Chainsaw Man always foreshadowed what Yoru would do to Denji

Chainsaw Man always foreshadowed what Yoru would do to Denji (Image via Shueisha)
Chainsaw Man always foreshadowed what Yoru would do to Denji (Image via Shueisha)

Recent months of mangaka Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man series have been unpredictably tumultuous to say the least. Starting with chapter 167, fans saw the story take a dark turn for protagonist Denji, putting him in horrible situation after horrible situation. This culminated in chapter 181’s events, which saw him take the blame for all of these actions by himself to the point of wanting to spend over a millennium atoning for them.

Without a doubt, the origins of this emotional outburst from Denji can be traced back to the events of Chainsaw Man chapter 167. Specifically, it can be traced back to Yoru’s shocking actions which continued into chapter 168 and return in chapter 181. However, Yoru’s abuse of Denji in this particular manner may very well have been foreshadowed from the start of the manga’s second part, the Academy Saga.

Disclaimer: This article contains canon typical mentions of sensitive topics. Readers’ discretion is advised.


Yoru’s introduction in Chainsaw Man Part 2 showed the disregard for consent which would later traumatize Denji

One of the most problematic aspects of Yoru’s character throughout Chainsaw Man Part 2 is her total disregard for consent of any kind. She constantly offers up Asa’s body for sacrifices which further her own goals, yet provide no benefit for Asa whatsoever. Likewise, she does so without asking Asa for permission first, despite being a guest in their shared body which was originally Asa’s own.

Her very introduction highlights this total disregard for consent in any and all forms. While Yoru does offer contract-like terms to Asa as the latter lay dying, she doesn’t actually give consent for Yoru to revive and take over her body. Despite this, Yoru goes out of her way to gaslight Asa into believing that this is a partnership, when in reality it’s a hostage situation and has been from the start.

This likewise foreshadows, albeit indirectly, the s*xual abuse and assault Yoru would enact on Denji in chapters 167, 168, and now 181, where she kisses him once more without consent. What’s particularly egregious is that, in each of these cases, she essentially used this abuse/assault to get what she wanted out of Denji.

In chapters 167 and 168, her goal was simply to get Denji out of his depressive funk so he’d be motivated enough to fight her as Pochita. Chapter 181 see sher try to cheer up the sobbing Denji with a kiss after feeling bad for initiating such a passionately sorrowful reaction from him. These acts are always about what Yoru wants, not what Denji wants, and despite his established dreams, the lack of consent in these situations makes it s*xual abuse/assault.

This behavior is obviously inexcusable, and the fact that it is taking place in a fictitious tale makes it no less detestable and abusive. That being said, it is fitting for her character given her role as the War Devil; war doesn’t care whether or not you consent, it will simply take what it needs from whoever it needs it from with no concern for the consequences. Yet again, despite this being good writing on Fujimoto’s part, it’s nevertheless indefensible.


Final thoughts

Yoru views both Denji and Asa as nothing more than means to the ultimate end she desires (Image via Shueisha)
Yoru views both Denji and Asa as nothing more than means to the ultimate end she desires (Image via Shueisha)

Despite the argument from some Chainsaw Man fans that Yoru’s s*xual abuse/assault of Denji came out of nowhere, it was indirectly foreshadowed from the start of Part 2. Hopefully, fans will see Yoru get her comeuppance both for what she did to Denji, and the injustices she’s committed against Asa en route to her abuse of Denji.


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Edited by Joseph Brogan
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