Chainsaw Man: The True Identity of the Paradise Escapee

A defining characteristic of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man manga series is its deliberate choice to avoid providing precise dates. Whenever time references or specific dates do appear, they tend to carry immense weight and relevance to the overarching storyline. Notable moments such as the Gun Devil’s assault on Makima and Nostradamus’ prophecy exemplify this trend.

Following the release of chapter 180, curiosity surged within the Chainsaw Man community when a Devil Hunter, while in the realm of the Aging Devil, mentioned having spent 82 years there. During the same dialogue in chapter 180, he disclosed that only one individual had ever escaped Aging’s domain, raising numerous questions among fans.

Immediately after chapter 180 was unveiled, speculation erupted regarding the identity of this escapee, with potential candidates including either Quanxi or Hirofumi Yoshida. However, the unusual emphasis on an 82-year timeframe—a rarity in Fujimoto’s storytelling—has sparked interest in another possible character.

The Whip Hybrid as the Potential Escapee from the Aging Devil’s World

Before the occurrence of chapter 180, the Whip Hybrid was the last character to mention the specific timeline of 82 years, as noted in chapter 143. She declared that she would be 82 years old in the year 1999, which corresponds with the timeline of events that follow in that chapter. This implies that the Whip Hybrid was born in 1917, coinciding with the end of World War I.

Despite this revelation, the Whip Hybrid’s appearance doesn’t reflect her purported age. Miri Sugo remarks on her youthful looks, to which the Whip Hybrid retorts that she is “eternally young” and “will never die.” She believes herself to be “chosen by god,”asserting that she is a “superior human specimen.” Interestingly, fans speculate that the realm of the Aging Devil grants eternal youth and a semblance of immortality, aligning with her claims.

In chapter 143, as the Whip Hybrid speaks of her agelessness, the focus shifts to two boys playing nearby, suggesting a narrative divergence. It’s also relevant to consider that Hybrids are typically the offspring of a human host and a corresponding Devil, raising questions about the lineage of the Whip Hybrid based on what fans currently understand about Hybrid births and contracts.

Fans may be wrong about the Bow Hybrid Quanxi being who escaped Aging's world (Image via Shueisha) — Fans may be wrong about the Bow Hybrid Quanxi being who escaped Aging’s world (Image via Shueisha)

Supporting this theory is the fact that the Chainsaw Man Church draws heavily from Christian themes, mirroring the influences present in the Aging Devil’s world, which many fans liken to the Garden of Eden. This context adds depth to the Whip Hybrid’s assertion of being “chosen by god,”hinting that the connection she shares with the Whip Devil may have spiritual implications.

Piecing this together suggests that the Whip Hybrid could very well be the individual who escaped from the Aging Devil’s domain. Upon entering the Aging Devil’s world—potentially through means similar to those of the Devil Hunter mentioned in chapter 180—it’s plausible that she formed a connection with a Devil. This relationship, possibly with Aging or another entity, would have enabled her contract with the Whip Devil and led to her transformation into the Whip Hybrid.

This scenario could clarify why the Whip Hybrid regards herself as chosen by the divine. In her perspective, a god indeed came down to select her and liberate her from the Aging Devil’s grasp, circumventing the escape method outlined in chapter 181. This revelation may further indicate that the “god”she refers to is, in fact, another primal fear Devil, which could explain how the rules of Aging’s world were bypassed to rescue her.

The Whip Hybrid’s declaration of being 82 years old, despite the need for chronological accuracy to uphold this theory, can be seen in the context of her being chosen by god—not as her former human self. The Devil Hunter’s comments about the escapee suggest this event preceded his entry, implying she likely escaped just before he arrived, explaining why he learned of it afterward.

Concluding Thoughts

While Yoshida could be the escapee, he's far from the only possibility (Image via Shueisha) — While Yoshida could be the escapee, he’s far from the only possibility (Image via Shueisha)

Although this theory remains speculative, the supporting evidence warrants consideration of its validity. The narrative significance associated with such a revelation bolsters this idea, especially in light of Flamethrower Hybrid Barem Bridge’s display of fervent religious zeal mirrored by his actions and the doctrine of the Chainsaw Man Church. Fans are eager for clarity regarding the identity of this escapee as the manga resumes on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

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