The following contains discussion on grooming and sexual assault, as well as spoilers for Episode 7 of Chainsaw Man,”THE TASTE OF A KISS”, now streaming on Crunchyroll.
One of the most interesting aspects of Chainsaw Man is how it pulls no punches regarding Denji’s perverted life. It plays up his mission of fondling young women in a creepy way, all as he works for Japan’s Public Safety Unit, rooting out demonic devils for them. Admittedly, some sympathy can be garnered as Denji really wasn’t educated in his early years, and is still a child at heart in his 16-year-old frame.
Still, one really needs him to mature because some of his actions do come off as toxic. That said, this unabashed kid-like attitude is why he finds himself latching on to anyone who gives him a modicum of attention, whether it be Makima or even his roommate in Power. Well, Denji’s desperate behavior just created his nastiest moment in Episode 7, only for Chainsaw Man to make it even more uncomfortable a few minutes later by confirming he’s got an even creepier colleague in his camp.
Denji Eats Himeno’s Vomit in Chainsaw Man Episode 7
After dispatching the Eternity Devil at a Japanese hotel, Hayakawa takes his crew out for drinks, wanting to celebrate their small successes. Himeno, one of the seniors, gets drunk and is especially interested in getting Denji high. He doesn’t drink, though, but she persists in hitting on him, going so far as to give him the French kiss she promised in a clear abuse of her station.
However, she vomits in his mouth as they make out, with Denji — who doesn’t know better — actually consuming some of the puke. It nods to his impoverished days when he was scrapping on the streets for food with Pochita, and while it’s slightly funny, this context and overall backstory makes it a disturbing yet sympathetic situation. The team laughs it up, but this situation gets grosser when Himeno secrets him away to her home for another emotionally abusive arc.
Denji Becomes a Victim of a Predator
Himeno has Denji on her bed, clearly inebriated. She’s drunk too and keeps drinking beer, making out with a Denji who’s almost ready to pass out. He doesn’t have his coordination or senses at all, which makes him the victim of a sexual predator who’s just jealous of how guys flock to Makima. It’s really messed up to see Himeno continue to make moves thereafter, trying to coax him into sex when he’s on the verge of going unconscious.
Episode 7 of Chainsaw Man ends with Himeno promising him something more, which implies she’s going to take his virginity. This is by far and wide one of the show’s most harrowing arcs, especially in a #MeToo era where accountability, transparency and consent are rightfully hot topics. Worse yet, Himeno is Denji’s superior, so as a person in power, she shouldn’t be manipulating a teen like this — not just because she’s older, but because it’s sick, twisted and wrong on all levels.
