Chainsaw Man Reveals Yoru’s Perception of Asa as an Inequal

In chapter 180 of Chainsaw Man, readers were treated to a close look at the terrifying abilities of the Aging Devil, an eagerly anticipated moment for fans. Following the previous chapter’s revelations, in which the Aging Devil signaled it was time for Chainsaw Man and the War Devil to “mature,”expectations surged about what this growth would entail. As has become typical of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s storytelling, the narrative delivered quite a spectacle.

This chapter also unveiled another crucial insight that could significantly influence the storyline: Yoru, the War Devil, does not consider Asa Mitaka to be her equal. While it was already evident that Yoru had a dominating presence and utilized Asa for her own survival, this dynamic became unmistakably clear in chapter 180.

Insight from Chainsaw Man chapter 180: Yoru’s Perspective on Asa

Inside chapter 180, the Aging Devil executed a maneuver reminiscent of Yoru’s tactics. However, this time, upon uttering “Bang,”Yoru, Asa, and Denji found themselves transported to a separate realm described as “a world created by the Aging Devil,” appearing more like a psychological assault. One of the most compelling moments transpired when Yoru mentioned Denji’s name, seizing control to attack his defenseless form.

This incident further illustrates the power imbalance between Yoru and Asa. Yoru frequently exhibits a patronizing demeanor towards Asa, using her as a mere tool rather than viewing her as an equal. This hierarchy was further emphasized as Yoru dismissed Asa’s fears and doubts, striving to gain full control.

Despite Asa’s reticence, Yoru consistently undermines her emotions and manipulates the situation to suit her needs. The War Devil’s ambition to transform Chainsaw Man into a weapon amplifies this one-sided relationship. Yoru’s disregard for Asa’s feelings and protests underlines her singular focus on power and authority. Furthermore, Yoru appears to overlook Asa’s humanity and ethical concerns, viewing her primarily as a means to achieve her objectives.

Earlier in the narrative, several key moments highlighted this dynamic. When Yoru first encountered Asa, she cunningly initiated a contract to possess her body, quickly leading to the demise of her teacher and a classmate. This was the first instance where Yoru disregarded Asa’s feelings, taking control without consent and positioning Asa solely as a vessel for her survival, thereby establishing the tone of their partnership.

Later, during the Chicken Devil episode, Yoru pressed Asa to react violently, completely dismissing her anxieties and emotional state. This exemplifies Yoru’s self-serving motives, as she forces Asa’s responses to align with her quest for dominance, neglecting Asa’s emotional well-being.

This lack of empathy was further highlighted with the arrival of the Falling Devil. While Asa grappled with overwhelming fear and panic, wishing to escape, Yoru remained unfeeling and chastised Asa for her perceived weakness, pushing her to simply “get over it.”This exemplifies Yoru’s perception of Asa’s vulnerability as a flaw, not as a valid emotional response.

Concluding Thoughts

Power and Denji in Chainsaw Man (Image via MAPPA)

In contrast to Denji and Pochita’s relationship, the dynamics between Asa and Yoru in Chainsaw Man are markedly different. Their bond was established early on, required for mutual survival. Despite Yoru showing slight signs of affection, she continues to view Asa as inferior and merely as a tool to facilitate her goals, as evidenced by her actions throughout the story.

This is somewhat disheartening, considering that Asa’s emotional responses seem secondary whenever they are faced with peril. Nevertheless, it’s important to acknowledge that Yoru’s impulsive and intimidating nature has played a key role in keeping Asa alive thus far. Although Yoru often disregards Asa’s feelings, her interventions during critical moments have proven effective in avoiding danger. Essentially, their relationship acts as a double-edged sword.

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