Chainsaw Man chapter 174 finally reveals how Makima's deal with the Japanese Government worked

Modified Aug 15, 2024 05:42 GMT

Chainsaw Man chapter 174 finally reveals how Makima's deal with the Japanese Government worked (Image via MAPPA Studios)

With the release of Chainsaw Man chapter 174 earlier this week, fans were finally introduced to the in-series leaders of the Japanese government, specifically the Prime Minister and his cabinet. This introduction was done in the context of Public Safety agent and fan-hated character, Fumiko Mifune’s negotiations with them on behalf of the Aging Devil.

In the process, the former Minister of Finance, Tadashi Hasegawa, was introduced, playing the role of taking the Aging Devil’s offer when the other government members hesitated. While Chainsaw Man chapter 174 didn’t explicitly say as much, it’s clear that Hasegawa holds significant clout within the group despite his former status.

Yet with the Aging Devil’s contract in Chainsaw Man chapter 174 having a price of ten thousand lives, fans have begun connecting the scene with Makima’s contract with the Japanese government. Many are asserting that Hasegawa may have even been involved with it, and played a similar role during his time as the Minister of Finance.

Chainsaw Man chapter 174 may have given an inside look at how Makima rose to power in Japan

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One of the most incriminating pieces of evidence for Hasegawa’s general involvement and playing a similar role in Makima’s contract with the Japanese government is their respective ages.

Chainsaw Man chapter 174 introduces Hasegawa as a feeble old man confined to a wheelchair, clearly well into his 60s at a minimum. This, in turn, suggests that he was the Minister of Finance for quite some time, and had considerable power in that role given his presence here.

Makima, meanwhile, has an unconfirmed age, but is thought by most of the fandom to be in her mid-30s, at the absolute latest. Likewise, the introduction of Control Devil Nayuta has seemingly confirmed that reincarnated Devils will age, even if they aren’t born as infants. With this in mind, it can be assumed that Makima similarly started out at an elementary-school-age, before growing up to become the woman fans knew.

These two key pieces of information combine to suggest that when Makima made her contract with the Japanese government, Hasegawa was key in seeing it through.

His title of former Minister of Finance, a governmental role, and the part he plays in accepting the Aging Devil’s deal in Chainsaw Man chapter 174 both heavily support this interpretation. Having such a legacy would also explain his presence in chapter 174, despite being retired.

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Hasegawa’s philosophy, as he himself describes it, further supports this idea, calling the lives of ten thousand children “a small price to pay for the future of Japan.” With Makima’s contract also involving the sacrifice of innocent Japanese lives in exchange for her continued safety and cooperation, it’s clear that Hasegawa would’ve felt the same about her offer.

It would also make sense for mangaka Tatsuki Fujimoto to take advantage of this necessary perspective for Part 2’s development, and use it to elaborate on some of Part 1’s mysteries. This could be the reason why Hasegawa was written in as an old man, the “voice of reason,” and the former Minister of Finance here.

However, this is all speculative as of this article’s writing, with no confirmed information on Hasegawa whatsoever existing beyond what’s in chapter 174. That being said, the evidence for this being the case simply makes sense and could be proven true later on in the series.