Show: “Chainsaw Man”
Release Date: Oct. 11, 2022
Seasons: 1
Episode: 1
Genre: Anime, Action
Rating: A
“Chainsaw Man”, one of the most popular new manga series of the past few years, has finally been adapted into an anime, and it has hit the ground running. The premiere episode takes the time to introduce us to its unlikely hero, while still delivering plenty of blood-pumping action.
The show follows Denji, a poor, simple boy who lives in a world where people’s fears can manifest in the form of devils. After making a contract with a seemingly harmless devil, Denji gains the ability to transform into the titular Chainsaw Man, and must learn to navigate the deadly, strenuous world of professional devil hunting.
Despite the violent premise of the show, a majority of the first episode is devoted to establishing Denji as a relatable character. Orphaned at a young age and saddled with his father’s mountainous debt, Denji struggles daily to earn enough money to survive.
Denji’s situation might be more dire than most, but his struggles are far more realistic than the average anime hero’s. He isn’t on a quest to become the strongest fighter or to avenge his dead loved ones, all he wants is to live a simple life free from the loan sharks that constantly threaten his life and take his earnings.
At one point, we are treated to a flashback of Denji’s first encounter with Pochita, his adorable dog and dog-like devil companion with a chainsaw coming from its head. Even though devils are supposed to be an enemy of humanity, all Denji sees is an injured creature in need of help. He selflessly offers his blood so Pochita can heal himself, and in exchange for his kindness, Denji earns a loyal companion who helps him hunt devils for extra money.
When a later devil hunting job nearly kills Denji, Pochita decides to return Denji’s kindness. He fuses with Denji, reviving him and giving him the ability to transform into a chainsaw devil. In a touching final moment, Pochita speaks directly to Denji for the first and only time, asking only for Denji to live out the simple life he dreams of.
This setup in the first half allows for a spectacular climax when Denji finally transforms. The loan sharks that have been hounding him for so long are transformed into zombies, allowing Denji to let loose and slice them all to pieces with no remorse. It’s a beautiful moment of catharsis as we see Denji experience freedom for the first time in his life.
Not only is the climax emotionally powerful, it is also a beautiful sight to behold. The animation studio MAPPA has established itself as an anime powerhouse with its work on shows like “Yuri!!! On Ice,” “Jujutsu Kaisen” and the final season of “Attack on Titan,” and they brought their A-game for this show as well.
The animation is a curious blend of 2D and 3D animation. The environments are mostly 3D, allowing for more dynamic camerawork, while the characters are generally 2D, allowing for more expressive animation. Interestingly, though, when Denji transforms into Chainsaw Man, he is animated in 3D, giving his movements a feeling of weightiness that is not often seen in anime fights.
The episode ends with the introduction of the mysterious Makima, an officer of the Public Safety Commission (Japan’s equivalent of the FBI). She offers Denji an ultimatum: work for her as a devil hunter or die as a devil.
The introduction of Makima and government-backed devil hunting at the end of the episode leaves plenty of room in the rest of the season for Denji’s character to continue to develop. Will he enjoy his new job as a government contractor? Or will he find that he has simply traded one oppressor for another? One thing is for sure, it’s going to be a wild ride either way.