If you are wondering where to start reading Chainsaw Man manga after watching the anime, start at Chapter 39, which opens Volume 5 and kicks off the Bomb Girl arc. If you are entirely new to the franchise, start from Chapter 1 in Chainsaw Man Vol. 1 or pick up the complete Chainsaw Man Box Set. Tatsuki Fujimoto's dark fantasy shonen is celebrated for cinematic framing, kinetic action, and pitch-black humor, making it one of the most accessible modern manga series to read from start to finish.
This guide provides the exact chapter breakdown between the anime and manga, explains the structural divide between Part 1 and Part 2, and helps you choose the best reading format.
Where to Start Reading Chainsaw Man Manga: Chapter 1 vs Chapter 39
Chainsaw Man began serialization in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump on December 3, 2018, created by author and illustrator Tatsuki Fujimoto. The story centers on Denji, an impoverished teenager forced into illegal devil hunting to pay his deceased father's debts to the yakuza. Accompanied by Pochita, the canine-like Chainsaw Devil who serves as his weapon and only companion, Denji is betrayed and butchered by his mob employers in chapter 1. Pochita merges with Denji's heart, granting him the ability to pull a ripcord on his chest, sprout chainsaws from his head and arms, and regenerate by drinking blood.
Recruited into the Public Safety Devil Hunters by the enigmatic Makima, Denji joins Experimental Division 4 alongside the stoic Aki Hayakawa and the rambunctious Fiend, Power.
If you have never watched the anime adaptation by studio MAPPA, start at Chapter 1. If you already watched the 12-episode first season directed by Ryu Nakayama, you can jump straight into Chapter 39 without missing any major plot twists.
Here is the quick roadmap:
- If you watched the anime: Start at Chapter 39 (Volume 5).
- If you are starting fresh: Start at Chapter 1 in Chainsaw Man Vol. 1.
- The best physical edition: Buy the Chainsaw Man Box Set for all 11 volumes of Part 1.
Alongside our guide to the best manga for beginners, Chainsaw Man offers a refreshing antidote to shonen tropes.
Picking Up After the Anime: Chapter 39 and the Reze Arc
The first season of MAPPA's Chainsaw Man anime ran from October to December 2022 across 12 episodes. The anime adapted roughly three chapters per episode, concluding with Episode 12 adapting through Chapter 38.
Chapter 38 wraps up the Katana Man and Akane Sawatari arc, culminating in Aki and Denji executing their revenge kicking contest against the captured Katana Man.
Chapter 39, titled "Tearful," provides the emotional cooldown and setup for the next major storyline: - Denji goes on a movie marathon date with Makima, testing whether he still has a human heart. - Denji takes shelter from a sudden rainstorm in a telephone booth, where he meets a mysterious, flirtatious girl named Reze working at a local coffee shop.
This marks the start of the Bomb Girl arc (Chapters 40 through 52), widely considered one of the emotional high points of the entire series. Studio MAPPA announced that the Bomb Girl arc is being adapted as a theatrical feature film titled Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc. If you do not want to wait for the movie, reading Chapters 39 through 52 takes roughly forty-five minutes.
Part 1 vs Part 2: Public Safety Arc vs Academy Arc
One common confusion for new readers is how Chainsaw Man is organized. The series is divided into two distinct sagas:
Part 1: Public Safety Arc (Chapters 1–97)
- Publication: December 2018 to December 2020 in Weekly Shonen Jump.
- Volumes: Volumes 1 through 11.
- Protagonist: Denji.
- Tone: A relentless, fast-paced roller coaster focusing on devil hunting, bureaucratic deception, and personal trauma.
Part 1 is a completely self-contained story. Unlike many ongoing manga that meander for hundreds of chapters, Fujimoto crafted Part 1 with a clear beginning, middle, and explosive climax. The ending of Chapter 97 resolves the central conflict cleanly. You can read all 11 volumes and feel completely satisfied without reading a single page of Part 2.
Part 2: Academy Arc (Chapters 98+)
- Publication: Resumed on July 13, 2022, serialized bi-weekly on Shonen Jump+ and Manga Plus.
- Volumes: Volumes 12 onwards.
- Protagonist: Asa Mitaka, alongside Denji.
- Tone: A psychological high school drama infused with apocalyptic dread, body horror, and philosophical identity crises.
Part 2 introduces Asa Mitaka, a cynical high school girl who forms a contract with Yoru, the War Devil. Denji becomes a supporting co-protagonist while attempting to balance high school life with his superhero fame.
Why Reading From Chapter 1 Delivers a Richer Experience
Even if you have watched the anime, reading Part 1 from Chapter 1 is well worth your time. The anime and manga provide two distinct artistic interpretations:
- Cinematic Realism vs Scratchy Energy: Director Ryu Nakayama gave the anime a cinematic aesthetic with realistic lighting, rotoscoped motion, and somber voice direction. Fujimoto's original manga possesses a raw, punk-rock energy. His line work is scratchy, his characters pull absurd expressions, and the action panels feel explosive.
- Visual Gags and Pacing: Fujimoto is a master of visual comedy timing. Many of his best punchlines rely on page turns. You see a dramatic setup on the right page, and turning to the left reveals a shocking sight gag that the anime's continuous motion cannot fully replicate.
- Internal Monologues: While the anime captures Denji's swagger, Fujimoto's manga panels provide deeper insight into Denji's emotional development.
As we analyzed in our breakdown of how animated series beat the source, manga paneling gives readers direct access to the creator's unvarnished pacing.
Physical Box Set vs Digital Apps: Best Ways to Read
There are two primary ways to read Chainsaw Man legally:
1. The Physical Box Set (Best Shelf Value)
VIZ Media published the official Chainsaw Man Box Set on September 26, 2023. The set collects all 11 volumes of Part 1 in paperback tankobon format, packaged inside a sturdy decorative slipcase with an exclusive double-sided poster.
If you are shopping for manga gifts or building a collection alongside our guide on manga box set gifts for 15 year old readers, the box set costs significantly less per volume than purchasing all 11 individual paperbacks separately.
2. VIZ Shonen Jump and Manga Plus (Best Digital Option)
If you prefer reading digitally: - VIZ Shonen Jump Digital Vault: For roughly $2.99 per month, you get access to every published chapter of Part 1 and Part 2 on iOS, Android, and web. - Manga Plus by Shueisha: The official app allows you to read the first three chapters and the latest three chapters of Part 2 for free simultaneously with their Japanese release.
What Is Chainsaw Man: Buddy Stories?
While browsing bookstores, you may spot a light novel titled Chainsaw Man: Buddy Stories. Published in Japan in November 2021 and released in English by VIZ in 2023, the book was written by light novel author Sakaku Hishikawa under Tatsuki Fujimoto's supervision, featuring original illustrations by Fujimoto.
The book contains three standalone stories exploring character duos from Part 1: 1. Denji and Power: A detective case where Power acts as a self-proclaimed genius private eye. 2. Kishibe and Quanxi: A flashback to their early days as devil-hunting partners. 3. Aki and Himeno: The story of the first devil hunting assignment Aki shared with his mentor Himeno.
The light novel is canon-compliant and provides delightful character interactions that flesh out the world without impacting the main storyline. It is best read after finishing Chapter 79 of Part 1.
FAQ
What chapter does the Chainsaw Man anime end on?
The 12-episode first season of the Chainsaw Man anime adapts up to Chapter 38 (Volume 5). To continue immediately where the anime left off, start reading at Chapter 39.
Should I read Chainsaw Man from Chapter 1 if I watched the anime?
Yes. While the anime is an exceptional adaptation, Fujimoto's distinct scratchy line work, abrupt panel comedy, and visual timing provide a punchier storytelling experience.
Is Part 1 of Chainsaw Man a complete story on its own?
Yes. Part 1 spans Chapters 1 through 97 across Volumes 1 to 11. It tells a complete, self-contained story with a definitive emotional climax that does not leave readers on an unresolved cliffhanger.
What is the difference between Part 1 and Part 2 of Chainsaw Man?
Part 1 follows Denji in the Public Safety Devil Hunters. Part 2 shifts perspective to a high school setting and introduces a new co-protagonist, Asa Mitaka, who bonds with Yoru, the War Devil.
Where can I read Chainsaw Man manga legally online?
You can read all chapters legally through the VIZ Media Shonen Jump digital subscription or Shueisha's Manga Plus mobile app, which offers recent chapters for free.
Sources
- VIZ Media official Chainsaw Man manga publishing catalogue (viz.com)
- Shueisha Manga Plus Chainsaw Man serialization portal (mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp)
- Anime News Network encyclopedia records for Chainsaw Man manga and anime adaptation (animenewsnetwork.com)
- Oricon manga sales tracking and Weekly Shonen Jump publication records (2018-2026)
Chainsaw Man Box Set (Vols. 1-11)