Specialises in hidden gems, isekai, and anything with great world-building.
Chainsaw Man is not a normal shonen manga, and its ending reflects that. Tatsuki Fujimoto created something genuinely weird, emotionally raw, and thematically dense — and the ending ties together everything the series has been building toward.
Warning: Full spoilers for Chainsaw Man Part 1 ahead.
The quick summary
Denji defeats Makima by — and this is real — cutting her into pieces and eating her as meals over several days. This works because the Control Devil's contract requires the Prime Minister of Japan to sacrifice a Japanese citizen's lifespan each time Makima dies, but Denji's consumption of her body isn't technically "killing" her. It's an act of love, devotion, and consumption that turns Makima's own themes against her.
What was Makima's actual goal?
Makima wanted to use the Chainsaw Devil to erase concepts from existence. In the Chainsaw Man universe, when the Chainsaw Devil eats a devil, the concept that devil represents is erased from human consciousness. Makima wanted to create a "perfect world" by selectively erasing fears — essentially rewriting reality through consumption.
Her obsession with Chainsaw Man wasn't romantic or even strategic in the conventional sense. She wanted to control the most powerful editor of reality itself.
Why did Denji eat Makima?
Fujimoto is a madman, but there's method to the madness. Throughout the series, Denji's desires are simple and physical: food, warmth, companionship. His relationship with Makima was defined by devotion that looked like love but was actually control.
By eating Makima, Denji:
- 1Circumvented her resurrection ability
- 2Fulfilled the "becoming one with her" desire in the most literal possible way
- 3Took control back — she consumed his agency, so he consumed her body
- 4Ended the Control Devil's current incarnation
It's simultaneously horrifying, tragic, and thematically perfect. Only Fujimoto could make cannibalism feel like a love story's resolution.
Who is Nayuta?
After Makima dies, the Control Devil reincarnates as a child named Nayuta. Kishibe brings Nayuta to Denji, telling him to raise her "this time with love" so she doesn't become another Makima. Part 1 ends with Denji becoming a surrogate father/brother to the reincarnation of the woman who ruined his life.
This sets up Part 2, where Denji is a high school student raising Nayuta while trying to live a normal life. It doesn't go well.
The themes that matter
Desire vs Control: The entire series is about whether having desires makes you free or makes you controllable. Makima controlled Denji through his desires. Denji's victory came from acting on a desire so primal (consumption) that it bypassed her control.
The cost of being a hero: Every person who tried to be a "hero" in Chainsaw Man died or suffered horribly. The message isn't anti-heroism — it's that heroism built on others' expectations rather than genuine connection is hollow.
Found family destroyed and rebuilt: Denji's "family" at Division 4 was systematically destroyed. Part 1 ends with him building a new family with Nayuta. Part 2 tests whether he's learned enough to protect it this time.
How does Part 2 connect?
Part 2 follows Denji in high school, dealing with being publicly known as Chainsaw Man. New characters, new devils, and the question of whether Denji can break free from the cycles that defined Part 1. The manga is ongoing as of 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chainsaw Man anime faithful to the manga?
Season 1 covers chapters 1–38 and is very faithful. MAPPA's adaptation adds cinematic flair while keeping the story intact.
Will the anime adapt Part 1's ending?
Almost certainly, though it will take several more seasons. The eating scene will be... interesting to see animated.
Is Chainsaw Man appropriate for younger viewers?
No. It's one of the most violent, psychologically dark shonen manga ever published. The anime is rated TV-MA for good reason.
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