This article contains major spoilers forChainsaw ManSeason 1.Chainsaw Man, the highly anticipated anime adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s massively popular manga, recently finished airing its first season. And by all accounts, it’s done an incredible job capturing the intense emotion, vivid atmosphere, and sheer off-the-wall madness that made the original story such a hit with readers in the first place.
There are plenty of moments from within the first season ofChainsaw Manthat have resonated deeply with viewers, be they thrilling or terrifying, heartbreakingly tragic or heart-poundingly racy. However, there are a few scenes that stand out above the rest as masterful examples of the series’ strongest aspects. So without further ado, here are the gory details on the five momentsfromChainsaw ManSeason 1that have already engraved themselves into the minds of fans everywhere.
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Dog and Chainsaw
The first entry on this list comes, appropriately enough, from the climax of the anime’s first episode. After Denji’s life is cut tragically short by the Zombie Devil, he’s miraculously revived by Pochita, who agrees to become Denji’s new heart in exchange for Denji promising to fulfill his dream of chasing a better, happier life. With this contract in place, Denji says goodbye to his only friend Pochita — and says hello to his new life as the deadly Devil-human hybrid known as Chainsaw Man.
What follows is the series’ cathartic first fight scene,as Denji uses hisnewfound power to effortlessly carve a path through the Zombie Devil’s legions of the undead, taking his revenge on the monsters who destroyed the life he shared with Pochita. It’s a spectacular tone-setter for the bloody, over-the-top action that has come to define the series, all set to the hype-inducing sound of Denji’s battle theme “edge of chainsaw”, by composer Kensuke Ushio. Later fights in the season may have had higher stakes or flashier animation, but Denji’s initial transformation into Chainsaw Man carries enough narrative weight to warrant a place on this list.
Drinking
Of course,Chainsaw Manisn’t just about actionor drama. It has plenty of heart too, not to mention a plethora of laughs. And there’s arguably no sequence that showcases this better than the aftermath of the Eternity Devil battle in Episode 7, when our intrepid crew of Devil Hunters celebrate their victory by sharing dinner and drinks together. This scene is probably remembered most for Denji’s ill-fated first kiss, but that’s not the only reason it’s significant. It’s also a precious moment of downtime, when our heroes are allowed to relax and unwind between battles. One of the most important parts of the story ofChainsaw Manis watching the bonds between the main characters grow closer over time, and this scene is a major step on that journey. It’s a simple, ordinary scene, and that’s exactlywhat makes it so special.
Gunfire
But alas, moments of happiness are always fleeting in this story, and Episode 8 follows up this bonding between teammates with a vicious bloodbath. Out of nowhere, the Devil Hunters of Special Division 4 are massacred by Katana Man, Akane Sawatari, and their gun-toting underlings. Just as we were getting to know the other members of Special Division 4, they’re all slaughtered unceremoniously — including Himeno and Arai, who previously seemed like permanent additions to the main cast.
This sequence is one of the most impactful in the season for numerous reasons. Not only does it firmly establish that anyone in this series can die at any time, it also serves as the introduction ofthe season’s main antagonist,Katana Man, whose debut shows that Denji isn’t the only Devil Hybrid out there. And of course, it also allows for plenty of cool action beats, particularly Aki and Kobeni. But most importantly, the sudden tragedy of the incident provides the direction for the final quarter of the season, motivating Denji, Power, and Aki to get revenge on Himeno’s killers.
Easy Revenge
While the main event of the season finale is focused around Denji, special mention must also go to Aki’s face-off against Akane. The rogue Devil Hunter summons the Ghost Devil against Aki, who initially struggles to stand his ground. However, when all seems lost, Aki finds his resolve in the memory of his fallen partner, Himeno. Recalling the advice she once gave him,Aki remembers that the Ghost Deviltargets its foes by sensing fear. And so, Aki steps forward without fear, calmly scaling the towering Devil and decapitating it with ease. It’s a satisfying conclusion to Aki’s arc throughout the season as he finally avenges Himeno’s death.
Katana Versus Chainsaw
Finally, the last entry on this list couldn’t go to anything else besides the climactic showdown between Denji and Katana Man. In what is perhaps the most epic fight of the entire season, Denji and his newfound nemesis face off in a high-flying duel that takes them all across the Tokyo rooftops, before concluding in a close-quarters brawl inside a moving train. At first, it seems likeDenji is just as outmatchednow as he was in his first clash with his fellow Hybrid. However, it soon becomes clear that his training with Kishibe paid off, and Denji swiftly claims the victory thanks to a clever bit of misdirection.
The battle between Denji and Katana Man is fast, frenetic, and ferocious, with the series’ animation, soundtrack, and voice acting all firing on all cylinders to deliver an appropriately impressive final battle for the conclusion of Season 1. The fight perfectly exemplifies the cinematic action that made the series such a standoutwithin the shonen genrein the first place. Plus, it’s immediately followed by a scene that’s as hilarious as it is heart-wrenching, as Denji and Aki play a truly one-of-a-kind requiem for Himeno. This sequence shows off everything that makesChainsaw Mansuch a massive hit, making it a perfect sendoff for the anime’s debut season.
