Volume Guide: where to start if you're a beginner

Reading Guide — Where to Start

Starting Chainsaw Man can seem intimidating given how popular Tatsuki Fujimoto's work has become in recent years, with both the manga and anime enjoying success. Many new readers hesitate: should they start with volume 1, is there a better entry point, and how is the series organized over time? This guide clarifies things, volume by volume and arc by arc, to help you start in the best conditions, without getting lost between re-releases, formats, and different ways of approaching the story. If you want an overview of the universe first, our page on the Chainsaw Man universe remains the best entry point.

Unlike many long shonen, Chainsaw Man is clearly divided into two main periods that we detail on our page Part 1 & Part 2: all sagas. Understanding this structure beforehand really changes how you approach reading, especially because the end of Part 1 marks a fairly radical shift in tone from what follows. It's also a series that lends itself particularly well to fast, intensive reading, once you get past the first few chapters.

Volume 1: The Most Effective Introduction

There's no real debate here: volume 1 remains the best starting point, by far. In barely a hundred pages, Fujimoto establishes the essentials — Denji's misery, his encounter with Pochita, the pact that will change everything — without ever dwelling unnecessarily. Our article on what Pochita truly represents goes into detail about this foundational moment, as does our page dedicated to Denji's story.

This first volume also serves as a tolerance test: the mix of crude humor, graphic violence, and underlying melancholy that defines the entire series is already fully present. If the alchemy works from these first pages, the rest should be no problem. It's also in this volume that the group dynamic which will carry much of Part 1 is established, with the gradual arrival of Power and then Aki Hayakawa within the same unit. The pace is intentionally fast: Fujimoto never wastes time on unnecessary exposition, which makes reading particularly addictive from the very first pages.

The Different Editions Available

Another common question among new readers: should one prioritize a standard edition, a collector's edition, or opt directly for the digital format? In France, the manga is available in a classic edition that faithfully follows the Japanese publication, without any particular frills. Some bookstores occasionally offer alternative covers or box sets combining several volumes, which are particularly popular for gifting the series or completing an already started collection. Our page Chainsaw Man Merchandise also lists items that complement a collection of volumes, from posters to figurines.

For readers who prefer digital, most reading platforms offer all published volumes, with the advantage of being able to read chapters consecutively without waiting. That said, many fans agree that the paper format remains more suitable for such a visual work, especially to fully appreciate the artwork on double pages and the most spectacular action scenes.

Publication Order or Arc Logic?

Good news for beginners: Chainsaw Man should be read in publication order, without detours or additional volumes to intersperse. The series is organized into major successive arcs — the Special Division 4 Arc, the Bomb Girl Arc, the Gun Devil Arc — which our page all Chainsaw Man narrative arcs fully lists. Each arc remains generally self-contained while patiently building a larger mythology.

The Bomb Girl arc, in particular, marks a real emotional turning point in Part 1. Our portrait of Reze, the Bomb Girl helps to better understand the stakes of this sequence before delving into it, without revealing everything. It is also the arc that most clearly introduces the themes of manipulation and sacrifice that will constantly reappear until the end of Part 1.

The Volumes That Mark a Turning Point

Some volumes contain moments that permanently change how the series is read. Without giving too much away, the disappearance of one of the most endearing characters from Special Division 4 — which we discuss in our tribute to Himeno — is among the most discussed passages by readers, alongside other episodes listed in our ranking of the most shocking deaths in the series.

These brutal ruptures are a hallmark of Fujimoto's writing: they rarely occur where you expect them, and that's precisely what makes each volume hard to put down once started. This constant sense of urgency clearly distinguishes Chainsaw Man from a more classic shonen, where main characters often benefit from a form of narrative immunity that Fujimoto categorically refuses to grant his own.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Starting

The first, very common mistake is to constantly compare the manga to the anime from the very first chapters, instead of simply letting the paper narrative unfold, which has its own rhythm codes. The second mistake is to read arc summaries or character rankings before finishing Part 1: the series is full of twists and turns, and much of its impact relies on the element of surprise. It's best to avoid, for example, consulting our ranking of the most shocking deaths too early if you haven't finished the first volumes yet.

Finally, some readers give up too quickly, judging the pace of the very first chapters, without giving the story time to establish its stakes. The best moments of Part 1 generally arrive from volume 3 or 4, once the dynamic between Denji, Power, and Aki is fully established.

How Long Does It Take to Catch Up With the Entire Series?

This is a logical question for anyone discovering the series today: how long does it take to catch up? Part 1 is generally read quite quickly once started, with most avid readers finishing it in a few days thanks to short chapters and a very sustained narrative pace. Part 2, still being published, naturally requires more patience, with each new volume bringing its share of twists and turns around Asa Mitaka and Yoru. To follow the complete chronology without getting lost, our page all Chainsaw Man narrative arcs remains the best reference to keep handy while reading.

Manga First or Anime First?

This question keeps coming up since the anime aired. Our article Manga vs Anime: the differences that change everything details the discrepancies between the two formats, but for a first contact, the manga still has a clear advantage: a pace entirely controlled by Fujimoto, without broadcast schedule constraints. The anime, driven by the work of studio MAPPA, is however an excellent way to extend the experience once the first volumes have been devoured — our page Anime & Film Chainsaw Man centralizes everything you need to know about this. Some readers even choose a mixed approach, alternating volumes and episodes to extend the pleasure of discovery as long as possible.

And After Volume 11? Heading to Part 2

The end of Part 1 closes a chapter, but Part 2 starts on very different foundations, with new faces like Asa Mitaka and the mysterious War Devil, Yoru. We also meet Nayuta, whose role we detail in our dedicated article. To place these new devils within the overall hierarchy, our page understanding fear, names, and the hierarchy of devils remains the best reference. The change of scenery, from Tokyo to a high school, often surprises readers accustomed to the tone of Part 1, but this break is assumed by Fujimoto as a way to completely renew the stakes of the series.

❓ FAQ — Reading Chainsaw Man

Answers to the most frequent questions from new readers.

📖 Do I need to have read Part 1 before Part 2?

Yes, Part 2 directly builds on the events and characters of Part 1, so it's best to follow the publication order.

📚 Is the manga finished?

The series is still being published in Japan, with new chapters regularly translated into French.

🎬 Can I watch the anime without reading the manga?

Yes, the anime faithfully adapts Part 1 for now. Some even prefer to start with the screen before delving into the volumes.

🚚 What is the delivery time in France?

Generally allow between 5 and 15 business days depending on the product. All delivery information is indicated on the product page and during checkout.

To further your exploration, you can also check out our selection of the best manga to read if you like Chainsaw Man, our analysis of loneliness in Denji, Aki, and Power, as well as our Chainsaw Man Merchandise page to complete your collection as you read.