Yoru: Chainsaw Man proves Yoru will never see Asa as an equal

Chainsaw Man proves Yoru will never see Asa as an equal

Modified Oct 17, 2024 20:30 GMT

Angel Devil in Chainsaw Man (Image via MAPPA)

Chainsaw Man chapter 180 glimpsed the frightening power of the Aging Devil, something that fans were eagerly waiting to see. Since the previous chapter, where the Aging Devil decided it was time for Chainsaw Man and the War Devil to "grow up," expectations were high about what that meant. As usual, the mind of creator Tatsuki Fujimoto did not disappoint.

Chapter 180 also revealed another significant detail that could change how the story progresses — Yoru, the War Devil, does not view Asa Mitaka as equal to her. We already knew that she had an air about her and was using Asa for survival, but this aspect became clear as day during the developments of chapter 180.

Chainsaw Man chapter 180 points that Yoru never acknowledged Asa as an equal

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Chapter 180 depicted the Aging Devil using a similar move to Yoru's. But in this case, when the Aging Devil said "Bang," Yoru/Asa and Denji were transported to a different world. Called "a world the Aging Devil created," this seemed to be more of a mental attack. Anyhow, the intriguing bit occurred when, upon uttering Denji's name, Yoru took over and tried to blast the helpless body of the boy.

This further highlighted the power dynamics between Yoru and her host, Asa. The former often displayed a condescending attitude towards Asa. Her constant manipulation of Asa is a testament to her looking down on the girl as a tool instead of an equal. This was emphasized when Yoru quashed Asa’s fears and doubts and attempted to take control.

Despite Asa's hesitation, Yoru downplays her emotions and switches over whenever she sees fit. Yoru’s grand plan to turn Chainsaw Man into a weapon pushes this unequal relationship even more. Asa’s emotions and protests mean nothing to Yoru before her goal of power and control. Moreover, Yoru seems to disregard the girl’s innate humanity and morals, meaning she sees Asa only as a means to an end.

Before this, a couple of instances highlight the point being made in this article. When the pair first met, Yoru cleverly contracted with Asa to take over her body and quickly killed her teacher and classmate. This was the first time Yoru overlooked Asa's feelings. She took over without Asa's permission, viewing her as a host for survival, which set the tone for their relationship.

Next, during the Chicken Devil incident, Yoru urged Asa to act violently as she dismissed the girl's fear, hesitation, and overall emotional state. This is proof that Yoru looks only to self-serve. She compels Asa's reactions in situations to align with her want of power and control rather than take action while accounting for Asa’s feelings and/or well-being.

Again, this was accentuated when the Falling Devil made an appearance. Asa was stricken with extreme fear and panic at the situation, wanting to flee. But Yoru remained calm and cold, rebuking Asa for being weak and pushing her to "get over it." This showed that she lacked empathy and viewed Asa’s sensitivity as a weakness/flaw rather than an emotional response.

Final thoughts

Power and Denji in Chainsaw Man (Image via MAPPA)

Unlike Denji and Pochita, Asa and Yoru share a different relationship in Chainsaw Man. As mentioned, the tone for it was set from the beginning, when they needed each other for survival. Despite softening up a little to her host, Yoru still sees Asa as inferior and a tool to accomplish her goal, which is evident through her actions.

In some way, it is unfortunate, given that Asa's emotions always take a backseat when the pair are exposed to danger. But it is worth mentioning that Yoru's reckless and daunting nature has kept Asa alive for this long. Though she might ignore how Asa feels, her taking over at crucial moments helped fend off danger. To put it plainly, their relationship is a double-edged sword.

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Edited by Shreya Das