Chainsaw Man is one of the most discussed shonen manga of the decade thanks to its daring storytelling. Tatsuki Fujimoto keeps his own style within Weekly Shonen Jump's familiar structure, blending supernatural action, dark humor and emotion.
Part 1 ran from December 3, 2018 to December 14, 2020, and Part 2 ran on Shonen Jump+ from July 13, 2022 to March 25, 2026, totaling 24 volumes and over 36 million copies as of June 2026.
Quick Facts
- Author: Tatsuki Fujimoto
- Serialization: Part 1 (Public Safety Arc): Weekly Shonen Jump, December 3, 2018–December 14, 2020; Part 2 (School Arc): Shonen Jump+, July 13, 2022–March 25, 2026
- Scale: 24 volumes; over 36 million copies by June 2026
- Awards: 66th Shogakukan Manga Award (shonen, 2021); Harvey Award for Best Manga 2021–2023; three Darumas at Japan Expo 2022
- Adaptations: MAPPA anime (2022), the Reze Arc film (September 19, 2025), Assassins Arc announced December 21, 2025
Story
Part 1 follows Denji, an impoverished teenager who fuses with Pochita, the Chainsaw Devil, then joins the Public Safety Devil Hunters and discovers his handler Makima is the Control Devil. Part 2 centers on Asa Mitaka, a high school student possessed by Yoru, the War Devil, who is pursuing Chainsaw Man.
The two parts differ clearly in central character and setting, so readers need time to adjust when moving from Part 1 to Part 2.
Behind The Scenes
Fujimoto deliberately preserved his individual style while adopting Weekly Shonen Jump's typical narrative structure. He drew inspiration from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) and cited the final battle of Kizumonogatari Part 3 as a direct influence for Part 1's climax.
Per industry coverage, Part 2 ended at chapter 232. The manga was the best-selling series in North America in 2022, with eight volumes among the top 20 best-selling manga.
Experience
Art and staging
Fujimoto's art and page composition are cinematic, using contrast between humor and violence for emotional impact. Many action sequences are designed like film scenes, and the page layouts use empty space to create rhythm.
Violence and themes
James Beckett of Anime News Network gave volume one a B+, praising its eccentric blend of humor, violence and emotional depth. Many critics viewed the graphic violence as thematically appropriate rather than gratuitous, distinguishing the series from conventional shonen.
Part 2 and the ending
Part 2 shifts to a school setting with new characters and ran on Shonen Jump+ rather than Weekly Shonen Jump. It ended on March 25, 2026, closing a run spanning nearly eight years for the work.
Strengths
- Daring storytelling that blends dark humor and emotion
- Violence placed in thematic context
- Multiple awards: Shogakukan and three straight Harveys
- Complete and readable in full
Weaknesses
- Violence and an unpredictable tone are not for every reader
- Part 2 changes the central character and setting from Part 1
- A storytelling style that can be divisive
What Critics Say
Critics consistently praise the balance between supernatural action, dark humor and emotional depth. The series won the 66th Shogakukan Manga Award (2021), the Harvey Award for Best Manga three years running (2021–2023) and three Darumas at Japan Expo 2022 for drawing, screenplay and action.
In sales, the manga passed 36 million copies by June 2026 and was the best-selling manga series in North America in 2022.
Who Is It For
For readers who accept violence, unpredictability and an unusual tone. Anime viewers can read on through Part 1 and Part 2 for the complete story.
OtaHub Score
Verdict
Chainsaw Man is a breakout manga of the decade, strong in storytelling and characters. Points to note are the violence and the shift in Part 2. OtaHub scores it 9.4/10.
FAQ
How many volumes does Chainsaw Man have?
24 tankōbon volumes.
When did Part 2 end?
On March 25, 2026.
Where can I read it?
Part 1 on Weekly Shonen Jump, Part 2 on Shonen Jump+ (official releases).