Let me tell you something, folks – being Denji in the world of Chainsaw Man is basically like having a giant “KILL ME” sign taped to your back 24/7. I’ve watched this poor guy go through hell and back (sometimes literally), and the number of powerful devils that want him dead is absolutely insane.
As someone who’s binged every episode and read every manga chapter multiple times, I can tell you that Denji’s life is basically one long “avoid getting murdered by devils” simulator. But hey, that’s what makes Chainsaw Man so damn good, right?
Today, I’m breaking down the 10 strongest, most terrifying devils that have specifically wanted to kill Denji. Trust me, this list gets pretty wild, and some of these devils are so powerful they make other villains look like cute little puppies in comparison.
What Makes Devils Want to Kill Denji Anyway?
Before we dive into the list, let me explain why so many devils have it out for our chainsaw-wielding protagonist. From what I’ve seen throughout the series, there are basically three main reasons:
- Fear Factor: Denji is the Chainsaw Man, and devils are terrified of him because he can literally erase other devils from existence. When a devil gets eaten by Chainsaw Man, not only do they die, but the very concept of what they represent disappears from human memory forever. That’s some scary stuff!
- Revenge: Denji has killed A LOT of devils, and many of them had friends, family, or allies who want payback.
- Power: Some devils believe that by killing Denji and consuming the Chainsaw Devil’s heart, they can gain unimaginable power.
Now that we’ve got that covered, let’s get into the main event. Here are the 10 strongest devils who have wanted Denji dead, ranked from least to most deadly.
10. Eternity Devil
Remember that hotel arc where Denji and the gang got trapped in that endless loop? Yeah, that was the Eternity Devil’s doing. This devil represents the fear of eternal damnation, and let me tell you, it’s one creepy motherlover.
Why it wanted Denji dead: The Eternity Devil was desperate to escape its eternal suffering and believed that by killing Denji, it could finally find peace. Irony much?
Powers and Abilities:
- Creates pocket dimensions (like that endless hotel)
- Can regenerate indefinitely
- Feeds on fear and suffering
Threat Level to Denji: Honestly, not that high in the grand scheme of things. Denji actually defeated this one pretty easily once he stopped being scared and went full chainsaw berserk mode. But it’s worth mentioning because it was one of the first major devils to specifically target Denji.
When I first watched this arc, I was honestly more creeped out by the psychological horror aspect than anything else. Being trapped in an endless loop with no way out? That’s the stuff of nightmares right there.
9. Katana Man
Ah, Katana Man. What a character. This guy is basically Denji’s evil twin, and their rivalry is one of the best parts of the early series.
Why he wanted Denji dead: Pure, simple revenge. Katana Man’s grandfather was the Yakuza boss that Denji killed (in self-defense, mind you), and he’s been hunting Denji ever since to avenge his grandpa.
Powers and Abilities:
- Hybrid like Denji (human + devil fusion)
- Swords protruding from arms and head
- Incredible speed and swordsmanship
- That badass “Sword-Draw Dash” technique
Threat Level to Denji: Pretty damn high, actually. Katana Man completely destroyed Denji in their first fight, and it was only through luck and determination that Denji managed to win the rematch.
What I love about Katana Man is how personal his grudge is. Unlike other devils who want Denji dead for abstract reasons, Katana Man has a very specific, very human motivation. It makes their fights so much more intense to watch.
8. Bomb Devil (Reze)
Oh man, Reze. What a complicated character. She starts off as Denji’s first real crush, then BAM – turns out she’s an assassin sent to kill him. Classic anime betrayal, but executed so well.
Why she wanted Denji dead: She was hired by the Soviet Union to retrieve Denji’s heart (the Chainsaw Devil) for their own purposes. Simple mission, complicated by actual feelings.
Powers and Abilities:
- Explosions from any body part
- Can turn limbs into torpedoes
- Near-instant regeneration
- Hybrid form with detachable head trick
Threat Level to Denji: Extremely high. Reze came closer to killing Denji than almost anyone else on this list, and it was only through sheer luck and some help from friends that he survived.
I’ve got to say, the Reze arc is one of my favorites in the entire series. The emotional whiplash of going from cute romance moments to brutal fights is just chef’s kiss. And when I found out they’re making a whole movie about this arc? I was absolutely hyped!
7. Gun Devil
The Gun Devil is less of a character and more of a natural disaster with a body count in the millions. This devil represents the fear of guns, and given how prevalent guns are in our world, you can imagine just how powerful it is.
Why it wanted Denji dead: The Gun Devil didn’t personally have it out for Denji, but various governments and organizations used pieces of the Gun Devil to hunt Denji down. Plus, as the embodiment of mass violence, it naturally sees Chainsaw Man as a threat.
Powers and Abilities:
- Moves at near-light speed
- Can kill thousands of people in seconds
- Fragments can be contracted by humans
- Near-omnipresent when at full power
Threat Level to Denji: Indirectly catastrophic. While the Gun Devil never fought Denji directly, its influence and fragments caused endless trouble for our hero throughout the series.
What makes the Gun Devil so terrifying to me is how realistic it is. In a world with school shootings and mass violence, the idea of a devil that embodies all that fear hits way too close to home.
6. Hell Devil
The Hell Devil is exactly what it sounds like – the embodiment of damnation and eternal suffering. This devil doesn’t mess around.
Why it wanted Denji dead: The Hell Devil doesn’t have personal grudges; it’s more of a cosmic force that sends people to Hell as part of its nature. Denji ended up on its radar simply by being a powerful devil that disrupts the natural order.
Powers and Abilities:
- Can send beings straight to Hell
- Exists simultaneously on Earth and in Hell
- Controls the domain of eternal damnation
- Nearly impossible to kill permanently
Threat Level to Denji: Existential. The Hell Devil represents a fate worse than death, and while it didn’t personally hunt Denji, it created the conditions for other devils to attack him in Hell.
When Denji and the gang got sent to Hell in the manga, I was on the edge of my seat. The idea of being trapped in eternal damnation is bad enough, but then having to fight the Darkness Devil on top of that? Absolutely brutal.
5. Control Devil (Makima)
Oh, Makima. Where do I even begin? She’s Denji’s first crush, his manipulative superior, and ultimately one of the most terrifying villains in anime history. And the craziest part? She’s not even really evil – just completely alien in her way of thinking.
Why she wanted Denji dead: Makima didn’t just want to kill Denji; she wanted to break him completely, destroy his humanity, and control the Chainsaw Devil within him. Her plan was to use Denji’s power to create her “perfect world.”
Powers and Abilities:
- Absolute control over humans and lesser devils
- Can force contracts on anyone
- Near-invulnerability (can transfer damage to others)
- Superhuman strength and senses
- Manipulation on a cosmic scale
Threat Level to Denji: Maximum. Makima broke Denji mentally and emotionally in ways no other villain ever has. She didn’t just want to kill him – she wanted to unmake him as a person.
I’ve got to be honest, Makima is probably my favorite villain in all of anime. She’s not evil in the traditional sense; she truly believes she’s doing the right thing. The way she manipulates everyone around her, including the reader, is absolutely masterful writing. When her true nature was revealed, my jaw was on the floor.
4. Darkness Devil
The Darkness Devil is one of the Primal Fear devils, meaning it represents a fear so fundamental and ancient that it transcends normal devil power levels. This thing is pure cosmic horror.
Why it wanted Denji dead: As a Primal Fear, the Darkness Devil sees all lesser beings (including Denji) as insignificant. It attacked Denji in Hell simply because he was there.
Powers and Abilities:
- Reality warping in its domain (Hell)
- Can drive people insane just by being near them
- Exists beyond normal concepts of life and death
- Power level that defies measurement
Threat Level to Denji: Cosmic horror level. The Darkness Devil is so far beyond normal devils that it’s not even funny. Denji only survived their encounter through pure luck and help from others.
The scene with the Darkness Devil in Hell is probably the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen in anime. The way it moves, the way it speaks, the sheer alien nature of it – it’s the stuff of nightmares. I still get chills thinking about it.
3. Falling Devil
The Falling Devil is another Primal Fear, representing the fear of falling both physically and emotionally. This devil is absolutely terrifying and plays a major role in the later parts of the manga.
Why it wanted Denji dead: The Falling Devil was working with the Famine Devil to capture Denji and use his power for their own purposes. As a Primal Fear, it also sees Denji as an anomaly that needs to be eliminated.
Powers and Abilities:
- Controls gravity and motion
- Can induce emotional “falling” (despair, hopelessness)
- Reality manipulation within its domain
- Primal Fear status makes it nearly invincible
Threat Level to Denji: Extremely high. The Falling Devil came very close to killing Denji multiple times and represents a threat that’s almost impossible to fight conventionally.
What’s interesting about the Falling Devil is how it represents both physical and emotional falling. It’s not just about making people fall to their deaths – it’s about making them fall into despair, which in the world of Chainsaw Man, is actually more dangerous.
2. Death Devil
The Death Devil is the strongest of the Four Horsemen and represents the ultimate fear – death itself. This devil is so powerful that even other Primal Fears are wary of it.
Why it wanted Denji dead: As the embodiment of death, the Death Devil sees Chainsaw Man’s ability to erase devils from existence as a direct threat to the natural order. Denji’s power literally goes against the concept of death itself.
Powers and Abilities:
- Complete control over life and death
- Can destroy anything, including other devils
- Exists beyond normal reality
- Power level that’s essentially god-like
Threat Level to Denji: Existential. The Death Devil represents a fundamental force of the universe, and its conflict with Denji is basically a battle between two opposing cosmic principles.
The Death Devil is fascinating because it’s not evil – it’s necessary. Death is a natural part of existence, and the Death Devil simply embodies that. Its conflict with Chainsaw Man is less about good vs. evil and more about two fundamental forces of nature clashing.
1. Chainsaw Man (Denji’s Own Devil Form)
And here we are at number one – the most dangerous devil that has wanted to kill Denji is… Denji himself. Or more specifically, the Chainsaw Devil within him.
Why it wanted Denji dead: The Chainsaw Devil (Pochita) represents pure, uncontrolled destruction and bloodlust. While Pochita cares about Denji, the Chainsaw Devil form is basically a berserk state that wants to kill everything, including Denji’s human consciousness.
Powers and Abilities:
- Can erase other devils from existence
- Near-limitless regeneration
- Superhuman strength and speed
- Chainsaws that can cut through anything
Threat Level to Denji: Absolute. The Chainsaw Devil is literally part of Denji, meaning he can never truly escape it. Every time he transforms, he risks losing control and letting the devil take over completely.
This is what makes Chainsaw Man such a brilliant series. The greatest threat to the protagonist isn’t some external villain – it’s the power within himself. Denji’s constant struggle to maintain his humanity while wielding this incredible power is what makes him such a compelling character.
Complete Power Ranking
For you data nerds out there (like me), here’s a complete table ranking all these devils by their threat level to Denji:
| Rank | Devil | Threat Level | Motivation | Defeated? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Eternity Devil | Low | Escape suffering | Yes |
| 9 | Katana Man | Medium-High | Revenge | Yes |
| 8 | Bomb Devil (Reze) | High | Mission/Contract | Yes |
| 7 | Gun Devil | Indirect | Natural threat | Fragmented |
| 6 | Hell Devil | Existential | Natural order | No |
| 5 | Control Devil (Makima) | Maximum | Control/power | Yes |
| 4 | Darkness Devil | Cosmic | Natural order | No |
| 3 | Falling Devil | Very High | Working with Famine | No |
| 2 | Death Devil | Existential | Natural order | No |
| 1 | Chainsaw Devil | Absolute | Berserk state | Controlled |
Why Denji Keeps Surviving?
After looking at all these incredibly powerful devils that want Denji dead, you might be wondering how he’s still alive. Well, from what I’ve observed, it comes down to a few key factors:
- Sheer Determination: Denji might not be the smartest guy around, but he never gives up. Ever.
- Friends and Allies: As much as Denji tries to push people away, he’s built up a network of allies who help him when things get tough.
- The Chainsaw Devil’s Power: At the end of the day, Denji’s devil form is incredibly powerful, capable of taking down almost any threat.
- Luck: Let’s be real – Denji has survived some impossible situations through pure luck.
- Humanity: Denji’s human emotions and desires (simple as they may be) give him strength that pure devils don’t understand.
What This Says About Chainsaw Man’s Themes?
Looking at all these devils that want Denji dead, I think it reveals some pretty interesting themes in Chainsaw Man:
- Fear and Power: The series constantly explores how fear translates to power in its world, and Denji is at the center of that.
- Humanity vs. Monster: Denji’s struggle to maintain his humanity while wielding monstrous power is central to the story.
- Cycle of Violence: Almost every devil that attacks Denji is doing so because of violence that came before, creating an endless cycle.
- Existential Dread: Many of the strongest devils represent fundamental fears about existence itself, making the series surprisingly philosophical.
FAQ Section
Q: Who is the strongest devil in Chainsaw Man?
A: Based on what we’ve seen in the manga so far, the Death Devil is generally considered the strongest devil in existence, followed closely by the other Primal Fears like the Darkness Devil.
Q: Has Denji ever actually died?
A: Yes, Denji has died multiple times throughout the series, but he always comes back thanks to his contract with the Chainsaw Devil (Pochita).
Q: Why can’t Makima control Denji?
A: Makima couldn’t fully control Denji because he’s not entirely human – he’s a hybrid with the Chainsaw Devil. This makes him resistant to her control abilities.
Q: Will there be more devils that want to kill Denji in future chapters?
A: Absolutely! As long as Denji exists as the Chainsaw Man, there will always be devils that want him dead. It’s basically his curse at this point.
Q: Is Pochita good or evil?
A: Pochita is neither good nor evil – he’s a devil that formed a genuine bond with Denji. While the Chainsaw Devil form is destructive, Pochita himself cares deeply about Denji.
Final Thoughts
After rewatching the anime and rereading the manga to write this article, I’m even more impressed with Chainsaw Man than I was before. The way it handles power, fear, and what it means to be human is just brilliant.
Denji’s journey from a kid who just wanted some bread and a place to sleep to someone who literally has the fate of reality in his hands is incredible. And the fact that so many powerful, terrifying devils want him dead just shows how important he really is to the world of Chainsaw Man.
If you haven’t checked out Chainsaw Man yet, what are you waiting for? Trust me, it’s worth every minute. And if you have seen it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on which devil you think is the biggest threat to Denji. Drop a comment below!
And hey, if you enjoyed this deep dive into the world of Chainsaw Man, make sure to bookmark this site for more anime content. I’ve got plenty more where this came from!