Chainsaw Man: Denji heralds the death of the traditional hero archetype

In the vast universe of anime and manga, Chainsaw Man introduces Denji, who has crashed into the scene and changed the whole foundation of what it means to be a hero. Until now, heroes have followed a similar pattern of being virtuous, selfless they are morally upright figures who fight for justice. For instance, Naruto’s dream of becoming the Hokage or Izuku Midoriya’s striving to embody the meaning of heroism, there is always a pattern.

Denji is no hero; he just wants to survive in this harsh world, to eat good food, and get a girlfriend. Tatsuki Fujimoto used this creatively to its fullest by introducing not merely a different kind of protagonist but an outright rejection of the traditional "hero" archetype.

When it comes to analyzing Denji’s character, he is a mirror of real-world struggles. For him, heroism is not about virtue or morals. As his main battle is not fighting strong opponents but to fight crippling poverty and achieve his goals without being continuously manipulated.

By centering such a protagonist, Fujimoto further wants to reject the glorification of suffering that is usually seen in heroes. Denji does not wish to suffer for the sake of a grand reward. He simply wants to live better, and if that means making deals with devils or becoming one himself, he would without a second thought.

If we talk about the narrative structure of Chainsaw Man, we should know a little about the traditional hero’s journey, by Joseph Campbell. According to Joseph Campbell, a protagonist receives a call to adventure, faces trials, gains allies, and returns transformed, often bringing newfound wisdom. Now, Denji’s journey in this series rejects this formula at every turn.

When Denji transforms, it’s not into a noble savior but into a monstrous chainsaw-wielding devil, a literal embodiment of violence and chaos. And when he "saves the world" by defeating Makima, it’s not for the sake of humanity, it’s because she threatened his happiness and the few genuine bonds he had managed to form.

Furthermore, to prove that he heralds the death of the traditional hero archetype, is during his works for Public Safety. It is apparent to the audience that the Public Safety system is corrupt and filled with manipulation.

Yet, Denji in Chainsaw Man never had a single thought of standing up against this system and changing it for the better. Moreover, Denji is perfectly willing to kill innocents if it suits him. In many ways, Denji reflects the real world where survival is of priority than thinking about moral purity.

Chainsaw Man’s Impact on the Shonen Genre

In an era where there is economic instability, political distrust, climate anxiety, and information overload, the traditional hero who saves the world does not resonate with fans as much as they are seen as both naïve and unattainable. Chainsaw Man has shown modest dreams of character in a chaotic world, and this honesty makes Denji one of the most relatable protagonists of the modern era.

There is a high chance that the traditional hero archetype will not be what it is used to. Future protagonists may increasingly embody the complexities, contradictions, and survivalist instincts that characterize Denji’s journey. Moreover, Chainsaw Man challenges the very structure of storytelling in manga. Its use of dark type of storytelling, combined with absurdity, makes it a refreshing breath of air in a genre that highly relies on formulaic storytelling.

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In conclusion, the success of the Chainsaw Man series with Denji as its protagonist marked a significant shift in the shonen genre. It has introduced a hero who is significantly flawed and morally ambiguous. Denji is perhaps the most extreme example, and his influence is likely to ripple across manga and anime for years to come. And through Denji, Tatsuki Fujimoto, the author of this series, heralds the death of the traditional hero archetype.

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