This article contains spoilers for the
Chainsaw Man
Manga available to read in English via Viz Media and Shonen Jump.
In today’s Shonen landscape, Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man stands out as a truly revolutionary work, whose unorthodox approach to story development and characterization has brought the series great popularity and acclaim. Running since 2018, the series tells the story of Denji, an impoverished teenager surviving in a merciless world of devils, whose life takes a dramatic turn when his pet devil Pochita offers the boy his heart, transforming him into the titular Chainsaw Man.
During its term CSM has never failed to deliver some of the best narratives in modern Shonen history, The manga is characterized by its unpredictability, recklessness, and penchant for dramatic risks and shocking twists. The series is currently in its thirteenth story arc and favors short and impactful storylines that develop at a rapid pace. CSM arc offers a uniquely memorable experience. However, the series’ best story arcs exemplify the best storytelling to be found in the Shonen audience.
10 Eternity Devil Arc offers a great balance of thrilling horror and hectic action
Chapters 13-21; Episodes 5-7
While the Eternity Devil arc, which marks Special Division 4’s first encounter with a major devil as a newly formed team, doesn’t pack a huge narrative punch, it’s a compelling mix of unexpected narrative twists that accurately set the tone and pace of the series. With all the key characters introduced, the plot can finally begin, immersing audiences in a haunting mix of psychological horror and gruesome action that could have come straight out of a slasher film.
Unexpectedly stuck in a hotel corridor under the spell of the Eternity Devil, The Devil Hunters suffer cruel psychological torture before Denji has no choice but to end their dilemma by roaring his chainsaws and beating the monster for three days. Much more horror focus than you would expect from a Shonen manga, CSM sells its uniqueness completely with the Eternity Devil bow.
9 Justice Devil Arc revamps CSM with new characters and the promise of many exciting things to come
Chapters 98-111
After two long years of anticipation CSM begins its second part, the Academy Saga, with a bang and introduces fans to a completely new protagonist – the host of the War Devil, Asa Mitaka. Giving an established, popular series a new main character is a risky narrative decision. However, Fujimoto handled this massive change masterfully, and Asa quickly became a new fan favorite thanks to her refreshing development and unorthodox, identifiable personality.
While the series is clearly being taken in a new direction and an even bigger threat is on the horizon, the Justice Devil arc still feels true CSMs roots, leaving plenty of room to put Denji and the other favorites from Part 1 in the spotlight and immerse readers in delicious new mysteries, wacky humor, and genuine horror moments.
8 The Dating Denji Arc is full of impressive character moments for Asa and Denji
Chapters 112-120
The Dating Denji arc, better known as the Endless Aquarium arc, shows readers what structural approach Part 2 will take – the events of this arc mirror Part 1’s Eternity Devil arc, but approach the familiar premise from a completely different angle. The “endless loop” arc isn’t what makes this arc a fan favorite, however.
Instead, The Aquarium arc focuses on the character development of Asa and Denji.their humorous yet endearing chemistry becomes the climax of the arc. Part 2’s increased focus on character psychology is also evident during the “Dating Denji” arc, where readers get valuable insight into Asa’s uncertain, damaging mental state, as well as hints at Denji’s ongoing traumas that he can no longer ignore for much longer.
7 Bomb Girl Arc introduces a fan-favorite heroine and even more unbridled intensity
Chapters 39-52
As Denji himself points out during the Bomb Girl arc, no woman who came into his life came without the intention of killing or hurting him. Reze’s brief but dramatic encounter with Denji is particularly tragic. Because even though the Bomb Hybrid is trying to win Chainsaw Man’s heart, behind the scenes they have a real attraction for each other.
In addition to its heartbreaking emotional core, the Bomb Girl arc also features some of the series’ most iconic action moments, from the battle against the Typhoon Devil to Reze’s gruesome decapitation of Division 2. The Reze arc, with its wonderfully bittersweet storyline and explosive heroine, is rightly praised by CSM fans.
6 Chainsaw Man Church Arc offers dramatic developments of Part 2’s mysteries
Chapters 132-155
The Chainsaw Man Church arc is the longest story arc in the series to date and is exceptionally rich in plot-changing events and impactful worldbuilding. Set against the backdrop of the Chainsaw Man Church and Asa’s rise to fame, The story arc achieves wonderful combinations of exciting plot developments and moving character portrayal. Much of it is dedicated to Denji’s struggle with his identity as Chainsaw Man.
In addition, the Chainsaw Man Church arc reintroduces several characters from Part 1, including Quanxi and Katana Man, who now work for public security. As the threat of the Death Devil becomes more real and the heroes’ inner motivations violently clash, the Chainsaw Man Church arc ends on a cliffhanger that leads readers into the current arc.
5 International Assassins Arc has countless moving parts working against the protagonists simultaneously
Chapters 53-70
The plot of the Public Safety Saga picks up dramatically after Reze’s defeat. The “International Assassins” story arc introduces several enemy groups from around the world who are after Denji’s heart. Tits expanded storyline allows for the establishment of a wealth of characters and concepts; the “International Assassins” arc stars new fan favorites such as Quanxi and Yoshida, as well as the haunting yet intriguing threat of the “Urstände” embodied by the Darkness Devil.
However, these new elements never affect the development of the main characters, whose changing dynamics can shine under pressure. exceptionally long through CSM Standards and somewhat convoluted, the International Assassins arc offers no boring momentsand ensures that the plot constantly moves forward in exciting directions.
4 Falling Devil Arc is a terrifying showdown against a primal fear
Chapters 121-131
Since their debut during the International Assassins arc, Primal Fears have been a looming threat to the heroes, a chance encounter with one of them means guaranteed danger. Therefore, an arc in which Primal Fears are the main antagonist can be nothing but outstanding. Manifested under Fami’s control, The Falling Devil is a glorious catastrophe that plunges the world into madness and both Asa and Denji are confronted with their worst traumatic memories.
Once again, the primal fear proves too strong for the protagonists, and thanks to the help of a mysterious figure resembling the Chainsaw Man, they narrowly escape Hell. Frightening in tone yet gripping in its dynamic plot, the Falling Devil story arc is an eerie reminder of the overwhelming creatures that roam Hell. CSMs ruthless world.
3 Katana Man Arc is the moment when Chainsaw Man comes into his own
Chapters 22-38; Episodes 8-12
For many fans, the Katana Man bow is the CSM really hits home and relies entirely on the narrative signatures that would later become the series’ cornerstones. It gets going right away with the shocking attack on public safety and the self-sacrifice of the briefly known but beloved heroine Himeno. The story arc is immediately different from what fans have experienced so far. Introduction to the tragic underlining of the seemingly chaotic and nonsensical world of the series.
The severity of the arc’s emotional climaxes is effectively contrasted with CSMs The Katana Man storyline is marked by over-the-top action, pervasive black humor and mystery, and includes a series of revelations that haunt the narrative to this day. This brilliant collection of genre-bending elements, coupled with Katana Man’s charisma and effectiveness as an antagonist, make this storyline the best in the early CSM.
2 Control Devil Arc crowns the Public Safety saga in a great way
Chapters 80-97
After Makima’s identity as a control devil and perpetrator who is after Denji’s heart is revealed, the Public Safety Saga is nearing its climax, with the story arc dedicated to the protagonist’s fight against his final opponent. Like all climaxes in CSM go, The Control Devil arc is far from a definitively happy ending.
In her absolute determination to bring down Denji, Makima executes Power, a beloved heroine that readers have fondly followed since the beginning, right before Denji’s eyes. Still, the tragedy only makes the ending of Part 1 all the more powerful, as it wraps up the public safety plot in a satisfyingly bittersweet way and ends this chapter of Denji’s story on a perfectly sentimental note.
1 Gun Devil Arc is the culmination of CSM’s impressively dark writing
Chapters 71-79
For all occasional whimsy and surrealism, Chainsaw Man was never a straightforward optimistic story, and No other storyline illustrates the underlying darkness of Denji’s story as impressively as the “Gun Devil” arc. Despite its short runtime, this story arc is full of unexpected plot developments as it stars the presumed final boss of the entire series – the titular Gun Devil.
What makes the story arc so powerful and memorable, however, is not the action or the thrilling twists, but the heartbreaking conclusion that one of the series’ most beloved characters experiences during his encounter with the Gun Devil. Aki Hayakawa becomes the thing he hated most. He dies as the Gun Devil. His final moments are spent imagining a dream snowball fight with Denji, while in the real world the protagonist’s heart breaks because he has to kill one of his best friends.
