REVIEW: ‘Chainsaw Man,’ Episode 2 – “Arrival in Tokyo”

After a stellar debut episode, MAPPA’s Chainsaw Man is back with Episode 2, “Arrival in Tokyo.” Last episode, this anime season’s best boi found himself dismembered by zombie devil-controlled devils in a dumpster. Resurrected by his devil dog Pochita, Denji has gotten a new shot at life, and this times, there are boobs.

Chainsaw Man Episode 2 picks up right where the last one left off, with Denji in Makima’s custody, one of the Public Safety Devil Hunters. Instead of being scared at the whole ordeal, Denji finds himself head over heels in love with her thanks to her insinuations. of romance. Wishing to team up with Makima, Denji arrives at the Devil Hunters Headquarters in Tokyo, and gets introduced to Aki Hayakawa, a senior hunter that he was supposed to partner with. But Aki isn’t fond of Devils, leading him to do what he can to push Denji out of his job.

The beauty of Chainsaw Man as a story is the ability to make Denji’s small dreams feel increasingly depressing. Now living with Aki, he’s sleeping a bed, having a hot bath, eating good food, and living a 10/10 life. But this life is just standard. He just has a house to sleep in instead of his shed and instead of eating moldy bread, his good food is a piece of bread smothered with jams. This is the apex of Denji’s life which hammers home just how dejected and destitute he was prior to becoming Chainsaw Man.

Then comes the boobs. I know, it’s a shounen series so of course there are fanservice moments. That said, much like Fujimoto captured in his manga, MAPPA has managed to make Denji’s biggest dream of touching boobs not seem something entirely creepy. Instead, it’s clear that he’s a teen boy with teen thoughts, and actually has enough drive in life now to think about forming connections with another person.

While this manifests as questing to touch Makima’s boobs, it’s also showcased in other ways. Specifically when Aki insults Denji by asking if he would befriend a devil. What was a witty back and forth transforms somber through score and lighting. Denji would be befriend a devil and has, because he has no friends. Denji is alone in this world and beginning to realize doesn’t have to be. The quest for touching boobs in Chainsaw Man Episode 2 aren’t just a part of a teenage power fantasy, it’s Denji finally wanting to want something bigger in life. It’s sad.

Additionally, audiences get the chance to see Power for the first time in Chainsaw Man Episode 2. She’s loud, brash, and really wants to kill things. With an endearing entrance, and a bloody final moment in the episode, MAPPA has done this best girl justice in every way.

My only complaint with the animation in this episode, is that it could move faster. MAPPA has showcased its ability to animated sequences at a high speed in projects like Jujutsu Kaisen and even Yuri on Ice‘s choreography sections. But here, Aki and Denji’s fight seems to be moving at half speed, as do Power and Denji as they run across the roof. That said, it’s not a deal-breaking critique and Chainsaw Man Episode 2 is still absolutely amazing.

Chainsaw Man Episode 2 is a a lot of set up for the series. It’s showing audiences the team we’ll root for with Denji, Aki, and Power. It’s defining the romantic chemistry between Makikma and Denji. And it’s hinting at some devil-killing fun. While it doesn’t have the resonance of Episode 1, “Arrival in Tokyo” manages to still showcase the power of small moments in a series that will be packed to the brim with blood and action.

Chainsaw Man Episode 2 is streaming now on Crunchyroll with new episodes streaming every Tuesday.