Chainsaw Man is known for its grotesque, terrifying, and often deeply symbolic devils, each of which embodies a fundamental human fear. From the iconic Gun Devil to the nightmarish Darkness Devil, these entities reflect the subconscious terrors that plague humanity. However, there are still many untapped fears that could make for fascinating and formidable new devils. At the same time, some concepts might not work as well within the story, either due to redundancy, thematic incompatibility, or potential controversy.

The success of Chainsaw Man hinges on its ability to introduce unique and horrifying devils that resonate with deep-seated fears. Each devil should contribute to the world-building and character development while maintaining the series' signature dark humor and chaotic energy. With that in mind, choosing which devils to introduce or avoid is extremely important in maintaining the franchise’s momentum and originality.

10 The Failure Devil

A Devil That Thrives in Regret

Failure is one of the most insidious and ever-present fears in human life. It is not just about academic or career setbacks, failure can be fatal. Failing to stop at a red light can cause an accident or failing to lock a door can invite danger. This interconnected web of fears could make the Failure Devil one of the most powerful entities in Chainsaw Man. As a Primal Fear, its influence would be immense, feeding off the existential dread that haunts individuals every day.

Aesthetically, the Failure Devil could take on a constantly deteriorating form, its body crumbling apart yet regenerating in a painful, endless cycle. This would symbolize the demoralizing nature of repeated failure. Its abilities could include inducing catastrophic mistakes in its enemies, forcing them to relive their worst failures until their will is completely broken. Such a devil would be a terrifying opponent for Denji and the other devil hunters.

9 The Ocean Devil

The Abyss That Stares Back

The ocean is big, mysterious, and utterly indifferent to human existence. Its sheer scale and the countless unknowns lurking beneath its surface make it one of the most universal fears. The fear of drowning, the darkness of the deep sea, and the creatures that may exist in the abyss would all contribute to the overwhelming power of the Ocean Devil.

The Ocean Devil could manifest as an incomprehensible eldritch horror, with its body shifting between vast, watery forms and monstrous appendages resembling deep-sea creatures. Its abilities might include manipulating massive bodies of water, inducing drowning sensations in its victims, and swallowing entire landscapes into an abyssal void. This devil would be a force of nature, nearly impossible to combat, making for one of Denji’s most terrifying adversaries yet.

8 The Sickness Devil

A Fear That Spreads Like Fire

Illness is an inescapable part of life, and nearly everyone has a deep-seated fear of disease, whether minor or life-threatening. The Sickness Devil would undoubtedly be a Primal Fear, drawing power from the universal dread of sickness, pandemics, and suffering.

Visually, the Sickness Devil could take on a grotesque, plague-ridden form, covered in festering wounds and oozing contagions.

Its presence alone could spread incurable ailments, infecting entire populations in an instant. To defeat it, Denji might need to confront a devil that​​​​​​​ does not rely on brute strength but rather attacks through invisible, insidious means. The Sickness Devil would be a terrifying and thought-provoking addition to Chainsaw Man’s roster of horrors.

7 The Insanity Devil

A Mind-Breaking Nightmare

The fear of losing one's mind is as terrifying as death itself. The Insanity Devil could be a nightmarish entity that warps reality, trapping its victims in endless cycles of hallucinations and paranoia. Unlike other devils, it would not attack physically but would instead dismantle its enemies mentally.​​​​​​​

Its design could be deliberately unsettling, with shifting features that never settle into a recognizable form, giving it the uncanny valley effect. The Insanity Devil might have the ability to override the minds of its victims, twisting their perceptions so that they cannot distinguish friend from foe. Denji, who has already suffered immense psychological trauma, would be especially vulnerable, making for a deeply personal and terrifying battle.

6 The Trypophobia Devil

A Devil Full of Holes

Trypophobia, the fear of clusters of small holes, is one of the more peculiar yet common fears. While it might not be as conceptually grand as other Primal Fears, it could still make for a disturbing minor antagonist in Chainsaw Man.​​​​​​​ The Trypophobia Devil could have a skin-crawling design filled with shifting, pulsating holes that seem to gaze back at onlookers.

It might use its powers to generate swarms of parasitic creatures emerging from its own body, infecting its victims with an uncontrollable urge to claw at their own skin. This devil could be a grotesque, memorable addition that, while not world-ending, would still provide a horrifying and unique fight for Denji.

5 Axe or Other Handheld Weapon Hybrid Devil (Avoid)

Denji’s Gimmick Stands Alone

Chainsaw Man is already centered around Denji’s identity as the Chainsaw Devil, and introducing another weapon-themed hybrid like an Axe Devil would feel redundant. The uniqueness of Chainsaw Man lies in how it differentiates itself from other series by avoiding repetitive tropes.

Instead of relying on another melee-weapon-based devil, the series should focus on expanding its roster with more psychological or existential threats. A character wielding an axe may be scary, but thematically, it would not add much to the story beyond being a less interesting version of Denji.

4 The Love Devil (Avoid)

An Unnecessary Symbol of Affection

Chainsaw Man frequently explores love, but in its own twisted, cynical way. Introducing a Love Devil could risk oversimplifying one of the series' most complex themes. Love in Chainsaw Man is often tied to manipulation, desperation, and tragedy, making it difficult to distill into a singular entity.

A Love Devil would also run the risk of becoming a cliché, either playing into romance tropes or presenting an overly simplistic embodiment of affection. Instead, Chainsaw Man should continue dissecting love through its flawed, complex characters rather than personifying it as a devil.

3 The Coldness Devil (Avoid)

A Devil Without True Terror

While freezing can be deadly, it lacks the depth of fear compared to other, more existential threats. The Coldness Devil might offer interesting visuals, but conceptually, it would​​​​​​​ not be as interesting as something like the Sickness Devil or the Ocean Devil.

Cold is also often associated with survival rather than outright terror. It is a discomfort rather than an existential horror, making it a weaker choice for Chainsaw Man’s devil lineup. Other elemental fears, such as drowning or disease, are a much stronger foundation for the story and horror potential.

2 The Pregnancy Devil (Avoid)

A Concept Too Uncomfortable

Pregnancy, while a source of anxiety and fear for many, would not fit well into Chainsaw Man’s existing themes. Given the series' history of handling mature topics in dark and often grotesque ways, a Pregnancy Devil would likely be too controversial and uncomfortable for many readers.

Additionally, pregnancy is an experience rather than an intrinsic fear like death or failure. While fears surrounding childbirth exist, they are often tied to more specific anxieties such as pain or responsibility, which are already represented in the series through other devils.

1 The Abuse Devil (Avoid)

A Devil That Would Do More Harm Than Good

Abuse is a theme that Chainsaw Man has already addressed through its characters and storylines. However, manifesting it as a literal Abuse Devil could be too on-the-nose and potentially mishandle a sensitive subject.

Instead, the series should continue to explore themes of trauma, power, and manipulation through its nuanced storytelling rather than turning abuse into a singular entity. Given how Chainsaw Man approaches dark themes with a mix of horror and satire, an Abuse Devil might not be the most appropriate or effective addition to the story.