In a year that saw two of the most popular manga series in the world, Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academyto its conclusions, the most read chapter of 2024 on Shueisha Manga Plus service belongs to none other than Tatsuki Fujimoto chainsaw man. Centering on the widely misunderstood Denji and his journey to become a hero, chainsaw man received wide acclaim long before it had an anime series to accompany it. That success looks set to continue into the new year, with the next Chainsaw Man: The Movie - Reze Arc it will definitely bring even more new fans to the story.
The most popular entry of the yearChapter #167, titled "Super Smooch", is not something anyone would expect, however. In a series that offers some of the most chaotic and energetic fights in the shōnen genre, the winning chapter featured little action, in terms of combat, at least. Causing quite a stir in the anime and manga community upon release, chapter #167 is likely chainsaw man The most controversial of Part Two, bringing extra attention to the manga and increasing its view count.
The Most Popular Manga Chapter of the Year Is Hilariously Unexpected
Chainsaw Man's most NSFW chapter takes first place
chainsaw man Chapter #167 takes place during a relative period of inactivity in the series, which finally reunites co-protagonists Denji and Asa. Tatsuki Fujimoto, however, presumably in an attempt to subvert readers' expectations, as he is very fond of doing, brings the two characters a little too close. Yoru, after possessing Asa, takes advantage of a slaughtered Denji in chainsaw manThe most NSFW chapter yet.
The 'alley incident', as many fans have come to call the event, takes up the entire running time of the chapter. Denji is getting the chaotic and devilish emotions of the Yoru cycle, and a little more of the War Devil as memories of his first kiss flood his mind. Ending in a panel reminiscent of The end of Evangelionthe infamous opening scenethe chapter precedes Denji's total loss of the will to live, only proving that when it comes to chainsaw manthe titular character's misery is what sells it.
Denji's lack of autonomy is at the heart of Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man's battle with control goes beyond the final fight of the first part
Throughout Part One's dealings with the Control Devil, and Part Two's many different characters expressing their own beliefs about who exactly Chainsaw Man is, it becomes clear that Denji's lack of freedom has always defined his character. During chapter 167, this lack of control culminates in the 'alley incident', in which another character takes advantage of him. Despite Part One's triumphant victory over Makima, Denji never took control of his own life, until he and Asa lost themselves together in the most recent chapters.
With a new will to live, chainsaw man put Denji back in the driver's seat as Part Two hurtles towards its climax. The most popular chapter on Manga Plus in 2024 It may not be what someone expectedbut his events ultimately gave Denji a healthy mindset and motivation to fight. The showdown between Pochita and Aging Devil is underway, and fans won't want to miss the safer-for-work action this time around.
Manga Plus' Highlights of 2024 can be found here.