Chainsaw Man Episode 11 Review

One more and then it’s goodbye

It’s one more and then goodbye Chainsaw Man, at least for the year, and I’m going to say I don’t think Mappa can do this again. I don’t think they can put in the time, effort, and attention to detail they did with Chainsaw Man season 1 in Chainsaw Man season 2. I see why this series took two years to develop with every episode. The quality of this anime is at a bar way above anything being produced right now, and I have a notebook of series both currently running and already completed that I’d like to see Mappa take a shot at giving it their interpretation. 

Future Devil

Let’s take this episode apart piece by piece and get down to it. Firstly, the Future Devil. I will concede that, that isn’t the voice I envisioned when I read the manga, but then again, Fujimoto did advise on the series, so I think if that’s what he had in his head when he drew that thing, then who am I to argue with the man himself? Regardless, the personality was on point and the ominous yet playful nature of the devil comes across perfectly. In retrospect, the contrast of how lighthearted this scene is against the heaviness of what is the end of this contract is something to behold here.

Kishibe and Makima

I love that the real Makima is starting to seep out, slowly but surely. From the conversation she has with Kishibe, to the interaction with the Yakuza, later on, this woman is dangerous and she’s always been dangerous since the very beginning. No amount of jam on toast or stomach lollipops can or will change that fact. I especially love how Kishibe isn’t as heartless a bastard as we think he is. The thing I can appreciate about Chainsaw man is that it operates with a lot of assumptions. In My Hero academia, we see a lot of time with All Might and Deku. There are several chapters spent with Master Roshi and Goku. Here, we’re meant to assume that Kishibe loves Denji and Power. We don’t get to see why, but from the Chainsaw marks on the ground and their battered looks, it’s clear that they’ve been at it. Not only that, but Kishibe calls her on her bullshit. 

Aki Vs Ghost Devil

Now for what I consider the bread and butter of this episode. Aki’s fight with the Ghost Devil. It’s a heart-wrenching reveal, to begin with, seeing as this devil was once contracted to Himeno. However seeing Aki utilize the future Devil for this was on point; Just like the manga, I do wish the Snake Devil was explained better. Although, I will say that I like the reality of it. If I want to kill you I’m not explaining my powers to you. I just want you to die. What she does and how she does it is excellent, even if I might have my gripes about it. 

Violence By Queen Bee

I think this ending might be my favorite, if only because it’s sung by Queen Bee and I want nothing more than to hear Avu-chan, it’s lead singer, become a household name. Chainsaw Man leaves us next week for who knows how long since Mappa’s next two projects are Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 and the final part of Attack On Titan. For this installment though, it gets a 9/10