Chapter 203 of Chainsaw Man promises to be one of the most intense of the manga's second part. After the clash with Fakesaw Man, who has exploited Denji's emotional vulnerability by using hostages as weapons, the narrative heads towards a decisive moment. The story isn't solely based on violent action or supernatural twists, but rather on the moral and psychological dilemmas Denji faces, reflecting the consequences of being a human with the heart of a devil.
While concrete spoilers aren't yet available, attentive readers can already predict where the manga might go. Author Tatsuki Fujimoto often delves into the characters' inner feelings, and everything indicates that this new chapter will once again place Denji before a difficult choice: preserve his humanity or sacrifice innocent lives to win.
Yoru allies with Denji, but their methods remain in conflict.
One of the biggest surprises from the previous chapter was the apparent change in War Devil Yoru's stance, who now seems willing to collaborate with Denji, at least temporarily. This new dynamic could represent an important turning point in the story, as until now the two were on opposing sides. However, even though they collaborate, their objectives remain different. While Denji wants to save people, Yoru sees humans as pawns in a much larger and crueler game.
This tension between the two is likely to escalate further when Yoru tries to justify his attack on the woman Denji tried to save. She claims she always wanted to show him the "fun side" of being a demon, distorting the concept of freedom and power. Her words will likely reinforce Denji's internal conflict, as he resists the idea of losing his empathy and becoming a creature without humanity, like so many other demons in the series.
Fakesaw Man forces Denji to relive past traumas
Fakesaw Man's presence serves as a distorted mirror of Denji himself. He represents what Denji could become if he were to forsake his conscience and act solely as a killing machine. The cruelty of using hostages as live arms during combat exposes the gravity of the situation and pressures Denji to act. He tries to negotiate, hesitates, and questions whether there truly is a way out that doesn't involve innocent deaths.
A key moment may come when one of Fakesaw's victims begs to be killed quickly, pleading for mercy. This brutal plea brings back memories of the fight against Santa Claus in Part 1, when Denji faced similar dilemmas. The repetition of the scenario is no coincidence: Fujimoto seems to want to reinforce that Denji's true enemy is his own conscience.
The arrival of the Death Devil seals the dark tone of the plot
The conclusion of Chapter 203 of Chainsaw Man is expected to be marked by the appearance of the Death Devil, an entity readers have long awaited. This figure's arrival may represent not only a new threat but also the symbolic conclusion of the conflict Denji faces internally. The Death Devil's satisfied smile at Denji's decisions suggests that every step he takes toward violence and coldness is closely monitored by larger, darker forces.
It's possible that Fakesaw Man will celebrate Denji's decision to kill the hostages, but the intensity of his reaction will suggest ulterior motives. Yoru's celebration will be no less unsettling, as it will finally see Denji give in to an impulse that brings him closer to his demonic nature. However, the protagonist himself may not have time to reflect on the impact of his actions before the next challenge arises.
Where and when to read Chapter 203 of Chainsaw Man
The new chapter will be published simultaneously on multiple platforms. Readers can access it for free on the Viz Media and MANGA Plus , which offer the three most recent chapters of the work. Shonen Jump+ offers full access through a monthly subscription.
Check the launch times according to the region:
- Pacific Time (PST) – 8:00 AM, Tuesday, May 20
- Eastern Time (EST) – 11:00 AM, Tuesday, May 20
- London (BST) – 4pm, Tuesday 20 May
- Central Europe (CEST) – 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 20
- India (IST) – 8:30 PM, Tuesday, May 20
- Philippines (PHT) – 11:00 PM, Tuesday, May 20
- Japan (JST) – 12:00 AM, Wednesday, May 21
- Australia (ACT) – 12:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 21
