Chainsaw Man has exploded in popularity since its initial October 2018 release. After two years of waiting, its vocal fandom has finally got an anime adaptation to enjoy in 2022. The series focuses on a world populated by devils that manifest the countless fears of the human population, typically with horrific results.
Much of the series’ core cast is dedicated more to the devil-hunting side of things than outright devilry. Regardless, plenty of narrative attention is focused on the different fears and phobias covered by the series’ colorful devil population. Some, like the Gun Devil, have provided ultra-violent set pieces and plot points. Despite some more obvious themes and concepts having already been covered in the series, there’s a variety of both obvious and intriguing concepts that are yet to be covered. Here are some new devils that could make for compelling storytelling in Chainsaw Man.
7 Love Devil
Heartbreak is a recurring theme in Chainsaw Man, with a litany of key characters falling in and out of love for often tragic reasons. Perhaps the most famous of all the romantic angles in the series thus far is Himeno’s ultimately doomed love for Aki. While the two never get together, Himeno’s love for her fellow Devil Hunter ultimately costs her life.
An actual Love Devil would reflect both the joys and pitfalls of romantic relationships within the Chainsaw Man universe. Lead character Denji is no stranger to heartbreak, having lost both his dearest friend Power and his double agent love interest Reze over the course of the series. A full-on confrontation with a manifestation of his heartbreaking fears and regrets could be a cathartic story arc in the future.
6 Dog Devil
Despite his dog-like appearance, Pochita is officially the former Chainsaw Man and therefore not a devil’s representation of the canine species. While they can make beloved, loyal pets, there are many people out there who suffer from cynophobia: a crippling fear of dogs.
Touching on both the fear of potential dog attacks and the bond many humans and canines can share would make for a compelling side story in Chainsaw Man. Pochita's popularity during his brief run in the series suggests there is room for a more in-depth look at the human/animal dynamic. For the increasingly lonesome Denji, this could function as either a moving companionship arc or a brutal animal attack angle for him to overcome in a typically action-packed fashion.
5 Crime Devil
Given the number of crimes against humanity committed in Chainsaw Man thus far, it’s quite surprising that a full-on devil representation of breaking the law is yet to materialize. While the Gun Devil in particular touched on this theme, a single devil representation of everything from organized crime to crimes of passion could make for a dark, engrossing, long-term story arc.
Considering the bleak crises of conscience and confidence often depicted in the series, a Crime Devil leading some of the cast in law-breaking cruelty could be shocking. For Denji, this would be a major antagonist to overcome and one that he’d likely have to defeat on his own given the wide slate of character deaths at this point in the manga.
4 Vertigo Devil
A common fear shared all over the world is that of heights. Vertigo itself is an often debilitating manifestation of a fear of heights, leading to severe dizziness and disorientation in its sufferers. Such a phenomenon in devil form could lead to a stomach-churning, dizzying array of trouble and danger for the Chainsaw Man cast.
The visual of peril at great heights also plays right into the surreal, often unsettling imagery creator Tatsuki Fujimoto frequently uses in the series. A diabolical devil using this fearful sensation to cause chaos could make for a fun, suspenseful diversion down the road for this massively popular series.
3 Storm Devil
The arrival of a Storm Devil could be a cataclysmic threat to the Chainsaw Man world. Much like the Gun Devil’s horrific worldwide assault that shaped the life of Aki, a Storm Devil assault for a set period of time across the globe could potentially reshape the series by sending the alternate history setting into total turmoil. For Denji, the arrival of forces of nature could easily be the biggest threat he’s encountered yet.
Throughout history, many have feared the potential catastrophe the weather can pose, from hurricanes to droughts and everything in between, a change in weather can completely alter the course of a nation. A wrathful Storm Devil would magnify this fear factor and make for gripping, scary reading.
2 Clown Devil
Thanks to the popularity of the It and Terrifier films in recent years, coulrophobia has never been more mainstream. An evil clown archetype applied to the fear manifesting horrors of the devils in Chainsaw Man seems like a fairly obvious antagonistic route to eventually go down.
Alternatively, there’s also the chance to flip the current clown horror trend on its head and provide a genuinely funny, likable clown figure for Denji and co. to befriend. Such a character could help fill the lovably goofy void left in the wake of Beam and Galgali’s deaths in the series. Considering the series' track record of slaughtering fun supporting characters, a noble clown devil’s demise would likely make for tear-jerking reading eventually.
1 Sleep Devil
There’s a multitude of directions a Sleep Devil could take Chainsaw Man in, from potentially hopeful dreamscapes to horrific nightmares and sleep paralysis demons. A variety of great films and series such as A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Sandman have explored the depths and fears of the subconscious dreamworld.
Given the typically nightmarish scenarios and situations that play out throughout Chainsaw Man, it’s safe to say that most of the characters could be very vulnerable in a dream world. The amount of trauma and tragedy Denji has endured at this point could put him in serious psychological danger if a Sleep Devil were to target him. Needless to say, overcoming such potentially soul-destroying threats and hurdles is a staple of Denji's journey thus far in the series.