10 Best Chainsaw Man Story Arcs, Ranked (2024)

In today’s shonen landscape, Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man stands out as a truly revolutionary work, its unorthodox approach to story development and characterization pushing the series to the heights of popularity and acclaim. Ongoing since 2018, the series tells the story of Denji, an impoverished teenager surviving in an unforgiving world of Devils, whose life takes a dramatic turn when his pet Devil, Pochita, offers the boy his heart, transforming him into the titular Chainsaw Man.

Over the course of its run, CSM never failed to deliver on some of the best narratives in modern shonen history, the manga defined by its unpredictability, ruthlessness, and inclination to take dramatic risks and turn the plot in shocking directions. Currently on its thirteenth story arc, the series favors short and impactful plots that develop at a rapid pace, each CSM arc offering a uniquely memorable experience. However, the best narrative threads in the series exemplify the finest storytelling that can be found within the shonen demographic.

10 Eternity Devil Arc Has a Great Balance of Suspenseful Horror and Frenetic Action

Chapter 13-21; Episode 5-7

Depicting Special Division 4’s first encounter with a major Devil as a newly formed team, the Eternity Devil arc, while not carrying much narrative impact, is a compelling mix of unexpected narrative turns that finely set the series’ tone and pace. With all key characters introduced, the plot can finally kick in, immersing the audience in a haunting amalgamation of psychological horror and gruesome action straight out of a slasher film.

Unexpectedly stuck on a looping hotel floor under the Eternity Devil’s spell, the Devil Hunters suffer through grueling mental torture before Denji is left with no choice but to end their predicament by revving up his chainsaws and slashing at the monster for three days straight. Much more horror-focused than one would expect from a shonen manga, CSM sells its uniqueness in full with the Eternity Devil arc.

9 Justice Devil Arc Revamps CSM with New Characters and a Promise of Many Exciting Things to Come

Chapter 98-111

After two long years of anticipation, CSM starts its second part, the Academy Saga, with a bang, introducing fans to an entirely new protagonist - the War Devil’s host, Asa Mitaka. Giving an established, well-loved series a new main character is a risky narrative decision. However, Fujimoto handled this massive change masterfully, and Asa swiftly became a new fan favorite thanks to her refreshing development and unorthodoxly relatable personality.

While clearly stirring the series in a new direction, with an even bigger threat looming on the horizon, the Justice Devil arc still feels true to CSM’s roots, leaving enough room for Denji and other Part 1 favorites to take the spotlight and immersing the readers in delectable new mysteries, wacky humor, and genuine moments of horror.

8 Dating Denji Arc Is Full of Impactful Character Moments for Both Asa and Denji

Chapter 112-120

The Dating Denji arc, more commonly known as the Endless Aquarium arc, reveals to the readers what kind of structural approach Part 2 is planning to take - the events of this plotline mirror Part 1’s Eternity Devil arc, yet approach the familiar premise from a completely different angle. However, the “endless loop” plot is not what makes this arc a fan favorite.

Instead, the Aquarium arc lets Asa and Denji’s character development take center stage,their humorous yet endearing chemistry becoming the arc’s highlight. Part 2’s greater focus on character psychology also displays itself during the Dating Denji arc, the readers getting valuable insight into Asa’s insecure, harmful mental scape as well as hints at Denji’s persistent traumas he can’t ignore for much longer.

7 Bomb Girl Arc Introduces a Fan-Favorite Heroine and Even More Unhinged Intensity

Chapter 39-52

As Denji points out himself during the Bomb Girl arc, no woman who has entered his life did so without intending to kill or harm him. However, Reze’s short yet impactful encounter with Denji stands out as particularly tragic, as, despite the Bomb Hybrid’s goal of obtaining Chainsaw Man’s heart, they have shared real mutual feelings of attraction underneath the pretenses.

Outside of its heartbreaking emotional core, the Bomb Girl arc also features some of the series’ most iconic action moments, from the Typhoon Devil fight to Reze’s gruesome beheading of Division 2. A beautifully bittersweet plotline, the Reze arc, as well as its explosive heroine, are regarded with rightful acclaim by CSM fans.

6 Chainsaw Man Church Arc Features Dramatic Developments of Part 2’s Mysteries

Chapter 132-155

The longest arc in the series thus far, the Chainsaw Man Church arc is exceptionally rich with plot-turning events and impactful worldbuilding. Set against the backdrop of the Chainsaw Man Church and Asa rising to prominence, the arc does wonders at combining intriguing plot developments with poignant character writing, much of it dedicated to Denji’s struggle with his identity as Chainsaw Man.

Moreover, the Chainsaw Man Church arc reintroduces several Part 1 characters, including Quanxi and Katana Man, now working for Public Safety. As the Death Devil’s threat becomes realer and the heroes’ inner motivations start clashing violently, the Chainsaw Man Church arc concludes on a cliffhanger that transitions readers into the current arc.

5 International Assassins Arc Has Countless Moving Parts Working Against the Protagonists Simultaneously

Chapter 53-70

The plot of the Public Safety Saga scales up dramatically after Reze’s defeat, the International Assassins arc introducing multiple hostile groups from all across the world hunting for Denji’s heart. This expanded scope allows for a plethora of characters and concepts to be established; the International Assassins arc starring new fan-favorites like Quanxi and Yoshida as well as the haunting yet mesmerizing threat of the Primal Fears, as exemplified by the Darkness Devil.

However, these novel elements never take away from the development of core cast members, whose changing dynamics get to shine radiantly under pressure. While exceptionally long by CSM standards and somewhat convoluted, the International Assassins arc features no dull moments, constantly keeping the plot moving in exhilarating directions.

4 Falling Devil Arc Is a Terrifying Showdown Against a Primal Fear

Chapter 121-131

Ever since debuting during the International Assassins arc, Primal Fears have been a looming threat over the heroes, a random encounter with one of them spelling guaranteed peril. So, expectedly, an arc that features a Primal Fear as the main antagonist couldn’t be anything but stellar. Manifested under Fami’s control, the Falling Devil is a glorious cataclysm, plummeting the world into a frenzy and causing both Asa and Denji to confront their most severe traumatic memories.

Once again, the Primal Fear is proven too strong for the protagonists to handle, with them barely escaping Hell thanks to the aid of a mysterious Chainsaw Man-like figure. Frightening in tone yet captivating in its dynamic action, the Falling Devil arc is an eerie reminder of what kind of overwhelming creatures roam CSM’s ruthless world.

3 Katana Man Arc Is When Chainsaw Man Comes into Its Own

Chapter 22-38; Episode 8-12

For many fans, the Katana Man arc is when CSM truly catches on, leaning fully into the narrative signatures that would later become the series’ staples. Hitting the ground running with the shocking attack on Public Safety and the self-sacrifice of the briefly-known yet beloved heroine, Himeno, the arc immediately establishes itself as different from what fans have experienced thus far, introducing the tragic underlining of the series’ seemingly chaotic and nonsensical world.

The gravity of the arc’s emotional beats is effectively juxtaposed with CSM’s trademark over-the-top action, ever-present dark humor, and mystery, the Katana Man plot featuring a string of revelations that continue to haunt the narrative to this day. This brilliant conglomeration of genre-bending elements, paired with Katana Man’s charisma and effectiveness as an antagonist, make this arc the best in early CSM.

2 Control Devil Arc Culminates the Public Safety Saga Splendidly

Chapter 80-97

With Makima’s identity as the Control Devil and the culprit after Denji’s heart out in the open, the Public Safety Saga inches to its climactic conclusion with the arc devoted to the protagonist’s strife against his final opponent. However, as all culminations in CSM go, the Control Devil arc is far from a definitively happy finale.

In her absolute effort to tear Denji down, Makima executes Power, a beloved heroine the readers have been fondly following from the very beginning, right in front of Denji’s eyes. Nevertheless, the tragedy only makes the ending of Part 1 more impactful, as it wraps up the Public Safety plotline in a satisfyingly bittersweet way, closing this chapter of Denji’s story on a perfectly sentimental note.

1 Gun Devil Arc Is When CSM’s Impactfully Bleak Writing Peaks

Chapter 71-79

For all of its occasional whimsy and surrealism, Chainsaw Man has never been an uncomplicatedly optimistic story, and no plotline demonstrates the underlying grimness of Denji’s tale as effectively as the Gun Devil arc. Despite its short run, this arc brims with unexpected plot developments, as it stars the assumed final boss of the entire series - the titular Gun Devil.

However, what makes the arc so striking and unforgettable is not the action or exciting narrative twists but the heartbreaking conclusion one of the series’ most treasured characters meets during the Gun Devil encounter. Becoming the very thing he hated most, Aki Hayakawa dies as the Gun Fiend, his last moments spent imagining a dreamlike snowball fight with Denji, while the protagonist’s heart shatters in the real world at having to kill one of his best friends.

Chainsaw Man

TV-MA

Anime

Action

Adventure

Following a betrayal, a young man left for dead is reborn as a powerful devil-human hybrid after merging with his pet devil and is soon enlisted into an organization dedicated to hunting devils. When his father died, Denji was stuck with a huge debt and no way to pay it back.

Release Date

October 11, 2022

Cast

Kikunosuke Toya , Ryan Colt Levy , Tomori Kusunoki , Suzie Yeung

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

1

Studio

MAPPA

Creator

Tatsuki Fujimoto

Main Characters

Denji, Makima, Pochita, Power, Himeno, Kishibe

Number of Episodes

12

Network

Crunchyroll

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll , Hulu