Chainsaw Man Season 1 was a marvelous introduction to a new anime series, that at first glance seem to be just another demon slaying Shonen series. Even if Chainsaw Man wasn’t original in anyway I think it still would be a series worth watching. Every series is differentiated by it’s characters, and Denji is different from the typical Shonen heroes. Sure he loves fighting and food, but he’s less sexually innocent than say Luffy or Goku. He’s still immature about it but it’s a quality I noticed. Makima is the most interesting. She doesn’t show much emotion and there’s nothing behind her smiles. Makima gives off a sadistic energy. She clearly manipulative and probably evil but I like and trust her.
The animation is phenomenal and always a joy to watch. MAPPA continues to prove that it’s the standard for the industry. I love the gory violence this series offers. Unfortunately, Chainsaw Man Season 1 Episode 12 was disappointing. It felt rushed and too short. Obviously they couldn’t introduce new information during the last episode of season but it felt like that limitation handicapped them. Still there were interesting events that happened. While the Ghost Devil strangles Aki, he recalls his time with Himeno. The the Ghost Devil frees him and hands him a cigarette with the words “easy revenger,” on it. How and why the Ghost Devil is never explained and how the Snake Devil was able to capture it in the first place wasn’t either.
The hunt for the Gun Devil begins
Does Himeno exists inside? Did she become a part of the Ghost Devil after her sacrifice? I hope not because Aki decapitates it after. He then stops Kobeni from killing Akane (it won’t save her though). Elsewhere, Denji and Power encounter zombies on one of the floors. Power rushes off the elevator and slaughters the undead. Another aspect of this series I loved was the friendship between Power and Denji. Their dynamic is so weird and funny. I love them together. While Power fights, Denji finally comes face to face with Katana Man. Denji is outclassed by Katana Man, being knocked across roofs and overwhelmed by the Katana Man’s speed attack.
Denji’s only advantage is predicting Katana Man’s next attack (aiming at Denji’s head) and using a surprising attack the ability to use a chainsaw in his legs. It was a unexpected outcome and feels like an appropriate power up. Despite being cut in half, Katana Man survives and is put back together. As the credit roll, Makima is seen giving a debrief. Akane is revealed to be the organizer of the terrorists attack. Makima states that she made a contract with the Gun Devil, where she would receive guns in exchange for getting Denji’s heart. Shockingly, Akane is decapitated (this series loves decapitation) by the Snake Devil leaving the Public Safety without the ability to interrogate her. They did gain one thing more of the Gun Devils flesh. Now they can begin to hunt it.