Chapter 202 of Chainsaw Man, officially released this Tuesday (6), brought a mix of tension, body horror and ethical dilemmas that deeply impacted readers. While the confrontation between Denji and Yoru promised to be the highlight, the appearance of the enigmatic Fakesaw Man ended up dominating the narrative, revealing clues about his true identity and his macabre objectives.
The episode not only reinforces the manga's psychological density, but also raises increasingly complex moral questions for its protagonist.
The tension between Denji and Yoru intensifies
The chapter begins immediately after the events of the previous episode, with Denji and the War Devil Yoru in full argument. Yoru taunts Denji, questioning whether he's angry enough to confront her. Denji, clearly on the verge of a rage, activates his chainsaws, but Yoru diverts his attention and attacks Fakesaw Man directly with one of his signature attacks, the "Bang."
The attempt, however, fails. Fakesaw manages to dodge, and in an immediate response, Denji cuts off his left arm. Now armless, Fakesaw ironically asks if the conflict between the two was just a staged act to leave him vulnerable. Denji denies it, claiming that Yoru is simply "crazy like that." Yoru, as if confirming Denji's statement, says he's cooled down and it's time to leave, launching another Bang at the now seemingly defenseless enemy.
The Arrival of the Fire Demon Zombies
What seemed to be the end for Fakesaw Man takes an unexpected turn. Two infected individuals, Fire Devil contractors transformed into Chainsaw Man zombies, step in front of the attack to protect him. Soon after, an even larger number of contractors join Fakesaw, forming a human shield around him.
It's at this point that one of the manga's most grotesque moments occurs: the contractors' bodies begin to fuse with Fakesaw, creating new limbs from a jumble of interconnected arms, legs, and torsos. Yoru watches the scene in disgust, while Fakesaw confirms to Denji that he feels absolutely nothing when cutting up strangers.
A new dilemma: save or kill?
The scene reaches its horrific peak when Fakesaw asks Denji: would he be able to kill people begging for help without feeling guilty? The provocation takes on an even more cruel tone when the bodies fused with Fakesaw Man suddenly regain consciousness. Now aware of the deformation and forced fusion, the contractors begin screaming for help in absolute panic.
One of them recognizes Denji and begs him to save them. Denji, perplexed, stares at Fakesaw for a few seconds in silence. The tension breaks when Fakesaw tries to attack him, forcing the protagonist to quickly dodge. However, the move further injures the people trapped in his grotesque new limbs, triggering a new wave of screams and calls for help. The scene closes the chapter on a note of absolute despair.
Fakesaw Man and his connection to the Fire Demon
While Chapter 202 doesn't reveal anything explicitly, it strongly suggests that Fakesaw Man is actually the Fire Devil's true form, or at least a direct manifestation of his power. This is evident from his influence over contractors and the way he absorbs their bodies and souls to create new members.
Another important point is the dynamic between Denji and Yoru. Despite their disagreements and mutual attacks, the episode suggests that they still depend on each other, indicating that, however chaotic their partnership may be, separation is far from imminent.
Psychological horror and identity in check
Chapter 202 of Chainsaw Man reinforces what many fans already know: this is no ordinary work. Rather than focusing solely on action and violence, Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga places its characters in constant moral and emotional conflict, challenging their identities, purposes, and ethical boundaries. The emergence of Fakesaw Man as a possible representation of the Fire Devil opens a new arc filled with tension, ambiguity, and psychological terror.
Denji, once seen as a reluctant hero, now finds himself caught between his responsibilities and the brutal reality of his choices. How will he react to so many cries for help from deformed, sentient bodies? Chainsaw Man remains one of the most provocative series on the scene today, delivering not only stylized violence but also human dilemmas that resonate far beyond the pages of the manga.
Where to read Chainsaw Man?
To read the new chapter, fans can use Shueisha's official digital channels. Available platforms include MANGAPlu s, Viz Media, and the Shonen Jump+ app. The first two offer the first three and last three chapters for free, while the latter requires a paid subscription for full access.
