After binge-reading all 110 chapters of Chainsaw Man Part 2 (up to chapter 208) in one chaotic weekend, I need to talk about what Tatsuki Fujimoto has unleashed upon us manga readers. As someone who's been reading weekly manga for over a decade, I can confidently say Part 2 is... complicated. Beautiful. Frustrating. Brilliant.
Let me break down why the Academy Saga has the manga community more divided than ever, and whether it's worth your time in 2025.
The Premise: Same World, New Devils
Part 2 picks up with the world knowing Chainsaw Man's identity (sort of), but follows Asa Mitaka, a high school girl who becomes host to the War Devil, Yoru. If Part 1 was about Denji discovering what it means to be human, Part 2 explores what happens when you're forced to share your humanity with a devil who sees humans as weapons.
The dynamic between Asa and Yoru creates something we didn't have in Part 1 – an internal dialogue that's equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. Where Denji and Pochita were best friends, Asa and Yoru are reluctant roommates in the world's worst apartment: Asa's body.
What Works: Fujimoto's Evolution as a Storyteller
Character Development That Hits Different
Asa Mitaka might be the most realistic teenager in manga. She's awkward, overthinks everything, and her internal monologues about social interactions are painfully relatable. Watching her try to navigate high school while sharing her body with a War Devil who turns anything she owns into weapons? Chef's kiss.
The chapter where Asa turns her school uniform into a weapon because it's the thing she "values most" at that moment? That's when I knew Fujimoto hadn't lost his touch.
Denji's Character Growth
Part 2 Denji is fascinating. He's still our chaotic chainsaw boy, but there's a weariness to him now. Watching him try to balance his Chainsaw Man fame with wanting a normal high school life creates moments of genuine emotion between the insanity.
The aquarium date chapters (you know the ones) showcase Fujimoto at his best – mixing absurdist humor with gut-punch emotions.
The Art Evolution
Holy Pochita, the art has leveled up! Fujimoto's paneling in Part 2 is more experimental, playing with negative space and perspective in ways that make certain chapters feel like contemporary art pieces. The double-page spread of the Falling Devil's introduction? I had to put my phone down and just process what I'd seen.
What's Different: Not Your Typical Shonen Sequel
Pacing: The Slow Burn Approach
If Part 1 was a chainsaw revving at full throttle, Part 2 is a careful dissection. The pacing is deliberately slower, focusing on character moments and building dread rather than constant action. Some readers find this boring – I find it brilliant.
The Academy Saga takes its time establishing Asa's world before throwing her into the deep end. By chapter 130, when things truly go insane, you're so invested in these characters that every revelation hits like a truck.
Themes: Growing Up in a World That Wants to Eat You
Part 2's exploration of teenage life in a world where Devils exist is darker and more philosophical than Part 1. It asks questions like:
- How do you form relationships when anyone could be a Devil?
- What does it mean to be a weapon?
- Can you find love in a world designed to create fear?
The current arc (as of chapter 208) dealing with the prophecy of Nostradamus and the appearance of the Death Devil has elevated these themes to existential horror levels.
The Controversial Elements
The Romance Subplot
Let's address the elephant in the room: the romance elements. Some fans hate that Part 2 focuses on relationships and dating. But here's the thing – it's not really about romance. It's about two broken people (Asa and Denji) trying to connect in a world where connection might literally kill you.
The "date" chapters aren't fluffy romance – they're anxiety-inducing explorations of vulnerability.
Less Action, More Psychology
Part 2 has significantly less fighting than Part 1, especially in the first 50 chapters. Instead, we get psychological horror and character studies. The action scenes we do get are more impactful because of this restraint.
Current Arc Analysis (Spoiler-Free)
As of July 2025, we're deep in the Death Devil arc, and Fujimoto is pulling no punches. The way he's connecting Part 1 and Part 2's storylines while introducing cosmic horror elements reminds me why Chainsaw Man is revolutionary for shonen manga.
Recent chapters have featured:
- Mind-bending Devil designs that make Part 1's Devils look tame
- Character revelations that recontextualize the entire series
- Action sequences that blend horror and shonen in unprecedented ways
Is Part 2 Living Up to the Hype?
Short answer: Yes, but it's not what many fans expected.
Long answer: Part 2 is a more mature, contemplative work that trades constant action for psychological depth. It's Fujimoto flexing his storytelling muscles, proving he's not just about shock value and chainsaws.
If you loved Part 1 purely for the action and gore, Part 2 might test your patience initially. But if you appreciated the emotional core of Denji's journey and Fujimoto's ability to blend absurdism with genuine human emotion, Part 2 is a masterclass in manga storytelling.
Who Should Read This?
Definitely Read If:
- You enjoyed Part 1's emotional moments as much as the action
- You appreciate slow-burn character development
- You like manga that experiments with form and structure
- You're okay with a different protagonist taking center stage
Maybe Skip If:
- You only want non-stop action
- You can't stand awkward teenage protagonists
- You're expecting Part 1 but bigger
- You hate reading weekly (the pacing works better in volumes)
The Verdict: A Masterpiece in Progress
Rating: 9/10
Chainsaw Man Part 2 isn't trying to recapture Part 1's lightning in a bottle – it's creating its own storm. Asa Mitaka has become one of my favorite manga protagonists, and watching her parallel journey with Denji's creates a richer narrative than Part 1 alone could achieve.
Yes, it's different. Yes, it's slower. Yes, it will test your patience sometimes. But Fujimoto is crafting something special here – a meditation on growing up, finding connection, and facing death wrapped in the chaotic energy only Chainsaw Man can provide.
Final Thoughts
As someone who's read thousands of manga chapters, Chainsaw Man Part 2 stands out for its willingness to evolve. Fujimoto could have given us Part 1 with bigger explosions, but instead, he's creating something more ambitious.
The fact that it's the best-selling manga of 2025 (3.37 million volumes sold as of July) proves readers are hungry for manga that challenges conventions. Part 2 isn't just living up to the hype – it's creating its own legacy.
Whether you're Team Asa or still waiting for more Denji, one thing's certain: Chainsaw Man Part 2 is essential reading for any manga fan in 2025.
Reading Recommendations
Where to Start: Chapter 98 (beginning of Part 2)
Best Arc So Far: Aquarium Date (Chapters 112-120)
Current Status: Ongoing, Chapter 208 (July 2025)
Read It On: Shonen Jump app, Manga Plus
Pro tip: Read in volume chunks rather than weekly for the best experience. The pacing works much better when you can binge 10-12 chapters at once.
What's your take on Chainsaw Man Part 2? Team Asa or missing the old cast? Drop a comment below and let's discuss! – WeebRai
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