Chainsaw Man Concludes One of Its Best Story Arcs With a Shocking Defeat That Surprised Even Denji

The latest chapters of Chainsaw Man, including #189 and #190, reflect a dramatic twist in the battle against the Aging Devil, as Denji and Asa attempt to escape the realm of agelessness with assistance from Yoshida. In chapter #190, the surprise intervention of Fumiko takes the battle in an unexpected direction, leading to one of the most amusing and anticlimactic conclusions in Shōnen history.

The Aging Devil’s Defeat: A Quirky Turn of Events

Conclusion of the Aging Devil Arc in an Unconventional Manner

Denji, although the mastermind of their return, discovered that they could escape the ageless realm through his stomach. In chapter #190, Fumiko’s unexpected power boost to the octopus devil enabled Yoshida to deploy ink on a much larger scale. This created a disorienting smokescreen, catching the Aging Devil off guard long enough for the enigmatic “Cicada Guy” to drag it back into its own realm. This twist provided Yoshida with the opportunity to negotiate terms, leading the Aging Devil to agree to halt future assaults in exchange for avoiding an eternity with Denji.

Accepting the deal quickly, the Aging Devil was motivated by the prospect of facing Denji indefinitely. This resolution, while anticlimactic, left numerous questions unanswered as the chapter concluded with the characters returning to an oddly mundane situation. Denji, Asa, Yoshida, Fumiko, and Fami found themselves in a café, seemingly as if nothing had transpired. Despite the ongoing chaos in the world, Denji sat casually with Fumiko and Fami—who were implicated in Nayuta’s supposed demise. This conclusion, though humorous, aligns perfectly with the absurdity characteristic of Chainsaw Man.

The Absurd Conclusion: A Hallmark of Chainsaw Man’s Brilliance

Anticipating the Next Major Conflict in Chainsaw Man

Denji and Pochita — Custom Image by Zach Zamora

While the conclusion of the Aging Devil arc leaves multiple plot points unresolved, the use of a peripheral character, the “Cicada Guy,” as a key player in Yoshida’s strategy maintains a sense of unpredictability that fans cherish. This element reflects the insights shared by Tatsuki Fujimoto’s interview with Da Vinci Magazine, where he expressed his intent to craft a narrative filled with unexpected developments.

“Do you know of the movie The Big Lebowski? That movie really made me think, ‘What even was that?’ when I was done watching it. Nothing was resolved; wasn’t everything pretty meaningless? But still, the protagonist had development, and the story progressed; there was this sublime absurdity that I loved. I want Chainsaw Man to give the reader that kind of aftertaste too.” – Tatsuki Fujimoto

As Chainsaw Man navigates through remaining mysteries, the narrative is building towards the revelation of the final Four Horsemen, particularly the Death Devil. With Yoru gaining strength after her sacrifices and Denji overcoming personal challenges, fans anticipate the upcoming chapters that could finally introduce the Death Devil as the concluding adversary—as well as potentially validate the Nostradamus prophecy, signaling a looming culmination in this already volatile world.

Source: Da Vinci Magazine and interview transcribed by flightofangels on Reddit.

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