power unlike any other, and his discovery of this ability leads him down a path towards greatness.

Iharu Furuhashi’s Ambitions Are Strong

Why Furuhasi Is Determined To Grow Stronger

In his youth, Furuhashi found himself, like many others, unjustly ensnared in a monstrous kaiju attack, teetering on the edge of life and death. It was Captain Mina Ashiro of the Third Division who rescued him, sparking within Furuhashi an intense desire to join the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. This ambition was fueled not only by a yearning to prove his worth to Captain Ashiro but also to match her formidable strength. Sharing a classroom with Kafka and Reno Ichikawa, Furuhashi eventually earned the title of Officer by showcasing his unique ability to harness 14% of the combat suit’s power during trials. Although he was no match for top-ranked student Kikoru Shinomiya, Furuhashi’s potential was enough to secure him a place in the Third Division.

In their initial mission, Furuhashi found himself in a perilous predicament when he and Ichikawa encountered Kaiju No. 9, who was masquerading as an employee of the Kaiju Cleaning Company. When they recognized the same monster that had caused destruction during their final practical test, they were trapped and compelled to fight, despite a significant power discrepancy. As Furuhashi retreated to summon aid, leaving Ichikawa to face Kaiju No. 9 alone, he returned promptly upon understanding they were enclosed within a force field. Without hesitation, he rejoined the battle and utilized all his abilities to keep Kaiju No. 9 at bay. Although he took a supporting role in Ichikawa’s offensive, Furuhashi cleverly devised a counterattack strategy using his intellect.

I’m not going to let it end here! – Iharu Furuhashi

During the skirmish, it wasn’t just Kafka’s transformation into Kaiju No. 8 that swayed the outcome for their team, but Furuhashi’s tenacity and desire to protect Ichikawa also played a crucial role. His determination didn’t go unnoticed even amidst the chaos of battle. It was also observed that his combat power skyrocketed far beyond the initial 14%, which left some senior members of the Third Division puzzled, as such a significant boost is unusual. Although it isn’t unprecedented for an Officer to achieve greater heights in their combat power, Furuhashi started showing signs of a Vice-Captain’s strength – something that appeared sporadically before returning to his usual reading.

Furuhashi’s Flash Adapter Power Isn’t Something New

The Defense Force Has Experience With Flash Adapter

Kaiju No. 8: Iharu Furuhashi's Flash Adapter Power, Explained

Following the revelation that Kafka was Kaiju No. 8, Furuhashi found himself joining the Fourth Division and training under Captain Jugo Ogata. At this stage, his combat abilities had risen to a base level of 24%, although he could temporarily boost this by increments, an observation not lost on Ogata. After a quick chat with Furuhashi, Captain Ogata disclosed that Furuhashi possessed the High Unleashed Combat Power skill, also known as Flash Adapter by Ogata. This rare talent allows a user to significantly increase their combat power during battle, but its unpredictable nature requires mastery to fully harness its potential.

Furuhashi is known as the third individual in the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force who can utilize Flash Adapter, following in the footsteps of Ogata. This ability stems from Furuhashi’s unique brain structure and energy levels, which prevent him from maintaining consistent control over his physical limits and combat power. As a result, he experiences fluctuations between 24% and 42%. Ogata refers to this skill as a rare talent that only select individuals possess. Despite his combat power being capped at 24%, Furuhashi demonstrates courage by voluntarily increasing his power output and maintaining it for a certain duration, which suits his bold personality as he eagerly plunges into the thick of battle.

This is the fighting style I created to rival the genius Hikari Shinomiya – Jugo Ogata

In their struggle against Mole Type 67 Honju, Furuhashi and Ichikawa join forces once more, employing their newfound abilities with vigor. Although Furuhashi lacks a Numbers weapon and isn’t typically considered captain material, he is still entrusted to engage in combat against some of the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force’s most formidable foes. His defiant, punk-rock persona aligns flawlessly with the Flash Adapter style, which overthrows personal constraints and delivers power beyond physical capabilities. With dedicated training and expertise in the Flash Adapter style, Furuhashi could ascend to the rank of Platoon Leader or even Vice-Captain, harnessing nearly 88% of his suit’s fighting potential.

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2024-08-15 22:33