English Dub Review: Chainsaw Man: “Dog & Chainsaw”

Overview: Down-on-his-luck devil slayer, Denji (Ryan Colt Levy), along with his deadly and cuddle-inducing companion, Pochita (Lindsay Seidel), take out the wicked creatures in the hopes of paying back the debt that Denji’s father accrued. 

Our Take: A man and his chainsaw pup have violently slashed their way into my heart like the butter that Denji so covets for himself. Butter, jam and dreaming of the finer things in life that are not confined to a shed serve as a hopeful innate desire to hunt down devils for the mafia, but more than that, to dream. He is a man of beautiful simplicity in longing for a woman, something that is easy to relate to. 

Although, even more instinctual is that of survival. It is this profound instinct that establishes a strong bond between Denji, in needing to pay off the inherited debt from his deceased father, and Pochita, who, on death’s door, needed human blood and made a contract with him. This along with so many tender moments of them taking care of each other, like splitting the one piece of bread they have between them, informs his heartfelt friendship with his adorably sharp doggy companion. While it is a gorgeous companionship, there is also a saddening double edged sword in the obedience and groveling that his survival brings out of him, wanting to get out from under the poor conditions of living day-to-day. 

When the entire mafia has been possessed by a zombie devil, it betrays them out of vengeance for their own kind. There is also a wonderful mirroring showing how influential greed is between both Denji and the mafia when searching for more and how similar to where they stand, there is both a light and dark side to it.

However, their ambush also brings about an unfortunate casualty in Pochita. It is utterly heart-wrenching in the pure faith that Denji had inspired in him that pushes the puppy to merge with him, for an emotional sacrifice to save his life and give him newfound devilish power and passion to slash everything to smithereens. With that said, MAPPA decided to unleash the demon inside themselves by delivering a balls-to-the-wall, bloody fourth of July spectacular with red soaked sparklers! It is a feat of gory wonder with wild, unruly ripping and shredding that is brought to life with bewitching brutality (probably literally for those animators). As a side note, even beyond the battles, regular, everyday movements are made real with such delicate intricacies that they are a marvel to behold as well. 

There is wonderful payoff in Denji getting exactly what he wants in earning the warm embrace of a sexy redhead, and better yet, one that is offering him all the delicious food he so rightfully deserves. However, with the offer to work for her as a devil slayer or die, it truly is just the beginning to his pain and struggles. But I will be watching with bated breath as he grates them into shredded cheese-like chunks.