If You Love Chainsaw Man, You Have a Popular '00s Anime to Thank For Its Existence
Chainsaw Man is one of the most popular anime and manga series in the world, and there are just as many fans of its creator as there are of his creation. Tatsuki Fujimoto broke into the manga world at an unusually young age, garnering attention from many in the industry for his unique, compelling, and often peculiar one-shot stories. By age 24, his first major serialized work, Fire Punch, began publication on Shōnen Jump's online manga platform, Jump+.
By the time the majority of the anime and manga community learned his name, Tatsuki Fujimoto had already become something of a legend. Social media accounts on which he pretended to be the little sister he didn't have, videos of himself attempting to levitate, stories about eating his pet goldfish, and most importantly, ridiculously creative stories that spoke to countless fans. Well before Chainsaw Man became one of the biggest names in anime and manga, Fujimoto crafted himself an image just as chaotic as the manga he writes, and fans can thank a massively popular 2000s anime for that.
Tatsuki Fujimoto Belonged to the Haruhi Generation
The Haruhi Craze of the 2000s Created Countless Anime and Manga Fans
Many younger fans of anime might not be aware, but long before Demon Slayer attracted new viewers to the medium en masse, or Eren Yeager and Attack on Titan kicked off the 'anime is cool' movement, there was a movement forming throughout the worldwide anime fandom centered around a girl named Haruhi Suzumiya. Based on the light novel series, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya aired in Japan in the summer of 2006, and kicked off a craze which lasted the better part of a decade.
Two seasons of anime and a feature length film later, and the Haruhi Suzumiya series defined a generation of anime fans in Japan while delivering otaku culture to the mainstream in the West. The supernatural slice of life series inspired countless eventual creators, including Tatsuki Fujimoto. The artist states, "When I was in junior high school, all the boys around me, including myself, were turned into otaku by Haruhi."
Haruhi Is Present in Fujimoto's Work Today
The Chainsaw Man Creator Wears His Influences on His Sleeve
Tatsuki Fujimoto's influences aren't hard to find throughout his body of work. Chainsaw Man's anime opening was packed with references to his favorite films, while his stories often reflect scenes or plot elements of other famous works. Chainsaw Man's chapter #15 is titled "Endless 8th Floor", referencing Haruhi's "Endless Eight" arc, which, like Chainsaw Man's Eternity Devil section, features the characters stuck in a time loop. In a full circle moment, Haruhi's voice actress, Aya Hirano, was cast as Makima in the Chainsaw Man stage play.
Massive Haruhi Kickstarter Gives Fans Hope For The Classic Anime's Revival
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya launched a massive Kickstarter campaign, and its success proves that it still deserves a revival after so any years.
Chainsaw Man is set to return to the spotlight with the upcoming Reze Arc film, planned for release in 2025. The series started somewhat of a movement of its own during the build-up to the anime's first season, and fans can thank the Haruhi Suzumiya series for that. For the younger generation who may have missed out on the Haruhi craze, now is the perfect time to give it a chance, while the world awaits Chainsaw Man's return.
- Created by
- Tatsuki Fujimoto
- Upcoming Films
- Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc (2025)
- First Episode Air Date
- October 12, 2022
- TV Show(s)
- Chainsaw Man
- First TV Show
- Chainsaw Man
- Latest TV Show
- Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man is a dark fantasy manga created by Tatsuki Fujimoto. The series follows Denji, a young man who merges with his devil-dog Pochita to become Chainsaw Man. He joins the Public Safety Devil Hunters to fight devils threatening Japan. The series explores themes of violence, power, and survival. Since its debut in 2018, Chainsaw Man has gained immense popularity, leading to a critically acclaimed anime adaptation.
