English Dub Review: Chainsaw Man: “Katana Vs. Chainsaw”

Overview: With the help of Himeno (Katelyn Barr), Aki (Reagan Murdock) puts aside his personal vendetta to combat Sawatari (Emi Lo) as Denji (Ryan Colt Levy) takes on Samurai Sword (Jason Marnocha) for a climactic final battle. 

Our Take: Himeno lends a helping hand, beyond the grave, in the form of a cigarette message. It is a heartfelt callback to their first dinner together and equally wholesome way of putting aside his fears to take down Sawatari. With his victory, also comes the reasoning behind why Kobeni stayed on as a Devil Hunter in the bonus she will receive. As funny as it is, it highlights how compassionate she is in putting her fear aside to support her family. 

Denji’s battle with Samurai Sword is a fun, final bout. The CG models blend in well with the 2D environments. Their battle is an explosive building busting romp that also highlights how proficient of a fighter Denji has become with his chainsaws. It also features some epically frenetic camera work that pulls you into their fast-paced chainsaw/katana clash. While it would have felt more earned had there been a more challenging and complex training arc devoted to it, the fight defines how much more methodical has become in combat, misdirecting Samurai for a glorious win. With that said, the stylistic badassery and Denji’s gut-busting brand of crude humor makes it satisfying. 

Nothing brings boys together like busting each other’s balls, and in this case, it is Samurai’s. It is a hysterical and tender bonding moment for Denji and Aki, having them come full circle after crushing their own family jewels. Samurai’s punishment also serves as an ironically touching tribute to Himeno’s death, also showing that Denji is more empathetic than he thinks in mourning and wanting to avenge her.

Sawatari’s suicide being a mandate is a intense of characterizing just how calculated the Gun Devil is. With its location teased, it is an exciting way of leaving off the conflict with catastrophe level Devil. 

After all the bloodshed and carnage, it is nice to wind down with Denji, Power and Aki. Their grocery shopping and celebratory dinner has a warm, congenial tone, acting as a beautiful way to end their mission and adventures, for now. It also nicely shows how Aki is moving forward with his revenge in a smartly written and symbolic scene, smoking Himeno’s cigarette message. As if that was not rewarding enough, there is a tease for an internal conflict within Denji, possibly pertaining to Pochita as well as for Reze, who is wonderfully voice acted by Alexis Tipton and a woman who will bring more than a little chaos into Denji’s life in the future.