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4.44 AVERAGE
4.44 AVERAGE
After watching the first season of the anime, I wanted to read the manga and see what happens. The first part, called The Public Safety Saga, ends in this volume, so this is my review of it. This is a fantastic manga. First off, there are so many characters that I love, Aki, Power, Makima, etc, and they are all so unique from one another. The main character, Denji, is also great; his growth and change throughout the entire story are heartbreaking to watch, but the final chapters are worth it.
While there are definitely things that take place that seem stupid and unnecessary, it makes sense for the story that Denji is going on. He is someone who never really had a family and has had little connection to anyone. He is simply trying to survive before he meets Pochita. Everything that occurs is so that Denji can learn and develop what he believes his true dream is. At first, it seems surface-level, but as the story goes on, Denji starts to realize that maybe those surface-level wants aren't his true desires.
The emotional story Denji goes through is really the focal point, but the action and comedy are also top-notch. The devils that appear throughout are also really interesting in both their powers and the way they are used. Tatsuki Fujimoto's storytelling and visual direction is also masterful in its own way. This may be considered a tragic story given what happens throughout, but again, it's all to help Denji grow as a person. Overall, I loved this first part of Denji's story, and I'm currently reading the ongoing second part, which is also amazing in its own way.
Spoilers
I think the first few chapters are great in laying the groundwork, and introducing the gun devil as the supposed big bad gives something for the readers to look forward to. I also understand why people don't like certain parts of the story, such as Denji wanting to touch a girl's boobs, and I agree that it does sound like typical trashy stuff. However, Denji is again someone who has never had a true connection to anyone, thus he doesn't really know what that is. To him, a hormonal teenager, he obviously knows that he is attracted to women, and that attraction turns into the want to hug them or kiss them. It's very surface-level. However, the growth that Denji goes through allows him to break free from those simple ideas and think more about what he truly wants. That's why his connection with Aki and Power is so important. Because of that, I can forgive the weird moments for the most part as it does have a purpose.
It's also why the ending of this part is so sad and heartbreaking for both Denji and the reader. Aki turning into the Gun Fiend is such a tragic moment. One, because Aki's whole purpose was to kill the Gun Devil, yet in the end he becomes it. Two, Aki could have prevented it by running away, but he decided to stay because he cared about Denji and Power. And three, Denji having to kill what he sees as a brother and one of the few genuine connections he has is so soul-crushing. It also goes perfectly into the next part where Denji just doesn't want to feel anything anymore after killing Aki, resulting in the death of the other person he has a connection with, Power.
Makima is built up perfectly. She's obviously mysterious at first, and Denji is just attracted to her physically. It's later revealed that she is the Control Devil, and Denji must fight her. It's cathartic in a way as Denji is able to overcome Makima's control over him. There's so much more that can talked about such as Reze and her impact on Denji, or the numerous other devils that appear throughout, or the idea behind Chainsaw Man and its ability to erase entire concepts from existence. Just an absolutely fantastic story, and I'm excited to see where part 2 goes.
While there are definitely things that take place that seem stupid and unnecessary, it makes sense for the story that Denji is going on. He is someone who never really had a family and has had little connection to anyone. He is simply trying to survive before he meets Pochita. Everything that occurs is so that Denji can learn and develop what he believes his true dream is. At first, it seems surface-level, but as the story goes on, Denji starts to realize that maybe those surface-level wants aren't his true desires.
The emotional story Denji goes through is really the focal point, but the action and comedy are also top-notch. The devils that appear throughout are also really interesting in both their powers and the way they are used. Tatsuki Fujimoto's storytelling and visual direction is also masterful in its own way. This may be considered a tragic story given what happens throughout, but again, it's all to help Denji grow as a person. Overall, I loved this first part of Denji's story, and I'm currently reading the ongoing second part, which is also amazing in its own way.
Spoilers
It's also why the ending of this part is so sad and heartbreaking for both Denji and the reader. Aki turning into the Gun Fiend is such a tragic moment. One, because Aki's whole purpose was to kill the Gun Devil, yet in the end he becomes it. Two, Aki could have prevented it by running away, but he decided to stay because he cared about Denji and Power. And three, Denji having to kill what he sees as a brother and one of the few genuine connections he has is so soul-crushing. It also goes perfectly into the next part where Denji just doesn't want to feel anything anymore after killing Aki, resulting in the death of the other person he has a connection with, Power.
Makima is built up perfectly. She's obviously mysterious at first, and Denji is just attracted to her physically. It's later revealed that she is the Control Devil, and Denji must fight her. It's cathartic in a way as Denji is able to overcome Makima's control over him. There's so much more that can talked about such as Reze and her impact on Denji, or the numerous other devils that appear throughout, or the idea behind Chainsaw Man and its ability to erase entire concepts from existence. Just an absolutely fantastic story, and I'm excited to see where part 2 goes.
What a sweet ending to a mostly brilliant manga series. Although it’s only the end of the first storyline, it also stands as an ending on its own.
Again some hard scenes to follow cause combat art in manga is hard for me to parse but Denji is so cool. Can't wait to see how the new arc goes.
Great finale to one of the greatest manga i have read. (well.. the finale of part 1 of the story..)
Whaaaat a way to end an arc! Sad about the deaths but what can you do. Excellent food drawings.
There were parts of volume that were unsettling but considering everything that has happened in this series so far, it tracks. But the part that moved me the most was Power and Denji's conversation. Their bond is so strong, it's what makes this series appealing to me. Power, Denji and Aki made a family with each other and that's something so special amidst the chaos of the series' plot.
csm ripped my heart out more times than i can count. yet i still love it. love the art. love the story. love the characters. love the writing. its all so amazingly painful.
Seven dogs make a second appearance. High school comes at you fast.
this was a rollercoster or emotions
no, im not fine
anyway
im ready for part 2!
no, im not fine
anyway
im ready for part 2!