Review of Chainsaw Man
I didn't read the manga and went straight to the anime and, even with a relatively simple story, I found Chainsaw Man extremely engaging. The mystery present from the opening scene, Makima's enigmatic personality and the revelations at the end of the season managed to hook me quickly and keep my interest until the last episode. I've seen a lot of criticism of the protagonist's personality, but personally I think it makes total sense. Denji is a boy who has never had anything, has grown up alone and has undergone a mutation that has profoundly altered his body and his feelings. His goals may seem trivialor immature at first glance, but in fact they reflect the lack of perspective and sense of the future that he carries. This creates room for gradual and coherent growth, making him a character far from being a “perfect hero” who evolves overnight.
The secondary characters also caught my attention, especially Kobeni and Kishibe. They represent very well the psychological and emotional weight that living with demons and this brutal profession impose on the people of this world, bringing an extra layer of realism and tension to the narrative.
The action scenes are excellent, intense and very well directed. The setting is another highlight: the atmosphere is unique, dense and contributes greatly to the dark tone of the work. The soundtrack complements both the combat moments and the more tense or melancholic scenes very well.
Overall, Chainsaw Man delivers a remarkable experience, balancing action, mystery and human drama effectively. I intend to watch the movie and would certainly love to see a second season. It's a work I highly recommend, especially for those who like rawer stories, flawed characters and a more adult atmosphere.