Katana parallels a Chainsaw Man fan-favorite, but not Denji

Modified Nov 18, 2024 19:40 GMT

Katana parallels a Chainsaw Man fan-favorite, but not Denji (Image via MAPPA Studios)

While there are many characters who’ve returned to the Chainsaw Man manga for its second part, one of the most beloved of them was Katana Man, protagonist Denji’s former enemy. Although Katana Man hasn’t had a terribly significant role in the Academy Saga, his presence has still been enjoyed by the fandom.

Likewise, Chainsaw Man fans are doing a deep dive into Katana Man’s origins and role in the story, both in Part 2 and Part 1 (the Public Safety Saga). While fans often theorized that Katana Man was meant to reflect Denji, the predominant consensus among readers is that Katana Man better parallels another fan-favorite character.

Chainsaw Man’s Aki Hayakawa may be a better parallel for Katana Man than Denji is

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Understandably, most fans initially thought Denji could be the only parallel to Katana Man as a character. Firstly, the two were enemies in Chainsaw Man, which naturally lends itself to thematic play. Both also lost their families due to a powerful Devil; Katana Man lost his grandfather to the Zombie Devil, and Denji lost his found family of Aki Hayakawa and Power to Control Devil Makima.

On that note, they also have in common being used by Control Devil Makima, with Katana Man having been under Makima’s control since his initial defeat at Denji’s hands. Likewise, each lived for a sole dream that they’ll pursue at the risk of their life. For Katana Man, it’s killing Denji, whereas for Denji, it’s getting to experience physical intimacy with someone (with a desire for emotional intimacy also heavily implied).

However, these parallels also apply to Aki Hayakawa and arguably in a much more meaningful way. For example, Aki also lost his legitimate birth family to a powerful Devil, giving him a similar sense of need for revenge that Katana felt. Each of them is also a stoic and brooding character whose primary combat revolves around swords. Each also lives only for a dream of killing someone, with Aki’s being the Gun Devil, and likewise pursue their vengeance fruitlessly.

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They each were also specifically controlled by Makima via contracts and Devil-based powers, whereas Denji was simply manipulated at every twist and turn by Makima. Likewise, each of them was forced to fight Denji after being under Makima’s control, even if they differed in their willingness to fight him otherwise. Each is also controlled by Public Safety via legitimately working for the organization at one point or another in their lives.

It can also be argued that the series is setting Katana Man up for a similar big brother role that Aki played given his return in Part 2. While his hatred for Denji still lurks, Aki also hated the Chainsaw Man protagonist when they first met. In fact, it’s getting to know and growing closer to Denji that led him to abandon his quest for vengeance in the first place. It’s very likely that Fujimoto could be setting up a similar development for Katana Man.

Final thoughts

Like Aki, Denji may soon get Katana Man to view him favorably (Image via MAPPA Studios)

Should Fujimoto follow through on the apparent setup he has in place for Katana Man’s change, it’s very likely that the character will become a staple of the series’ future. Likewise, his popularity within the Chainsaw Man fandom will only grow, especially if he fully blossoms into an Aki parallel in the ways mentioned above and more.