The world of Chainsaw Man runs on fear. Devils embody humanity’s fears, and their power directly correlates to how much they’re feared. Let’s break down the devil hierarchy.
How Devils Work
Fear = Power
Core rules:
- More feared concept = stronger devil
- Forgotten fears create weak devils
- Universal fears (darkness, death) create near-invincible devils
The Cycle of Devils
- Devils killed on Earth reincarnate in Hell
- Devils killed in Hell reincarnate on Earth
- Memories don’t transfer—personality changes
- Only Chainsaw Devil can truly kill a devil (by eating them)
Devil Classifications
Pure Devils
Original form. Full powers, intelligent, usually hostile to humans. Examples: Bat Devil, Eternity Devil, Future Devil.
Fiends
Devils who possess dead human bodies. They:
- Retain devil powers (weakened)
- Keep some human personality traits
- Show devil features (heads, etc.)
Example: Power is the Blood Fiend
Hybrids
Humans who fused with devils. They can:
- Transform at will (usually with a trigger)
- Revive from death with blood
- Keep their human minds
Example: Denji is the Chainsaw Hybrid
Power Tiers
Weak Devils
Devils of rarely-feared or localized concepts:
- Tomato Devil
- Cucumber Devil
- Sea Cucumber Devil
These are joke-tier threats.
Standard Devils
Common fears with moderate power:
- Bat Devil
- Leech Devil
- Zombie Devil
Public Safety handles these routinely.
Powerful Devils
Significant fears requiring special hunters:
- Eternity Devil
- Bomb Devil
- Katana Devil
Contract-Worthy Devils
Strong enough to make valuable contracts:
- Future Devil
- Fox Devil
- Spider Devil
The Strongest Devils
Primal Fears
These devils embody fears shared by all life—even other devils fear them:
- Darkness Devil: Primordial fear of darkness. Never died, never been to Earth normally. Instant death just from its presence.
- Falling Devil: Universal fear of falling. Creates despair that makes victims “fall.”
- Control Devil (Makima): Fear of being controlled/dominated.
Gun Devil
Not primal but massively feared due to:
- Gun violence anxiety worldwide
- Modern proliferation of firearms
- Association with random death
The Gun Devil killed 1.2 million people in five minutes.
Chainsaw Devil (Pochita/Denji)
Unique status:
- Devils eaten by Chainsaw Devil are erased from existence
- Even the concept disappears (ex: “Nuclear Weapons Devil” = no nukes)
- All devils fear being forgotten
- “Hero of Hell” to some devils
The Four Horsemen
The strongest Earth-based devils:
- Control Devil (Makima)
- War Devil (Yoru)
- Famine Devil (TBD)
- Death Devil (TBD)
They hunt Chainsaw Devil to restore erased devils.
Contracts
How They Work
Humans can contract with devils for power in exchange for:
- Body parts
- Lifespan
- Senses
- Loved ones
Examples
- Himeno: Gives eye for Ghost Devil’s power
- Aki: Trades lifespan for Curse Devil’s attacks
- Angel Devil: Touch drains lifespan (automatic)
Why This System Works
Chainsaw Man’s devil system is brilliant because:
- Power levels make intuitive sense
- Creativity in fears = creative powers
- Stakes are clear (fear more = harder enemy)
- Meta-commentary on humanity’s anxieties