Denji was a small time devil hunter trying to survive on the streets while paying off his father's debt. After he is killed his pet devil-dog Pochita brings him back and he becomes Chainsaw Man. Book 4 tells the story of a team of assassins who are sent to get Denji's Heart.

I stumbled across Chainsaw Man and was intrigued by the concept. I read Book 1 and instantly became a fan. Not just a regular fan, I am obsessed. Even as I sit and write this review I am wearing my Pochita hoodie. Almost every book gets read in one sitting and I have added this series to my pull list so I make sure not to miss any volume.

It is a fast paced story with fun art. The story never gets boring and I cannot wait to see what happens next. I have read the books multiple times and recommend it to anyone who enjoys manga.

5 stars.

I did not read this volume of chainsaw man because of the time limit and also because I did not really enjoy the first 3 books of the series. I might give it another shot in the future but not right now.

In its first two volumes, Chainsaw Man lived in both horror and comedy, showcasing Denji’s narrow goals of happiness while also underscoring it with body horror and death. Last volume, readers saw nearly every member of Division 4 wiped out by partners of the Gun Devil, including a powerful and emotional death for Denji’s first friend. Now in Chainsaw Man Volume 4, the series doubles down on its high stakes.

Chainsaw Man Volume 4 is created, written, and illustrated by mangaka Tatsuki Fujimoto and localized in English by VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump imprint. This volume is translated by Amanda Haley and features touch-up art and lettering by James Gaubatz and picks up immediately where the last volume’s bloody events with most of Division 4 dead and Denji in immediate danger despite being in his devil form.

In this volume, the Devil Extermination Special Division 4’s remaining members are struggling to survive while the Gun Devil’s assassins aim to take Denji’s heart. With Aki barely clinging to life after using his devil contract, Denji being overpowered against the mysterious sword devil, and Power, well, she’s just run away, the future of the team is uncertain. But when Makima emerges unharmed, readers get the chance to see a sample of her power, which ultimately leaves them and the people around Makima wondering if she allowed the assault to happen.

While Chainsaw Man Volume 4 offers up action and intrigue, the best section of it is when Fujimoto focuses on Denji, Power, and Aki are pushed into becoming stronger. For Aki, that involves making a contract with the Future Devil, who tells him that he will face the most brutal death. And for our dynamic devil duo, Power and Denji, strength comes through receiving daily training from the top Devil Hunter. To gain strength, they must attempt to hunt and kill the hunter every day. However, each session ends with both of them “dead.”



This section of Chainsaw Man Volume 4 is fun to read, like any training montage section, but Fujimoto takes it a step further by using the training to showcase elements of who Denji and Power are as characters. As devils, they can’t die, or at the very least, regenerate after drinking blood, which makes them confront their opponent with abandon. As they continue to lose, they have to push themselves, and readers are shown their weaknesses. For Power, it’s her over-reliance on blood weapons that leaves her anemic and unable to keep up her strength in a longer fight. And for Denji, his inability to anticipate his opponent’s moves means that even when he attacks with full force, he’s always open to a counter-attack.

Fujimoto expertly illustrates action sequences and maps out a montage that I can’t wait to see in the MAPPA animated anime coming soon, but he also takes time this volume for self-reflection. While Aki takes time alone to weep at the loss of his friends, Denji begins to question his own emptiness. While he cried when Pochita died, he hasn’t felt the crushing sadness since. In fact, he questions whether or not he ever will again.

Overall, Chainsaw Man Volume 4 is a striking volume. Fujimoto shows the action and the horror of the series while also making sure readers know that there aren’t magic moments to bring back dead characters. It’s clear once a character is gone, they’re gone. Finally, Fujimoto sets the scene for a second confrontation between what’s left of Division 4 and the Gun Devil’s assassins.

This feels like the volume where the story went from insane crazy ultra violent mayhem, to something larger, more serious, and sinister. There are: <spoiler> main characters who die and don't come back, villains who are serous and up the stakes, a new mystery around boss Makima's devil powers, and the overall worries about the power of the gun devil.</spoiler>

There are supposedly 11 volumes published in Japan, so we are over a third of the way through the story, and I am thoroughly enjoying the mix of violence, humor, conspiracy, and over the top commentary on human nature.

After the end of the last volume, I wasn't sure who would still be around in this volume, and yeah, that hurt, Fugimoto. That was right in the feels. Makima brings the quiet creepy scary thing, and wow. That won't give me nightmares at all. Denji and Power get a new trainer, and that adds some dark lighthearted fun! Lots of action going on, some new things happening at Public Safety, and did I mention how scary Makima is now? 'Cause dang, that was harsh, girl. There is all kinds of twisty goodness going on here, but oof, I don't want to say anything more. Except, oh hello, cliffhanger, I knew I'd be seeing you soon! Is it June yet?

#ChainsawManVol4 #NetGalley

This volume really keeps you in your toes! The readers get to see the devastating result of what occurs in the last chapter (#25) of volume 3. Although we’ve seen bits and pieces of what the Gun Devil is capable of in earlier chapters, we get to see how organized the Gun Devil is now that there is the goal to get Denji’s heart. This prompts Makima to find someone to train Denji and Power. I really enjoyed the scenes with their trainer Kishibe. It is exciting to see the characters grow and there were some funny scenes in their training sessions. I am very curious to see what Makima’s intentions are since there is lingering doubt from other members of Public Safety.
Also, I really love the character designs of Samurai Sword, the Future Devil, and the devils we see gathered in Special Division 4.

Thank you Netgalley and Viz Media for providing an e-ARC!

Blood and drama are the key components of this series and what this volume adds is intrigue – especially for Makima’s ability and intentions. Not to say this necessarily answers those questions in full detail, we are still left in the dark much like everyone in the Special Divisions Unit, however, we see her deadly capabilities in grim gory glory. In essence, Makima takes center stage this time. Along with Denji, Aki, and Power – our likable trio of underlings – we get to meet a new cast of devils and agents – a duo leaving after events from volume three and an older high-ranking officer training Denji and Power to be the “baddest of badasses (a line I will admit is juvenile at best).” They are a demonstration of how much the stakes have been raised since the previous volume – key relationships lost, senseless destruction, and insanity. Regardless, the progression of the series is a steady bout of violence - unashamed in its bloodshed and remorseless spirit. I still enjoy the series and I look forward to what: Denji can do to fight for a normal life; Aki is willing to go through to kill the Gun Devil – a feat considered insane by the special divisions unit; Makima’s true intentions are and how much she is going to sacrifice to service it.

Chainsaw Man Volume Four reveals a plot to capture Denji and gives the reader a little more insight into Makima.

Chainsaw Man Volume Four
Written by: Tatsuki Fujimoto
Publisher: Shueisha Inc.
English Publisher: VIZ Media
Release Date: April 6, 2021

Two new characters are introduced in Volume Four: Samurai Sword and Sawatari (a girl who wears a hoodie). It turns out Samurai Sword is the grandson of the yakuza member that drove Denji into the debt trap that he was stuck in at the beginning of the series. Samurai Sword wants to capture Denji for revenge, but he also wants to get Makima out the way because of the power that she possesses. In addition, attacks are launched against Special Divisions 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Early on in Volume Four, we get to see a lot more of Makima than we have previously in the series. At the end of the previous volume, we saw her getting shot, but it turned out she survived the attack. Kurose and Tendo, the associates that Makima is meeting in Kyoto, get quite the shock when they see that Makima is still alive. I have to admit that I was so sure that Makima was killed in the previous volume, that I was also surprised to see that she had survived. It’s even more surprising later in the volume when it’s revealed Makima knew that this attack was coming. By the end of the volume, the reader can definitely see that Makima isn’t the person that Denji thinks she is. If I had been shipping these two prior to this volume, I would definitely not be at this point.

The next section of the manga focuses on Makima while she’s in Kyoto. The biggest thing that happens here is that the reader gets to see just what kind of power Makima really has. To be honest, it’s actually quite frightening. She gathers some convicts together at a temple, blindfolds them, and then orders each convict to say a name. It turns out these are the names of people who are involved in the attacks in Tokyo, and having these names said causes these people to die. Like I said, the idea of this is frightening. It reminds me a lot of the power of the Death Note, except the person’s name is said out loud instead of being written down in a book. After seeing this, it’s understandable why Samurai Sword would want to see Makima dead.

When Makima returns to Tokyo, she learns that there have been mass resignations from the four Special Divisions. With these resignations, the other three Special Divisions will be merging with Special Division Four, and Makima will be in charge of this merged division. It’s going to be interesting to see how this major change will impact the story of the series as a whole.

There’s also a section that focuses on Aki, who is recovering in the hospital. He’s greatly affected by Himeno’s death, and also learns from the devil he has a contract with that he only has two more years left to live. His thoughts are interrupted by the arrival of Kurose and Tendo, who are there to help train Special Division 4 at Makima’s request. As part of the training, they want Aki to make a contract with a stronger devil. We see the devil that Aki makes a contract with… and this devil is one with the power to see the future. Sure enough, this devil confirms that Aki is going to die, and hints that it’s going to be… interesting. The devil likes what it sees so much, that it agrees to make a contract with Aki.

Denji and Power are also getting training from a new character named Kishibe, who was a Devil Hunter with Special Division 1. But his training is anything but kind. Denji and Power get so annoyed with him that they try to use their brains to outsmart him. Which is an amusing thought, since neither of these characters are exactly the sharpest tools in the shed. So it’s not surprising when their attempt to use their brainpower on their instructor doesn’t work as expected.

Right at the end of the volume, an operation is launched on Samurai Sword’s hideout. What awaits are zombies… and a terrible surprise for Aki. The volume ends as this operation is just getting started, so I have a feeling that Volume 5 will be focusing a lot on this operation.

Whew! Volume Four was quite a whirlwind. There’s so much upheaval that takes place within this volume that it took me a little while to entirely follow what was happening, It took a second skim through this volume for me to pick up on some of the things that I missed the first time around. And with these changes, I thought the tone of the series changed drastically. Right now, I really can’t say whether I like this change in tone or not. Hopefully things will settle down in the next volume, so I can adjust to Chainsaw Man‘s new tone.

The reviewer was provided a review copy by VIZ Media

This manga series is definitely not for everyone, it is violent and vulgar. But everytime I read a volume, when I am finished I feel the urge to read another. I don't really understand the whole story, but it keeps me intrigued! And I was honestly surprised that I was emotional at a certain death in this volume! I'm excited for volume 5!

Chaos, carnage, and chuckles.

That’s how I describe this series.

There’s blood everywhere, people are dying all over the place, yet it can still crack a joke or two.

The emotional weight still hits hard, and the stakes are getting higher. A new character is introduced and he promises to make things interesting by training Power and Denji. Makima’s powers are intriguing and her cutthroat attitude even more, just wondering how far she’s willing to go to get the job done. The new arc promises to devastate and entertain, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

*2.5
Well, guys, I think this is where I jump ship with this series. Nothing to the stories discredit, it's fine and fun and all, but I just don't care for what is going on. I am losing the thread and purpose of the story a bit and just don't care that much about the characters. But this is all personal, and I totally think other people will still have a great time with this. Another thing that was slightly giving me a bad taste was the art in some panels. I don't exactly know what it was but some of the people's faces just didn't look right and I don't know if it was intentional.