Soshiro Hoshina

Kaiju No. 8 · Human, Third Division Vice-Captain, Platoon Leader of the Hoshina Platoon, Numbers Weapon Wielder of Kaiju No. 10

Defense Force Suit

Tier
LOW 7-C, up to 7-A
Attack Potency
Small Town Level, up to Mountain Level+
Speed
Subsonic, up to High Hypersonic
Durability
Small Town Level, up to Mountain Level+

Numbers Weapon Suit

Tier
HIGH 8-C, up to 7-A
Attack Potency
Large Building Level, up to Mountain Level+
Speed
Superhuman, up to High Hypersonic+
Durability
Large Building Level, up to Mountain Level+

Powers and abilities

  • Superhuman Physical Characteristics
  • Combat Genius Intelligence
  • Martial Arts and Weapon Mastery (Soshiro is an accomplished practitioner of the Squadron-Style Combat Technique, a style of hand-to-hand martial arts based on long-standing Kaiju slaying combat maneuvers, and Hoshina Style, a school of swordsmanship passed down by his clan since the Muromachi period. His close-quarters fighting ability is stated to be the strongest within the entire Defense Force multiple times and even his entire family of kaiju-slayers, past or present, which would include his older brother Soichiro Hoshina, who is referred to as the family's Ultimate Incarnation, The fact that Soshiro Hoshina defeated an Identified Kaiju, which requires several officers with Captain-Grade Strength, alone did not surprise Soichiro Hoshina, who asserted that it would be foolish to engage his younger brother in close combat even though Soicniro knew that Soshiro possesses the strength of a Vice-Captain. When it comes to the miniature-sized kaiju combat category for the Defense Force's neutralization exericises, Soshiro would always outperform Gen Narumi. His precision allows him to exploit the tiny gaps within Kaiju No. 10’s shell to damage the Daikaiju with as little strength as possible. Even after No. 10 had closed the gaps in its shell, Soshiro’s precision still allows him to target those closed areas, letting him weaken No. 10’s shell so that Kikoru could smash through it when she wouldn’t otherwise. He’s stated to be somewhat-versed in the Squadron-Style Axe Techniques, being able to teach Kikoru all of the techniques. He possesses the ability to execute the Hoshina-style combat technique and has instructed Kafka on how to apply these elements to evolve the squadron-style combat technique in order to fight on par with, if not surpass, Isao’s perfected version. Additionally, this Evolved Squadron-Style Combat Technique has the ability to fool those like Kaiju No. 9, who is overly familiar with the original due to having Isao's memories, allowing the user to land a critical hit while they are confused)
  • Attack Deflection (In the verse, skilled CQC fighters have the ability to deflect attacks, which are typically physical attacks and projectiles, but also works on energy-based attacks as well, away from themselves by dodging the attacks and change their courses with precision. This is true even if the attacks are significantly more powerful and faster, and they have the potential to kill the fighters or destroy their weapons if they come into direct contact with them. Even if they were to be injured, they can still redirect attacks that are powerful enough to vaporize and send them flying them on contact)
  • Acrobatics (Soshiro's fighting style is mostly centered on his acrobatics, which allow him to use hit-and-run strategies to debilitate his opponents before going for the finisher. Can perform the Squadron-Style Combat Technique, which requires the knowledge of the five basic types of striding)
  • Damage Boost (Standard Squadron-Style Combat Technique and Axe Technique: The Defense Force has meticulously honed the Squadron-Style techniques to slay Kaiju. Upon utilizing a combat technique, the combatant’s power is noted to grow, allowing for one to go from being overpowered to the one that is now overpowering instead A demonstration of the power provided by these techniques is when a fighter who states that they cannot sell another fighter’s regular attacks is actively dodging the combat techniques instead of tanking them. Another demonstration is shown when Kikoru, with a regular attack, could only destroy a giant Kaiju’s arm despite putting all of her weight into it, yet Number One Fallen Thunder, under the same conditions, could perfectly split the giant Kaiju in half right down the middle where its armor is at its most durable, causing a veritable fountain of bodily fluid to spray out and drench the entire area. The sixth technique of the Squadron-Style are powerful enough that it could temporarily halt the movement of Daikaiju-class adversaries when the practitioner’s regular attacks couldn’t. The Squadron-style techniques are provide boosts to one’s speed, as it allows Kaiju No. 8 to overwhelm Kaiju No. 9 to the point that it is unable to avoid his strikes, forcing the Kaiju to utilize its own combat technique in order to retaliate, despite the fact that Kaiju No. 9 is capable of casually keeping at bay both him and Gen Narumi, the latter of which who possesses the precognitive prowess of Kaiju No. 1. Hoshina-Style Combat Technique: It is uncertain how powerful these techniques by themselves are, but they can add additional force to one’s attacks. Variant Squadron-Style Combat Technique: As the one who taught Kafka, he should be able to perform the technique, but it is uncertain what level of mastery he is at compared to Kafka’s, but it should be superior to the Squadron-Style given that the Hoshina Combat Techniques, which are implemented in the fighting technique, adds additional force)
  • Electricity Manipulation, Shockwave Generation and Limited Durability Negation via Squadron Style Combat Technique and its variant
  • Greater Accelerated Development (Despite his inexperience in dealing with giant-class threats unlike his captain, he is quick to adapt to Kaiju No. 10's change in size. Soichiro Hoshina recalled that when Soshiro was younger, he would quickly close the skill gap between the two of them the more they sparred to the point where Soichiro was terrified and felt that he had to taunt Soshiro in order to demotivate him, despite the fact that he was hailed as the family's Ultimate Incarnation and older by five years)
  • Information Analysis and Analytical Prediction (Should scale above Rin Shinonome, who is capable of assessing her distance, identifying her opponents' rhythm and movements, and finding opportunities to disrupt and exploit them, which was effective against the likes of Kikoru Shinomoya as of the Kaiju Weapon Episode. Not only could Soshiro judge Kafka's development and nature from his physique and moves during their brief sparring session, but he could also identify and utilize Kafka's habits to outpredict him to the point that Kafka was unable to land a single hit despite his analytical prowess. Even though No. 10 and Soshiro was surrounded by multiple kaiju that were not only faster than it to the point of blitzing initially, predict their actions, and their Unleashed Combat Power rapidly dropping at a tremendous rate due to being out of sync with each other, both were nevertheless able to hold their own against them. Predicted that his amp to 100% Full Release, the unconventional three-sword fighting style, and his new seventh technique would not be sufficient to neutralize No. 12 due to its adaptation, and enacted a triple-layered strategy in advance with Kaiju No. 10 that results in the two of them being able to outwit Kaiju No. 12 and hit it with a move that it would never anticipate receiving. Could predict a person’s movements through their tells, as shown during his kendo match with Kikoru Shinomiya. Was initially able to hold his own against the Meireki Kaiju, an opponent whose attacks are incomprehensible that Soshiro himself stated that RT-0001 is the key to battling it. His swordplay is stated to have a way of reading a kaiju’s moves and striking their openings, and this was explained by Soshiro it is that way because unconsciously, he is reading a Kaiju’s actions 4-5 moves ahead as he makes his own)
  • Supernatural Willpower and Instinctive Action (With powerful willpower, characters can force their bodies to move and fight even if they are unable to control their own thoughts. Additionally, they can withstand the passive aura of a Daikaiju, whether it is through wearing Numbers Weapon Suits or clashing with a Daiakiju head-to-head with no ill-effect, even though even though it induces a plethora of different aliments/effects onto those that affected by it like Fear Inducement, Hallucination Causation, Statistics Reduction, Madness Manipulation (Type 3) and even outright actual death. When it comes to Mental BFR, characters with strong willpower can connect with the trapped individual through their resolve, enabling them to break free from manipulation, even when their memories has been taken. And it is implied with Isao Shinomiya that one can regain their missing memories by oneself. It is also possible for them to resist Paralysis Inducement and Sleep Manipulation as they can move despite the fact that their bodies had not been responding to them previously, to regain their fading consciousness, and even to seize control of their bodies, the latter of which happening after being subjected to possession through sheer willpower)
  • Telepathy, Soul Manipulation, Mind Manipulation, Instinctive Action, Non-Physical Interaction (Mind, Incorporeality & Soul), Pain Manipulation, Perception Manipulation, Empathic Manipulation, Illusion Creation, and Memory Manipulation (If characters are in another’s consciousness or psyche, whether through bonds or physical means, it is shown that they can physically interact with that person, even if they are a being with no true form. As Kafka can see the departing spirits of the Meireki Kaiju and the grudge warriors, it means that the consciousness also holds the soul of a being. In this mental realm, one can give or take the essence of another, the former allowing one to keep living despite previously fading away and the latter causing them to become paralyzed and their consciousness to fade before vanishing due to being absorbed—though they can be resisted with sufficient strength and awareness—and listen to their inner thoughts or create weapons. Despite being forcibly in one’s consciousness, even after being struck with a psychogenic attack that can cause loss of consciousness/awareness, it is possible for one to still maintain awareness of the outside world, thus allowing them to fight unhindered and even show real events, images and memories, or take different appearances and see illusions. However, it is possible to lure someone deep into another’s consciousness to the point they are unaware of what happening even if they should, allowing one who has awareness of the outside to harm that other person despite being in the middle of a conversation. As shown with Kaiju No. 15 and No. 9, it is possible to affect one’s memories and emotions in this mental world via pain without needing to touch them, thus allowing one to reduce the other into a childlike state or forget their past, but at the same time, it is also possible to help calm a person if they are rampaging due to their rampaging thoughts. Any damage done can affect the compatibility of everything that requires a functioning Neurolink, such as the Numbers Weapons Suit that syncs with one’s brain and affects one’s ability to utilize their neural circuits, even from the outside. With a strong enough willpower, it is more than possible for one to outright free themselves from their consciousness if trapped. They can even talk with the memory of their past selves within their consciousness, which should be able to help guide them spiritually similarly to Identified Kaiju and their wielders. It is shown that it is likely possible to keep souls from departing from the body as shown by the grudge spirits still being within Kafka thanks to Isao and allowing him to continue transforming into Kaiju No. 8 despite being completely human)
  • Enhanced Senses (Even without a suit, Captain-level fighters have a good awareness of their surroundings, able to sense someone sneaking. Kaiju Weapon Episode Kikoru can react and deflect Kaiju No. 9's invisible concussive force with her senses, as No. 9 has evolved to the point where Kikoru is unable to predict its attacks through tells or experience and Soshiro is more skilled than her. Soshiro was able to pass a 20/20 eye exam, read the last line, and go through most of his life without needing to open his eyes)
  • Afterimage Creation (Even without a Defense Force Suit, Soshiro's speed allows him to create afterimages)
  • Stealth Mastery (Soshiro's Fifth Technique is based on deception, tricking the opponent into thinking it is a dual x-shaped long range attack but it actually made of a third low attack from their blind spot. Kaiju Weapon Episode Kikoru can surprise characters like Kaiju No. 9, who is capable of acting, fighting, and navigating without sight or any senses in general and Soshiro is more skilled than her)
  • Social Influencing (Charisma; Vice Captain Hoshina has inspired many to join the Defense Force due to his charismatic nature, including those whose lives he saved or those drawn to his strength. He even has a group of dedicated fans known as the "Fans of His Faces," who focus on his looks and have perfected his hairstyle)
  • Damage Boost (Hoshina-Style Sword Slay Technique: It is shown that the Dual Blade Form is superior to the Standard Squadron Style, as Soshiro's technique could harm Gigantification Kaiju No. 10, while Kikoru could not leave a scratch on the same Kaiju despite the two being at almost the same unleashed combat power. Additionally, Kikoru’s knowledge of Squadron-Style Ax Technique comes Soshiro himself, who stated that he is somewhat versed in the style in comparison to the Hoshina Style In terms of power, the Number Six Eightfold Slasher is not only superior to the first technique as stated by Soshiro himself, but is also superior to the rest of the techniques as given Kaiju No. 10, a Kaiju with a deep passion for combat, trembles in terror at Soshiro's use of the Eightfold Slasher, a reaction not elicited by the other techniques that could easily overwhelm it. In terms of speed, these technique are noted to be quite fast The Number Seven 12-Layered Strike is shown to be Soshiro’s most powerful technique, as it can only be achieved with Numbers Weapon 10 at full release mode, putting it above both the other techniques of the Sword-Slay Technique and Quick-Slash Technique. Hoshina-Style Quick-Slash Technique: This Single-Blade Form has been shown to be superior to the Sword-Slay Technique. Not only has it been designed to neutralize opponents who are able to counter the Dual-Blade Form, but it has also been demonstrated with Kaiju No. 12, which enables Soshiro to intercept and harm the Kaiju with Muscle Enhancement, which was something that Soshiro was unable to do with the Sword-Slay Technique on previous occasions. In addition to this, it enables Soshiro to penetrate the defenses of his adversaries, which would otherwise be able to completely destroy their weaponry if they were to utilize a standard attack
  • Air Manipulation (Can create invisible sharp blade strikes with Hoshina Style)
  • Enhanced Invisibility (1 Layer: The Air Slicer is an attack that even those who can perceive invisible blade strikes from his other Hoshina Style techniques, such as Kaiju No. 8, cannot detect)
  • Statistics Amplification
  • Enhanced Senses
  • Forcefield Creation
  • Information Analysis
  • Holographic Projection
  • Damage Reduction
  • Self-Healing
  • Surface Scaling
  • Awakened Power
  • Likely Body Puppetry
  • Afterimage Creation
  • Non-Standard Breathing (Type 2; All officers wear half-face elastomeric air-purifying respirators and full-face gas masks that not protect officers from kaiju's bodily fluid and gasses, but helps with their breathing in combat)
  • Explosion Manipulation via Grenades
  • Flash-Freezing via Freeze Grenades
  • Light Manipulation, Sound Manipulation and Status Effect Inducement (Via stun grenades)
  • Elemental Manipulation (Can load various Kaiju-enhanced rounds that enhance his shots with elemental properties - these include Explosive, Ice, Electricity and Light Manipulation. However, many have repeatedly advised Soshiro to give up fighting on the field due to his poor unleashed combat power for marksman weaponry; his rounds are not as effective as those of other officers in terms of range, power, and ability to pierce through a Kaiju's shield)
  • Damage Boost (Through a burst of emotion, a Defense Force officer can boost the elemental potency of their rounds. Kaiju No. 9, a Daikaiju superior to Reno Ichikawa, chooses to use body shields to block Reno's enhanced freeze rounds instead of directly withstanding them, despite having previously resisted Reno's freeze rounds)
  • Heat Manipulation via Burst Rounds
  • Flash-Freezing, Limited Durability Negation and Statistics Reduction via Freeze Rounds
  • Paralysis Inducement via Conductor Rounds
  • Minor Light Manipulation (Defense Force Pistols are equipped with a tactical light that can be used to temporarily blind and disorient targets)
  • Damage Boost (To combat a more powerful foe, the Defense Force's marksman weaponry have the capacity to boost their piercing power.)

Weaknesses

Overheating can be caused by the abuse or prolonged use of the power of the combat suit, which can weaken the wearer as their Unleashed Combat Power drops and induce physical agony to the point where they bleed. Repeated usage of a Numbers weapon puts a lot of strain on the user's body and shaves years off their lives that could ultimately be fatal.

Ranked #15 of 28 in Kaiju No. 8 by strength.

More from Kaiju No. 8

Close fights from other series

Compare Soshiro Hoshina with another character · Soshiro Hoshina on the VS Battles Wiki