Are you guys starting to get a feel for this show yet? That was episode 4 of 12, we’re a third of the way through. I’m starting to think that we won’t be getting through the Public Safety Arc in just one season. In fact, I hope we don’t. I wouldn’t mind if the anime slowed it down a bit, there were some places where I felt a little rushed.
But there’s no point in speculating on future episodes when we have a perfectly good episode to discuss right here!
Maybe, it’s just because I like animals and could totally relate to how desperate The Power was to save Meowy no matter how little sense it actually makes, but personally, I thought the show sure did a great job at humanizing a treacherous demon in a few blood-soaked seconds. I’m not saying that what she did was right, but I get it, you know?
I realized while watching this episode that it’s been a long time since I’ve watched such an action-heavy series. I guess Demon Slayer would be the last one. And episodes sure fly by when most of the time is taken up by characters zooming across the screen. Chainsaw Man is really reminiscent of Jujutsu Kaisen for me and that’s odd because the manga was not. This said I liked Jujutsu Kaisen so I’m not complaining.
Anyways, this episode of Chainsaw Man featured one of my all-time favourite tropes. Not just anime tropes at that. And that is having your canon idiot character deliver a poignant speech. Extra points for it being mid-battle. It probably says something about me that I usually find those speeches really touching.
And this was no exception. I love Denji’s little dreams speech. I loved it the first time I read it and I love it still now. Some people have a tendency to look down on little dreams. To find them lacking in ambition and excitement. But I think those people are missing out. There is a unique type of joy that you can get from making time to enjoy the home you spend so much money putting together. Making nachos from scratch can be just as delicious as some fancy four-star restaurant. If something is going to make you happy, it doesn’t matter how exclusive it is. You should enjoy it to the fullest. And that’s where the real trick is.
So Denji has little dreams and those little dreams have brought him this far when so many would have fallen. And Pochita is with me on this. He also wanted to see Denji’s dreams come true. Ad those dreams were eating yummy food and touching some boobies. Little dreams but good ones.
But what of the rest of them. More specifically, Aki. He has been spouting about his views and philosophy here and there, but nothing all that concrete. Aki is the opposite, he has big dreams. Heavy ones that look like they might crush him if he’s not careful. His dreams aren’t spurring him blindly forward, instead, they are making him careful and more willing to compromise.
That’s really the only explanation I can come up with for anyone agreeing to babysit Denji and Power. They are both going to get eaten by a giant fox! I’m kind of surprised they made it to the end of the episode! But you know, deep down, Aki is a softie. He’s picked a very dangerous career to be in as a softie. But he had to, after all, he had this dream.
S Aki is chasing his dream and it looks like Denji might get his handed to him. But you know what they say about being careful what you wished for… This was a wicked cliffhanger!
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Boob-fondling aside, I really like the way Power & Denji’s relationship is shaping up. It’s nice to have someone in your life, with whom you can feel free to be your most petty self. It looks like they can become that person, and form that bond for each other. A bond where, despite the constant taunting & bickering, deep down they know the other would sacrifice everything for them when it matters. Kind of like siblings, really. Just look at the silly faces they’re making at each other in the OP, when they think the adults aren’t looking. Too cute 🤣
Speaking of adults, this episode made me appreciate Aki a good deal more. We had a few scenes to help ground his character a little more. Cleaning the house, cooking nutritious food for the ungrateful children, trying to look his best for his loved one… Softening touches. And man, the attention he put into making those apple rabbits! I thought the entire hospital scene was brilliant, actually. The push-and-pull with Denji, the olive branch Aki conditionally extends, which Denji grumpily accepts like the kid he is… Great stuff.
Fucking Makima. Pulling the “I trust you the most” card with Aki to auto-kill any argument. She must know how he feels about her, or at the very least he high esteem he holds for her. Such a cool, calculating customer. And then the girl casually calls him a leash. A tool for her to use on her new dogs. And he blushes instead of batting an eyelid. What the hell… I’m eager to find out what having a “good nose” entails exactly, or what her deal is more generally. And why the second episode purposely framed her, when they were in her office, opposite Aki / alongside “special” Denji who “deserves special treatment”.
On a final note, that was a pretty cool ED wasn’t it? I’ve been following its animator Coalowl for a while — she’s worked on some of my favourite anime music videos. But I had no idea she was involved in TV anime, let alone Chainsaw Man! When I saw the first frame, with her characteristic cartoon aesthetic & monochrome background, I didn’t let myself believe it. But after Power-chan started spinning & later dancing — Coalowl’s trademark — I couldn’t help loudly cheering at the screen! I’m so happy for her, she deserves it… Anyway. The ED captures Power-chan’s character quite well, right? A hint of cuteness, overtaken by her sheer manic energy. (And I like how all the cast sing the background vocals. Except for Makima, who instead sports the same unflappable smile she showed her superiors. She’s always operating on a different plane, isn’t she.)
Isn’t jujutsu Kaizen’s Ed also in this style?
You seem to be really enjoying Chainsaw Man. That’s good to hear.
Oh you’re right, I really loved that one too. Good catch.
Yes, it’s one of three shows I look forward to every week, alongside Spy X Family and, above all, Akiba Maid War. I really hope that one sticks its landing…
Oh, AMW has a Russian voice actress! (Russophone at a minimum.) I never thought I needed to hear Japanese being spoken with a Russian accent… Well worth the price of admission by itself!
It was already on my list but now I have aother reason to look forward to it. That’s exactly the anime I thought you would like