Chainsaw Man was always going to make Denji confront what he has truly done

When I read Chapter 206 of Chainsaw Man, there was a panel that made me stop reading for a second and process what just happened. This panel did not have elements of gore or the usual absurdity that carries the story forward. It was Denji — he had a different response this time when fighting against a devil.

Until now, we have always seen Denji as a chaotic character who just wants to live life on his terms. This is how Denji was from the beginning, even when he lost someone close to him. He would grieve for a while and then swiftly move on, from trying to enjoy ice cream and the company of girls, and finding meaning in simple pleasures. He has survived so much that we almost take his numbness for granted.

But when I read his fight against the Falling Devil for the first time, Denji apologized for his behaviour. And it hit me, Fujimoto has put this main character in a corner where he is forced to confront what he has truly done till now.

First, he had to fight against Fakesaw man, but this fight revealed something tragic. It showed a time when Denji prioritized saving an animal over a human life. The person he let die was a twin brother, and this duo used to look up to him.

And that one choice, seemingly small at that time and buried under the weight of everything else, returns to haunt him just as Asa Mitaka is trapped beneath the rubble. Until now, it felt like this world had no real consequences. Like Denji could do anything without facing true repercussions.

The creator proved us wrong, something that felt trivial before has now ensured that he can’t numb it away this time. He can’t distract himself with food, fame, or fleeting intimacy. The thing about Denji is, he never got the time to grow into a person.

Understandable, considering the world he is in has normalized devils and the grim reality of fighting against such powerful creatures. That is why his whole identity is formed around survival instincts and denial.

So, when the Falling Devil in Chainsaw Man arrives and forces Denji into a confrontation with that hidden guilt, the thing he’s buried even deeper than his grief for Aki or Power, it undoes him. Because this wasn’t an enemy he could punch. It was himself.

In my opinion, what Fujimoto is trying to build in Part 2 of Chainsaw Man is the slow, surgical dissection of Denji’s soul. One thing is for sure: Denji is no longer the same boy we met back in Chapter 1. Now that there is a crack in the facade he has been maintaining, I am excited to see what comes next.

Why Denji’s emotional breakdown matters now in Chainsaw Man

Part 2 of Chainsaw Man has been controversial for some fans, especially those expecting nonstop devil battles or more Control Devil-level threats. What I see in this arc and especially in Chapter 206 is the slow, surgical dissection of Denji’s soul.

This is why I believe Chapter 206 is not just a pivotal moment in Chainsaw Man. It is the core of what Fujimoto is trying to say. You can't run forever. No amount of violence, denial, or forced smiles can silence the guilt. Eventually, your sins will whisper in your ear. And the longer you delay the confrontation, the louder the whisper becomes.

Trending

In conclusion, Denji in Chainsaw Man being forced to confront his actions is what makes Fujimoto’s storytelling so emotionally sharp. He doesn’t write heroes and villains, he writes flawed survivors. While his sins are not monstrous, they are painfully real. It is the moment we stop seeing him as the unkillable punk kid with chainsaws and start seeing the broken, bleeding child who just wanted to be loved.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback