Returning once again with a new narrative, Chapter 140 of Chainsaw Man delves into the theme of religion.
Continuing with Part 2 and Denji’s ongoing challenges, he passively listens to Sword Man’s account of the Chainsaw Man Church. This tale highlights the transformation of a former cult into a violent group led by teenagers. A familiar character, Kobeni’s younger brother, Nobana, previously seen in Chapter 117, reemerges as both a guide and a fervent believer in the religious movement. As the chapter unfolds, Denji briefly takes an interest in the religion, only to be left apathetic again by Nobana’s conspiracy theory.
Nobana asserts that “an American ultraviolet ray weapon in Japan’s air” has impaired the mental faculties of adults and attributes the current system of marrying after adulthood to America’s influence. While Nobana’s focus on America might strike some fans as humorously unsettling, it shouldn’t be unexpected. Chainsaw Man draws substantial inspiration from American media, notably films by Tarantino. This influence is further highlighted by references to works like A Clockwork Orange. The anime’s opening song also features an abundance of American movie references.
Chainsaw Man’s Religion May Have a Deeper Purpose
Nobana’s outlandish claims might serve to obscure, or potentially be a significant hint towards, an upcoming plotline that hints at the emergence of a formidable new Devil born from teenage delusions. The established link between human fear and the genesis of Devils is widely acknowledged, and Nobana’s candidness implies that this delusion might have widespread prevalence. As the chapter concludes, Nobana’s departure, his evident unease about this seemingly new character, and the lingering uncertainty regarding Kobeni’s involvement in his life leave many questions unanswered.
The fresh character introduced, Barem, actually made an appearance in Part I as the Flamethrower Devil and one of Makima’s pawns.
Vices in Chainsaw Man recurrently revolve around themes such as sex, intimacy, smoking, and various habits that characters struggle to overcome. Denji’s cyclical engagement with these vices remains a contentious and often poignant trigger for fans. Some argue that his trauma should have led to a definitive lesson learned, while others contend that this cyclical pattern logically aligns with Denji’s character. Chapter 140 underscores that the absence of marriage might have led Denji to recklessly discard his pride once again, as he had frequently done in Part I, and as evidenced in recent events like Chapter 137. While he narrowly evades such a fate for now, the trajectory from Chapter 140 onwards foreshadows a collision course between Denji and Asa, representing one of his more ordinary bonds thus far.
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