Shōnen manga has followed a relatively rigid formula throughout its long and storied history. The good-natured and heroic protagonist sets out on a journey in hopes of achieving some big dream or goal, making friends along the way. Characters like Naruto, Goku, and Luffy fit the archetypal mold, holding close to a set of core values and beliefs and acting on their innate good instincts. Shōnen Jump profited from this formula over countless generations, generating new models with each new series launched. And then chainsaw manDenji appeared.
Brutal, rude, selfish and vulgar, Denji is the protagonist of some stoner movie from the 90s, collected and placed in the pages of Shōnen Jump. chainsaw man, upon initial release, it was a shock to the system of the manga world, and caused a new movement of protagonists who operated strictly in the gray areas, following Denji's example. Idealistic heroes like Naruto, with steely resolves and unbreakable ethical codes, were led by a chainsaw-wielding boy.
While he may have a bad reputation or act a little differently, it would be unfair to call Denji anything other than a hero. His ideals are a little misguided and his morals a little loose, but he's still the Demon Hunter best suited for the job. Like other more typical main characters, he subjects himself to endless torture and pain, has died countless times, loses loved ones, is consistently betrayed, and yet, despite everything, protects others. Denji isn't just the new-age shōnen protagonist, he might even be Shōnen Jumpthe new greatest hero.
Denji doesn't just have a tragic story, he has a tragic life
The public suffers alongside Denji
One of the most common shōnen tropes is the protagonist with a tragic backstory. Naruto's past and the circumstances surrounding his birth, as well as the difficulties he faced throughout his life make his heroism even more impressive. A more modern example is Tanjiro from Demon Slayerwho, despite what happened to his family, is one of the warmest and kindest protagonists in recent years. Denji, although an unconventional hero, is also not free from this trope.
What separates the teenage Devil Hunter from the rest of the pack, however, is that he not only has a tragic story, but a tragic life. The world of chainsaw man it is cold, brutal and unfair. Unlike other heroes in the genre who often struggle off-screen in their pasts and heal throughout their journeys the audience suffers in real time alongside Denji. His father's death and being left in the care of the Yakuza is tragic. His struggle to live with Pochita and his death at the hands of those same yakuza are also tragic.
But the tragedy doesn't stop in Chapter 1. The deaths of Power, Aki and Nayuta destroy Denji. Reze and Makima's betrayal left him deeply scarred. The public sees it all over and over again, chainsaw manthe hero gets up and enters the fight again. Other shōnen protagonists suffer early on and enjoy growth and redemption throughout their stories. Denji is constantly traumatized and always finds ways to remain Denji.
When a girl needed help in just the second chapter of the series, he was ready to risk running away from Public Security with her, knowing it would mean her death. When Santa Claus sent human dolls to kill Denji, he was hesitant to fight back, not wanting to hurt anyone. When Aki was possessed by the Gun Devil, Denji killed his own brother figure to protect the innocent lives around him. He may not act like a typical shōnen protagonist, but despite all the horrible things that happen to him throughout the series, Denji is still a hero.
After all, Denji is Denji
Denji's personality is unchanging, although his growth is undeniable
Tragic stories aside, shōnen heroes are also typically static characters. Although they may improve physically or change in very small ways, most will remain relatively the same in terms of their general character. Naruto's personality may change with age, but his ideals remain largely intact throughout the series. The best example of a static anime hero is Dragon Ballis Goku, who in personality, values and role, never really changes throughout the entire story.
Denji is not a static character. All over chainsaw manyour ever-changing goals, values, and worldview are as essential to the plot as the demons he has to fight. But just like the tragic backstory, Tatsuki Fujimoto changes the static character trope, allowing Denji to fit in with his shōnen peers while standing out from the crowd. Despite everything he endures, and the growth he carries within chainsaw manDenji's protagonist, Denji's personality is practically unchanging.
Throughout his quest to touch breasts and reunite with Makima, only to then reject Makima to care for Power and ultimately avenge his family by killing the woman he loved, Denji's growth is undeniable. Yet throughout all of this, his goofy personality stands in juxtaposition to the jaded Devil Hunters he works with. Compared to the other static heroes that define the genre in which chainsaw man exists, Denji does his job and more.
The latest chapters of Chainsaw Man show Denji's return to form
Denji finally recovered in Chainsaw Man, part two
Although Denji always recovers from anything horrible that might happen to him, chainsaw man Part Two wasn't kind to the series' protagonist. Before he was even able to process the deaths of his found family members, he was given a sister to raise, only for her to also be killed. In any other series, Denji would be the perfect candidate to become the villain, constantly punished by the world around him for simply being alive. But instead, recent chapters have seen Denji not only recover but also re-enter the fight with conviction.
Now working side by side with Pochita, realizing that family can be found at every turn, Denji confronts the Aging Devil after proclaiming that this time, he will be the one to get Asa out of the mess she finds herself in. chainsaw man is not your average shōnen manga, choosing to subvert or transform the genre's tropes at every turn. And Denji, unlike other protagonists, He does not become a hero in the battles he wins, but rather in the losses he suffers..
Very few main characters in Shōnen Jump live in a world as cold as the one found in chainsaw manbut Denji always remains steadfast in the role of hero, regardless of how horrible his life may be. It may seem strange that someone with a personality like the chainsaw protagonist would be a better hero than some of Shōnen's most iconic characters. but Denji is making a strong argument. The battle with the Aging Demon is well underway and fans won't want to miss Denji saving the day once again in the upcoming chapters.