While Denji’s relationships with Pochita and Makima grabbed the lion’s share of attention in the first part ofChainsaw Man, they were only two pieces in understanding the plot and Denji’s character. An equally significant connection was the one between Denji and his Public Safety Bureau colleagues, Power and Aki Hayakawa.
More importantly than Pochita’s provision of a better life and Makima’s promise to satisfy his carnal desires,Power and Aki gave Denji the greatest gift of all– a genuine sense of family. Through his relationships and growing bonds with Power and Aki, Denji achieved a level of normalcy, confidence, and emotional maturity that positively impacted his interactions with others. The tragedy oftheir loss later inChainsaw ManPart 1 left a void in Denji’s lifethat seemed irreparable – until the emergence of Asa Mitaka and Hirofumi Yoshida, who increasingly seem more than qualified to fill that gap.
Denji, Power, and Aki Were a True Power Trio
There Were Few Trios In Manga As Stellar As The Chainsaw Man, Blood Fiend, And Devil Hunter
With all the energyChainsaw Manauthor Tatsuki Fujimoto poured intoMakima’s hidden agendaand the machinations of the Gun Devil — and others aiming to eliminate, sideline, or control Pochita — it’s understandable if fans overlooked the quieter developments in the friendship between Denji, Power, and Aki. However, this relationship underpins and influences almost all of Part 1’s most significant moments. On the one hand, their bond helped Denji grow more self-assured, deepening his connection with Pochita. On the other hand, it made Denji crave meaningful connections, leaving him more susceptible to Makima’s manipulations.
Beyond its narrative impact, the originalChainsaw Mantrio’s appeal lies in their individual and collective stories. Before forming their bond, each member was truly in a rough place. Denji was trapped by his father’s legacy, driven solely by personal desires. Power, a Blood Devil coerced into devil-hunting, still harbored a deep-seated hatred for humans and prioritized her own interests. Aki, meanwhile, was consumed by his quest for vengeance againstChainsaw Man’sGun Devil, responsible for his family’s tragic demise.
Initially, there was little indication that these three self-centered individuals could ever form an effective squad, much less evolve into a loving, caring “work family” willing to risk their lives for one another. Indeed, the most compelling aspect of their dynamic lies in the transformation of each member. From selfish, self-centered, and at times, amoral individuals, they evolve into a connected unit, overcoming personal vulnerabilities to forge genuine and meaningful bonds.
The New Power Trio Has Their Motives For Becoming Friends Beside Comaraderie
While Denji made enormous strides in overcoming his personal issues by the end of Part 1, he remained far from perfect at the beginning of Part 2. Although he had eliminated the dual threats of the Gun Devil and Makima, he was saddled with new responsibilities, such as looking after Nayuta – the current incarnation of the Control Devil – and trying to live as normal a life as possible while being the Chainsaw Man. Naturally,Denji continues to need the support of others inChainsaw ManPart 2to help him become the person he hopes to be. Just as in Part 1, he eventually finds that support, bond, and camaraderie with Asa Mitaka and Hirofumi Yoshida.
Asa mirrors the role of Power in Part 1 but with a twist. Like Power, Asa is a human intricately connected to a Devil —in this case, Yoru, the all-powerful War Devil. However, unlike Power who was purely a fiend with no traces of the human whose body she possessed, Asa and Yoru more or less coexist, each battling for control of the body they possess. While Asa’s human side has feelings toward Denji, Yoru’s devil side confuses those feelings with her antagonistic nature toward Chainsaw Man.
On the other hand, Yoshida mirrors Aki’s role in Part 1. Aki, a dedicated Devil Hunter, was focused on finding, eliminating, or controlling devils that posed a threat. Similarly, Yoshida operates by a strict code and conducts his missions with discipline. However, unlike Asa — who might openly criticize Denji but always supported him when it counted—Yoshida is more laid back and less critical. He is depicted as less aligned with the traditional Devil Hunter mindset and more centered on some secretive issue with the Chainsaw Man where he’d take the chance to eliminate him if the opportunity arises.
The Original Power Trio Was Good But The New Group Can Deliver Denji To The Next Level
Despite their differences, the new trio rio fulfills Denji’s pressing need for family and offers a path toward closure for the emotional trauma he suffered in Part 1 following Power and Aki’s deaths. However, the dynamic within this group is distinct. Unlike the genuine friendship and emotional closeness he shared with Power and Aki, his relationships with Asa and Yoshida have a more transactional tone. Although Asa harbors feelings for Denji and Yoshida respects his abilities, the presence of Yoru within Asa and Yoshida’s hidden agendas creates tension, suggesting either could turn against Denji if circumstances demand it.
Ultimately, this difference marks the new trio as the series' best. While the main element of the original trio was always its effect on Denji primarily, the dynamic is not so one-sided with the new group. Denji can just as easily influence the lives of Asa and Yoshida as they can influence his. In fact, the dynamic of the new group is unstable – the motives of Asa and Yoshida are less clear – but that is precisely why it’s so compelling.
Chainsaw Man Knows Loss, But a Viral Theory Suggests Makima Is Gearing Up For a Comeback
Chainsaw Man’s recent chapters have given way to theories about potential comebacks, and a new one puts Makima at center stage.
It offers a darker, more nuanced relationship that provides more room for the story to grow beyond the original formula established in Part One. This will likely force Denji into some uncomfortable situations requiring him to change - or die. That is the exact scenario in which theChainsaw Manthrives.
Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Manis a dark fantasy manga created by Tatsuki Fujimoto. The series follows Denji, a young man who merges with his devil-dog Pochita to become Chainsaw Man. He joins the Public Safety Devil Hunters to fight devils threatening Japan. The series explores themes of violence, power, and survival. Since its debut in 2018,Chainsaw Manhas gained immense popularity, leading to a critically acclaimed anime adaptation.
