this is UNREAL... | Chainsaw Man Episode 8 Reaction 

as a reminder: NO SPOILERS, REFERENCES TO FUTURE EVENTS, and/or COMFIRMING/DENYING MY THEORIES in the comments. I do have RU-vid mods now but let’s try to keep the comment section contained so they don’t have to do a bunch of work to delete comments! and big shoutout to the mods for being the greatest o7 btw thanks everyone for your kind words and reassuring me that my reaction to last episode’s kiss scene wasn’t over the top lmao🤣 :’) what a DOOZY of an episode oh my god and now we have to wait another week D:

The series is _VERY_ much about trauma experience & what it normalizes for different individuals and how those interactions overlap with other people with different trauma. I really appreciate how you called out those details at the start - because every part is always meant to tiptoe along the lines between discomfort and rational justification where traumatized individuals have to navigate intricate context that they have no experience with.

Ome thing that gets me abt this scene is how casually aki pulls out the sword. In the earlier episode, Himeno made such a big deal over the price of him using it, even saying denji would have to die before he ever uses it, and to see him unhesitatingly pull it out is such an effective and subtle way of paying that off and showing the immediate rise in stakes of that moment. Its such a decisive act by aki that can easily be overlooked

One minute we judge himeno, then we want to cheer her on to get with Aki and finally we mourn .... All in one episode 😭

himeno is such a tragic character, yes she does make a huge mistake and ppl have a right to dislike or be uncomfortable about it..but the overarching nuance of her character is very special and is crucial for the world building of the anime. himeno's the loneliest character we're introduced to probably, she's not like denji who's motivation is lust(for now), or power who stays out of fear and enjoys the thrill, or like aki who's in this business for revenge...himeno's only still a devil hunter, continuously risking her life for aki and aki only period. you see how every person she tries to get close with has an infatuation with makima as well, no one in her life truly loves her in the unique way she does them...her attachment stems from the growing grief she suffers everytime she loses her buddies, it's honestly fascinating that she's contracted with the ghost devil bc what is the concept of a ghost than a spirit refusing death, it's precisely what himeno clings on to, why she visited her buddies' graves every month and keeps flowers, how all this grief manifests into growing attachment to the one person she has left by her side. also very interesting how upon her death, there is nothing to bury, she has given all of herself to the ghost devil, she is one with the ghost devil, hence she is the ghost, she has joined her buddies and has become a ghost that haunts aki. this all makes her death so much sadder when you see her realize she'd rather die than have to mourn anyone else, she's shed so much tears for her loved ones, she has none to give, yet aki is pure, aki is naive, aki will cry for her, aki will grieve for her, something she so desires cause of how lonely her soul actually is...bc what is grief if not love perservering, if aki does not love her while she's alive she's happy to die to know aki will love the memory of her...just tragic and manga readers know how much her death foreshadows..

Alana: "where's denji?" meanwhile Denji with 2 bullets in his skull: sike

R.I.P Makima I almost forgot about this character. She was a character with so much potential 😩😩 now the legend/history of the chainsaw man really begins

I think fujimoto wants us to see how much someone in Denji's position is vulnerable. He is essentially an infant when it comes to his social skills, has been living in poverty for all his life and has been taken advantage of since his father died. He never had any chance to develop his awareness around people and that makes him weak to manipulation.

Next episode is gonna be even crazier, where we are at the story right now is what made chainsaw man so popular, and why its gonna be anime of the year

You and SoS and perhaps ImonSnow are the best examples of reactors properly diving into fictional works like Chainsaw Man and really peeling back the themes of what’s presented and analyzing it not just as entertainment but as art and more. I loved your opening discussion / defense.

Thanks for taking the time to talk about some of the themes and subject matter at the beginning of this. When it comes to depictions of problematic situations, sometimes people conflate critical analysis with trashing a piece of media, but that couldn't be further from the truth. If anything it shows a deep appreciation for that piece of media. Media analysis can help us to better empathize and understand all the complexities of being human, allowing us to better develop our own identities by incorporating different perspectives.

"Hey, can you not have a banger end credit when I'm still trying to process what just happened!?" 🤣

You are correct about how that scene was written and filmed to make you feel uncomfortable. And you are also correct about the theme of exploitation and manipulation in the series. Denji has been manipulated by multiple characters at this point.

I appreciate your comments at the start about denji not being able to consent. ty!!

In addition to what you noted at the start, anyone trying to argue any age-of-consent angle is also willfully overlooking the fact that Denji is less emotionally developed than what a healthy 16-year-old not raised feral by the Yakuza would be, and you are 100% correct about Fujimoto's intent (big clue: he makes the conceptually gross kiss between a mid-twenties-ish grown woman and a vulnerable 16ish-year-old boy the most viscerally disgusting thing imaginable to underscore it). As for this episode, good LORD I was blown away at how far above and beyond the anime adapted so many sequences in this set of chapters that were already incredible in the manga... in addition to adding some amazing anime-original content! We are well and truly on Mr. Fujimoto's Wild Ride, now!

Still speechless over this episode. Jaw dropped the entire time wondering what the hell is happening🤧that ending scene was insane, then tk starts playing👌🔥

Thank you so much for the opening conversation! Addressing your discomfort (and those of many others) in regards to Himeno and consent is so crucial. Consent should be ongoing, enthusiastic, and informed (i.e. sober). That you gleaned how the scene played out as intentionally disturbing is spot on IMO, especially how much emphasis has been placed on connection and how much Denji has been used. It's important to have these sort of open talks, especially in the fiction we appreciate! In no way does being critical of our favorite anime diminish our experience, it can be quite the opposite. Thank you again, looking forward to your reactions to the rest of this incredible ride!

This episode was intense! And as a manga reader I love watching people experience csm for the first time through the anime, which is incredibly well made.

The saddest part about himeno is that in the moment it seemed like she was going to try and rectify herself; Bam. Gone. Which is sadly accurate, life isn't gonna wait for you to become a better person.

Just a reminder that the show didn't point out that what Himeno tried was wrong, Himeno did. People can dislike Himeno for making regrettable mistakes while she was blacked out, but she is still a good person at heart despite having flaws as a broken character. I will fight anyone who says otherwise.

I haven't had my heart crushed like this since Arcane.

Yeah! The way they make these scenes and the angles that they use add so much to the emotion it's trying to convey! The way the manga already showed us these scenea was making me feel hopeless already, but then watching it in the anime multiplied that by 10 😭

What a whirlwind of emotions this episode had me speechless… the animation was so beautiful, but the character emotions were in full display on this one, from Akis breathing to the close up on their eyes … 🔥🔥

Prologue done, now chainsaw man officially begins

my cousin told me that "reading/watching chainsaw man is like riding a rollercoaster without safety belts on" and i think episode 8 just proves her right.

You are the first reactor that I've seen that actually is critically thinking about how fucked Denji's situation is. The show does not make the people taking advantage of him unlikeable and I think that is where people's hesitation to call it out lies. People like Himeno because of her upbeat, bubbly nature and massive gazongas, but just being a captivating person should not affect how we judge their actions. Unfortunately, it does and that is somewhat human nature, but it is important to take a step back and actually look at the facts. Thanks for giving this some attention because I feel like it can get lost when you are casually watching a show just for entertainment purposes. You're great. Keep being you.

christ.. I was not ready. this has officially become my favorite anime ever.

ANOTHER THING: the beginning of the episode was good to shut up those newbies who loves to complain that Denji is just another generic pervert that you find in any manga. My man has his moral (in his own way 😂😂)

I appreciate the talk in the beginning. Alana is the best reactor when it comes to her understanding of the story and themes of chainsawman.

himeno's really giving me shinobu vibes, the hiding-pain-and-trauma type of vibe yet she can really pull her self together and be cheerful and shit. the voice acting and animation is really good in this episode. RIP himeno-senpai :(

I loved LOVED everything you had to say in the beginning of the video!

"Only killed a handful of women and children" is just a perfect line.

You have no idea how happy it makes me that you addressed what should be the obvious character flaws of Himeno from last episode (and this one)! Always hated when people try to shield criticism by saying it's fiction, and what you said about how it's a disservice to the author and our critical thinking capabilities resonated hard with me. You were totally right, and I appreciate so much that you can discuss this in such a rational way. There aren't a lot of reactors that can do that (from what I've personally watched ofc). In any case great reaction as always, cant wait for next week!

i really appreciate that discussion at the start because its really important to talk about. poor denji 💔💔💔

I just want to thank you for your discussion at the beginning of the video about the situation with denji and himeno. This last week saw a lot of people trying to normalize what was happening in that scene. It is very refreshing to see somebody so clearly state that it is wrong.

Himeno's death is something I still can't get over, neither I nor Aki.

I'm so glad you went through that stuff about the previous episode at the start, it is important to talk about it. You're so right when you said it's not fair to just dismiss it as fictional and therefore doesn't matter, it must be really horrible if you're someone who's been through a situation like that irl to see people casually brushing it aside just because they don't want to hate Himeno. This episode went from 0-100 just in the blink of an eye, I love the way they did this fight scene with the ghost devil and Aki's cursed sword. The animation and music was stunning, it really ramped up insanely quickly. Sorry about the people spoiling it, I don't know why but they seem to be everywhere in this fandom 🙄 I'll be looking forward to your reaction to the next ep!

Don't forget the Elderly Yakuza guy from the beginning who been taking advantage of Denji since his father died and Oh hey! speak of the devil in the picture lol.

When I was first introduced to Himeno in the manga she was one of my favorite new characters, and I was very interested in what they were going to do with her character And then this happened

I just want to say I love your reactions. I watch this with a friend over our lunch break at work. After it ended today we just sat in silence.

You are very correct about your opening statements, I don't get how people don't understand this, I really hope they are young and will learn...

We are just getting started, people. The real series has just begun. Woof.

Something so bleak and raw about the direction Mappa is going with for this adaptation. I love it so much even though it’s a different approach of the manga than what most fans were expecting. Shit only gets crazier from here and never lets up. I remember reading these chapters in the manga and having my mind blown by how fast the story changed into something truly bizarre. Seeing it animated almost a year later and it only makes me more excited for the episodes to come.

This is where the series really picks up… I have read the manga and damn I really can’t wait for it to be animated and see your reactions on it😁😁😁 Like always great reaction

This episode... in the manga, is where everything goes insane and is amazing at the same time.

The real Chainsaw Man experience finally begins😎😭😭

Welcome to the actual beginning of Chainsaw Man ur in for a crazy ride 😂

Himeno's death was the first time ever I teared for a manga

It only gets crazier from here on out

I respect the way you broached the topic of the challenging elements in this episode in the previous one, particularly because often the people who push back against "it's just fiction" are arguing that morally imperfect situations simply should not be depicted at all, because they are unable to recognize that depiction does not equal endorsement. To me, because we are so strongly anchored in Denji's subjectivity, and because Denji so badly wants to be with Makima and other women in this show, that really trips people up, because it feels like it is somehow an endorsement to acknowledge that any aspect of this is desirable for Denji. However, anyone who can remember being a 16-year-old also knows how true-to-life this is, and knows that it is precisely *because* those sexual feelings are so strong that people like Denji are susceptible to being taken advantage of like this. To me CSM is (at least so far, as an anime-only watcher) sitting with those complexities, and I think, just as you said, it would be a disservice to the author if we simply concluded "it's fiction" and treated it as if it has nothing to say about reality.

i'm literally you, my tears fell, I felt that moment again watching you react

Are people like me too? Who after watch the episode, just go all of the reactor and see the reaction of this episode.

Emotional episode😢 I always loved himeno from the start. At the beginning of the episode i was really happy that himeno's alliance with Denji to get Aki by her side. At the end she sacrifices what she had for Aki😭 Why the hell this happened very start of the series. Just giving me a tip not to get emotionally attached with any characters for the rest of the series.

Himeno's last words are stuck with me to this day, so haunting

Thank you for another great reaction Alana. I really loved the music throughout the episode and the ambience during the train and the ramen shop scene.

I loved your little speech at the beginning and I think you're so right with everything you said! Thanks for sharing those thoughts because they were refreshing and needed, I think. Also, this episode is so... intense. I didn't even realize when the tears started falling but I was full-blown sobbing by the end. Still am, really.

your commentary at the beginning: top tier!! new subscriber 🥰

THANK YOU so much for talking about consent. So many people just ignored it and never addressed it.

honestly it's kind of unfortunate how ur one of the only reactors I've seen that actually points out how weird himeno was being because being drunk and the whole legal age thing isn't a good excuse so I appreciate the rant

I got emotional as well😢 Love your reaction

this was my first video of yours and a really insane one at that. great reaction jeeeeeez that episode was crazy

THANK YOU you explained everything in the beginning of this reaction so well

Welcome to Chainsawman where everything goes 0 to 100 in milisec is just your usual monday 😂

From here onwards the real Chainsaw man anime begins and from this episode it gets more crazier insane and painful

The man who make the ost is the same of Silent Voice's track !

Really enjoyed the discussion before the start of the reaction!

just when ppl started to think chainsaw man could actually go on positively for the main cast, fujimoto decided to pull a 180 on us. from now on, the REAL chainsaw man begins

This is a chance to talk about at least one instance of foreshadowing these EDs do. In ED 5 near the beginning there is an image of Ghost Devils hand plucking a flower made of cigarettes. Welcome to the know on what it meant. Ghost Devil would take all of Himeno. These EDs are full of stuff like that for manga readers.

It's great to see you stand up to some of the people in your comment section about the consent. You are totally right. I think it's unfortunate to see so many people with twisted and confused opinions on sexual behavior and consent when it comes to anime.

Great start to the video. Was nice to see a commentator address those issues. Also, always wonderfully validating to see your reactions to the intense character moments. I lost some h20 during her sacrifice too.

Fox devil is summoned using Aki's hand sign, Curse Devil is used when Aki uses his katana

W reaction and good talk at the start of the video

7 episodes were introduction. THIS IS THE TRUE BEGINING OF CHAINSAW MAN

This show would be absolutely insane to wait for if you I hadn't read the manga already

The fast pace ED with you cryin is funny af lol

The way these episodes start and end are wild

“The fuck was that” chainsawman in a nutshell 😭 rip Himeno

It's funny that in the manga when i saw this part I was confused and sad but now watching the episode I was crying the hell out of it that even my eyes weren't working properly I wish we could have more of it because I miss himeno

Really good and clear and IMO very necessary commentary on the topic of consent and power dynamics at the start of this episode. I agree, the mangaka did intend for that scene to be uncomfortable, and the way it resolved supports that. Thank you for your calm and well-reasoned take on the situation and on commenters' responses to the previous episode's reaction. 🙂

I'm glad you talked about the whole Himeno and Consent thing in the beginning of the Video! Great job on covering that, greatly appreciate that. Also yea wtf was this Episode... This is exactly the part in the Manga where I got hooked and addicted to this crazy ride of a story. Can't wait for next week, these Episodes just keep getting better!!

Me after episode 8: "And so it begins. Strap in boys and girls, it's gonna be one hell of an emotional ride. You have no idea. It's insane"

Genuinely great reaction vid 👍 Have to admit I'm not the biggest fan of the CM manga and Fujimoto, although there are aspects of his writing I love. But it's been so long since I read the manga that I'd honestly forgotten this one section and dear lord not only did it hit hard, but the team behind it did a fantastic job throughout. Absolutely brilliant episode.

I didn't feel much when watching the episode but your reaction actually gave me the feels

Glad you took the time to educate people at the beginning of the video

Reaction videos are generally for fun but you really talk some values in this one(i dont always watch from start to end😅like regular people). People sometimes forget that these stuffs are anime and not cartoon for kids. I really liked your thoughts on these small scenes, you touched my heart gurl😬.

The thing is himeno's sacrifice was in vain because of the red shirt girl which makes the scene even sadder as she probably saw the snake take out the ghost devil on her last moments (The red shirt girl doesnt have reviving powers btw)

I cried with Himeno's death tbh

The prologue is over, the real chainsaw man begins

Loved fujimotos imagery in this anime. Flowers in the ghost devil reminiscing those people bring to the grave for they loved ones

Really love your reaction...I feel so emotional watching this too!

Now this is where Chainsaw Man truly begins. Rip Himeno and Makima, never gets any easier 😢

8:49 I am Japanese. The law says 13 years old or older, but all local ordinances say 18 years old or older. The law that says no s●● acts under 13 years old is to prohibit children under 13 years old from having s●● with children under 13 years old. I often see news stories about adults being arrested for having s●● with people under 18 years old.

"I want you to cry for me when I die..." Something that will haunt you each night if it were said by your parents/best friend/lover, and to make it worse, they die in front of you, yikes

this episode is where things pick up... You're in for a rollercoaster ride

Ah yes, the beloved chainsaw man pacing that manga readers know and love. Expect tons more stuff like this to happen.

a lot of us are crying for himeno. damn, this episode hits hard!

Lost count how many times my jaw hit the floor this eposide. Gut wrenching, omg.

There are a lot of weirdos surrounding the Himeno/Denji situation. Especially considering it was very much framed as creepy and wrong in story. Buuuut that's the internet for you.

It went from 0 to 100 real quick no? 😂

So in my opinion, with the "who cares its fiction", I think I've said that because I've seen people stop watching the show or reading csm because of that. Which I think is a poor reason, like the author is trying to make it uncomfortable, its not supposed to be right or good. You can hate himeno for it, it's messed up. I like Fujimoto because not every protagonist or side character is a good person. In real life, not everyone is "good", it's not so clear cut. Himeno does this with denji but she also is doing a good deed by helping people by killing devils. Whether she is a good person is up for you to decide.