Chainsaw Man Part 2 is much darker than fans realize, and Asa's payback on Yoru proves it

Modified Jun 17, 2024 04:20 GMT

Chainsaw Man part 2 has a much darker approach to the story (Image via Shueisha). — Chainsaw Man part 2 has a much darker approach to the story (Image via Shueisha)

Chainsaw Man Part 2 has been a divisive story for a lot of people in the manga and anime community, with a lot of fans mentioning that the pacing and lack of a clear path in the plot have taken a significant toll on the series. However, one thing that cannot be denied is that author Tatsuki Fujimoto has taken a much darker and psychological approach to the tone of this part when compared to the first one.

While the first series had a lot of dark tones and even cynical elements, Chainsaw Man Part 2 shows the characters going through moments of self-punishment to deal with their trauma and insecurities. The most recent example was Asa Mitaka's payback on Yoru in chapter 168 of the manga, although other scenes play a similar role in reinforcing that perspective.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Chainsaw Man series. Any opinion expressed here belongs to the author and not Sportskeeda as a whole.

Explaining why Chainsaw Man part 2 is a lot darker than the first one

Denji and Asa have been the protagonists of Chainsaw Man Part 2 (Image via Shueisha)

A prominent topic throughout Chainsaw Man Part 2 is that the characters tend to punish themselves physically, particularly when it comes to the two protagonists, Denji and Asa Mitaka. They are two teenagers have endured a lot of trauma and difficulties in making connections since they were kids, which has only been further emphasized by their contracts with devils and how that has gotten them involved in some supernatural circumstances.

Denji's case is a lot more prominent since his ability to turn into a hybrid devil allows him to pull chainsaws from his limbs and legs, which is a constant throughout the series as he goes through a lot of pain. However, moments such as him pulling out a chainsaw from his head to not remember Aki and Power when battling the Falling Devil, or turning into Chainsaw Man in recent chapters just to feel pain as he suffers a breakdown, are great examples of his willingness to hurt himself.

Asa Mitaka shares a very similar outlook, which is shown from the moment that Yoru teaches her through hurting herself. And even in the most recent chapter 168, she is hurting her own body to punish Yoru for her actions during the now-infamous chapter 167, which continues to prove this theory.

What could happen in the coming chapters of Chainsaw Man Part 2

There is no denying that the pacing of Chainsaw Man part 2 has been divisive to a lot of people as it progresses fairly slowly, but now it seems that the focus is going to be on Denji eating sushi and getting his act together. He knows that Nayuta has been captured and doesn't even know if she is alive or dead, which is something that the manga is going to address.

Another major plot point that author Tatsuki Fujimoto has not addressed enough in Chainsaw Man Part 2 is the upcoming apocalypse, which has been mentioned from time to time but not dealt with. That can be a significant point that could be further developed in the coming chapters, but doesn't seem likely.

Final thoughts

Chainsaw Man Part 2 offers a much darker approach to the pain and anguish that characters go through because a lot of that is caused by themselves. That is something that plays a significant role in the characters of Denji and Asa, even to this day in the manga.

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Edited by Ahana Mukhopadhyay