Chainsaw Man: Fujimoto’s Treatment of Denji Draws Comparison to Akutami’s Treatment of Yuji

After the release of Chainsaw Man chapter 168, readers were able to see the consequences of War Devil’s kiss with Denji in the manga series. Many fans were anticipating a much darker outcome that would leave both Denji and Asa traumatized. However, manga author Tatsuki Fujimoto surprised readers with a chapter that showed War Devil Yoru exposing Asa’s true feelings for Denji, sparing fans from a more horrific turn of events.

Despite the positive developments in the manga chapter for Denji’s romantic life, he was still struggling due to his unawareness of Asa and Yoru coexisting in the same body.

As a result, fans started to draw comparisons between Denji and Yuji Itadori from Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen manga. As a result, it was widely believed that Tatsuki Fujimoto was a formidable rival to Gege Akutami in terms of the level of trauma inflicted on his main character.

Please note: This article may contain spoilers for those who have not read the Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen manga.

Comparing Tatsuki Fujimoto to Gege Akutami: Exploring the Similarities of Two Rising Manga Creators

Despite being aware of the events that have transpired since the beginning of Jujutsu Kaisen, fans of the anime know that the series’ main character, Yuji Itadori, has endured numerous hardships. He has suffered the loss of his grandfather, Wasuke Itadori, his friend Junpei Yoshino, his mentors Nanami Kento and Satoru Gojo, and his sworn brother Choso. Furthermore, Itadori has had to witness Nobara Kugisaki sustain serious injuries and Megumi Fushiguro lose control of his body to the demon Ryomen Sukuna.

Despite Itadori’s desire to give people a peaceful death, he was ultimately manipulated by Ryomen Sukuna into killing countless individuals. This has resulted in a tumultuous and tragic life for Yuji Itadori ever since he stumbled upon the talisman for the King of Curses. It appears that Gege Akutami, the manga creator, has no plans of easing his harsh treatment of Itadori anytime soon.

Yuji Itadori as seen in the Jujutsu Kaisen manga (Image via Shueisha)

Despite the numerous developments, it has become clear to fans that the manga creator has a strong dislike for his protagonist and has purposely made his life miserable. The sole reason for the character’s survival is due to his role as the protagonist, as the creator required his continued existence in order to conclude the story according to his desires.

Fans recognized that Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of Chainsaw Man manga, shared a similar desire to subject his main character, Denji, to intense trials as Gege Akutami, establishing him as a manga creator who also wished to put their main character through hell.

Denji, as seen in the Chainsaw Man manga (Image via Shueisha)

Like Itadori, Denji has also endured a difficult life from the start. Although there was a brief period where things seemed to be looking up for him, it was all a manipulation orchestrated by the Control Devil Makima. She used Denji’s enjoyment of his new life to manipulate and groom him, even going as far as to declare that she only cared about the Chainsaw Man entity and not Denji himself.

Denji, as seen in Chainsaw Man manga (Image via Shueisha)

Despite Denji’s eventual victory over her, Tatsuki Fujimoto’s actions did not cease after the events. He continued to strip Denji of everything he had given him at the beginning of the manga’s second part, leaving him without his beloved pets and with no knowledge of Nayuta’s whereabouts.

Tatsuki Fujimoto also subjected Denji to another traumatic experience, accompanied by Asa Mitaka. This left Denji feeling confused about his circumstances and forced him to reflect on his life.