Tatsuki Fujimoto’s misfortune for Denji in Chainsaw Man Part 2 is more than just shock value and fans need to stop dismissing it

Chainsaw man has a unique sense of humor and intense violence, but became infamous for its horrific depiction of sexual abuse, especially the tragic treatment of Denji. The portrayal of his continued abuse at the hands of Makima and others and the trauma it has caused Denji has left a bad taste. If Chainsaw Man Part 2 His fans are becoming increasingly concerned and open about their discomfort with Tatsuki Fujimoto’s use of sexual abuse, thinking it should be for shock value, a means to sensationalize or create controversy.

The response may come from the good of their heart and concern for the teen. Denji, a naive young boy who doesn’t know his way in the world, is abused too often. At a certain point, it’s disheartening to watch it over and over without thinking that it’s supposed to have shock value. However, for Chainsaw man fans claiming the need for media literacy, Fujimoto’s point about the abuse Chainsaw man is the opposite of sensationalism.

Denji’s trauma is central to his character arc

To fully understand the journey and nuances of Denji’s character, the sexual abuse he faces might be the brutal truth that Tatsuki Fujimoto needs to show us. While a trigger warning would have been appreciated, Denji’s treatment shows how deeply exploited the teenage boy is. It becomes a cycle of violence that he can’t seem to break out of, starting with what happened to Makima. Even beyond sexual violence, Denji is exploited by the yakuza, by the government, and even by his fellow Devil Hunters. He is manipulated at every turn, while all he is looking for is validation and love.

Chainsaw man fans and the anime community in general have grown quite tired of the series’ depiction of sexual violence, without any real response from Denji. Some have reduced it to shock value without realizing that the teenager was only 16 at the beginning of the story and is now 18.

Or maybe, just maybe, he explores Denji’s sexual side and makes him realize why over-reliance on sex is a bad thing?

Calling it shock value means that the whole point of him doing this is to piss off readers, and that’s patently untrue.

— David (@xaviert31505512) October 22, 2024

While we don’t know if Denji will ever realize his history of sexual abuse, Tatsuki Fujimoto uses it not entirely to create controversy, but as a central plot point pointing to his exploitation. The fact that Denji doesn’t realize it yet doesn’t mean he’s any less a victim. His unhealthy relationships are not something he asked for.

Chainsaw man: A commentary on power and control

The main themes Fujimoto explores through the brutal plot of Chainsaw man are the dehumanization and objectification of the vulnerable. Denji’s status as Devil Hunter and later, as Chainsaw Man himself, marks him as both a valuable tool and a disposable pawn to those in poweras seen at Makima.

The teen’s naive views on sex and relationships are consistently preyed upon by those who try to use him for their own benefit without considering his psyche. So to say the abuse is a shock is to diminish Denji’s character and miss the point. But understandably, fans have their limits on how much they can see it.

Chainsaw man is available on Crunchyroll.