Written by Tatsuki Fujimoto and serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, Chainsaw Man captivated readers worldwide with its brutal story, rich symbolism, and unpredictable twists. Its unique balance of absurd comedy, raw emotion, and visceral horror made it a cultural phenomenon, trending weekly on social media during its run.
The Public Safety Arc (Part 1) concluded in February 2021 after 97 chapters, later followed by an anime adaptation by MAPPA and the launch of Part 2 on Jump+.
This article is a hub-style recap and guide to Chainsaw Man Part 1 (Volumes 1–11). Written from a Japanese fan’s perspective, I’ll walk through the main story arcs, key characters, important devils and fiends, and the themes that make Part 1 so powerful – and link to detailed analysis articles if you want to dive deeper into specific topics. Major spoilers ahead.
Chainsaw Man Part 2 – School Arc Explained (Full Spoiler Recap & Analysis, Vol. 1–19)
- Setting – When and Where Part 1 Takes Place
- Chainsaw Man Part 1 – Story Recap by Arc
- Volume 1: A Fateful Encounter and Contract
- Life Under Makima
- The Gun Devil and the Endless Hotel
- Assault on Public Safety & Katana Man
- Training with Kishibe and the Future Devil
- Reze – The Bomb Girl Arc
- International Assassins and the Darkness Devil
- The Gun Devil Returns and Aki’s Fate
- Makima’s True Identity and the Final Battle
- Main Characters You Need to Know in Part 1
- Important Devils and Fiends in Part 1
- The Reze Arc and Related Deep-Dive Articles
- Themes and Legacy of Part 1
- Where to Go Next (Recommended Reading on This Site)
Setting – When and Where Part 1 Takes Place
Part 1 of Chainsaw Man takes place in an alternate version of Japan around 1997 (confirmed in Volume 9, Chapter 75).
In this world, human fears manifest as Devils — terrifying beings that can possess, kill, or make contracts with humans.
For a deeper breakdown of the timeline, missing cell phones, and why the USSR still exists in this world, see my article “When Does Chainsaw Man Part 1 Take Place? (Explained: The Missing Cell Phones and the USSR That Never Fell)”.
Chainsaw Man Part 1 – Story Recap by Arc
Volume 1: A Fateful Encounter and Contract
Our story begins with Denji, a destitute boy forced to repay his late father’s debt to the yakuza. To survive, he works as a Devil Hunter, accompanied by his loyal pet — Pochita, a small chainsaw-shaped devil.
One day, Denji and Pochita are betrayed and murdered by the yakuza, who are under the control of the Zombie Devil. Before dying, Pochita sacrifices himself and fuses with Denji, forming a new contract:
“Show me your dreams, Denji.”
Reborn as a human-devil hybrid, Denji wipes out the zombies in a bloody rampage. Soon after, he encounters Makima, a mysterious woman from Public Safety. She offers him a choice —
“Be killed as a devil… or live as my pet.”
Hungry, alone, and desperate, Denji chooses to live. When Makima offers him a proper breakfast — something he’s never had — his new life as a Public Safety Devil Hunter begins.
The Meaning of the Door in Chainsaw Man – Why Pochita Says “Don’t Open It”
Life Under Makima
Image Credit :Tatuki Fujimoto 藤本タツキ/Shueisha 集英社
Makima takes Denji under her wing, offering food, shelter, and affection. Enchanted by her kindness, Denji falls hopelessly in love. She claims she can still smell Pochita’s presence inside him, which comforts Denji deeply.
He’s soon assigned to a new team alongside Aki Hayakawa, a stern and disciplined senior hunter, and Power, a chaotic Blood Fiend with the personality of a wild cat. Despite frequent clashes, the three gradually form a dysfunctional yet heartwarming household.
Denji, whose dreams are painfully simple, sets a new life goal — “to touch a girl’s chest.” Power promises to let him do so if he helps rescue her kidnapped cat, Meowy. But it’s a trap: Power sacrifices Denji to the Bat Devil to save her pet.
When the Bat Devil betrays her, Denji fights back, recalling his bond with Pochita. He defeats the devil in a spectacular battle, saving both Power and Meowy. From that point, Aki begins to see Denji differently — not as a nuisance, but as someone with heart.
Power later moves in with them, and Denji finally achieves his dream… only to realize it’s not as thrilling as he imagined. Feeling hollow, he confides in Makima, who gently tells him that true intimacy is about connection, not just physical touch — and tempts him with a new promise.
Why Kishibe Was Never Controlled by Makima in Chainsaw Man
The Gun Devil and the Endless Hotel
Makima reveals her ultimate goal: to hunt down the Gun Devil, a being so powerful it caused mass casualties worldwide in seconds. The Gun Devil also murdered Aki’s family, giving him a personal vendetta.
To locate it, hunters collect fragments of the Gun Devil’s flesh, which attract one another. Denji, Aki, and Power join Himeno, Arai, and Kobeni on a mission to a hotel where a devil holds one of these fragments.
Kobeni Higashiyama Explained: Her Strength, Devil Contract, and Survival in Chainsaw Man
Inside, the group becomes trapped in an endless loop on the 8th floor — the work of the Eternity Devil. The only way out, the devil claims, is to feed it Denji. Without hesitation, Denji dives in to fight it himself. He drinks its blood to heal and battles relentlessly until the devil begs for death.
Denji’s insane determination earns the team’s respect. Later, during a drunken welcome party, he bonds with Himeno, and the two promise to help each other achieve their romantic goals — Denji’s love for Makima, and Himeno’s for Aki.
But the peace is short-lived.
Assault on Public Safety & Katana Man
A coordinated attack strikes Japan’s devil hunters. Members of the Special Division are gunned down across the country, including Himeno, who sacrifices her life and her contract with the Ghost Devil to save Aki.
Denji is captured by the Katana Man, a hybrid like himself. Yet inexplicably, Makima survives an assassination attempt while traveling to Kyoto — and uses her mysterious power to slaughter the attackers from afar.
Kobeni manages to rescue Denji, and the truth becomes clear: Denji’s heart — Pochita — is the real target.
Training with Kishibe and the Future Devil
Image Credit :Tatuki Fujimoto 藤本タツキ/Shueisha 集英社
Makima restructures the division and assigns Denji and Power to train under Kishibe, the strongest (and craziest) devil hunter. His brutal methods nearly kill them daily, but they slowly improve.
Why Kishibe Is the Strongest Devil Hunter in Chainsaw Man (Analysis)
Meanwhile, Aki makes a new contract with the Future Devil, who ominously declares,
“Your death will be the worst one imaginable.”
Armed with new powers, the squad launches a revenge operation, defeating the Katana Man and bringing him into custody.
Reze – The Bomb Girl Arc
Image Credit :Tatuki Fujimoto 藤本タツキ/Shueisha 集英社
Amid the chaos, Denji starts to live a somewhat normal life — until he meets Reze, a charming girl working at a café. She flirts, laughs, and teaches him what it means to be loved.
But happiness never lasts in Chainsaw Man.
Reze’s true identity is revealed: she’s a Bomb Devil hybrid, sent to assassinate Denji and retrieve his heart.
After a fierce battle involving Beam, the Shark Fiend who worships Denji as “Lord Chainsaw,” Reze is defeated. Before leaving Japan, she hesitates — torn between her mission and her feelings. Denji, waiting for her at their café, never sees her again. She’s quietly killed by Makima, hinting that Makima had orchestrated everything from the start.
I’ve written a full Reze character guide here: “Reze Explained: The Bomb Girl from Chainsaw Man”
International Assassins and the Darkness Devil
Denji’s identity becomes public, and devil hunters from around the world set out to capture him.
From America come the three brothers — one hilariously killed when Kobeni’s car runs him over (earning the car its own fanbase).
Elsewhere, Germany’s mysterious Santa Claus uses the Doll Devil to turn civilians into deadly puppets, while China sends Quanxi, a legendary devil hunter and her harem of fiend lovers.
The conflict spirals into chaos as everyone is dragged into Hell by the Hell Devil, where they encounter the terrifying Darkness Devil. Nearly everyone dies — until Makima appears, effortlessly pulling the survivors back to Earth.
In the ensuing battle, Denji and Quanxi temporarily team up and defeat their enemies. But the cost is enormous.
The Gun Devil Returns and Aki’s Fate
Traumatized by the recent events, Aki becomes fearful of fighting again. Yet Makima manipulates him into contracting with the Gun Devil itself. Soon, he loses control and becomes the Gun Fiend, attacking Denji and Power.
As they fight, Aki hallucinates that he’s playing in the snow with Denji — unaware that he’s killing innocent people. Denji is forced to kill him, fulfilling the Future Devil’s prophecy.
Makima’s True Identity and the Final Battle
Image Credit :Tatuki Fujimoto 藤本タツキ/Shueisha 集英社
After Aki’s death, Denji falls into despair. Seeking comfort, he accepts Makima’s invitation to live with her. Surrounded by warmth, food, and her dogs, he feels peace — until she murders Power right before his eyes.
Makima reveals everything: she is the Control Devil, representing humanity’s fear of domination. Her goal is to use Chainsaw Man to create a perfect, peaceful world — one without pain, fear, or independence.
But Denji, with Pochita’s help, finds a loophole. He defeats Makima not with brute force, but through cunning and love — in a disturbingly poetic way that only Tatsuki Fujimoto could conceive.
For a deeper breakdown of Makima’s true nature and goals, see my article “Makima Explained: The True Identity, Powers, and Death of the Control Devil in Chainsaw Man.”
Main Characters You Need to Know in Part 1
Denji
Denji is a poor teenage boy who starts out killing devils to pay off his late father’s debt to the yakuza. After fusing with his pet devil Pochita, he becomes the Chainsaw Man – a “weapon human” who just wants simple things like good food, love, and a normal life.
Makima
Makima is a high-ranking Public Safety Devil Hunter who takes Denji in, offering him food, shelter, and affection. To Denji, she seems like a kind savior, but her true intentions and nature are far more terrifying and controlling than they first appear.
Read more in my full Makima guide: Makima Explained – The True Identity, Powers, and Death of the Control Devil in Chainsaw Man.
Power
Power is the Blood Fiend, a devil who has taken over a human corpse and now works with Public Safety. Loud, selfish, and childish, she lies easily and causes chaos, but over time she forms a genuine (if very messy) family bond with Denji and Aki.
Aki Hayakawa
Aki is a serious and disciplined Public Safety Devil Hunter who initially hates Denji’s carefree attitude. After losing his family to the Gun Devil, he lives only for revenge, making multiple dangerous contracts – including one with the Future Devil, who predicts that Aki’s death will be “the worst one imaginable.”
Reze
Reze is a seemingly sweet girl who works at a small café and becomes close to Denji, showing him a kind of affection he’s never experienced before. However, she is secretly a Bomb Devil hybrid sent to assassinate him, torn between her mission and the genuine feelings she begins to develop.
For a complete overview of Reze’s identity, powers, and tragic story, check my Reze hub article: Reze Explained: The Bomb Girl from Chainsaw Man — Complete Guide to Her Identity, Powers, and Tragic Story.
Important Devils and Fiends in Part 1
Devils and fiends are at the core of Chainsaw Man’s world. Here are some of the most important ones that appear in Part 1, along with guides you can read if you want to go deeper.
Chainsaw Devil (Pochita)
Pochita is the Chainsaw Devil who fuses with Denji at the very beginning of the story. On the surface he looks like a cute dog with a chainsaw sticking out of his head, but he’s actually one of the most feared devils in the world – and the key to everything that happens in Part 1.
Fox Devil
The Fox Devil is a powerful devil that lends its head or full body to devil hunters who form contracts with it, usually in exchange for offerings like body parts. It appears repeatedly in Part 1, often as a finishing move to bite off an enemy in one attack.
I explain the Fox Devil’s abilities, contracts, and the hunters who use it in more detail in “Chainsaw Man: The Fox Devil Explained — Abilities, Contracts, and Hunters Who Use It.”
Violence Fiend (Galgali)
The Violence Fiend, whose human name is Galgali, is unusually gentle and polite for a fiend, despite his terrifying mask and overwhelming strength. He fights with brutal close-range attacks but shows a strong sense of empathy and restraint, making him one of the quietly most human characters in Part 1.
For Galgali’s personality, powers, and hidden meaning, see “Galgali (Violence Fiend) Explained — Personality, Power, and Hidden Meaning.”
Shark Fiend (Beam)
Beam is the Shark Fiend, a chaotic but loyal ally who worships Denji as “Lord Chainsaw.” He can swim through solid surfaces like the floor or walls as if they were water, and he fights by leaping and biting at enemies with shark-like ferocity.
Beam’s loyalty and abilities are explored in “Beam (Shark Fiend) — Profile, Abilities, and Loyalty to Chainsaw Man.”
Bomb Devil (Reze)
The Bomb Devil is the source of Reze’s power. By pulling the pin on her choker, Reze can transform into a living bomb, creating massive explosions, detonating her own limbs, and turning the battlefield into a war zone. She’s one of the most dangerous weapon humans introduced in Part 1.
For a complete overview of Reze’s identity, powers, and tragic story, check my Reze hub article: “Reze Explained: The Bomb Girl from Chainsaw Man — Complete Guide to Her Identity, Powers, and Tragic Story.”
Control Devil (Makima / Nayuta)
The Control Devil represents humanity’s fear of domination and control. In Part 1, this devil takes the form of Makima, who manipulates others through fear, contracts, and an almost divine authority. After the final battle, the Control Devil is reborn as Nayuta, a small girl whom Denji decides to protect and raise.
I break down Makima’s true identity, powers, and role in the story in “Makima Explained: The True Identity, Powers, and Death of the Control Devil in Chainsaw Man.”
Future Devil
The Future Devil is a bizarre, playful devil who can see a person’s future. Aki makes a contract with it, allowing the Future Devil to live inside his eye in exchange for letting it witness his death. Its ominous line – “Your death will be the worst one imaginable” – hangs over the rest of Part 1.
Gun Devil
The Gun Devil is the embodiment of humanity’s fear of guns and mass shootings. It caused catastrophic damage around the world in just a few minutes, killing hundreds of thousands of people. In Part 1, fragments of its flesh drive the plot forward, and its influence twists the lives of characters like Aki in tragic ways.
The Reze Arc and Related Deep-Dive Articles
Image Credit :Tatuki Fujimoto 藤本タツキ/Shueisha 集英社・MAPPA
Among all the stories in Chainsaw Man Part 1, the Reze arc stands out as one of the most emotionally devastating and thematically rich. It starts like a sweet summer romance and quickly turns into a brutal spy thriller, mixing questions of love, loyalty, war, and identity into a single short arc.
In this site, I’ve written several deep-dive articles that explore different sides of Reze – her character, the café she works at, her Russian song, Nomo’s reaction, and even the movies that inspired her story. If you want to explore the Reze arc in more detail, you can start from any of the articles below:
- Reze Explained: The Bomb Girl from Chainsaw Man — Complete Guide to Her Identity, Powers, and Tragic Story
- The Meaning Behind Café “Futamichi” – Where Reze Works
- Reze’s Russian Song Explained — Jane Slept in the Church in Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc
- [Analysis] Why Did Nomo Recognize Reze’s Face?
- Chainsaw Man: Who Is Nomo? Fox Devil Contract and His Role in the Reze Arc
- Reze’s Return in Chainsaw Man Explained – Her Resurrection, Second Death, and Future in Part 2
- Movies That Inspired Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc — Fujimoto’s Hidden Homages
Themes and Legacy of Part 1
Chainsaw Man Part 1 isn’t just about devils, gore, and shock value. Underneath all the violence, it’s a story about freedom, control, trauma, and the painful, simple desire to live an ordinary life.
Some of the core themes of Part 1 include:
- Freedom vs control – Denji wants basic freedom (food, love, a normal home), while Makima represents total control over others, “for the greater good.”
- Love, trauma, and abuse – Many relationships in Part 1 mix love with manipulation, violence, or obsession, blurring the line between genuine care and control.
- Being treated as a tool vs being treated as a person – Denji, Reze, Aki, and even devils like Pochita are constantly used as weapons or tools by larger systems and authorities.
- Simple happiness in a cruel world – Breakfast, a movie date, holding hands, or naps with friends become incredibly precious because the world is so unforgiving.
- Memory, guilt, and survival – Characters carry the weight of their past, but the story often asks whether surviving means forgetting, forgiving, or learning to live with what happened.
With its unpredictable tone, brutal honesty, and emotional impact, Part 1 turned Chainsaw Man into a modern cult classic and helped establish Tatsuki Fujimoto as one of the most daring storytellers in contemporary manga.
Where to Go Next (Recommended Reading on This Site)
If you’d like to keep exploring Chainsaw Man Part 1 in more depth, here are some recommended articles on this site:
- Reze character hub and analysis
A complete guide to Reze’s identity, Bomb Devil powers, tragic past, Russian song, Café Futamichi, Nomo, and her possible return in Part 2. - Makima’s true identity and Control Devil powers
An in-depth look at who Makima really is, how her Control Devil powers work, and what her ideal “perfect world” actually means. - Timeline explainer: when exactly Part 1 takes place
A detailed breakdown of the in-universe timeline, why the USSR still exists, and why there are no cell phones in this version of Japan. - Devil and fiend guides (Fox Devil, Galgali, Beam, and more)
Character-focused guides that explain the abilities, personalities, and symbolism of key devils and fiends like the Fox Devil, the Violence Fiend (Galgali), and the Shark Fiend (Beam).
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