Mangaka: Tatsuki FujimotoPublisher: VIZ Media
There have been plenty of breaks lately, and you’d think all of that would hurt Chainsaw Man‘s momentum, but the last two chapters have proven that Fujimoto doesn’t miss a beat and can deliver a compelling product regardless of how many weeks the series takes off.
Chapter 153 features a crazed Denji as he basks in the good vibes of being Chainsaw Man again. Of course, the general public isn’t as accepting of him after recent events. Things get rough, and even if the mob surrounding Denji isn’t made up of good guys necessarily, Denji is publicly caught harming “innocent” folks in public for the first time.
It’s a nice chapter full of bloodshed and action that doesn’t contain a real threat. No reader thinks that this mob of humans will defeat Chainsaw Man in the same way that they don’t have to worry about Superman dying or Batman killing, but the human stakes keep it compelling. It feels like the protagonist is at war with himself, and the outside world is where the consequences happen. It’s a strong issue full of negative emotions, especially Nayuta.
Art-wise, this is another strong issue with a good amount of action that’s easy to follow. Most of the expressions are made by the humans, but you can feel their anger, frustration, or despair through the panels. Denji’s vibes are expressed through maniacal lettering, which brings all of the bad vibes together. The action is easy to follow thanks to tons of detail in the foreground and little going on in the background. The framing also lends itself well to the action and drama, ensuring that the issue reads as fast as intended.
Sure, the stakes aren’t too high in this chapter, but now readers are left wondering what happens next. What will the world think of Denji? How damaged is his relationship with Nayuta? The next chapter is only 7 days away, so the momentum will keep going next week.
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