Katana Resembles a Popular Chainsaw Man Character, Excluding Denji

In the second part of the Chainsaw Man manga, the return of various characters has captivated fans, particularly the enigmatic Katana Man, once a formidable adversary of protagonist Denji. Although his role in the ongoing Academy Saga has not been central, his presence continues to delight readers who remember his complex history.

Chainsaw Man enthusiasts are delving into Katana Man’s backstory and significance within both Part 1 (the Public Safety Saga) and Part 2. While some fans speculate that Katana Man shares a unique connection with Denji, a growing consensus suggests that he might parallel another character more closely: Aki Hayakawa.

Exploring the Aki Hayakawa and Katana Man Connection

Initially, many fans believed Denji was the primary character parallel to Katana Man due to their adversarial relationship. Both characters have experienced profound loss at the hands of a powerful Devil—Katana Man’s grandfather fell victim to the Zombie Devil, while Denji lost his surrogate family, Aki and Power, to the manipulative Control Devil, Makima. Furthermore, both characters were ensnared in Makima’s web of control, with Katana Man being her pawn since his defeat within the story.

Each character harbors dreams they pursue with relentless fervor, often at great personal risk. For Katana Man, the ultimate goal is to eliminate Denji. In contrast, Denji seeks emotional and physical intimacy, hinting at deeper desires beneath his playful exterior.

However, Aki’s narrative may resonate more deeply with Katana Man’s story. Both have suffered the loss of their families to powerful Devils, fueling a thirst for revenge akin to Katana Man’s. Additionally, Aki and Katana Man are similarly stoic figures whose fighting styles prominently involve swords. Their motivations revolve around avenging their losses—Aki’s being the notorious Gun Devil—though both characters find themselves on a seemingly hopeless quest for vengeance.

Crucially, Katana Man and Aki share a bond forged by their servitude to Makima through contracts and Devil-derived powers, setting them apart from Denji, who was more of an unwitting pawn in Makima’s plans. Despite their differences in loyalty and willingness to confront Denji, all three characters were coerced into battling him under Makima’s domination, and each at one point worked for Public Safety.

Interestingly, there are indications that the series may be positioning Katana Man for a ‘big brother’ role similar to Aki’s. Despite Katana Man’s animosity towards Denji, Aki initially felt the same way but eventually grew to care for Denji, abandoning his quest for vengeance in favor of friendship. It’s plausible that Fujimoto will develop Katana Man along similar lines, leading to a transformation in their relationship.

Concluding Thoughts

Like Aki, Denji may soon get Katana Man to view him favorably (Image via MAPPA Studios)

If Fujimoto effectively crafts a character arc that leads Katana Man toward reconciliation and growth, he could become a pivotal figure in the future of the series. As this evolution unfolds, Katana Man’s popularity is likely to soar within the Chainsaw Man community, especially if he continues to reflect Aki’s multifaceted character traits and relational dynamics.

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