'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQG/8QAIxAAAgAFAgcAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAAwURIQQHBhMxQmFx0f/EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAED/8QAGBEBAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACERL/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/ALJe8lSbhxp2okrNDNygtgpZsdSO31k+Ixrb1VxGKqzWBsML8hCJcVV2NroGT//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chainsaw Man, created by Tatsuki Fujimoto, is a unique and dark shonen anime and manga series renowned for its fascinating world, diverse cast, brutal action sequences, and emotional depth. The story is split into two parts—the Public Safety Saga and the Academy Saga—and is currently ongoing, with 199 chapters released at the time of writing this article.
Within these two overarching sections, there are 14 distinct story arcs exploring the protagonist Denji’s exciting journey in the world of devils and Devil Hunters. While the series features one continuous storyline, each subplot introduces new cast members, settings, and adventures in the life of its main character.
The Chainsaw Man anime, which adapts directly from the manga, has one season and an upcoming movie. These cover the first 5 out of the total 14 arcs. Here is a complete guide to all the story arcs in the series.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the anime and manga.
Chainsaw Man Part 1 - Public Safety Saga
1) Introduction Arc (Episodes 1-2 and Chapters 1-4)
The Introduction Arc, as the name suggests, gives fans their first view into the depressing yet intriguing world of Chainsaw Man. It introduces the tragic protagonist, Denji, who is taken advantage of by the Yakuza and lives in crippling poverty along with his pet, Pochita. However, after an encounter with the Zombie Devil, Denji’s life drastically changes as he inherits the powers of the Chainsaw Devil and gets recruited by the Public Safety Hunters.
2) Bat Devil Arc (Episodes 2-5 and Chapters 5-12)
The Bat Devil Arc introduces the extended cast of the series, starting from the Blood Fiend, Power. Denji decides to help her retrieve her cat, Meowy, from the Bat Devil for the sake of his lecherous ambitions. However, due to the betrayal of his partner in crime, his skillfulness as Chainsaw Man is put to the test.
3) Eternity Devil Arc (Episodes 5-7 and Chapters 13-21)
When tracking down the Gun Devil, Denji, Aki, Power, Himeno, and other Devil Hunters get trapped in a hotel controlled by the Eternity Devil. In contrast to the protagonist’s easygoing nature, the rest of the characters soon become steeped in anxiety and fear. Just as they begin turning on Denji, who is the Eternity Devil’s main target, he decides to jump into battle himself, showcasing ruthlessness as Chainsaw Man.
4) Katana Man Arc (Episodes 8-12 and Chapters 22-38)
The Katana Man Arc is the final arc of the Chainsaw Man anime and the first arc of the story where a major tragedy occurs. It follows an attack on the main characters by Katana Man and subordinates of the Gun Devil. In addition to the devastating loss of Himeno, this subplot features the exhilarating battle between Chainsaw Man and Katana Man. It also hints at the main antagonist, Makima.
5) Bomb Girl Arc (Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc and Chapters 39-52)
Set to be adapted in the upcoming Chainsaw Man movie, the Bomb Girl Arc revolves around Denji’s relationship with the bright yet enigmatic Reze. While enjoying the time he spends with the new woman in his life, he begins having doubts about his relationship with Makima. However, calamity is never far away in his world, as Reze’s secretive identity as the Bomb Devil and Makima’s schemes to control Denji led to heart-wrenching moments.
6) International Assassins Arc (Chapters 53-70)
As news of Denji possessing the Chainsaw Devil in his heart is revealed across the world, assassins from multiple nations target the protagonist. This leads to the most chaotic and exhilarating series of chapters in the story, introducing fan-favorite characters such as Quanxi and Santa Claus. It sets the stage for Makima’s ultimate reveal as the villain and her despicable actions in the coming arcs.
7) Gun Devil Arc (Chapters 71-79)
While Aki finally gets his much-desired goal of confronting the Gun Devil, things don’t go as planned as he is turned into the Gun Fiend as part of Makima’s plans to control Denji. To completely wreck the protagonist psychologically, the antagonist forces Denji to fight his best friend to the death, paving the way for the heartbreaking “Snowball Fight.”
8) Control Devil Arc (Chapters 80-97)
As the final arc of the Public Safety Saga, the Control Devil Arc revolves around the concluding battle between Denji and Makima. With the help of allies such as Power and Kishibe, along with his own ingenuity, the protagonist manages to come out on top and defeat the villain responsible for his hardships. The end of the arc introduces Nayuta, the new Control Devil. Denji adopts her as his little sister, and the two of them live happily together as a family.
Chainsaw Man Part 2 - Academy Saga
9) Justice Devil Arc (Chapters 98-111)
The Justice Devil Arc acquaints us with the new main character of Chainsaw Man, Asa Mitaka. As a clumsy girl with unending worries, her life is overturned when she becomes the vessel for the War Devil, Yoru. The two also face their first test by confronting the dangerous Justice Devil.
10) Dating Denji Arc (Chapters 112-120)
After the reintroduction of Denji, Yoru reveals how she aims to turn him into a weapon. For its sake, Asa invites him out on a date to an aquarium, resulting in hilarious interactions between the two main characters. Their plans soon go astray as the Eternity Devil reappears and takes over the aquarium, forcing the cast to fight it again. This arc also brings the spotlight to key characters such as the “Famine Devil” and Yoshida, giving fans a closer look into the main antagonist, the Death Devil.
11) Falling Devil Arc (Chapters 121-131)
With the appearance of the Falling Devil, a Primal Fear, Asa and Yoru confront their greatest challenge yet. In the face of the devil’s nightmarish abilities, Asa falls prey to regret and trauma. Thankfully, Denji’s intervention prevents her death. At the same time, the “Famine Devil” expresses her fears regarding the Prophecy of Nostradamus and the necessity for Denji and Yoru’s strength.
12) Chainsaw Man Church Arc (Chapters 132-155)
As a cult that worships Chainsaw Man begins moving towards their goals, Denji and Nayuta's craving for normalcy seems like an impossible dream. With Fakesaw Man replacing him in the public eye, the protagonist struggles to balance his dual identities. Meanwhile, Asa and Yoru begin gaining more popularity by taking out the Carpenter Bee Devil.
13) Aging Devil Arc (Chapters 156-190)
The Aging Devil Arc follows Denji becoming a victim yet again to the evil schemes of those around him. Due to Barem’s wish to achieve Makima’s dream, the protagonist loses everything he holds dear. Denji eventually falls into Aging’s World, where he is forced to look into his mental well-being and undergo personal growth. This allows him to come out stronger and fight the intimidating Aging Devil.
14) Current Arc (Chapters 191-Ongoing)
While not given an official name yet, the Current Arc reveals the biggest plot twist in Chainsaw Man—the “Famine Devil” is actually the Death Devil. With the prophecy of Nostradamus approaching nearer and the overwhelming powers of the primary antagonist, the main characters finally have their goal in sight.
Trending
The Chainsaw Man manga is currently ongoing, with 14 story arcs covered across 199 chapters. The anime, with one season and an upcoming movie, has adapted the first 5 of these arcs. With anime fans getting to enjoy the Bomb Girl Arc soon and manga fans finally meeting the dangerous Death Devil, excitement is at its highest in both mediums.
Reply
