An analysis of the ending of Chainsaw Man.
Renown mangaka and author Tatsuki Fujimoto's most popular manga serialization, Chainsaw Man, just ended, and its interpretation and reception have been divisive among fans. I wanted to share my personal thoughts on the ending as I first read it, then discuss the different interpretations I've been seeing and my thoughts on them.
To preface, I've been following this series since April 2021 and have consistently kept up with the release of the newest chapters, through all the breaks and pauses across different publications. So it would be an understatement to say how much this manga means to me.
SPOILER WARNING AHEAD FOR CHAINSAW MAN CH. 232:
The chapter opens with Denji, in this seemingly new world, arriving back at the warehouse where he and Pochita initially made a contract (during Part I). Here, instead of kicking zombie-devil ass as Chainsaw Man, he is instead saved by Power, the Blood Fiend, who makes a contract with him to keep him alive. The chapter follows this duo, as they're recruited by Public Safety, and eventually Denji finds himself interacting with Asa Mitaka, the main character of Part II.
As I read the chapter, it felt as though everything was happening out of nowhere: Power somehow returns, Nayuta is alive, and Denji even seems to be interacting with Asa. But as the chapter progressed, I began viewing this version of Denji differently than he was, entirely before. I thought about the implications of a world where Denji cannot become Chainsaw Man. The more I sat with these thoughts and what the ending means for Denji, the more I found myself liking it.
After dwelling on my feelings for about a day, I would say that I actually really liked the ending in terms of what it means for the manga as a whole. The last chapter depicts this life that Denji could have, had he not been Chainsaw Man. There is no longer this target on his back that makes him the most wanted person by everyone. There isn't a shared fear of devils stemming from Chainsaw Man. Even in the chapter, Denji figuratively and literally stops being Chainsaw Man to stop Asa from tripping.
My main issue with the ending (as succinctly expressed by X user @/Morningbird_Asa on Twitter here) is that Asa Mitaka's character development almost goes to waste, and her trauma doesn't really get resolved. I've seen arguments that she has already gotten everything she needs from this ending, but given how much emphasis Part II placed on her as a character, I wish there were more of an emphasis on her in the ending as well.
After exploring different interpretations and theories related to the latest chapter, I wanted to share two of my favorites. My first comes from TikTok user @/ishaankaushal_, whose video elaborates on the "Dream Theory" and explains that this isn't really the ending of Chainsaw Man. I won't dive into the theory here since he's already speaks about it in his video, but I do like the theory that this isn't really the end. While Fujimoto's ending is good for the story, it could've been achieved in a much better, more drawn-out way. Another take on the ending that I loved so much comes from TikTok user @/golfergare, who interprets it as Denji essentially kicking his addiction to being Chainsaw Man. He also touches on a point many fail to realize: prior to this "reset," the world was in a VERY apocalyptic state, and there wasn't really a way to return to normalcy without Asa being traumatized by Yoru's actions forever.
All in all, if this isn't really the ending, then Fujimoto is truly a genius, and you can never really expect what he is going to do next. If it is the ending, I still really enjoyed it. I still think it fits well with the manga's themes and Fujimoto's overarching message towards Denji. It also allows for Fujimoto to return to the series if he were ever to choose to.