Chainsaw Man Chapter 196: Unveiling the Death Devil and the Return of Fakesaw Man

In the long awaited chapter 196 of Chainsaw Man which dropped on March 11, 2025, fans were ready for answers after the previous chapter’s cliffhanger. This chapter finally confirmed the new character’s identity as the Death Devil, one of the Four Horsemen Devils, a theory that had been going around in fandom. But the chapter took a weird turn and the Death Devil is a character who is straightforward with her intentions and demeanor and we are left with a cliffhanger that addresses some of the series biggest mysteries.

The Classroom Introduction

The chapter starts in a classroom where the new transfer student who is the Death Devil tries to introduce herself to her classmates. Her first statement to them is to sympathize with them and is met with confusion and indifference as the teacher leaves the room. The atmosphere is tense, students are whispering to each other, unsure of what to do with this new student. Overwhelmed with emotions she starts to cry, a sad moment that shows her vulnerability and loneliness. This is a big contrast to her being a Devil and we’re left with a character that we both feel sorry for and uneasy for.

One of her quirks is biting her right index finger when she’s nervous. This adds to her character and serves as a visual cue for her emotions, showing her inner turmoil and the weight of being a Devil. Biting her finger becomes a recurring motif, representing her struggle to navigate the human world and her own nature.

The School Festival Proposal

As the story goes on, one of the male students tries to include her and asks her to help with the upcoming school festival. The Death Devil agrees to help but only if it means something. When asked to take out the trash, she dismisses the request saying it’s beneath her talents. The other students are shocked and confused by her self-importance and lack of social awareness. Her attitude towards them creates a gap between her and the other students and shows how hard it is for her to connect with them.

The boy grudgingly takes out the trash and the Death Devil breathes a sigh of relief “One less thing to worry about.” The other students start to express their unease with her being there and how she’s ruining the mood. One student says if she really wants to help she should go outside and crush ants. The Death Devil takes him literally. This is a darkly comedic yet terrifying display of her powers as she sits outside and starts crushing ants with her fingers. She’s completely detached from human emotions and willing to do violence even if it’s on a small scale.

A Moment of Connection

The boy who takes out the trash finds her like this and tries to talk to her. He pities her and says she must have had a tough past to move to Tokyo. He says many of the other students are struggling too, losing their homes and family members due to the recent disasters. This moment of connection is big because it shows that all the students are struggling and it’s opposite to the Death Devil’s indifference to their struggles.

The Death Devil listens but remains silent and keeps crying. Her emotional state reflects her own experiences. The boy tries to reach out to her and shows his compassion and willingness to help but it also shows how hard it is to bridge the gap between their worlds. In a moment of vulnerability he tells her to smile and bring joy to their school which he sees as a sanctuary where they can be happy again.

However, the Death Devil responds with a somber prediction that the festival is destined to fail. This statement confuses the boy, who is trying to foster a sense of hope and community. The Death Devil says she has the power to save them. This adds to the ominous tone of the conversation. Then she puts her hand on his forehead and says she will “release them from their Earthly suffering through death”. This solidifies her as the Death Devil which we all knew and raises question on what she really means and what’s her powers.

The Arrival of Chainsaw Man

Just as things are getting intense the chapter throws in a twist with the sound of a motor revving. The Death Devil looks up and sees what appears to be Chainsaw Man on the school roof. He says someone is calling for help with a heart that burns to right wrongs and announces he’s come from the depths of hell, revved up and ready to go. This is big, this is the intersection of two powerful forces in the story and sets up a confrontation that could have major implications.

In a dramatic scene the Death Devil tells Chainsaw Man that she’s going to save him as he crouches before her and the boy, wrapped in what looks like a fleshy cape. But the visual cues suggest this is not Denji but Fakesaw Man, a character whose skeletal form is ominously connected to Part 2 and Yuko’s murder. The fact that Fakesaw Man is here raises the stakes big time, he could be directly involved in what’s happening and maybe even the one who killed Yuko.

The Cliffhanger

The chapter ends with a gripping cliffhanger that keeps readers anxiously anticipating the next part. The Death Devil’s chilling face and Fakesaw Man looming in the background is so intense. The last panels with the Death Devil’s tear-streaked face and Fakesaw Man’s silhouette is the definition of emotional and narrative complexity.

Conclusion

In short, Chainsaw Man chapter 196 is a great chapter that confirms the Death Devil’s arrival and brings back Fakesaw Man, and hints at his involvement in Yuko’s death. It’s a chapter that weaves together suffering, empathy and the complexity of human (and devil) nature. Leaving us with questions and more questions and the promise of more to come. We have a break week before the next chapter so I’m left wondering what answers will come and how it will affect the characters and the story. The emotional depth and character dynamics in this chapter solidifies Chainsaw Man as a series that challenges us while it delivers.