7 Years Later, Shonen Jump’s Darkest Series Finally Nails the Genre’s Coolest Trope

Many action-packed Shonen Jump stories rely on familiar themes, and even the grittiest new series is embracing one particularly well. A common and exciting trope involves the hero harboring a powerful, dark force inside them. When facing extreme danger or emotional distress, this inner power often takes over, causing destruction. What’s really interesting is that these stories usually end with the hero and the dark force becoming one, resulting in a completely transformed character.

Many popular action heroes share similar traits, and the series Chainsaw Man, after a seven-year run, is the latest to follow this pattern with its main character, Denji. The story has been building towards a massive conflict with Yoru, the War Devil and the ultimate villain, who wants to change the world by eliminating death but ensuring war continues indefinitely. In the most recent chapter, number 222, titled “Denji Man,” Yoru defeats Denji and intends to use him as a tool to achieve her goals. However, Denji outsmarts her, resulting in a new, powerful transformation – a clear combination of his mind and the power of Pochita, becoming what is likely his final Chainsaw Man form.

Chainsaw Man Incorporates the Shonen Genre’s Coolest Trope

So far, Denji’s transformations into Chainsaw Man have happened in two ways. Sometimes, most of his body stays human with only parts turning into chainsaws, meaning he’s still in control and can talk. Other times, when he’s completely overwhelmed, Pochita takes over, creating a much more powerful but mindless version of Chainsaw Man. Recently, after losing a fight, Denji transformed and cleverly tricked Yoru into thinking she lost a game of rock-paper-scissors.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Denji activates his transformation, becoming Chainsaw Man again. He explains that the combination of Pochita’s powerful abilities and intelligent mind allows him to stay in control, preventing him from becoming a savage monster. He proves this by speaking while transforming, even playfully taunting Yoru. Denji mastering the full extent of Chainsaw Man’s power could be crucial to defeating Yoru, as his surprisingly sharp mind sets him apart despite his often goofy behavior.

Denji’s difficult life has forced him to grow up quickly and become surprisingly resourceful. His ability to outsmart Yoru is a perfect example of his cleverness, and it looks like his quick thinking will be key to winning this fight. As Denji unlocks a potentially final transformation, nicknamed “Denji Man,” it suggests that the Chainsaw Man story is nearing its end. It’s great to see the series embrace a classic shonen trope with such impact as it heads towards its conclusion.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/dark-shonen-jump-fantasy-anime-confirms-season-2-release-date-new-look-revealed/embed/#

Read More

2025-12-04 03:15