Probably the perfect anime series for Tarantino fans.
Do you like a healthy serving of gore and violence with your anime? Are you at least okay with body horror of the slashy, shlocky variety, with various body parts and internal organs and blood splatter flying every which way? If so, Chainsaw Man will probably be right up your alley.
This one’s gonna be quick because it’s really one of those shows you need to experience for yourself in all of its visceral glory, but personally, I liked it. Not because I’m necessarily in love with violence, but because the violence here comes with a solid dash of wry humor. Chainsaw Man isn’t by any means a comedy, but it’s also not one of those edgelord-type shows that takes itself 100% seriously at all times – I get the sense that the series is very self-aware and is having plenty of fun with its premise, no matter how violent things get. And hey, it doesn’t hurt that it looks amazing (I mean, it’s MAPPA, those animators are probably being worked to the bone) and sounds equally as good. I’ve been a Yonezu Kenshi fan for years now, so it’s always awesome to hear him perform in an anime OP, and the voice acting is all top-notch as well.
TLDR, this is a good show, but you’ll still need a pretty strong stomach at times. Genuinely good storytelling won’t be worth much if you’re the squeamish type.
Score: 7/10
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I quite liked the premier, though on the whole, the jury’s still out on how much. A lot of things here can go two ways. I like the protagonist well enough; now we’ll have to see how he interacts with others and what comes from it. For me, the violence is neutral. I’m fine with it, not put off so far. There are several kill-the-goblins-because-they’re-goblins shows this season, and this doesn’t give me the same vibes. So far this episode, dangerous demons get dispatched, and wounded ones get treated with compassion. Unsure about the tomato demon; we’re likely supposed to assume it’s dangerous.
The one thing I didn’t like about this episode is 3D camera work/CGI combo. It didn’t make me queasy (thankfully; it could have), but it sticks out and pushes me out. Look at your first screenshot (the tomato demon) and how they use blur in the disntance. It’s… not something I like. For me, at times the characters don’t blend into the environmen, and some of the blur can be disorienting. It’s not too bad, but it is one of the worst offenders among shows I’m still watching.
Generally, I’m mildly positive on the show, and I’m curious what’ll come of it. There’s good potential for growth (but it might just fall apart, too).
With this, all the important new stuff has aired, and of the sequels only Fumetsu no Anata e is still to come (whose first season has ranged from brilliant to annoying, but which I’m really looking forward to).
And then there’s the Urusei Yatsura remake, which I’ll probably watch for a little and then drop. It feels like one of these series where I could just watch the original (which I haven’t beyond the first episode). I’m divided on Rumiko Takahashi; she writes good character moments, but they’re often sandwiched between humour I don’t share.
Anyway, it’s a much, much better season than summer. I’m quite happy with a lot of shows: Mob Psycho 100, My Master Has No Tail, Do It Yourself, Bocchi the Rock, SpyXFamily, Golden Kamuy, and some more mid-tier entertaining shows, and shows with potential, like the present Chainsaw Man.
I’ve also picked up the Gundam show, because I was curious, and it’s… okay, I guess? It’d have been much higher up in my hierarchy last season, which didn’t have much to offer.
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It’s definitely a pretty stacked season, especially compared to how barren the summer line-up felt. I’m likewise going to be checking out the Urusei Yatsura reboot, and of course, season 2 of Fumetsu no Anata e. I won’t be covering the latter here though, or of Spy x Family, since both are direct sequels that I don’t expect to change my thoughts on much.
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