If someone had told me a few years ago that one of the most emotionally resonant stories I’d encounter would feature a guy with literal chainsaws for arms and a head, I probably would’ve laughed but Chainsaw Man proved me wrong in the most brutal, bizarre, and brilliant way.
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Written by Tatsuki Fujimoto, Chainsaw Man is unlike any shonen manga I’ve ever read or watched. It’s chaotic, messy, violent, and emotionally unhinged in the best possible sense. What makes it truly stand out isn’t just the blood and gore which it delivers in gallons, but the raw human vulnerability that bleeds through every panel and scene.
At its heart, Chainsaw Man follows Denji, a teenage boy living in poverty, crushed by debt, and just trying to live a simple life eating decent food, having a roof over his head, maybe even kissing a girl. When he merges with his devil dog Pochita and becomes Chainsaw Man, he enters a world of devil hunters, monsters, and conspiracies far beyond his understanding.
And yet, through all the madness, Denji remains painfully human.I think that’s what really hit me the hardest, there’s something deeply relatable about Denji’s desires, they’re not grand or noble, He doesn’t want to save the world he just wants to feel wanted, he craves connection, love, and the kind of life most of us take for granted, his journey is sometimes hilarious, often horrifying, but always real.
The supporting characters are equally fascinating. Power, with her manic energy and tragic backstory, quickly became a favorite of mine, Aki’s stoic strength and inner conflict gave the story emotional weight and then there’s Makima the manipulative, mysterious, and terrifying, she’s one of the most compelling antagonists I’ve seen in modern anime.
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Visually, the anime adaptation by MAPPA is stunning. The fight scenes are fluid and raw, almost too real at times, the animation perfectly captures the unfiltered energy of the manga but what surprised me the most was how deeply the show leaned into themes of trauma, loneliness, and identity without ever slowing the pace. Even the ending sequences in which each episode has a unique one are mini masterworks on their own.
That being said, Chainsaw Man isn’t for everyone, It’s disturbing, raw, and at times darkly hopeless but if you’re willing to look past the gore or rather, see through it you’ll find a story that’s oddly tender, heartbreakingly beautiful, and completely unforgettable.
My final Rating: 9.5/10
Chainsaw Man is a wild ride that punches you in the face and then asks how your heart is doing. It’s not just action it’s art, wrapped in madness, soaked in blood, and filled with soul.