Spoilers for Chainsaw Man Part 1 (up to Volume 11).
Why was Kishibe one of the few people who never fell under Makima’s control?
On the surface, Kishibe and Makima are “just colleagues” in Public Safety.
But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Kishibe has been quietly watching Makima, doubting her, and preparing to kill her if necessary.
This article explores Kishibe’s relationship with Makima and why he ultimately remained free from the Control Devil’s power.
Makima Explained: The True Identity, Powers, and Death of the Control Devil in Chainsaw Man
Kishibe and Makima’s Relationship
In simple terms, Kishibe and Makima are coworkers in Public Safety Devil Hunters.
- Makima is a devil hunter directly under the Prime Minister’s office and holds a higher official position.
- Kishibe, however, is the more experienced veteran, with a much longer career as a devil hunter.
Because of that, they talk to each other on almost equal terms.
Still, as the story goes on, Kishibe begins to show clear distrust toward Makima, as if he already suspects her true nature.
Did Kishibe Know Makima’s True Identity?
During the Katana Man and Snake Devil’s attack on Division 4, Kishibe notices something strange:
Makima had prior information about the assault, yet acted as if she knew nothing.
In Chapter 32 (Volume 4), Kishibe warns Makima with a line that sounds like a probe:
“I’ll overlook you… as long as you stay on humanity’s side.”
From this line, we can infer:
- Kishibe suspects that Makima is not human
- Or at least, he believes she is something far more dangerous than a normal devil hunter
It’s possible that this attack on Division 4 is the event that made Kishibe certain Makima wasn’t an ordinary human.
Kishibe Starts Moving to Kill Makima
Asking Quanxi for Help
Quanxi is Kishibe’s former buddy and the woman he once fell in love with—
a legendary devil hunter in her own right.
In Chapter 61 (Volume 7), Kishibe reunites with Quanxi and asks for her help in killing Makima.
Interestingly, he doesn’t talk to her out loud.
Instead, he uses written notes to communicate.
This strongly implies that Kishibe has already realized:
- Makima can eavesdrop on conversations through small animals
- Therefore, spoken words are not safe around her
By writing instead of speaking, Kishibe is trying to create a space Makima’s “little spies” cannot understand.
Quanxi refuses his request.
Killing Makima would almost certainly require Quanxi’s power.
But at the same time, Kishibe doesn’t want to sacrifice the woman he loved.
You can read his conflict in this scene: he’s willing to stand against Makima, but not at the cost of losing Quanxi again.
Makima Kills Quanxi
Later, in Chapter 70 (Volume 8), after the battle with Santa Claus, Kishibe and Hirofumi Yoshida confront Quanxi.
At that moment, Makima appears.
The instant Quanxi sees Makima, she immediately surrenders and begs:
- She agrees to give up
- She asks Makima to spare the lives of her girlfriends
Makima shows no mercy.
She decapitates Quanxi, Cosmo, and Tsugihagi in a single move.
Because Makima is directly under the Prime Minister, other devil hunters must cover their eyes when she uses her full abilities. Kishibe is no exception.
However, after Makima kills Quanxi, Kishibe continues to keep his blindfold on.
Kishibe:
- Can’t even bear to look at the result
- Has just watched (or sensed) his former partner and old flame being killed in front of him
For Kishibe, Quanxi’s death is not just a tactical loss.
It’s deeply personal and likely hardens his resolve against Makima even further.
Kishibe Commands the Anti-Makima Squad
Later in the story, Kishibe forms and leads a special task force specifically to oppose Makima.
In Chapter 84 (Volume 10), he confronts Makima while pointing a gun at her and asks:
“What are you…? What the hell are you really?”
This line shows something important:
- Kishibe doesn’t fully understand Makima’s true goal
- But he knows enough to be certain that she is an inhuman monster that must be stopped
He doesn’t have the full picture of her “ideal world” plan,
yet he is convinced that Makima is a threat to humanity.
Kishibe Resists Makima Until the End
The Anti-Makima Squad is wiped out.
Public Safety is effectively under Makima’s control.
Most devil hunters are already bound by her power.
And yet, Kishibe alone continues to resist.
In Chapter 92 (Volume 11), Kishibe retrieves Denji—
revived thanks to his contract with Power—
and brings him back to his hideout.
This act allows Denji to eventually defeat Makima.
In a way, Denji’s victory is also the fulfillment of Kishibe’s long-held wish:
To stop Makima, no matter what it takes.
Why Makima Couldn’t Control Kishibe
Makima’s ability as the Control Devil is often summarized as:
She can control those she considers to be “beneath” her.
So why couldn’t she ever fully control Kishibe?
This theory suggests the following reasons:
- Kishibe’s Overall Strength
Kishibe is one of the strongest devil hunters in the series.
His raw combat ability and survival instincts are far above the norm. - Experience and Knowledge
He’s a veteran with long field experience and deep knowledge of devils.
He has likely seen countless contracts, abilities, and manipulations. - Unknown Devil Contracts
Kishibe is contracted with several devils—
the Claw Devil, the Needle Devil, and the Knife Devil.
Their true abilities are never fully explained, leaving room for the idea that:- They might offer resistance against control
- Or grant Kishibe unique mental or physical resilience
- Kishibe’s Mental Fortitude
Perhaps the most important factor is his mindset.
Kishibe never truly submits to Makima.
He suspects her, mistrusts her, and constantly prepares to kill her.
Because of all this, Makima may have been unable to genuinely see Kishibe as an inferior being she could dominate.
As a result, the conditions of her control ability were never fully satisfied.
In other words:
Kishibe survived because, in Makima’s eyes, he was never “just another insect” to be controlled.
He remained a rare equal—
a monster of a different kind, standing on the same battlefield as the Control Devil herself.
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