Optimism, perseverance, and, power of friendship are no longer the sole pillars that support the shonen genre. Modern shonen series have introduced darker elements that are broadening the horizons of what ‘shonen’ entails. Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man is the perfect example of how to challenge shonen stereotypes perfectly. 

However, there’s a flip side to this discourse. Every time a creator does something unconventional, there’s always a risk of sparking backlash. Fujimoto is treading cautiously to ensure that he can convey his vision in Chainsaw Man without hurting the boundaries of the shonen category. 

Tatsuki Fujimoto’s dark spin on the shonen genre 

The dark shonen realm can’t be discussed without the mention of Chainsaw Man. Every character in the series is leading a tragic life. And, most of the characters are both victims and perpetrators depending on the situation. From Denji’s deprivation of basic needs to his desires, everything about him is used by others to exploit him. 

Even those he considers friends have treated him in unfair ways. For instance, Himeno made an attempt to seduce Denji. While Himeno’s backstory explains her actions, if we perceive this situation without the context, Denji was taken advantage of. This particular scene can be considered the tip of the iceberg; there are more disturbing scenes throughout the story. 

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From unexpected deaths to some major characters devouring each other, many scenes would never fit the expectations of a shonen fan. The cast of Chainsaw Man has many characters who have led tragic lives. While their actions can be explained, they can’t be justified. When one thinks of shonen, such dark and disturbing instances are not only uncommon but also controversial for the series’ popularity. 

Denji in his Chainsaw Man form | Credits: Studio MAPPA

Some other series that somewhat fit the dark shonen category miss the mark terribly when compared to Chainsaw Man. Jujutsu Kaisen has dark scenes, but some of them merely serve the purpose of providing shock value. The narrative of Demon Slayer isn’t as fleshed out, which affects the potential impact of the darkness. 

Among older shonen series, Yoshihiro Togashi experimented with dark scenes brilliantly by having a protagonist who was blinded by blood thirst at a particular moment in Hunter x Hunter. Compared to all these series, Tatsuki Fujimoto is in a league of his own. And it’s interesting how he’s striking a balance between the popularity of shonen series and his dark vision for his manga. 

Striking a balance between good reach and an unfiltered vision

Makima is the embodiment of all things evil | Credits: Studio MAPPA

The best advantage of falling under the purview of shonen series is the reach. Shonen is the most popular category, and it’s easier to reach a widespread fanbase if a series qualifies as shonen. Fujimoto is taking a risk by introducing darker concepts, but he’s somewhat adhering to strict boundaries that would put him in the same category as, maybe, Berserk. 

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There’s a possibility that his unfiltered vision is even more grotesque and disturbing. However, if he goes down that path, it’ll inevitably spark outrage and might exclude Chainsaw Man from the shonen sphere. Woke culture could easily be cited as the scapegoat for the backlash; however, the creator always has an option to just make the series seinen or dark fantasy if they wish to convey a more explicit version of their vision. 

Aki grieves Himeno’s death | Credits: Studio MAPPA

It’s safe to assume that the mangaka has found the perfect way to balance his dark vision without hurting the reach of his series. It ensures that Chainsaw Man reaches a massive audience without compromising too much with the vision. Or who knows, maybe the deaths and gore of Chainsaw Man is as far as the creator’s vision goes. But clearly, his other works would disagree with that possibility. 

Chainsaw Man is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll. 
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire