Spoiler warning: this article discusses events from Chainsaw Man chapters 85 and 86, near the end of Part 1.
Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man became one of the most talked-about manga of its time thanks to its shocking twists, dark humour and unpredictable characters. By autumn 2020, Part 1 was racing towards its climax, and the conflict between Makima and Chainsaw Man was at the centre of everything.
Where the Story Stood
Makima had seemingly been killed, but readers knew better than to trust that. Thanks to her contract with the Prime Minister of Japan, attacks on her are redirected elsewhere, making her almost impossible to kill by normal means. Kishibe and his allies appeared to have the upper hand for a moment, but defeating Makima for good looked like it would require breaking that contract.
Denji, meanwhile, was in a terrible state, with Pochita’s power out of his control. Kobeni, one of the series’ most unlucky survivors, was caught up in the chaos once again.
Predictions for Chapter 86
- Makima’s return: since she was cut rather than eaten by Chainsaw Man, many fans expected Makima to recover.
- More losses: Chainsaw Man rarely spares its side characters, so readers braced for more casualties.
- Denji’s recovery: fans hoped Kobeni might somehow help Denji get back on his feet.
- Makima’s real goal: her plan to control Chainsaw Man was clearly not over, setting up a final confrontation.
Release Date
Chapter 86 was released on 27 September 2020 in Weekly Shonen Jump. Part 1 of Chainsaw Man concluded later that year with chapter 97, and Part 2 began in 2022 on Shonen Jump+.
Where to Read Chainsaw Man
The manga is available officially in English through VIZ Media, the Shonen Jump app and Shueisha’s MANGA Plus. The series was also adapted into a hit anime by studio MAPPA in 2022.
