Summary
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Denji has to be one of the mostunfortunate male protagonists, experiencing tragic loss after loss each time he can find some semblance of normalcy. Though Denji has experienced the worst pain imaginable time after time,he is nothing if not resilient and optimisticabout his future.
Though undoubtedly optimistic, that does not mean Denji does not wish to be accepted by those around him after the many hardships in his life. After losing Nayuta, Denji did not have much hope for his future but continued, resilient and ready to build a family once more. Thanks to Asa and Yoru, how did Denji’s loneliness come to an end inChainsaw Man?
Denji Has Faced Many Challenges Throughout His Life
Though Severely Misfortunate, Denji is Nothing But Resilient
Denji has always had the short end of the stick throughout his life. Denji grew up with an abusive father, and his mother died from an unknown heart disease, which Denji believes he inherited. As he mentions, she similarly coughed up blood. Although, at the time, it was possible that Denji indeed had a similar disease as his mother, Denji had also sold several organs to pay off his father’s debt to the Yakuza.
Although Denji lived in an abusive home before, after his father’s death, Denji lived an impoverished life with many days with less than the required amount of food one needs to live. In essence, Denji’s life before meeting Makima was less than spectacular. As aPrivate Devil Hunter, Denji was forced to hand over most of his earnings to pay his bills and debt to the Yakuza. However, although Denji lived in a shack on the outskirts of Denji, he was often optimistic about life, although that may have just been a coping mechanism for passing the time and wishing for better days.
With thedeath of the Zombie Devil, the contract with Pochita, and Denji meeting Makima, Denji ’s life seemed to be looking up. Now, he is no longer riddled with the depressing thought of paying off his father’s debt and living in a clean environment with healthy and nutritious foods. Denji’s dreams of normality were finally coming true, or so he thought.
Denji had plenty of experience working as a PrivateDevil Hunter; however, while working at the Public Safety Commission, Denji now had more rules to follow, both from Aki and Makima. Although Denji faced discrimination as he, now combinedwith Pochita, was a hybrid, Denji would always convey himself as optimistic and often put his own well-being on the line for others, as thanks to the contract with Pochita, he had nigh-immortality. Contrary to the brave facade Denji portrayed, with the continued death of his loved ones and the truth of his father’s demise, Denji began to break and once again fall into the ether.
Although Denji crosses the line of cannibalism, eating Makima’s flesh without malicious intent, in Chapter 87, called Love, Love, Chainsaw, Denji allows himself to express his dejected feelings. Denji had killed every person he cared for, including Aki,who was possessed by the Gun Devil,Makima, with whom he held affection even though she had killed numerous people in her quest for the Chainsaw Devil and indirectly Power, as Makima commanded Denji to open the door, so she Makima would kill Power.
I thought about what I had to do to hurt you so badly that you could never recover, so you couldn’t live a normal life anymore.
Makima’s sole purpose was to drain Denji mentally, give Denji everything he wanted, and take it away when he was happiest. Although Denji was satisfied with his life with Pochita, the happiness he experienced during his time with Aki and Power were some of his fondest memories, hence why he turned in Chainsaw Man after witnessing Makima’s death.
Chapters
132 - 155
Although Denji believed that was it for him and thought he would continue living with the pets, Nayuta’s introductions to Denji’s life gave him goals and a purpose. Previously, all Denjiwanted was to fondle a woman’s bosom or receive a kiss; these were not goals or specific outlooks on life but rather personal goals Denji wished to achieve at one point.
By living with Nayuta, Denji receives an actual semblance of what “normalcy” would look like, save for hisadoptive little sister, the Control Devil, harbors the Chainsaw Devil as his heart. Overall, Denji’s life was good until, once again, Denji lost everything he ever held close to him.
I’m so glad there’s somebody who still likes me!
While Asa is not particularly fond of Denji’s presence, during the Dating Denji arc, the two quickly become close withYoru, the War Devil, who controls Asa’s body. However, this is short-lived as theChainsaw Man Churchrises, elevating Chainsaw Man’s popularity and weakening him. Unfortunately, throughout the chaos, Denji loses his home and pets to a fire that breaks out. While this wasn’t enough to send him into a rage as he still had Nayuta, Denji again reprioritized his goals, adapting to his new situation.
It’s with the death of Nayuta that Denji breaks once more,turning into the Chainsaw Devilwith Pochita at its front. Denji had always been resilient, given his entire lifetime of losing those who had been close to him. Although Denji has suffered significant losses, he always picks himself up again. However, it is in Chapter 193 that Denji no longer feels lonely.
While Asa and Yoru are good and evil combined in one body, making for complex and confusing situations as many were unaware the two had made a contract, Yoru finally admits thatboth she and Asa have feelings for Denji. Previously, every woman in Denji’s life had used him in some way. Although Yoru is clearly upfront about her feelings and intentions with Denji, Denji does not feel used in any way, accepting the feelings that Yoru has confided in him and expressing a vulnerability that has yet to be seen. With Yoru admitting her feelings for Denji, Denji had overcome the loneliness he had been experiencing since Chapter 183.
Chainsaw Man
Cast
Chainsaw Man is an action-heavy shonen anime that follows Denji, a guy who fuses with a devil called Pochita. The show is based on a manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto.
