First serialized in 2018, Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man has grown in popularity ever since the animated version was released last year. The first season ended in December and fans now eagerly anticipate the second season from MAPPA Studios.
Chainsaw Man revolves around Denji, an orphan, who takes the dangerous job of a Devil Hunter to survive. Devils are the personification of evils with Bomb Devil and Gun Devil being examples. Meanwhile, Denji is a hybrid between a human and a Devil due to a contract he made in the first few chapters with a Chainsaw Devil named Pochita.
Pochita takes over Denji’s heart in exchange for ending his nightmares. Additionally, the Shonen protagonist gets the power of summoning chainsaws from his body. The subsequent slasher action that he brings is inspired by a blockbuster serial killer movie that has had many adaptations to date.
Also Read: Chainsaw Man Creator Tatsuki Fujimoto May Have Killed His Own Fandom With Retirement Update
Denji Was Reportedly Inspired By Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Slasher movie fans need no introduction to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. For the unversed, this 1974 film, directed by Tobe Hooper, raised the standards of the horror/serial killer genre. It is based on the chainsaw-wielding antagonist named Leatherface and his notorious family of cannibals. The movie was partly inspired by a criminal named Ed Gein.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre featured some incredibly gory scenes. Credit goes to Gunnar Hansen’s fearsome portrayal of Leatherface, making the character a favorite of movieholics, and driving the narrative of the movie. Earning more than $30 million at the box office, Texas Chainsaw Massacre got a sequel in 1986 and has since inspired series, adaptations, and video games.
According to multiple sources online, Tatsuki Fujimoto’s character of Denji was inspired by Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie. There are many aspects that connect the two characters such as Denji getting a cool new mask after taking the Chainsaw Man form, similar to Leatherface. The way he ‘revs his engine’ or changes form by pulling a black string attached to his heart is also a direct reference to Leatherface.
Chainsaw Man References to Leatherface From Texas Chainsaw Massacre
One of the things that almost confirms that Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man is inspired by the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie is the manga panel for Chapter 89. References to Leatherface, along with another fictional serial killer named Jason, can be seen in a crowd below:
During his battle with the Control Devil Makima, Reddit users pointed out another reference to Leatherface when Denji wielded a chainsaw while wearing a suit. Fujimoto apparently recreating the iconic scene in his work shows his love for the chaotic and visceral horror movie.
Tatsuki Fujimoto reportedly admitted to being inspired by the Texas Chainsaw Massacre for Chainsaw Man during an interview at MAPPA’s 10-year anniversary celebration. In fact, he found the chainsaw mayhem to be “cool.” While Denji’s character seems to have been heavily inspired by Leatherface, his chainsaw was actually inspired by Makita chainsaws in Japan.
