Fujimoto all but tells Chainsaw Man fans to read Fire Punch in chapter 185

Modified Nov 28, 2024 00:30 GMT

Fujimoto all but tells Chainsaw Man fans to read Fire Punch in chapter 185 (Images via Shueisha, MAPPA Studios)

While mangaka Tatsuki Fujimoto’s flagship series is undoubtedly Chainsaw Man, his Fire Punch manga is just as, if not more beloved by readers than his more iconic release. Serialized from April 2016 to January 2018, the series is one which is often recommended within the general Fujimoto fandom, especially to fans of his more well-known series who haven’t read it.

However, it may have just become mandatory reading with the release of Chainsaw Man chapter 185 and its revelation regarding the human trees in the Aging Devil’s world. A very similar concept gives Fire Punch its incredibly iconic ending, and may even speak to the direction Fujimoto is taking his current serialization long-term.

Key aspect of Fire Punch’s ending may speak to Chainsaw Man’s latest revelation and long-term future

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Chainsaw Man chapter 185 saw the Aging Devil reveal to Denji that its world has no exit, and that the people in it who became trees did so without Aging’s intervention. This is likewise presented as something natural to humans which can happen to them without outside intervention. Aging theorizes that it’s what happens when humans reach the culmination of thought, which can certainly be taken in a number of ways.

Offering some insight into these potential definitions is the Fire Punch manga, which uses a similar concept. The series’ setting is an Earth which has frozen over due to the Ice Witch and her special power, known as a “Blessing.” Upon being introduced, the Ice Witch Sulya explains her plan to use central character Judah to create a “World Tree” which will warm the earth. This transformation comes to pass on two separate occasions.

While it isn’t quite the same as Chainsaw Man’s tree transformations, there are some clear similarities. One of the most obvious is that it serves as a potential conclusion of life, evidenced by the state Judah is in both times she becomes the World Tree. This is further supported by the fact that, like the trees, Judah’s existence and consciousness is sustained for millions of years after her second World Tree transformation.

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Both are also presented as means of salvation, with Fire Punch’s use of tree transformations being focused on global salvation. In Fujimoto’s flagship series, this transformation is presented as a means to individual salvation, specifically with respect to leaving the Aging Devil’s world. While chapter 185 seemingly sees Aging debunk this theory, Fujimoto mentioning the possibility suggests that becoming a tree is akin to some sort of individual salvation.

One exciting possibility is that this similarity could speak to the direction the series is headed. In Fujimoto’s first serialization, Judah and Agni eventually reunite as the last two living beings in existence following the death of the universe. Chainsaw Man could be building into a similar conclusion with Denji and Asa Mitaka, especially with the Death Devil coming. Tsutomu Nihei’s Abara, a work which influenced Fujimoto’s flagship serialization, features a similar plotline further supporting this.

Final thoughts

Denji's journey may begin mirroring that of Agni's in the coming weeks and months (Image via MAPPA Studios)

While the narrative direction commentary Fujimoto could be offering by incorporating such a concept is still speculative, what’s clear is that this concept will play a significant role. Likewise, it would behoove fans to either revisit or experience Fujimoto’s first serialization for the first time. Fans can expect to learn more of how this concept may come into play in the series’ future once the manga returns on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 in Japan.