MANGA REVIEW | "Chainsaw Man" - Volume Eighteen
Where most Shonen Jump series is all about hope and never giving up, Chainsaw Man is all about despair. Yes, we all might’ve thought this was going to be some Troma-styled schlock, but the more we stay around Denji, the more we realize that it’s the complete opposite. Our poor hero just can’t win in life, and as Volume Eighteen shows, he doesn’t even get a breather in death. And it’s not just Denji that’s feeling defeated.
Nayuta is close to having her true Makina self awaken, as her and Denji’s place burns down. It’s when her beloved family (AKA her pets) die in a fire when her really scary side appears, with her means of controlling others put to use to save Denji. As the people gang up on her — despite her cries of being just a kid — a flashback shows the kind of life Denji has given her. And man, is it ever heartfelt!
While Denji had feelings for Makima, his treatment of Nayuta was more like a father to a daughter. Nayuta may have planned to destroy Denji, but the more she stayed by his side, the more she realized the kindness that he was capable of. It goes to great lengths to show that any person’s nefarious plans can be snuffed out with a good amount of joy and dogs. Alas, Chainsaw Man does what it likes to do to its audience: destroy them emotionally!
First, it puts Nayuta’s fate up in the air. It’s a situation that upsets Denji, but he’s got no chance to seek his comrade. Instead, he’s placed on an operation table, and chopped to bits. The good news: he’s still alive. Bad news: well…you read what just happened to him! That’s when Asa and Fray go set out to rescue him, in a mission that allows both to shine brightly.
From controlling turrets to unleashing Gyohnee, the duo showcase a plethora of power in the most delightful of ways. There are even some funny moments thrown in, whether it’s Asa outright face-planting while trying to sneak past the guards or having said guards be stripped of their guns and clothes. But the search for Denji gets more complicated when a familiar-looking Devil appears, setting up for a throwdown between him and Asa. However, all it takes is a mention that Chainsaw Man is in the building to keep the fight from happening.
There’s a good break from the drama as Asa, Fray, and the others piece Denji back together. Watching them rebuild him was a lot like seeing a guy piece together a massive model kit. The familiar devil even suggests doing something with Denji’s member that’ll no doubt get a big laugh from any reader. But as soon as the body parts become the keeper of Chainsaw Man, the despair resumes.
No, it’s not because Denji gets roshambo’d a couple of times. Nayuta is still missing, and knowing Chainsaw Man, her whereabouts will be a grim reveal once it happens. Maybe Tatsuki Fujimoto will cut Denji a break for once and give him some good news. But deep down, we all know that probably won’t happen. All we can do is wait for Nayuta to show up again, and many signs point to her having no pulse when she finally does.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
