Honestly, I don't think the visual storytelling is always the greatest, and the action scenes can get pretty muddled, but I'm just 4 volumes in and Chainsaw Man has already presented one of the most fascinating worlds I've seen in a while. ( )

The plot definitely picks up in this volume, and I am so glad about it. Also, hilariously, this volume has little focus on Denji, and it's been the best volume so far. More and more intrigue is being built around Makima and it just makes me want to know even more. Also, Makima has so much of what I call "subtle insanity", and I find her fascinating as a character. The mystery of her makes me keep reading. There's also more characterization being built for Aki and makes me want to read more about him as well. Love the slight personality change (reveal??) with Kobeni too. Denji and Power get a new mentor, who is pretty crazy. Honestly, the whole thing about Denji and Power training is a tired cliche, but thankfully only lasts for about a chapter. I STILL find Denji boring as a character, and it's the fourth volume. There was a VERY brief moment where I thought maybe Denji would get some depth to him as a character but nope! There's also the introduction of a bunch of new characters, human and devil alike. Also, I think I've been desensitized to the gore at this point. There's so much of it in every volume, it goes from being horrific to just the same old, same old. ( )

3.5

Like so much in the shonen genre, this one starts out slow and painful, but the storyline builds, the characterizations develop and the storyline starts to get interesting. That is why I decided to read at least 4 volumes. I find that if you can't grab me in the first 3 or four it is a lost cause. Glad to see this is finally getting better and plan on continuing with the series. ( )

I'm just letting myself go with the flow for now, enjoying the stupidly funny bits -- "Let's murder him with our intellect." -- and marveling at the thrills and sudden turns and shocking revelations.

I forgot that some of the scenes shown here would be more shocking in Japan since it involves civilians having handguns in public, something that is strictly forbidden there and rarely seen. Maybe that's also why the biggest villain is the Gun Devil. ( )