Chainsaw Man follows Denji, a poor teenager who owes a debt to the yakuza and hunts devils alongside Pochita, a small chainsaw devil that looks like a puppy. When Denji is killed, the two merge and he becomes Chainsaw Man, someone who can sprout chainsaws from his body. Denji then joins the Devil Hunters of Public Safety (the state agency that hunts devils), led by Makima. The anime was made by MAPPA alone, without a typical production committee, based on Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga, and aired 12 episodes on TV Tokyo from 12 October to 28 December 2022.
Unlike most shonen anime (action stories aimed at teenage boys), this one chooses film-style staging, with a muted palette, camera work close to cinema, and sudden shifts between comedy, horror and sad moments. On the available evidence, it is a deliberate choice that holds across all 12 episodes. The catch is that anyone looking for flashy traditional shonen fights may find it a bit cold, and 12 episodes cover only the first 38 chapters of the manga.
Chainsaw Man quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Studio | MAPPA (produced alone, without a production committee) |
| Director | Ryū Nakayama (series composition Hiroshi Seko; character design Kazutaka Sugiyama; action director Tatsuya Yoshihara; music Kensuke Ushio) |
| Original work | Manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, Weekly Shonen Jump (Shueisha); the anime adapts the first 38 chapters (Part 1 has 97 chapters in 11 volumes) |
| Episodes / season | 1 season, 12 episodes; Reze Arc film released 19 September 2025; Assassins Arc announced |
| Aired | 12 October to 28 December 2022, TV Tokyo |
| Where to watch | Crunchyroll (worldwide except East Asia); Medialink (Southeast Asia); specific platform in Vietnam unconfirmed |
| Community scores | MyAnimeList 8.42/10 from about 1,193,000 ratings (8 Oct 2026) |
| Critics | Rotten Tomatoes 97% |
| Awards | Best New Series and Best VA Performance (English, Ryan Colt Levy) at the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards; "Kick Back" won Best Opening at the Japan Expo Awards |
Review scope
This review covers all 12 episodes aired from 12 October to 28 December 2022, which is the first 38 chapters of the manga (Part 1, the Public Safety Arc, has 97 chapters). The Reze Arc film has its own review and is not part of the score. OtaHub has no personal viewing notes, so the analysis rests on production information, English-language critic pieces and episode reviews (listed in the sources and in the critics section) and community scores on MyAnimeList checked on 8 October 2026. The score is OtaHub's editorial judgement. The opening sections avoid spoilers, and the "Memorable moment" box has its own warning.
Story: what does Denji want?
Episode 1, "Dog & Chainsaw", sets up the whole series by showing Denji living in poverty with Pochita under a yakuza debt, and the episode was nominated for Best TV Films Production at Annecy 2023. After that he is guided by Makima, the manager of the Devil Hunters, into dangerous missions, alongside teammates such as Power (a blood devil with a hot temper) and Aki Hayakawa (a serious colleague).
The anime adapts the first 38 chapters of the manga, passing through four arcs (Introduction, Bat Devil, Eternity Devil and Katana Man) and stopping at episode 12, "Katana vs. Chainsaw". The manga continues from chapter 39 with the Reze arc, told in the Reze Arc film (19 September 2025); the Assassins Arc has been announced as the next part. You do not need to read the manga first, because starting from episode 1 is enough.
Characters and voice acting: three faces around Denji
The anime revolves around Denji, Power and Aki. Denji (Kikunosuke Toya in Japanese, Ryan Colt Levy in English) is a teenager who dreams of simple things like a full meal, a far cry from the "save the world" motive of a typical shonen lead. It is that simplicity that makes the violence hit harder: you know what he is fighting for.
Power (voiced by Fairouz Ai and Sarah Wiedenheft) brings the group's chaos and comedy, Aki (Shogo Sakata) keeps the seriousness, and Makima is played by Tomori Kusunoki (Japanese) and Suzie Yeung (English). Aki placed 6th for Best Male Character at the Newtype Anime Awards, and Pochita 5th for Best Mascot Character. Ryan Colt Levy won the English voice award at the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The group's strength is that each of them wants something very specific, so even everyday scenes carry weight.
Animation and visuals: why does it look like a film?
MAPPA worked alone, with Ryū Nakayama directing, Makoto Nakazono as chief episode director, Kazutaka Sugiyama on character design, Kiyotaka Oshiyama on devil design and Tatsuya Yoshihara directing the action. According to a MAPPA producer, creator Tatsuki Fujimoto was closely involved in casting, planning and music. What sets the series apart from most shonen is its muted palette, film-style camera placement, and movement kept under control instead of flashy techniques. The camera work and the relationships between characters earn the most praise.
This is also where viewers split: people who like the heavily animated style of classic shonen may find this one cold. OtaHub considers it a deliberate choice made consistently across 12 episodes, so it scores animation high while noting it does not suit every taste.
Music: one ending song per episode
Kensuke Ushio composes the score. The opening "Kick Back" by Kenshi Yonezu won Best Opening at the Japan Expo Awards and placed 4th on Billboard Japan's Hot 100 in 2023. The unusual part is the ending, because each episode has a different ending song by a different artist, including Vaundy, Ano, Aimer, Eve and Zutomayo. As a result, every episode closes on its own note.
Direction, pacing and adaptation: should you binge it?
Hiroshi Seko handles series composition, turning the first 38 chapters into 12 episodes. The pacing leans toward atmosphere rather than packing in events, since the show favours silence and makes you pay attention to the feeling between action beats. The sudden shifts between sad moments and crude comedy are exactly what gives the series its own voice.
You can watch all 12 episodes back to back with no preparation. If you reach episode 12 and want more, the answer is the Reze Arc film.
Katana Man on the train
Spoilers for the season finale.
Episode 12, "Katana vs. Chainsaw", puts the last fight of the Katana Man arc in a train car. According to episode reviews, Katana Man cuts off Denji's arms, but after one more clash Denji still takes him down.
What makes it memorable is that the finale keeps the whole series' mix of comedy and brutality instead of switching to a solemn showdown. You are left with the feeling of a show that knows it is ending a chapter, not the whole story.
For viewers in Vietnam
- Where to watch
- Crunchyroll streams it everywhere except East Asia, and Medialink holds the licence for Southeast Asia. OtaHub has not confirmed a specific legal platform in Vietnam.
- Keep watching
- Continue with the Reze Arc film (Japan 19 September 2025, Vietnam from late September 2025). OtaHub has a separate review of it.
- Heads up
- The series has violence and adult content, so it is not suitable for young children.
What critics say, and where OtaHub differs
Rotten Tomatoes records 97%. Mónica Marie Zorrilla of Inverse called it the standout of 2022's demon-fighting anime and praised Denji's simple motivation compared with typical shonen leads. IGN (Rafael Motamayor) praised the cinematography, the character dynamics and the mix of workplace comedy, horror and action; Polygon praised the action scenes, the sudden tonal shifts and the twelve separate endings. On the finale, But Why Tho gave 10/10 and called it a perfect end to a perfect season, while The Review Geek gave 4/5. The reviews OtaHub read contain very little outright criticism of quality, and most complaints come from viewers who expected a more traditional shonen action anime.
OtaHub agrees with the praise, but does not score it higher for two reasons. First, only the first 38 chapters are adapted, so the Story score (8.8) cannot credit a tale that is not finished. Second, the cinematic style, however beautiful, is a clear barrier for viewers seeking fast pacing. The community score of 8.42 on MyAnimeList is very high (rank 213 site-wide), so OtaHub does not treat the coldness as what most people feel, only as a barrier for one group of viewers.
Who should watch Chainsaw Man?
Watch it if you like black comedy, film-style anime and characters who want something specific. If you are tired of shonen cut from the same mould, this is a different option.
Think twice if you want flashy, fast action, or cannot stand gore and crude humour. In that case, try one or two episodes first, since episode 1 already shows the tone of the whole series.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- Film-style staging, consistent across 12 episodes
- Tonal shifts between comedy, horror and sadness give it its own voice
- Kensuke Ushio's score and twelve different endings
- Rotten Tomatoes 97% and the Best New Series award
Weaknesses
- The cinematic style can feel cold to fans of traditional action shonen
- Only adapts the first 38 chapters; the story continues in the Reze Arc film
- Violence and the dark tone do not suit every viewer
OtaHub score
The total is the weighted average of the six anime criteria; editors may adjust it by up to ±0.2. See OtaHub's review standards.
- Story & Script · 8.8Twelve tight episodes with sudden tonal swerves, but it stops mid-story, so you need the film and later seasons to find out what happens next.
- Characters & Voice Acting · 9.0Denji wants only very simple things, which makes the violence hit harder, Power and Aki act as counterweights, and Ryan Colt Levy won the English voice award at the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
- Animation & Visuals · 9.2The muted palette and film-like camera work stay consistent across 12 episodes, though viewers seeking flashy shonen fights may find it a bit cold.
- Music & Sound · 9.4Kensuke Ushio's score, the opening "Kick Back" by Kenshi Yonezu and twelve different endings, one per episode, are the most praised part.
- Direction, Pacing & Adaptation · 9.0Hiroshi Seko and Ryū Nakayama choose a pace that favours atmosphere and silence, stopping at a sensible season break after the Katana Man arc, though the story continues in Reze Arc.
- Impact & Rewatch Value · 8.8It is worth rewatching to notice staging details, though the dark tone and violence do not suit every rewatch.
OtaHub recommendation: Watch now
FAQ
How many episodes does the Chainsaw Man anime have?
Twelve, aired on TV Tokyo from 12 October to 28 December 2022. The anime adapts the first 38 chapters of the manga, the first four arcs of Part 1 (the Public Safety Arc).
Where do I continue Chainsaw Man after the 12 episodes?
With Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, released in Japan on 19 September 2025. The Assassins Arc was announced at Jump Festa 2026, with its staff revealed on 19 June 2026.
Do I need to read the manga before watching the anime?
No. You can start from episode 1 ("Dog & Chainsaw") and watch all 12. The story is told on its own and stops at a sensible season break, though it continues in Reze Arc.
What are Chainsaw Man's opening and ending songs?
The opening is "Kick Back" by Kenshi Yonezu. Each episode has a different ending song by a different artist, including Vaundy, Ano, Aimer, Eve and Zutomayo.
Where can I watch Chainsaw Man legally in Vietnam?
Crunchyroll streams it everywhere except East Asia, and Medialink holds the licence for Southeast Asia. OtaHub has not confirmed a specific platform in Vietnam.
Sources: Wikipedia (production, music, reception, awards), episode list, But Why Tho (episode 12), The Review Geek, IGN, Polygon, Inverse, Rotten Tomatoes and MyAnimeList (read 8 October 2026). The score is OtaHub's editorial judgement under the OtaHub review standards.
