#csm rant

People wondering how I can read dark romance or dark content but am upset about the latest chapter of csm. When you read dark content or dark romance there’s always always always a list of trigger warnings at the beginning so you know exactly what you’re about to get into. After reading that and continuing to read - you are giving consent that you are okay with this type of content. This gives a reader a chance to back out if they’re especially not keen on this content or even if they are - they’re not in a good mental space to consume this content.

The problem with the latest csm chapter (I almost want to go further and say chapters) is that there was no warning for what happened. At least that I saw.

Not to mention this is the second time Denji has been sexually assaulted in the manga and it have no point to the plot whatsoever other than to just fucking do it. And by proxy - Asa was assaulted since the War Devil was technically in control of her body. It’s weird. And not to mention - this content is in Shonen jump+. Children have access to shonen jump. It’s just not okay to subject them to that content.

This is why adult writers in anime fandom spaces are so angry and downright strict with access to their content. We don’t want to subject a CHILD to something of this nature (and quite frankly I don’t read csm for cumshots - I read it for how wonderful the plot was in part one). It’s why we are so gung-ho about 18+, having ages in bios, extensive warnings, because putting out content like this with no warning where kids have easy access to - not cool.

Also. It’s weird that they censored the lesbian manga orgy cover that had no bloodily fluids - but we get a full display of Denji’s cum on Asa’s hand. BUT THATS ANOTHER CONVERSATION FOR ANOTHER DAY.

Just a short little rant before the show comes out. I've already seen plenty of people try and jump into the pool of Chainsaw Man sexist or Denji isn't a deep character and I'd like to explain why that's just wrong.

Emotions and you.

Denji starts the story out ultimately a dog. He isn't anything more because of his upbringing. He only had a history of working and never having the chance to develop his emotions and grow up. He's a child in the world and body of a man. Denji's attraction to women is entirely based on whatever bits of media he can get his hands on and likely the people around him. Never having a mother means he never got that affection from the opposite sex in a safe platonic way. The entire part 1 of the story is Denji understanding his own emotions and finding what he actually wants.

Want VS Need

In many stories, the protagonists have a want (something they think they need to fix their life) and a need (what they actually need to self-actualize) In ATLA Zuko wants his father's approval and love. But the truth he needs to accept is that his dad never loved him and will never give him the love he wants. In Chainsaw Man Denji actually goes through several of these arcs. His now-infamous desire to touch boobs was his want while his need is that he just wants to be intimate with somebody. And over the course of the entire story, he gets that. Eventually, it progresses to the point where his want involving Makima is put into question by his need to care for Power.

As the story progresses we watch as this dog slowly becomes a boy. Feeling emotions and socializing with Aki and Power. Having a platonic relationship with Power to the point where he's confused about why being naked with a girl is chill for him. It's part of why the story's heel turn is so effective. Everyone technically already completed their arcs and realized their needs.