This review is going to be as spoiler free as I can stomach, there are so many twists and turns throughout this series that I do not want you to miss out. That being said, I will put an obligatory spoiler warning just in case. 

Ignoring the warning? 

Last chance! Either way, let us get into it. 

“Chainsaw Man” is a new offering in the anime community from the manga series by the same name from Tatsuki Fujimoto. Animated by the wonderful studio MAPPA, this show is over the top with gore, fun and a crazy storyline. 

My only hope is that I can truly communicate how wild this show is, if the man wielding chainsaws from his face did not tip you off enough. 

The basic story follows Denji and his “devil” companion Pochita and their adventures together trying to fulfill Denji’s dream of a better life. Pochita is the single cutest character design ever, an eldritch mix of a dog and a chainsaw. Absolutely adorable. 

Denji does not fulfill many typical character tropes, something that is oddly refreshing at times (even if it does come off a bit cringe-worthy). Along the way, we meet equally strange and charming characters that all seem to draw you into liking them despite yourself. 

Even some of the various villains in the show occasionally get you to root for them, if only for a while. 

Two of the main companions of Denji, Aki and Power, allow for some great banter between characters with nearly opposite personalities. The result is some genuinely funny chemistry between the characters that gives some found family vibes, even when juxtaposed with the sheer and utter insanity of the show. 

The world itself is fascinating, a near facsimile of our own modern world, except with devils and devil hunters inhabiting it. These monsters are created and grown in power based on human fear, so there is like an Organic Chemistry Final Devil that is just waiting to strike. 

Within that, Devil Hunters fill the void in order to help protect humanity against the things humans fear. To fight the supernatural, devil hunters use a variety of weapons and methods, as well as partnering with some of the more helpful devils to fight. 

There it is – the basic overarching plot of the show. If I delve even an inch further than that, I would be revealing some major spoilers and, frankly, this is a show that you do not want to miss a beat. From start to finish, you are going to be on a wild ride that pulls you in and then body slams you.

This is not a joke or me attempting to be tongue and cheek; this wacky show does somehow tug at the heartstrings while being the weirdest piece of media I have ever consumed. 

Yet “Chainsaw Man” is not all rainbows and … chainsaws? This show, and manga for that matter, are captivating, but also not for everyone. Maybe you have an irrational (or totally rational) fear of chainsaws, for instance. 

Chainsaw Man does tackle lots of adult themes, along with a hurricane of animated blood and gore. If you get queasy at the sight of blood then this is not the show for you I am afraid, because trust me, there is a lot. 

(Suffice to say this show is for a mature audience.)

Having been the first manga I had ever read, I am more than thrilled for this show to be finally coming to TV. In a show that is sometimes more akin to a heavy metal rollercoaster ride, spikes and all, it somehow manages to be incredibly charming and witty. 

One of the major downsides is that episodes are released weekly, so it is difficult to really get your fill, but now is a perfect time to jump on the show. 

MAPPA, despite their occasional shady business practices, produces (in my humble opinion) some of the best modern anime animations and does great transitions from 2D to 3D styles, a blend that only enhances the already great show. 

Three episodes in and this show is already living up to the hype that I set for it, and I know that it only gets crazier from here. It also helps that the intro is such a catchy song that gets you in the mood for the rest of the show. 

If you are looking for a show to watch, do not mind the mature themes as well as the potential for more grisly scenes, then give “Chainsaw Man” a try. You are in for a bumpy ride, but one that is worth it at the end of the tunnel.