REVIEW: ‘Chainsaw Man’ Episode 4

Last episode put Denji in the field in his new job with his first fierce battle against the Bat Devil, and his near demise comes is all set up by Power in order to save her cate Meowy. But the promise of a boob touch outweighs betrayal and he saves his chaotic partner instead. Now, in Chainsaw Man Episode 4, the agreement for a boob touch is made and Denji is finally going to live his dream until the Leech Devil appears. Giving us a whole new fight before we get to see the new dynamic forming between Denji, Power, and Aki.

Power is a chaos gremlin. She wants to fight. She wants to drink blood. She wants to kill devils. She is simple and violence surrounds her, however, in Chainsaw Man Episode 4, audiences get a glimpse into her vulnerability and her kindness – putting a cap in her past that we began to see explored in Episode 3. Power is a character that is easy to reduce to her aesthetic and desires similar to Denji, this simplicity actually hides a deeper story, fear, and motive than what you see immediately on the outside. Tatsuki Fujimoto’s ability to craft characters that seem simple on the outside while offering rich and traumatic storytelling as you pull back their layers has been executed beautifully in the animation of the series.

Additionally, Chainsaw Man Episode 4 lets Denji achieve a dream, of touching a boob. While some are sure to see this element of the series as catering to a male audience, which it is shonen, the dynamic between Denji and Power isn’t one that locks Power into a situation of fanservice, mainly because Power’s apathy for her body and attachment to Denji does more to build out the story than say sexy ninjutsu being used in a shonen. In fact, as much as the moments of Denji seeking to land time with ladies can be interpreted as “problematic” the execution of this want on the larger scale of the story sets the stage of how small Denji sees his life and his future. When you look at this moment against Aki and Makima discussing the larger dynamics of their team, it has its own place.

The vastly different emotional communication styles, daily routines, and even just ways of moving through the world between Aki, Denji, and Power help highlight the complexity of the world. The three of them are very different people, with different motivations, and they all have to work together as one. There is a lot to say about the oud elements of Chainsaw Man Episode 4, particularly the action sequences, but the way the episode allows moments of reprieve like Aki smoking on the patio, getting ready, or Denji just sitting eating food have as much an impact as Kon snatching the Leech devil’s head out of the sky. Now that they’re all together under one roof, it’s these smaller moments that will build their bond and ultimately flesh out the series beautifully.

Like the others before it, Chainsaw Man Episode 4 is packed with stunning and grotesque animation, but it also features a score that sets the atmosphere so completely that you can’t help but get swept away. In its opening, the soft lulling score allows for Power’s loneliness to shine through, and as a new Devil appears to fight Denji, the score amps up the tension before roaring into action.

Last episode had the season’s biggest action sequence that showcased the dynamic balance between blood, gore, the grotesque, and smooth animation that stands in high contrast to the heavily realistic backgrounds that are used. In this episode, MAPPA succeeds again, this time with an even more disgusting devil and drastically unprepared Denji. The action sequence itself works as it balances the cool and the weirdly ugly elements of the character designs, but it also adds raised stakes to the series, developing Denji’s determination and tenacity as he fights to survive and keep Power safe.

Overall, Chainsaw Man Episode 4 is another fantastic entry into the series that embodies every level of unhinged design and action moment beautifully. In fact, one of the reasons that MAPPPA was always the studio I wanted to handle Chainsaw Man was how the studio proved itself able to balance these elements in Jujutsu Kaisen. Having them prove it again is a bloody and delightful feat, especially as we get to see Aki use Kon, and show his power. Strong design, strong score, and strong performances from the cast all round out a perfect episode that starts to peel back the simple appearances of the series and reveal the complicated core beneath. Not to mention, with a new ending song each week, I’m fully invested in the story as much as what I get in the beginning and end.

Chainsaw Man Episode 4 is streaming now on Crunchyroll, with new episodes airing every Tuesday.