Listen up, shonen fanatics!

Chainsaw Man is revving up to be one of the most hyped anime releases of 2022, but some of you might not be too familiar with the story.

To get you acquainted with the big names in the series, here’s a quick introduction to Denji in Chainsaw Man, including details on his background story, personality, and first appearance in the manga.

Warning: Spoilers if you haven’t read the first chapter of the Chainsaw Man manga.

Who is Denji in Chainsaw Man?

Denji is the main protagonist of Chainsaw Man, a horror-comedy manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto. The series is set in a world where devils manifest from human fears.

Denji’s story begins with the death of his father. Orphaned and alone, the young boy finds company in an injured devil-dog named Pochita. Initially scared of the idea of being eaten by it, Denji negotiates with the devil-dog.

In exchange for his blood, Denji vows to help both him and Pochita survive and live a normal life.

Now a scruffy blonde teenager, Denji turns into a scrappy devil hunter, using Pochita as a makeshift chainsaw. While the two make an honest wage, the poor youngster gives most of his earnings to an old man to pay off his father’s debts.

On the job, the old man betrays Denji and leaves him dead in a dumpster. With Pochita lying right next to the cut-up pieces of Denji’s body, the devil-dog makes a contract with him to become his new heart, ultimately turning him into a human-devil hybrid.

Denji wakes up and surprises the old man, who’s under the influence of Zombie Devil. Now becoming one with Pochita, the reborn teenager pulls the cord in his chest to unleash the “Chainsaw Man”, and massacres the old man and his army of zombies.

In the aftermath of the fight, Makima — a high-ranking Public Safety devil hunter — arrives at the scene and gives him two options: to be killed by her or to become her pet. Entranced by the possibility of being fed, Denji in Chainsaw Man chooses to be her human pet.

Personality of Denji in Chainsaw Man

Uneducated and socially inept, Denji in Chainsaw Man initially carries a child-like demeanor. Despite being a devil hunter who kills for a living, the character longs for simple forms of affection and belonging that he expresses to his companion, Pochita.

Often depicted as naive and rude in more proper social settings, the character still possesses the ability to understand and empathize with the feelings of others, thus forming a stronger bond with his Public Safety colleagues throughout the series.

First appearance of Denji in Chainsaw Man

As the leading man of the series, Denji appears in the first chapter of the manga, which describes his origins and his relationship with Pochita.

Where to read and watch Chainsaw Man

All 97 chapters of the Chainsaw Man’s first part, the Public Safety saga, are officially available on the VIZ Media website.

The anime adaptation will start airing on October 11 according to an official tweet.

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READ MORE: Who is Makima in Chainsaw Man? Story, personality, and first appearance