Fujimoto in trouble with Chainsaw Man fans after chapter 167

Modified Jun 06, 2024 11:03 GMT

Fujimoto in trouble with Chainsaw Man fans after chapter 167 (Image via MAPPA Studios)

Following the release of the latest Chainsaw Man chapter on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, fans were shocked to see the interaction between Denji and War Devil Yoru within. While not too far out of line from what fans were expecting in terms of subject matter, it’s the intensity with which author and illustrator Tatsuki Fujimoto wrote this scene which has fans uncomfortable.

While some are taking issue with this approach specifically in chapter 167, other fans are instead focusing on the impact this will have on dual protagonists Denji and Asa Mitaka. The event which occurs in the issue is set to be a very traumatizing one for both, hence Chainsaw Man fans’ extreme immediate reactions to these latest events.

In any case, it’s clear that a vast majority of, if not the entirety of, the series’ fanbase feels similarly regarding these recent developments for the Chainsaw Man manga series.

Many are sharing positive notes about the chapter even in these critiques or questionings of Fujimoto. however, it’s clear that fans have a bone to pick with the mangaka.

Chainsaw Man chapter 167’s character regression and forced inclusion of trauma has fans in arms

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One of the shocks for fans is because of what this chapter does to Denji and Asa Mitaka’s characters. War Devil Yoru gets the two engaged in a level of physical intimacy which neither consents to before switching control of her body with Asa.

By forcing the pair into such a situation and then leaving them to deal with the traumatic aftermath, Yoru is forcing their characters to regress. This, especially after Asa came to terms with her feelings for Denji upon discovering him as the titular hero.

Meanwhile, Denji was already feeling guilty over prioritizing his own carnal desires above rescuing his adoptive sister, Control Devil Nayuta. This could create a self-eating-snake-like cycle of self-loathing, in turn forcing him to repeat these actions to feel happy. This would potentially lead Denji to his lowest mental and emotional point yet in Chainsaw Man’s second part.

Fan reactions to the chapter

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Fans are responding to these latest manga developments with such a focus in mind. Many are chiefly taking issue with the ramifications this will have on Denji’s mental state:

“istg denji needs a good therapist and a long a** vacation this boys been through too much,” stated one fan.

“denji your mangaka is a sick man with sick thoughts…” parodied another in a reference to Kendrick Lamar’s Meet the Grahams diss track.

One fan even expressed their desire to simply reject the issue’s events, claiming “#CSM167 WAS JUST DENJI’S IMAGINATION.”

Others are also taking aim at Fujimoto, clearly upset with the direction in which the author is taking his manga:

“FUJIMOTO WHEN I SEE YOU DAWG I SWEAR ON MY LIFE IT’S ON SIGHT,” shouted one netizen.

“how I felt reading this entire chapter…. Fujimoto u will be dealt with [crying emoji],” claimed one fan in a caption to an attached video meme.

“FUJIMOTO WHAT ARE YOU DOING,” questioned a third.

Others are also sharing their praise of the issue:

“Man I think I’m the only one who liked the new csm chapter I really digged how ugly and awkward it was and I’m sure it’ll lead to great character moments in the future #csm167,” posted one X user.

“i liked CSM this week but this is totally a “are you with me or not” chapter and i don’t think a lot of people will be on board with it and what’s to come,” shared another.

In any case, it’s clear that this latest issue of the series is incredibly divisive for fans. While much of this stems from the impact it has to Denji and Asa, it’s the issue’s graphicness and the way in which Fujimoto portrays these events which is also divisive for them.

This was likely done intentionally by Fujimoto in order to elicit strong reactions from readers. Regardless, it's something which many diehard fans are taking issue with.