Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man series has consistently kept fans on their toes, but Chapter 182 takes things to a new level by reintroducing two of its most beloved characters: Aki Hayakawa and Power.
Though their return is not fully explained, the sight of Denji’s found family on the final page has hit fans with a blend of joy, nostalgia, and dread. This chapter stirs deep feelings as it explores Denji’s journey, adding cherished memories with a haunting reminder of his losses. Let’s dive into this important chapter and its implications.
The Aging Devil’s Realm and Denji’s Repressed Memories
Chapter 182 takes place in the Aging Devil’s eerie dimension, where Denji and Asa Mitaka (and Yoru, the War Devil) are trapped. This unsettling realm takes a new twist as Denji vomits up the Snow Devil Pochita had consumed earlier, transforming their surroundings into a winter landscape.
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The snowy scenery appears to act as a gateway into Denji’s past, opening a floodgate of memories and trauma tied to his former family, Aki and Power. The snow, with its association to Denji’s final moments with Aki, sets a melancholic tone as Denji possibly starts to relive what he thought was lost forever.
This snow is significant; fans will recall that Denji had consumed the Snow Devil alongside other devils, like the Octopus and Bitterness Devils. Each of these devils seems to represent important people in Denji’s life, and now, in a strange reversal, they’re triggering his memories one by one as they emerge from his body.
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The snow may be a precursor to further memories reawakening in Denji’s mind, raising the possibility that painful recollections he’d buried might resurface, reopening old wounds.
A Vision or a Memory? Aki and Power Appear on the Ship
In the chapter’s climactic panel, the scene shifts to a docked ship surrounded by snow, where Aki and Power appear, overlooking the icy waters. With no need to reveal their faces, Fujimoto’s careful rendering of the figures—Aki’s ponytail and Power’s familiar devil horns—is enough to confirm their identities.
But the appearance raises questions. Are these visions manipulated by the Aging Devil to unearth Denji’s trauma, or are they true memories reemerging in Denji’s mind? The black borders around the panel evoke nostalgia, similar to looking at an old photograph, magnifying the possibility that this is a flashback.
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The clothing Aki and Power wear in this scene, alongside the snowy setting, recalls their trip to visit Aki’s family grave in Hokkaido—an important event in Part One. During this trip, Denji, Aki, and Power, often referred to by fans as the “Hayakawa Family,” shared one of the few peaceful times together. They played in the snow and bonded at an inn, forming cherished memories that would later bring Denji solace but also anguish, as he ultimately lost both of them in violent, tragic ways.
The Haunting Symbolism of Snow and Its Ties to Death
The snow in Chainsaw Man is far from an innocent symbol of winter. In the series, it has always served as a marker of grim events. Snow recalls Aki’s final “snowball fight” with Denji, which ended in his tragic death, an event that deeply scarred Denji.
Snow is often seen as a symbol of solitude or the harshness of winter, and in Chainsaw Man, it appears to represent both loss and impending darkness. With snow returning here, it hints that Denji’s reunion with Aki and Power may not offer the comfort he needs—instead, it could signal more sorrow.
The Specter of the Death Devil
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This chapter subtly introduces a potential new danger: the Death Devil. If Aki and Power’s return in any way reflects the influence of the Death Devil, their reappearance could foretell an era of resurrection—and destruction. The Death Devil, controlling all things that have died, could twist Denji’s happiest memories into a horrific experience.
While seeing Aki and Power again initially feels like a moment of hope for Denji (and us), the idea that their reappearance may not be natural but a manipulation of their souls or memories adds a dark undercurrent to the joy, leaving us with more apprehension than happiness.
The Bitterness and Other Buried Memories Resurface
It’s worth noting that the Snow Devil was not the only devil Pochita consumed. Alongside it, the Octopus and Bitterness Devils remain dormant within Denji, waiting to resurface. These devils represent Denji’s most difficult memories, particularly with people who left a lasting impact.
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The Bitterness Devil, in particular, may represent Reze, Denji’s love interest who he’s not seen since Part One, hinting that further memories and traumas may soon come to light. If Denji continues to vomit up these devils, he could soon find himself reliving memories with Reze and Yoshida, another figure tied to the Octopus Devil.
This raises the unsettling possibility that Denji’s path to recovery and self-acceptance could be delayed, or even reversed, by reliving the worst moments of his past. Instead of gaining closure, Denji might be forced to confront his most painful losses over and over again, further cementing his anguish. Fujimoto really likes torturing Denji anyways.
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A Hopeful Reunion or a Final Goodbye?
While Aki and Power’s return offers a glimmer of warmth in the harsh landscape of the Aging Devil’s world, it also casts a shadow over Denji’s future. As fans, we’re overjoyed to see Aki and Power appear again, but there’s a sense of dread. Is this a brief chance for Denji to say goodbye, or is it the start of something far more dangerous?
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In this sense, Chapter 182 stands as a reminder of how Chainsaw Man masterfully balances its heartwarming, tragic, and horrific elements. As Denji confronts the ghosts of his past, both literal and figurative, the series has fans bracing for both emotional healing and perhaps deeper despair.
Whether these memories serve as a balm or a curse for Denji remains to be seen—but as always, Chainsaw Man keeps us hooked, anxiously waiting to see if Denji’s journey will bring him peace or more pain.
About Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man is a manga series by Tatsuki Fujimoto that was serialized from December 2018-2020 and returned in July 2022 with a second part. The series also received an anime series by MAPPA.
The manga’s plot revolves around Denji, an orphaned boy who has to work as a devil hunter to make a living and pay off his father’s debt.
However, his pet devil, Pochita is killed on a mission. Denji wakes up to realize he and Pochita have become a single being, Chainsaw Man. If he does not want to get killed, he has to join the government and continue hunting demons.
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