Pochita may not be the Chainsaw Devil after all, and this Chainsaw Man theory explains how

Modified Jul 21, 2024 19:53 GMT

Pochita may not be the Chainsaw Devil after all, and this Chainsaw Man theory explains how (Image via MAPPA Studios)

One of the biggest mysteries in author and illustrator Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man manga series is the exact origins and nature of the Chainsaw Devil Pochita’s powers and abilities. While many have taken what little answers the series has provided so far in these areas at face value, others feel that there is a grander mystery behind the titular hero’s abilities.

Likely, the most widely accepted alternative is the idea that Chainsaw Devil Pochita’s true identity is actually that of the Life or Birth Devil, which can initially seem ridiculous. However, looking at the series’ core themes and other key pieces of evidence (such as the narrative itself), it becomes somewhat clear that this Chainsaw Man theory has some legs.

Fujimoto could have been lying to Chainsaw Man readers all along about Pochita's true identity and powers

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Arguably, the single biggest piece of evidence supporting this Chainsaw Man theory is the origins of the chainsaw itself. Originally invented in 1780, the first chainsaw was hand-cranked and meant to be a medical tool that helped with childbirth. With the tool being invented for childbirth, Pochita’s use of chainsaws in presenting itself would still fall in line with their true identity, the Life/Birth Devil.

There’s also the fact that Devils have been shown to be inherently violent when they are and are not capable of higher levels of thought. In other words, they clearly have an instinctual affinity for violence and death. This further supports the implementation of chainsaws in Pochita’s design and means of attack, as the Life/Birth Devil using a tool meant to aid birth as a deadly weapon perfectly fits with these instincts.

There’s also the fact that in both times it has been seen in Chainsaw Man thus far, Pochita’s true Hero of Hell form first manifests as an “organ scarf,” which bursts from Denji’s stomach and wraps around his neck. The organ scarf comes directly from the navel, where the umbilical cord attaches itself to a fetus.

The organ scarf wrapping around Denji’s neck also further plays into the umbilical cord comparisons, as a medical phenomenon is known as a “cord accident.” Essentially, during birth, an umbilical cord can become wrapped around a baby’s body or neck to the point that it obstructs blood flow in the umbilical veins, resulting in death. This further fits with the fact that Denji seems to lose control of himself whenever Pochita takes over as the Hero of Hell.

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The final major evidence supporting the theory is that all Devils claim to hear the sound of a chainsaw revving before they’re reincarnated onto Earth again. Combining this knowledge with the fact that Pochita is the one killing these Devils in Hell and sending them to Earth, as well as the origins of the chainsaw, becomes key support for the theory.

In addition to the above, there are also clues in part 2’s narrative itself, which suggest that this is Pochita’s true identity. Arguably, the strongest is that Famine Devil Fami specifically enlists War Devil Yoru and Chainsaw Devil Pochita’s abilities to combat the Death Devil. While Yoru’s strength here is unclear, Pochita’s would make perfect sense, as their being the Life/Birth Devil would make them the opposite of the Death Devil, both in concept and in combat.

In turn, this may also explain why Pochita was said to be fighting the Four Horsemen Devils prior to the start of the series. If Death led the group, Pochita would likely naturally oppose them as the Birth/Life Devil, also explaining why he fought to the point where he had to take a lesser form to heal. While this is all still speculative, it’s nevertheless a clearly strong and well-thought-out theory that has the potential to be proven true by the series itself.