Revved and Ready: A Sneak Peek at Chainsaw Man
This time of year, I always enjoy the spookier side of media. Horror films like The Thing, Alien or Evil Dead make the lead up to the end of the month and Halloween night feel that much more special to me. It seems as though VIZ Media had the exact same idea, as the new breakout manga, Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto is set to be released on October 6th, 2020. RGN99 was once again given the honor and privilege of an advance copy of Volume One, and after reading I can safely say I am once again in love with another manga series.
Denji and Pochita
Chainsaw Man follows the woeful life of a man named Denji in a world where devils are not only real, but they hunt and feast on humans. As such, Denji is one of the brave few that hunt these monsters, a Devil Hunter. However, this is not by choice – his father committed suicide after incurring a huge financial debt to the Yakuza, and his father’s debt now falls on him to repay. Denji is barely scraping by, selling his own organs just to afford even a single loaf of bread, fantasizing about having a simple, comfortable life. However, despite being destitute, Denji is not without some comfort. As a child, he befriended a small dog-like devil he came to call Pochita, unique in its docile nature and the chainsaw that sticks out of its face.
Chainsaw Man: Evolved
Denji and Pochita’s relationship is one of the focal points for Chainsaw Man as a series, the bond between a boy and his dog. After being ambushed by the Yakuza and brutally murdered, that bond becomes far more literal, as Pochita revives the dismembered corpse of Denji and becomes his heart. Now the two are one, and Pochita shares his power with Denji, allowing him to become the titular Chainsaw Man, a devil of immense power. Denji now has the power to change his own fate, which he does in some brilliantly drawn, visceral action scenes throughout Volume One.
After merging with Pochita, Denji is discovered by Makima, a young woman who works with the Japanese government to exterminate Devils on a grander scale. She treats Denji with basic human decency and dignity, and the boy falls in love with her. However, they’re not “in the same league” as another Devil Hunter put it, so Denji is forced to work alongside a young woman named Power. Power is a Fiend, a Devil that has taken over the corpse of a human being in order to keep living, similar to Denji. At first, the two don’t really get along, arguing and getting into trouble. This all comes to a head when Power lures Denji into a trap by another Devil, all so Power can get back the cat that she loves so dearly – Meowy.
Chainsaw Man in Action
Chainsaw Man separates itself from grim manga like Gantz or Berserk with its unique balance of gore and humor. It’s like the manga version of Army of Darkness, treating its monsters with the fear and awe they deserve yet showing just how foolish and funny the protagonists can be. The story also has some real heart to it, with a clear theme being just how much a pet can mean to someone; whether they figuratively or literally save your life in Denji’s case, or that you’d do anything to have them in your life, as is the case with Power. Considering the story is about a man whose head and arms turn into chainsaws, this story is a lot deeper than you’d probably expect. Denji is a very relatable character, as money is a thing that I and many people my age stress over constantly, not to mention his desire to get a girlfriend. With the pandemic persisting, the desire for financial stability and companionship rings truer now than ever before.
With its unique blend of high-octane action, hilarity and genuine heart, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during the spooky season with Chainsaw Man. I can’t wait to read more of it as it continues to come to the United States both in print at bookstores everywhere and digitally at viz.com. I can certainly say I’m revved up and ready for more!
Images are from CHAINSAW MAN © 2018 by Tatsuki Fujimoto/SHUEISHA Inc.
