Chainsaw Man – 11 [Mission Start]

One more episode. Just one more episode and it’s finished for who knows how long. It’s funny to have something you have been looking forward to for a full year come to fruition. Course this isn’t the end of the story but it could be the end for now till we get that second season. Looking at things I feel the question of a second season isn’t a matter of if but rather when. For me I hope it’s soon if not just to get the rest of the story but also I feel that if Mappa continue to take on high profile projects then they could burn out their staff before season two comes, thus causing a decline in the quality we have not been seeing throughout this show. On that I must commend the staff for managing to keep this insane level of quality for an entire season. Most shows put their money shots in the first few episodes before the grind causes a animation downgrade halfway but Chainsaw Man remains the best animated show going.(Note that I have not watched Bleach or Mob Psycho and both those likely retain a high level of animation. Though due to bias I still put Chainsaw Man as king) Of course I don’t like that this is a contract which is likely taking away from many animators livelihoods. But well if we must have this as a necessary evil then I prefer this being animated over “I was a loser till I got isekaied into big boob land and now I get to flaunt my ego with powers that I in no way earned” show. It’s part of the reason I hope that the rumors of Mappa taking on One Punch Man season 3 prove false because after this these animators deserve a break and I don’t want them back till the rest up and be ready for Chainsaw Man season 2. I would like to believe that Mappa would be smart enough to not work their staff to death…I really really would like to believe that.
It’s still so strange to have these reanimated recaps of scenes from last episode which are here likely to pad the episode time a bit so they can end it at the right moment. Indeed over the past few episodes this show has been picking moments to fade to ending songs that leave me most hungry for more. I have been checking out reactions for the series and nearly every video has the watchers going “No!” once credits show up. I take it as a good sign for just how engaged people are and boy you binge watchers are so lucky that you don’t need to face this. On that ending I got to say that I think this one is my favorite of the season. Perfect groove, love the visuals, really thought I would have a hard time picking a favorite till this beauty showed up. And all by one person apparently which I say, much respect. So we have Aki making a deal with the future devil which is certainly a lot less intimidating without the shadows and many will likely recognise him from the opening. In fact a lot of characters showing up who were only present in the opening and right in the second last episode, cutting it close guys. The future devil is rather amusing for me as I feel if we could give a personification of the people tossing spoilers on the internet then this would be accurate. The devil himself even tried to spoil Aki on his death before Aki shut him down. Oh for those who got this particular translation I wish to clarify, in the episode I saw the future devil say that Aki’s death would “Fucking rule” but in the official manga translation and likely others he said “You will die in the worst way possible.” I feel the second translation works better as the first is far too vague with its insinuation. I feel this line holds a degree of importance like Denji referring to his deal with Pochita as a contract and once again I find this translation lacking. Part of the impact of this scene is the future devil giving Aki a very good deal only to plant the foreshadowing that not only is he going to die, but die in the worst way possible. Though thankfully Aki decides to not learn of how this will happen which despite all circumstances is generally a wise move. A lot of Greek tragedies could have been avoided if people just learned to not consult the Oracles of Delphi.

It’s nice to see Kishibe show a degree of humanity and in his line of work it’s understandable that he needs to detach himself from people. Him basically admitting to have a growing fondness for Denji and Power despite his best efforts to not form a bond is heartwarming if rather depressing when thought about. He seems to be a man afraid of forming bonds with anyone as anyone can just get killed off at a moment’s notice. Considering the events of the last few episodes, can you blame him? It’s fascinating that he alone appears to be on even footing with Makima and the only person she can’t dominate in presence. This episode showed that even in a room of Yakuza clearly looking down on her, she still throws down pecking order and walks out like a boss. Of course not sure Makima needed another scene to make her enigmatic and terrifying but certainly will take it. Makes me all the more afraid for Denji as that poor boy still has no idea what kind of woman he has fallen for. Seriously, regardless if Makima’s intentions for Denji are good or bad, I don’t think he’s getting out of this alive. If she genuinely likes him then I certainly can see her being as vengeful as Hera if crossed.(What’s up with me today and Greek myth references?) Still that necessary evil speech from the Yakuza is an interesting one as during the time this anime is set I believe that was the belief at the time. We need these guys to ensure the real bad guys don’t get in and Yakuza do seem to hold a gray morality in the media despite being far from the truth. Really what Makima puts forward is true, the Yakuza is just another threat putting forward a pick your poison situation when as Makima says if you are a truly necessary evil then chances are you are working for the government. Personally when I look at these in a manner similar to the current animator working conditions then I would say an evil is only necessary when other venues have been explored. If you exist simply because the actual solution would take too much money and work then you aren’t necessary but a half assed compromise.

So those new characters which all of whom happen to be non-humans. I will say that this is the most we see of them for this season as some do have more prominence in season two. We have Beam the shark fiend who’s the best boy and I will literally fight anyone who says otherwise. Now the Violence fiend is an interesting case and I have been debating as to whether to share this particular bit of info about him. Take note that it’s not spoilers as even in the manga this has not been confirmed and remains only a fan theory. But there have been certain things that hint towards the possibility that the Violence devil may have taken over Arai’s body. One such thing is in the ending of this episode it shows the entire team that fought the Eternity devil yet instead of showing Arai it instead shows the Violence fiend. I once again say, this is in no way confirmed be it source or otherwise and remains a potentially interesting twist. I will say that the Violence fiend does have a different voice actor so it could be completely off the mark. The Spider devil is one that I didn’t quite expect to be so…animated. I tell you I am not afraid of spiders yet I could feel chills seeing those legs of hers scurry around. Seems like a design inspired by the yokai Jorōgumo. Finally we have the Angel devil whose existence is like a paradox. The fear of angels creating a devil who’s also an angel kind of shows the versatility of devil creation but does draw the question that maybe angels don’t exist. Indeed though devils are called such they may not be the devils from hell we are familiar with but rather another entity merely referred to as devils. Indeed their existence seems closer to Tulpa in how they are created from collective fear. Either way it’s interesting for the Angel devil to be passive though one thing the anime does show is that upon being given a handkerchief by Aki he seemed grateful enough to shield him from bullets. Also Aki do you truly just want to die, you walk close to a being that can drain what little life you have left and take on Akane by yourself. Others have asked him and even he himself seems to acknowledge that his quest is insane but by now he has no choice but to keep going.

The dub is up to Makima and Kobeni’s big moments in which Suzie Yeung and Bryn Apprill killed. I really do have to get special props to Bryn though as I even saw a poll for best actors in the dub and she was winning it. Kobeni’s role isn’t a big one but this woman is putting heart and soul into it and I hope her voice is alright. I now sit here knowing I can’t cover the last two episodes of the dub as next week is my last post though even I fully admit that my commentary here is pretty worthless. It’s a great dub right so if anyone is looking to watch Chainsaw Man in dub don’t be giving them grief over it. This isn’t an inferior experience. My original point was to give some dub actors their due but from sentiment online it looks like even hardcore haters are admitting the dub is fine. So next week I guess I will focus on an overall view of this season as if any word is out on a second season then I don’t plan on writing up a full review. I fully expected to walk into this tearing up the anime for any small differences I could find or expressing my disappointment over how they got that scene wrong or the animation dropped there. I do consider myself to be fairly hard to please so it’s baffling to have a show where I have very little problems with it. I honestly think this is the best adaptation Chainsaw Man could have ever had, it’s a level of care and work that I would be happy to have half of in other shows. They did Fujimoto more than proud and have my full confidence in adapting the rest of Part one. In that one Pixer movie it made the remark that a critic only puts himself on the line when he openly shows his full support for something. In this case, this show is it for me. I have watched these episodes three times over, compared it to the manga and even gauged others’ reactions from videos and reddit. After all that, all I can say is I love this show. In a year of truly standout shows this one sits as king with little consideration and that is by no means a derision of any other show. There are few anime that can make me this enamored and have me starting the day with excitement despite knowing the story. When the rest of Part one is adapted I think this could stand the test of time and be regarded as one of the true greats. Course they can still slip up, but I truly hope they don’t. Cause it’s just been so damn long since I have been content with an anime.