Chainsaw Man’s Makima and the Terrifying Power of the Control Devil

Makima from Chainsaw Man is undeniably one of the most fascinating characters in the world of animanga. At first, she appeared as a peaceful and kind-hearted woman who rescued Denji, the main character. However, as the plot unraveled, her true nature was gradually uncovered, shocking readers with each new revelation.

Makima is one of the most formidable characters in the series, known as the Control Devil, representing the fear of control and conquest. Her intense fascination with Denji stems from his identity as Chainsaw Man. Describing her actions in the series as shocking would be an understatement. Yet, beyond this, there is a profound explanation for why she is hailed as one of anime’s most frightening antagonists.

Despite everything that has transpired in the story, it appears that Makima is the only one who genuinely comprehended Denji and his desires. She cunningly exploited his flaws and effectively turned them against him.

First, she rescued him and provided him with an opportunity for a better life. She not only frequently used her attractiveness to persuade him, but also offered him a job at Public Safety. Additionally, she introduced him to Aki and Power, who welcomed him with open arms. However, she later revealed that she had been plotting to give Denji everything before ultimately taking it all away.

The ultimate goal was to completely destroy Denji, leaving only Chainsaw Man in his place. Thus, even if he managed to defeat her, Denji would be left as an empty shell, unable to overcome the emotional damage. To solidify her scheme, she manipulated Denji by falsely accusing him of being responsible for the deaths of his father, Aki, and Power.

Despite having no involvement, that event still weighs heavily on him, evident in the unnecessary guilt he continues to carry even to this day. This is why he chooses to embody Chainsaw Man instead of his true self. As a Devil, he is devoid of emotions, lacks any familial ties, and avoids interactions with others. However, his human side is constantly overwhelmed with a tumult of feelings, leading him to despise it.

Ultimately, this can be seen as Makima’s gradual influence on Denji, ultimately shaping him into the person he becomes in Part 2. Whenever he wants to avoid making his own decisions, Denji turns to Chainsaw Man as a quick fix. This explains why he constantly relied on Makima and was always ready to do her bidding. The impact of Makima’s actions can be seen throughout Part 2.

Despite being surrounded by people in the most recent chapters, Denji still appears to be alone. Although Asa tries to assist him out of her own desire, she is unable to make much of a difference as she is unaware of his past experiences.

Final Thoughts

Each chapter references Denji’s character from Part 1, revealing his growth and development. However, his core remains unchanged. Despite his outward appearance, the mature Denji still hides a broken inner self, deeply connected to his past self.

Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator, has masterfully crafted the character of Makima. Despite her outward appearance as a devoted ally, she harbors a chilling, scheming and merciless nature. She embodies the perfect example of an atypical antagonist, and her impact continues to be felt long after her demise.