Chainsaw Man episode 1 review: A rip-roaring anime hits hard at NYCC 2022

Chainsaw Man, Tatsuki Fujimoto’s supernatural horror action manga, won the hearts of fans and critics alike for its over-the-top action, macabre humor, and subtle balance between goofiness and heart-wrenching sobriety. Since Shonen jump’s first installment in December 2020, the manga has been in demand for an animated adaptation. More than a year ago, studio MAPPA revealed that the anime adaptation would be made. Jujutsu Kaisen episode director Ryū Nakayama would helm the series, the first episode of Chainsaw Man has been unleashed upon the world out of the 2022 New York Comic Con — and it’s as glorious of a feel-bad good time as fans had hoped.

Fujimoto’s manga takes place in an alternate version of 1997 where humanity is plagued by a race of monsters known as Devils. The world is plagued by Devils, which are created from the fears of humans. They manifest in much the same manner as curses. Jujutsu KaisenThey are created from negative emotions and thoughts. There are all types of Devils in the world, from Devils born out of a fear of tomatoes (which is a real fear, by the way, look up “Lycopersicoaphobia”) to Devils born from a fear of zombies (likewise, it’s called “Kinemortophobia”). To combat these threats, humans employ Devil Hunters, individuals who either form “contracts” with Devils in order to attain supernatural abilities or specially trained warriors who employ conventional weapons against Devils.

Image: MAPPA/Crunchyroll

Denji, the protagonist of the series, is one such Devil Hunter, but differs from others in a few crucial ways: He’s not licensed, he’s being exploited by the yakuza on the threat of death, and he’s perpetually flat broke, having sold several of his nonessential organs in a desperate attempt to claw his way out of the chasm of debt he finds himself in.

When the audience meets Denji in the series’ first episode, which roughly adapts the opening chapter of the Chainsaw Man manga in its entirety, he’s living out of a dilapidated sheet metal shack in the middle of a forest with Pochita, his pet Chainsaw Devil dog. The episode wastes no time in depicting the destitution of Denji’s life as he’s forced to throw himself into mortal peril in order to stay in the good graces of the loan sharks who would just as easily vivisect him as they would commend him for a job well done. Denji is able to keep a cheerful, though servile, attitude in spite or because of his difficult circumstances.

What will immediately strike viewers while watching the first episode of MAPPA’s Chainsaw Man adaptation is the series’ overall color scheme and layout designs. Like the majority of manga published in Japan, Fujimoto’s original series is for the most part rendered in black and white. The few notable exceptions are in the opening of select chapters of the manga, which evince a world of more exuberant color than what one might expect from the melancholic bent of the series’ characters and plot.

Image: MAPPA/Crunchyroll

The World of Chainsaw ManMAPPA envisions a series of episodes that are composed of varying levels of desaturated and bleached white, with subtle undertones in muted colors. As a whole, the episode bears an eerie resemblance with the opening animation sequences of Season 1. Jujutsu KaisenShingo Yamashita directed the film, especially in the colors of the second opening.

It is worth mentioning Denji’s character in the episode. Denji’s personality is faithful to that of his first appearance in the manga — he’s a mopey horndog of a teenager with very little in the way of social graces. Although this may seem to be annoying for those who have been following him, it is a good sign that he’s not trying too hard. Chainsaw Man without prior knowledge of the series, Denji’s immaturity is directly in line with not only the character’s background — which was alluded to during a flashback in the episode — but a crucial starting point in what will eventually become his arc into young adulthood.

To put it another way: Denji’s character arc is basically him ascending Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, moving from base physiological concerns of food and safety before finally reaching a form of self-actualization. If you’re annoyed or put off by Denji now, give it a couple of episodes before you throw in the towel. The kid’s a mess, for sure, but he’s got heart. The Devil is at best a kind, compassionate heart with a long tail.

Image: MAPPA/Crunchyroll

There’s a lot to love and take away from the first episode of Chainsaw ManFrom the stunningly rendered backgrounds to its gore-laden finale, the animation of the characters is impressive. There are also tantalizing clues in the opening salvo. Devilman Crybaby composer Kensuke Ushio’s abrasive EDM score, and how it may expand. The first season of Chainsaw Man confirmed to be 12 episodes, it’s a strong start to what by all appearances looks to be an exceptional and unique series.

Calling it would not be an exaggeration. Chainsaw ManThis is one of the most awaited anime premieres in the fall season. Fans will be pleased to hear that the episode’s first episode meets and surpasses all expectations.