Fujimoto Addresses “Chainsaw Man Fell Off” Criticism in Latest Chapter

The highly anticipated part 2 of Chainsaw Man began with chapter 98, introducing the intriguing War Devil, Yoru. While the initial chapters of this sequel were positively received by the fanbase, the slower-paced and seemingly “uneventful”story prompted some to suggest that part 2 pales in comparison to part 1, sparking the controversial sentiment that Chainsaw Man has “fallen off.”

Despite these claims, many fans speculated that the deliberate pacing employed by Fujimoto was intended to heighten tension, paving the way for more significant and engaging arcs later on. However, this feeling of inferiority lingered until the release of chapter 178, which brilliantly rekindled the unpredictable and dark atmosphere reminiscent of part 1, especially with Asa’s shocking act of shooting Pochita using the Statue of Liberty from America to a city in Japan.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Chainsaw Man series and represents the author’s opinion.

Chainsaw Man Part 2 Redeems Itself

Released on September 24, 2024, Chainsaw Man chapter 178, titled Gun Goddess, marked a significant increase in the absurdity of part 2’s narrative. The chapter primarily centered on Yoru’s audacious attempt to snipe Pochita from America, showcasing Asa’s growing realization of Yoru’s indifference to human life, clearly exemplifying her devilish nature through the collateral damage inflicted.

Though earlier chapters of part 2 fostered doubts regarding its quality compared to the first part of the series, the rising stakes and the unpredictable plot twists in the latest chapter successfully alleviated most of those concerns.

Fan Reactions to Chapter 178

Many fans surmise that the prevailing “fell off”sentiment may have reached Fujimoto, prompting the creation of chapter 178, widely regarded as one of the best chapters in the entire Chainsaw Man saga, including part 1. Some fans expressed how the recent developments, starting from Nayuta’s tragic demise to Pochita’s reappearance, have intensified the absurdity, reminiscent of the earlier chapters.

“FUJIMOTO YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY COOKING,”one fan exclaimed.

“This run of chapters has been simply absurd,”another fan noted.

“Fujimoto killed Nayuta and locked the f**k in,”one fan remarked.

Some netizens suggested that the recent chapters might set the stage for part 2 to surpass the revered part 1, often viewed as the zenith of the series. Several fans took the opportunity to apologize for their prior critiques of part 2, recognizing that everything was part of Fujimoto’s intricate setup.

“Fujimoto has been cooking! With recent events in CSM, this could be even greater than part 1,”one fan wrote.

“The latest chapters are so good, I want to apologize for saying it got boring since part 1 ended,”another fan stated.

Chapter 178 concluded with the Aging Devil presenting itself to Pochita, leaving fans eager to see if Pochita will accept the offer or engage in battle against the Primordial Aging Devil.

Chainsaw Man chapter 179 is set to be released on October 2, 2024, at 12 AM JST and will be available for reading on Shueisha’s MANGA Plus platform.

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