Asa Mitaka was introduced in Part 2 of the Chainsaw Man manga, where she serves as one of the main protagonists of the Academy Saga. Despite having a rough start, Asa has become a favorite among fans, mainly due to her dynamic with Yoru, the War Devil.
Though they share the same body, Asa and Yoru are vastly different individuals – Asa is an ordinary high school girl, while Yoru is the War Devil. Their relationship is one of the most intriguing and entertaining aspects of Chainsaw Man’s Academy Saga, especially when contrasted with Denji’s relationship with Pochita, the Chainsaw Devil.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the manga.
Asa and Yoru’s body-sharing situation, explained
Asa Mitaka began the series as a quiet and unsociable high school girl with a troubled past, leading to her extremely negative outlook on the world, other humans, and Devils. Her miserable life worsened when she died unexpectedly at the hands of a classmate who had formed a contract with the Justice Devil.
In her dying moments, Asa encountered the War Devil, who offered her a chance at survival through a pact. Asa was resurrected as the War Fiend by the War Devil, who took control of her body and swiftly dealt with the classmate.
The unique aspect of their body-sharing situation is that it differs from most Devil-human fusions in the series. Instead of merely a Devil inhabiting a human corpse, Asa and the War Devil, Yoru, coexist, with both retaining consciousness and the ability to alternate control of their shared body.
The complexity of Asa and Yoru’s body-sharing situation is a significant theme. Most of the time, Asa functions as the primary host, living her life until Yoru decides to take over. This takeover by Yoru tends to be sudden and unavoidable for Asa. Initially happening only during combat, Yoru later began taking control at her discretion, leading to frequent awkward situations, especially when Yoru took over to kiss Denji.
This dynamic generates ongoing tension, as Asa prefers leading her normal life, while Yoru seeks power and revenge against Chainsaw Man.
How Asa and Yoru are different in Chainsaw Man
While sharing the same body, Asa and Yoru are starkly different. Asa is extremely socially inept and reserved, whereas Yoru is straightforward and aggressive in interacting with others.
Pushed into the world of Devils against her will, Asa is reluctant to assist Yoru in her quest for revenge and prefers a normal life. Conversely, Yoru is focused solely on regaining her former power and eliminating Chainsaw Man.
Their personality clash becomes apparent early in the Academy Saga, with Asa hesitant to harm others for weapon creation, while Yoru is intent on finding someone who falls for Asa to create a powerful weapon capable of defeating her rival.
Asa and Yoru’s relationship
The relationship between Asa Mitaka and Yoru, the War Devil, exemplifies reluctant coexistence. Asa initially saw Yoru as an intruder who complicated her already troubled existence, whereas Yoru viewed Asa merely as a means to an end.
Asa eventually became accustomed to Yoru’s presence, but she retained a lack of trust due to Yoru’s unsettling demands and interference. Yoru made it clear that her goals took precedence over Asa’s well-being and that she wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate Asa if necessary.
For much of the series, neither character appeared to care for the other, owing to their stark differences. Yoru seemed indifferent to Asa’s emotional distress, which frustrated Asa, who felt misunderstood despite Yoru’s ability to read her mind.
However, recent chapters of the Chainsaw Man manga have showcased moments of reluctant collaboration between them, particularly when Asa saved Denji from the Public Safety facility, indicating increased emotional influence on each other. The evolution of their relationship remains an intriguing aspect for readers as the story progresses.
- Is Asa Mitaka in love with Denji in Chainsaw Man?
- Chainsaw Man: 4 ways Denji and Asa are similar (and 4 ways they are different)
- Chainsaw Man fan art turns Asa Mitaka into a ‘reasonably smart girl’
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