Key Chainsaw Man character's absence from Denji's flashback may explain his plan

Modified Nov 23, 2024 07:40 GMT

Key Chainsaw Man character's absence from Denji's flashback may explain his plan (Image via Shueisha)

One of the most emotionally enthralling and fulfilling aspects of mangaka Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man series has been Denji’s revelation regarding family and his will to live. While certainly a short sequence, it was nonetheless effective as a result, showing distinct character growth for Denji while also establishing he’s still Denji. It also emphasized the people he loved in his life, primarily showing his found family members and romantic interest in Reze.

However, there’s one notable absence from Denji’s flashback sequence which Chainsaw Man fans have been quick to point out in the form of Hirofumi Yoshida. While they’re not extremely close, the two are close enough that some are suspicious of Yoshida’s absence. With an additional chapter having been released since then, fans are positive that Yoshida’s absence may speak to what Denji’s plan is and ends up being.

Denji’s plan in Chainsaw Man may lead to him puking up both the Octopus Devil and Yoshida

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For starters, it’s worth establishing that Chainsaw Man fans have no idea what Hirofumi Yoshida’s current status is. He was last seen in chapter 173 making Denji throw up the Ear Devil with the help of his contracted ally the Octopus Devil, and the Aging Devil who is cooperating with Public Safety. Since then, fans haven’t seen or heard from Yoshida at all, but do know that Pochita erased the Octopus Devil.

Coincidentally, the Octopus Devil is now the only Devil Pochita ate amongst the four it ate in chapter 174’s final pages. The Mouth Devil was shot out of Pochita’s stomach by War Devil Yoru, while Denji has thrown up both the Snow and Bitterness Devils in the Aging Devil’s world. In other words, in terms of recently devoured and likewise erased Devils, the Octopus Devil should be the only one left in Denji’s stomach.

However, with Pochita having erased the Octopus Devil, there’s no way for Denji to know that. His plan is likely in turn to just be running until he throws up another Devil, which will hopefully be powerful enough to escape. However, there’s a chance that Denji doesn’t just throw up the Octopus Devil, but also Yoshida in the process. Yoshida's survival could be attributed to Pochita eating the Octopus Devil while it was wrapping up Yoshida, eating him also as a result.

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This would also explain Yoshida’s absence from Denji’s flashback, as he can’t remember Yoshida since Pochita ate him. Denji throwing up Yoshida in the Aging Devil’s world also gives the opportunity for resolution to Chainsaw Man Part 2 plotlines involving him, Denji, and Asa Mitaka/War Devil Yoru. This would serve as a good preface to the trio’s return to reality, at which point they’ll likely have to fight the Aging Devil and/or Public Safety.

It would also be a chance for Fujimoto to definitively comment on how Denji views Yoshida’s place in his life by the nature of the memory Denji gets when he throws Yoshida up. This would serve to both further characterize their relationship, and push the plot forward by the nature of Yoshida being torn between Denji and Public Safety.

Final thoughts

Yoshida's return to the story may be right around the corner (Image via Shueisha)

While the above is speculative, it does perfectly fit into what Denji’s plan seems to be. Likewise, it also gives Fujimoto the opportunity to resolve old plotlines, introduce and push forward new ones, and further characterize Denji’s relationship with Yoshida. Fans can expect to get some clarity on what Denji’s plan is and who exactly he throws up when the manga returns on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 12 am Japanese Standard Time.