Chainsaw Man Watch Order 2026: Rip and Tear Through This Guide

!Episodes: 12
– Studio: MAPPA
– Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video, Hulu
– Manga Chapters: 1-38 (approximately)

Key Events:
– Denji fuses with Pochita, becomes Chainsaw Man
– Recruited by Makima into Public Safety
– Teams up with Power and Aki
– Battles against Bat Devil, Leech Devil
– Eternity Devil hotel trap
– Katana Man arc introduction

What to Expect:
Season 1 establishes Chainsaw Man’s unique tone—alternating between extreme violence, raunchy humor, and genuine emotional moments. MAPPA’s animation is detailed and fluid, with a more subdued color palette than typical anime. The ending theme changes every episode (12 different songs!), showcasing the production’s ambition.

Controversy Note: Some fans debated whether MAPPA’s direction captured the manga’s energy. Regardless of where you land on that debate, the anime is excellent on its own terms.

Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc Movie (2025/2026)

!Expected Arcs: International Assassins, Gun Devil (potentially)
– Status: Confirmed, release TBA

The remaining Public Safety Saga content includes major revelations, devastating character moments, and the buildup to the Gun Devil confrontation. These chapters are intense even by Chainsaw Man standards.

Part 2: School Arc (Manga Only)

The manga’s Part 2, the “School Arc” or “Academy Saga,” begins with Chapter 98 and follows a new protagonist—Asa Mitaka/Yoru—alongside a changed Denji. As of 2026, this has not been adapted into anime.

– Status: Manga ongoing
– Anime Adaptation: Not yet announced

For the full experience: Chainsaw Man Vol. 1 on Amazon

Where Does the Anime Leave Off?

Season 1 ends approximately at Chapter 38 of the manga. If you want to continue the story immediately:
– Start Reading At: Chapter 39 (Reze arc)
– Or Wait For: Reze Arc movie

Part 1 of the manga ends at Chapter 97. Part 2 begins at Chapter 98.

Should You Read the Manga?

Absolutely—if you can’t wait. Tatsuki Fujimoto’s art style is distinctive and the manga’s pacing is incredible. Chainsaw Man is a fast read (no lengthy power explanations or training arcs), and Fujimoto’s panel composition creates a unique reading experience.

Pros of Reading:
– Complete Part 1 story available now
– Fujimoto’s raw artistic vision
– Part 2 ongoing with weekly chapters
– No waiting for anime adaptations

Pros of Waiting for Anime:
– MAPPA’s animation brings battles to life
– Voice acting adds dimension to characters
– Incredible soundtrack (Kensuke Ushio)
– The ending theme gimmick is anime-only

Where to Watch Chainsaw Man

– Crunchyroll — Exclusive streaming (subbed & dubbed)
– Prime Video — Available in some regions
– Hulu — Available in US

The Reze movie will likely have theatrical release followed by streaming on Crunchyroll.

One-Shots and Side Content

Tatsuki Fujimoto has created related content worth checking out:

– Look Back — One-shot manga (adapted into anime film 2024)
– Goodbye, Eri — One-shot manga
– Fire Punch — Fujimoto’s previous manga series

These aren’t required for Chainsaw Man but showcase Fujimoto’s range and thematic interests. Look Back in particular received widespread acclaim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to watch Chainsaw Man?
A: Season 1 is about 4.5 hours. Once all current content is adapted, expect roughly 8-10 hours total.

Q: Is Chainsaw Man appropriate for younger viewers?
A: Absolutely not. Chainsaw Man features extreme violence, gore, sexual content, and mature themes. Rated TV-MA. This is an adult shonen series.

Q: Why does Denji want such simple things?
A: That’s the point. Denji grew up in extreme poverty with no education or normal experiences. His “simple” dreams of good food, comfort, and romance reflect how little he’s been given. It makes him simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking.

Q: Is Makima a good character?
A: Makima is fascinating. Whether she’s “good” depends on your definition. She’s one of the most discussed characters in recent manga history for good reason. Keep watching.

Q: Sub or dub?
A: Both are quality. The Japanese voice acting is excellent (especially Tomori Kusunoki as Makima), and the English dub features strong performances. Your choice.

What Makes Chainsaw Man Different?

Chainsaw Man subverts shonen expectations constantly:
– The protagonist’s motivation is mundane: Denji wants food, comfort, and girlfriends—not to save the world or become the strongest.
– Power systems are loose: Devils and contracts exist, but Fujimoto doesn’t spend chapters explaining mechanics.
– Death is real: Major characters die without warning. No one is safe.
– Tone whiplash is intentional: Crude humor sits next to genuine tragedy.
– The ending (Part 1) is unconventional: No spoilers, but don’t expect typical shonen conclusions.

Final Thoughts

Chainsaw Man isn’t trying to be the next Naruto or One Piece—it’s doing something entirely different within the shonen framework. Tatsuki Fujimoto created a world where the line between hero and monster blurs, where simple desires drive complex characters, and where chainsaws solve most problems.

The anime adaptation brings Denji’s journey to life with MAPPA’s detailed animation and Kensuke Ushio’s phenomenal soundtrack. Whether you watch the anime, read the manga, or do both, Chainsaw Man offers an experience unlike anything else in the genre.

Start the chainsaw. Don’t look back.

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