Chainsaw Man’s Ending is a Lie

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The manga series recently finished its 232-chapter run, and the ending has sparked a very strong, largely negative reaction from fans in both the US and Japan. However, much like it’s done throughout the series, Chainsaw Man seems to be playing with readers’ expectations.

Tatsuki Fujimoto and Shonen Jump playfully misled all the fans of the Chainsaw Man manga. It seems the series isn’t finished after all! Readers have simply been experiencing the same unsettling uncertainty as the main character, Denji. While the real ending isn’t coming immediately, it hasn’t been released yet.

Chainsaw Man is Following in the Footsteps of Sherlock and Stranger Things

It seems very likely that Chainsaw Man has finished its run in Shonen Jump+. While the author, Tatsuki Fujimoto, is known for surprising twists, this conclusion feels genuine. However, a lot of fans aren’t ready to believe it and think anything beyond chapter 230 is a trick.

Similar to how fans reacted to the finales of shows like Sherlock and Stranger Things, many believe the ending of Chainsaw Man wasn’t well-done and are hoping for a hidden, more satisfying conclusion that will tie up loose ends.

The most popular fan theory right now centers on the devil who attacked Denji at the end of chapter 230. While Denji and Yoru were overwhelmed by an army of bug devils, the leader of the attack – the one who seemingly defeated them – doesn’t look like a bug at all. Many fans think this is the Nightmare Devil, who has already been tormenting Denji by taking away his friend, forcing him to face his failures, and trapping him in a bleak, unfulfilling life destined to end with an early death.

Several clues suggest this idea might be true: Denji briefly lost his eyepatch, Makima was mysteriously replaced by Nayuta in the timeline created by Pochita, Denji still feels a connection to Asa despite not remembering her, and Aki and Power’s absence is notable, as they probably would have prevented Denji’s new reality from becoming a bad dream.

Chainsaw Man Deserved a Better Ending Than it Got

It’s highly unlikely there will be a Chainsaw Man Chapter 233, and fans are probably just hoping for one to soften the blow. However, it’s understandable they’re searching for a better explanation for how things ended, especially considering Chainsaw Man is considered one of the best action manga ever made.

Recently, Chainsaw Man appeared to be heading towards a satisfying conclusion, or at least setting up a third part of the story. After many chapters of poor choices and setbacks, Denji finally showed personal growth, helping Asa deal with her past and choosing a more nuanced path as Denjiman. It looked like he would defeat Yoru, restore Asa’s body, and then they’d both have to navigate life in a world already devastated by conflict.

Instead of building on what came before, the series abruptly reset everything, making all previous events meaningless. While resetting the timeline can be effective, as seen in Takopi’s Original Sin, it rarely works well, as demonstrated by Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run and Tokyo Revengers. Chainsaw Man‘s ending feels unearned; there’s no foreshadowing, no thematic weight, and little payoff for fans. Popular characters like Aki and Reze aren’t given satisfying conclusions, and Asa and Yoru, who were central to the beginning of Part 2, are largely absent.

I used to love Chainsaw Man, but I don’t feel that way anymore. I’m hoping the author, Fujimoto, will surprise us with an extra chapter or two. It would be great if the ending wasn’t what it seems and the real conclusion was amazing. Still, maybe that’s wishful thinking. This series has taught us that even flawed manga can be worthwhile.

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2026-03-26 23:53