Chainsaw ManPart 2 has been divisive within the anime and manga community from its earliest chapters. Following a hiatus that lasted nearly two years, the immensely popular series returned and immediately sidelined its protagonist for several chapters, sending an early message to readers thatDenji’s latest devil-hunting journey will not be like his last. Despite early signals, however, many fans have expressed their displeasure withChainsaw Man’s sophomore outing.
Criticism has rained down on the series at nearly every twist or turn its complex cast of characters has taken. Some believeChainsaw Man’s narrative has progressed at too slow a pace, while others have criticized its characters for a lack of growth. Another portion has been dissatisfied with the anticlimactic conclusions to its major story arcs. However, long before it resumed serialization in 2022, author Tatsuki Fujimoto revealed thatChainsaw Man’s second halfwould be quite a bit different from its first.
Chainsaw Man Part 2 Took Unexpected Inspiration
An Unexpected Film Inspired Chainsaw Man’s Second Part
In aninterview with Da Vinci magazinefrom 2021, just afterChainsaw Manfinished serialization inShōnen Jump, Fujimoto was asked about his plans for the future of his series. After dancing around the question a bit,he launched into a discussion regarding 1998’sThe Big Lebowski, the acclaimed American film directed by Joel Coen. The reference comes somewhat from out of nowhere, though the film’s absurd nature fits alongside the many outlandish yet grounded works of Tatsuki Fujimoto.
In response to the question, Fujimoto countered with a question of his own, asking, “Do you know of the movieThe Big Lebowski?That movie really made me think ‘what was that?’ when I was done watching,” before continuing, “Wasn’t everything pretty meaningless! But still, the protagonist had development, the story progressed, and there was this sublime absurdity that I loved.” Finally, he circled back around to the subject at hand and claimed he wantedChainsaw Manto give readers that same feeling.
This sentiment comes through inChainsaw ManPart 2’ssomewhat stagnant yet always in-motion narrative that has been a target of criticism throughout. A major devil arrives, horrific damage is done, the devil leaves or is defeated, and Denji and Asa remain no closer to any clear-cut end goal than they were before. This always-in-motion while seemingly running in circles pattern is precisely in line with Fujimoto’s statements regardingThe Big Lebowski, proving that Part 2 is going exactly how the artist planned.
Denji and Asa Are Nearing Their Breaking Points
It May Be Time for Chainsaw Man’s Character Progression to Shine
In order for a structure like the one Fujimoto is aiming for inChainsaw ManPart 2 to work properly,character development must take priority over all else in the series, and to judge character growth in a series that is still ongoing is a difficult, if not fruitless, task. Denji has been the target of criticism over his habit of falling back into old negative habits, while Asa has largely become a passenger toYoru’s conquest of terror.
IfChainsaw Mancomes to a conclusion with either character still stuck in these same behaviors, then it would be fair to assume the series has failed at what it set out to do in its second part. Recent events have pushed the dual protagonists to their limits, and the most recent chapter #195, “Kill Me Tears”, allowed Denji and Asa their first intimate moment together since the aquarium date nearly 90 chapters ago. Upcoming chapterswill likely feature major changes in either of the leading characters, whether that be growth or regression.
Expect the Unexpected: Chainsaw Man Is So Good Because It Keeps on Beating Allegations
Denji is consistently on the receiving end of criticism, but Chainsaw Man continues proving his critics wrong with each new entry.
The arrival of a new, suspicious devilseems to suggest thatChainsaw Man’s second half is nearing its final climactic destination. Favoring a slower-paced, character-driven narrative,Part 2 has largely left behind the chaos that defined Part 1, and has garnered its share of criticism for doing so. However, the series is seemingly going according to plan based on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s comments from long before Asa Mitaka made her introduction into the cruel and unforgiving world ofChainsaw Man. While the anime world awaitsthe upcomingReze Arcfilm, fans won’t want to miss how Part 2 shakes out.
Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Manis a dark fantasy manga created by Tatsuki Fujimoto. The series follows Denji, a young man who merges with his devil-dog Pochita to become Chainsaw Man. He joins the Public Safety Devil Hunters to fight devils threatening Japan. The series explores themes of violence, power, and survival. Since its debut in 2018,Chainsaw Manhas gained immense popularity, leading to a critically acclaimed anime adaptation.
