Understanding the Role of Mirrors in Chainsaw Man’s Aging Devil Character

Recently introduced in chapter 173, the new character displays a sinister demeanor that aligns with their portrayal.

The contract proposed to Public Safety is particularly grim, offering the lives of 10,000 Japanese children as a sacrifice to be conducted before a mirror, in exchange for being consumed and obliterated by Pochita.

An interesting aspect is that prior to their introduction in chapter 178, the Aging Devil frequently interacted with mirrors. Initially, this appeared as a characteristic feature, a means of connecting with humanity. However, recent developments and a closer examination of the Devil suggest a more profound significance.

Chainsaw Man: The Symbolism of Mirrors for the Aging Devil

Chapter 180 provided keen insights into why the Aging Devil is associated with mirrors. The unsettling agreement with Public Safety further solidified this connection by involving the chilling act of children’s sacrifice in front of mirrors.

Reflecting back to chapter 173, Public Safety agents resorted to cutting their fingers and etching messages with blood onto mirrors to communicate with the Aging Devil, emphasizing the pivotal role that mirrors play in this narrative.

Like many figures in Chainsaw Man, creator Tatsuki Fujimoto intricately weaves deeper meanings into their behaviors and traits. In this instance, the Aging Devil’s predominant use of mirrors symbolizes the reflective and unsettling aspects of aging. Mirrors often serve as tools for individuals to examine their physical reflection.

However, this can also be interpreted metaphorically. Gazing into a mirror offers insights into self-awareness and the passage of time. As depicted in chapter 180, a former Devil Hunter notices his “laugh lines have deepened,”yearning to escape the inevitability of aging, which drives him to strike a pact with the Aging Devil.

This relates back to the earlier discussion about appearance and self-perception as time progresses. The Aging Devil’s pact, which involves the children’s sacrifice before mirrors, highlights the theme of witnessing life and youth diminish, essentially mirroring the inevitable losses associated with aging.

Committing such a horrendous act before mirrors serves to accentuate the horror of the situation, making these sacrifices visible within a dark, reflective reality. Additionally, mirrors symbolize the concept of maturity or its absence, particularly when the Aging Devil chastises both Yoru and Chainsaw Man for their perceived immaturity, insisting they need to “grow up.”

Mirrors effectively illuminate the recurring themes of time and perception, contrasting the eternal essence of devils with the fleeting nature of human existence. Devils are not subject to death in the traditional sense; rather, they are caught in a perpetual cycle of reincarnation. In contrast, human lives cease to exist permanently once extinguished, emphasizing their brevity.

Concluding Thoughts

A still from Chainsaw Man (Image via MAPPA)

With Chainsaw Man chapter 180, Fujimoto has once again showcased his brilliance. His ability to present layers of symbolism and depth is unmatched. The introduction of the Aging Devil signals a key turning point in the battle between Pochita and Yoru.

Moreover, the Aging Devil presents an unprecedented threat, quickly demonstrating its potency by banishing the War Devil to another realm with a single strike. Unless Denji and Yoru/Asa devise a way to escape this unusual dimension, the outlook appears grim.

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