Denji differentiates Yoru from Asa in Chainsaw Man chapter 201 (& it sets the tone for Part 2's future)

Chainsaw Man chapter 201 may have just set the tone for what is to come in Part 2 of the series. Amidst the attack by Fakesaw Man and Fami, Yoru added chaos to the mix when she prevented Denji from saving a civilian. Instead of helping the boy save the civilian from the Falling Devil's attack, she pushed the person to die by severing the arm that was holding onto Denji.

Then, for the first time ever, the orange-haired boy called the War Devil by name. In the moment, it may not seem like much, but it definitely carries significance. Denji has rarely ever used names like this, and here, it seems he is serious after witnessing her actions. Next, although he found her "cute," he acknowledged her as a Devil.

So to put it plainly, Denji's differentiation of Yoru from Asa indicates a revelation on his part and likely sets the tone for Part 2.

Disclaimer: This article is a speculative theory and reflects the writer's opinion.

Chainsaw Man chapter 201: Denji distinguishing Yoru from Asa hints at Part 2's future

Yoru and Denji in Chainsaw Man chapter 201 (Image via Viz Media)

Chainsaw Man chapter 201 witnessed a potentially major development—Denji addressed Yoru by name. This has likely never happened before and signals what future events could look like moving forward. Throughout the story, Denji has never really called anyone out by name, except when mentioning them. The only exception was Makima, and even for her, it was rare coming from him.

Thus, his actions in Chainsaw Man chapter 201 are a revelation and a confirmation—Denji sees and acknowledges that Asa Mitaka and Yoru are two distinct individuals. His next comment about her being pretty but still a Devil is typical of his character, but even that carries weight. It possibly nods to him accepting whatever Yoru did because she looked so much like Asa.

Readers of the manga know that over time, Denji developed a soft spot for Asa, especially given how well they grew to understand each other. However, that was distorted in some ways by Yoru interfering and trying to use physical appeal to win Denji over completely. In reality, the pair hasn't had a proper intimate moment just between themselves. Denji was initially confused as to who did it—Asa or Yoru.

It seems that the orange-haired teenager took note of Asa's claims to Yoru about having "terrible plans for mankind." However, with his own emotions in a tough spot and Asa's breakdown, he likely pushed this to the background for a while. Now, after Yoru's actions in Chainsaw Man chapter 201, the realization that she is a Devil through and through has hit harder.

Additionally, recent developments may also show Denji completely disregarding Yoru's agreement with him. In chapter 193, Yoru made a Makima-esque offer to Denji: he would receive physical intimacy from her if he defeated the Death Devil, and if he didn't, she would turn him into a weapon and take care of it herself. Unsurprisingly, this was probably déjà vu for Denji, who was rendered speechless and ultimately gave no answer.

Considering Denji's character, it wouldn't be wrong to suggest that he might accept. However, after the events of Chainsaw Man chapter 201, it’s clear that Denji sees Yoru for what she really is: a Devil. This was not just a betrayal for him but an eye-opener regarding who he allowed to get close to him. Denji calling her cute but a Devil marks a significant step in his emotional growth.

In conclusion

Creator Tatsuki Fujimoto intentionally presented Chainsaw Man chapter 201 as both a revelation and a potential hint for the future. Given his knack for foreshadowing and embedding hidden details, this should not be overlooked as another likely example of his craft. Over the span of 201 chapters, Denji has exhibited organic development as a character, experiencing trauma, heartbreak and pain but not stopping in his path.

He has come a long way from being the childish Denji depicted in the early chapters of the manga. Now, his acknowledgment of Yoru as a Devil speaks volumes. The latter's betrayal is likely to ignite a battle between her and Denji, contrary to the alliance that fans had hoped for. Additionally, the chaos intensifies with the presence of Fakesaw Man, Fami, and the Falling Devil.

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About the author

Casey has been an anime writer at Sportskeeda since almost a year. Being drawn into the world of animanga after watching the Dragon Ball series almost a decade ago, Casey's interest in the genre, along with his love of crafting plot theories influenced his writerly endeavors. Presently pursuing a Master's degree in International Business, Casey worked for Uneake and FootballExpress for 1.3 years before joining Sportskeeda.

Casey's writings reflect his commitment to producing the most reliable content, evidenced by his flair for in-depth reporting. He places a high value on meticulous research and complete factual accuracy.

Although it was legendary Akira Toriyama’s magnum opus that influenced his love of animanga, Casey soon branched out and explored other titles. The unique ways in which mangakas express ideas, as well as their far-reaching effects, have inspired Casey in his creative pursuits.

When not busy writing, Casey enjoys working out, listening to music, strumming the guitar, and playing football.

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Edited by Casey Mendez