When Chainsaw Man released it showed us an electrifying mixture of dark fantasy, action, and unpredictable storytelling. It is produced by MAPPA studio and it quickly became a fan favorite. In this Chainsaw Man anime season 1 review we will dive deep into the story, crazy characters, animation and themes of this anime. If you’re wondering whether this anime lives up to its hype or not then keep reading.
Chainsaw Man Season 1 – An Overview
Title: Chainsaw Man
Studio: MAPPA
Release: October 12, 2022
Episodes: 12 (Season 1)
Source: Manga (written by Tatsuki Fujimoto)
Genres: Action, Horror, Supernatural, Dark Fantasy, Gore
Available to Watch: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video (region-dependent), Hulu (region-dependent)
If you didn’t watch Chainsaw Man and didn’t see its poster, just heard its name then you might have imagined that it may be the story of a man with a chainsaw. Well, you are not completely wrong, there is just a small twist is that man himself is a chainsaw. Yeah, I know now it sounds interesting. It is the story of a young man named Denji who just wants to live a normal life but at a young age he lost his father and found out that his father has a big debt. Now Denji has to clear his father’s debt. So, how did he do that? Well, there are devils in this series as well. So Denji kills those devils, sells their corpses to pay the debt, not just that he also sold some of his body parts to do the same.
While killing devils he almost died and at that point his pet devil Pochita, oh I almost forgot to mention Pochita. Well Denji found Pochita who is also a chainsaw devil after his fathers death and realised that the little devil needed help. After helping Pochita they became friends and since then Denji uses Pochita to kill the other devils.
From the very first episode, you don’t see the story or the characters as good or evil. But you quickly get attached to Denji after seeing his struggle and his future fantasies. After joining the Public Safety Bureau, we see how the series balances the action and humor which makes it stand out in this crowded anime genre.
Storyline and Themes in Chainsaw Man Season 1
Chainsaw Man is a story of Denji’s life, his survival and his desires. Denji has simple goals in his life and he is very much motivated by them to enjoy a better life, eat delicious food, live in a nicer place and offcourse being surrounded by beautiful women. But we all know every good thing comes with a price attached to it.
In the series we have seen Denji’s complex relationships with the characters around him. His first partner Aki is stoic and more experienced than Denji, then there is Power who is a completely reckless devil hybrid and finally there is Makima. Well what can I say about Makima? Yeah we all love her. But Makima is a leader of this group, and all of these characters play a very crucial role in Denji’s life.
The series has themes of loss, betrayal and moral ambiguity that runs deep in Chainsaw Man. Throughout the series Denji has to constantly make difficult decisions. For example, in one episode all the members of the group are locked in the one floor of the building and the devil asked for Denji’s life just to release the domain. At that time most of the members were against it but then Denji thought instead of just giving his life selflessly he decided to fight and die instead.
Animation and Art Style
One of the most amazing features of Chainsaw Man is its animation. It is delivered by MAPPA who is known for its work on Attack on Titan and Jujutsu Kaisen. The animation quality is visually just top-notch and it also captures the chaos and gore nature of the story. The action scenes are amazing, particularly the intense battle scenes with devils are unmatched.
When it comes to the art style of the anime, I must say that the devil designs are very impressive and they are uniquely terrifying. Denji’s transformation into Chainsaw Man does stand out in the anime. The first transformation of the Denji is a bit scary as he transforms and then he transforms back to his old self again, a man that feels so good. I thought he was gonna stay like that permanently. Animation and art does enhance the storytelling of this anime.
Character Development in Chainsaw Man Season 1
Chainsaw Man showcased a few memorable characters to us, each with their own motivations, struggles and backstory. Let’s start with Denji who is also a main character but still they didn’t show him as a traditional hero. He has basic human desires like living a normal life, having a girlfriend but as the series progresses we can see he has flaws and life struggles. His growth is one of the most amazing things you can see in this anime.
Then there is Aki who at the start we all thought is not that of a good character because of how he treats Denji at the start. But then after some time he shared his horrifying past to Denji and we realised he also has a good reason to kill devils. Power on the other hand started as a reckless and selfish girl or lets just say hybrid evil who uses Denji at first but then gradually we see she also has an emotional side.
Last but definitely not the least Makima who is a dream girl of every or most of the boys is a very mysterious, manipulative and very strong character. She has calmness in her voice and it is very difficult to figure out her real intentions. All of these characters has dynamic relationship with Denji,
Music and Sound Design
The background music of the Chainsaw Man plays a very important role to set the tone. The opening theme “KICK BACK” by Kenshi Yonezu perfectly captures the chaos of the series. And the ending theme “Haikei, Tori no Uta” by ano brings more emotional feel to the show’s darker moments.
The sound design during the action scenes are just amazing. Even now while remembering it I can hear the intense roars and chainsaw revs in my mind and it definitely improves the overall atmosphere of the show.
Final Thoughts on Chainsaw Man Season 1
Chainsaw Man season 1 is a thrilling, horrifying anime that has set a new stand for anime lovers. If you haven’t already watched it yet then definitely give it a try. Whether you are an old anime lover or just started watching anime, I can say it’s a must watch.
FAQs about Chainsaw Man Season 1
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How many episodes is season 1 of Chainsaw Man?
Season 1 of Chainsaw Man has 12 episodes.
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How many volumes does Chainsaw Man season 1 cover?
Total of first 5 volumes of the manga covered in Chainsaw Man season 1.
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What chapters does Chainsaw Man season 1 cover?
Season 1 covers chapters starting at chapter 1 and ends at chapter 97 of the manga.
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Where to watch Chainsaw Man season 1?
You can watch Chainsaw Man Season 1 on platforms like Crunchyroll and Hulu. They both offer streaming in multiple languages, including English subtitles.
For those who are excited to dive deeper into the Chainsaw Man universe, don’t miss our Chainsaw Man Season 2 Review when it comes. Where we explore the next chapter of Denji’s journey, what’s in store for his evolving relationships, and how the story progresses after the dramatic events of Season 1. Also, check out our article on Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc release date, which delves into the movie adaptation and the highly anticipated Reze arc, offering fans another exciting way to experience the world of Chainsaw Man.
Review Rating: 5/5
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