Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man manga is one of the most distinctive series in Shueisha’s Shonen Jump magazine. While the premise of a teenage boy who simply wants to live a good life and have many girlfriends might sound like a slice-of-life story, the series’ core lies in its incorporation of devils. These devils are supernatural entities, but the fact that they are born from human fears makes the concept both intriguing and realistic.
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This is perhaps why Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen are considered some of the most fascinating titles in Shonen Jump, as both series ground their supernatural elements in a realistic framework. Part 1 of Chainsaw Man, which spans nearly a hundred chapters, introduced many devils that stand out. However, the following ten are undoubtedly the most notable, primarily because of their origins and the potential threats they pose.
10) Eternity Devil
One of the earliest devils introduced in Chainsaw Man is the Eternity Devil, which represents the fear of endlessness. Featured in the first season, it demonstrated its ability by trapping the Devil Hunters, including Denji, in a pocket reality. It was also one of the first devils intent on killing Denji out of fear of being erased.
The Eternity Devil confined Denji and the others inside a hotel, planning to kill them either by driving them mad or starving them. However, Denji and his group managed to subdue it relatively easily, which is why this devil ranks at the bottom of the list. Still, the potential it holds is undeniable. The very concept of endlessness is terrifying, which makes its quick defeat feel abrupt.
9) Curse Devil
The Curse Devil is one of the major devils in Chainsaw Man Part 1, largely because it has contracts with several Devil Hunters, including Aki Hayakawa. Originating from the fear of curses, the way Devil Hunters employ their power suggests that this particular version is specific to the Japanese region. To summon the Curse Devil’s attack, the contractor must strike the target with a nail, after which the Curse Devil delivers the blow.
This clearly references Ushi-no-Toki-Mairi, a Japanese curse ritual involving nailing an effigy. The Curse Devil’s appearance is striking, with a two-headed skull and a ribcage-like body. One of its notable abilities is rendering itself invisible. Thanks to its unique technique, the Curse Devil earns its place as one of the most powerful devils in Part 1.
8) Bomb Devil
The Bomb Devil is one of the examples in this list born from elements humans created for defense, but which ultimately became instruments of violence. Much like the Chainsaw Devil and Denji, the Bomb Devil appears as a human-devil hybrid through a girl named Reze in the Reze Arc of Chainsaw Man Part 1, which is soon to be adapted for the big screen.
As the name suggests, the Bomb Devil’s specialty lies in explosions. Reze demonstrates this power in various ways, such as turning parts of her body into explosive material, most notably tearing off her own skin to launch projectile explosive attacks. Considering that bombs and guns are both tied to war, it feels almost like an oversight that the Bomb Devil is not nearly as powerful as the Gun Devil.
7) Doll Devil
The Doll Devil itself never makes a direct appearance in the series but is represented through the mysterious character known as Santa Claus. While the reason behind this name remains unclear, this female-presenting character wields the Doll Devil’s ability and uses it exactly as the name implies, turning people into dolls. Santa Claus has already converted many individuals into her puppets, all connected to one another like a hive mind.
The threat posed by the Doll Devil is immense, as anyone turned into a doll can also transform their arms into blades, essentially becoming assassins. Santa Claus stands out as one of the major antagonists of the series, with the ultimate goal of taking down Makima.
6) Snake Devil
The Snake Devil is one of the largest devils ever featured in Chainsaw Man. Given how common the fear of snakes is worldwide, the Snake Devil embodies it perfectly. In addition to its massive appearance, one of its most unsettling traits is the presence of human hands inside its mouth. While its physical strength is formidable, its true standout ability lies in using the powers of other devils.
Immediately after its introduction, the Snake Devil devoured the Ghost Devil and later wielded its abilities in battle. This terrifying aspect places the already powerful Snake Devil in a league of its own. However, its minimal use later in the series is one of Chainsaw Man’s most glaring issues, much like the underwhelming incorporation of the Bomb Devil. Had the Snake Devil been better utilized, it could have easily ranked even higher on the list.
5) Hell Devil
The Hell Devil in the Chainsaw Man series has only a few appearances, but its terrifying ability places it among the highest-ranked devils. The fear of ending up in hell after death is one that every human possesses, making the Hell Devil truly dreadful. It embodies a fear that goes beyond the fear of death itself, placing it on an entirely different level.
In its brief appearances, it manifests as a giant six-fingered hand, dragging its targets down to hell alongside other devils. Part 1 also featured Santa Claus forming a contract with it, which required the sacrifice of multiple human bodies. The Hell Devil is undoubtedly a devil with immense potential, and Part 2 may showcase its power in an even more hellish way.
4) Gun Devil
The Gun Devil in Chainsaw Man Part 1 was one of the central focuses, with many early details building up to its role in the narrative. Born from humanity’s collective fear of firearms, the Gun Devil represents violence and malice like no other. Originating from the fear sparked by a terrorist attack in the U.S., it continued to grow stronger, feeding on unparalleled levels of fear.
The feat the Gun Devil accomplished is unlike any other devil in the series, killing over a million people in just five minutes. While the Gun Devil could have easily ranked even higher, the fact that another devil later used it for its own purpose is the reason it does not stand at the very top.
3) Control Devil
The Control Devil, Makima, serves as the main antagonist in Part 1 of Chainsaw Man, with her true objective revealed near the end of the series: to control everything. As the name suggests, the Control Devil is born from the manipulative nature of human emotions, and Makima embodies every aspect of this concept. She possesses the ability to manipulate both humans and devils alike.
In addition, Makima wields an invisible force that she uses to crush her opponents to death. The entire narrative of Part 1 unfolds under her influence, and it is only when Denji is able to emotionally overcome her control that he finally defeats her. However, the Control Devil is instantly reborn, though thankfully, Nayuta is nothing like Makima and simply wishes to live a normal life with Denji.
2) Darkness Devil
The Darkness Devil, as its name implies, is born from the fear of darkness, making it a Primal Devil, and it is evident that this entity came into existence as soon as humanity itself did. The fear of darkness is ingrained in every human being, as pitch blackness also embodies the fear of nothingness. This is what the Darkness Devil’s appearance in Part 1 of the series highlights.
When the Darkness Devil was first shown in action, Chainsaw Man delivered one of its most intriguing panels, featuring bisected astronauts. In its brief appearance, the Darkness Devil showcased terrifying abilities: causing anyone it stares at to bleed uncontrollably, crushing targets with invisible force, and engulfing them in complete darkness. If not for the existence of a devil feared even by other devils, the Darkness Devil could easily have been ranked as the most powerful devil in Chainsaw Man Part 1.
1) Chainsaw Devil
There is no doubt that Pochita, the Chainsaw Devil, is the strongest devil in the entire Chainsaw Man series, not just in Part 1. While most devils are born from human fears, the Chainsaw Devil stands out for its ability to erase devils from existence. This suggests that Pochita may be born from the fears of devils themselves, or perhaps represents humanity’s hope made manifest, erasing their fears and, by extension, the devils.
Nearly every devil in the series seeks Pochita and Denji because they fear the Chainsaw Devil’s power to erase them. This makes Denji’s role as the Chainsaw Devil both thrilling and darkly humorous, as he constantly falls for female-looking devils who are only after the Chainsaw Devil’s heart, while he laments that no one truly wants his. This dark comedy surrounding Denji and the Chainsaw Devil continues to surprise fans.
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