The fierce clash between two Devil Hybrids, Chainsaw Man and Katana Man, served as the epic conclusion to Chainsaw Man Season 1.

Following his defeat in their first encounter, Denji underwent intensive training to prepare for the rematch. While Katana Man remained a formidable opponent, Denji’s grueling preparation paid off, resulting in a dramatic and hard-earned victory.

This second battle was far more brutal than the first, delivering intense, high-stakes action. Ultimately, Chainsaw Man triumphed. Here is the story of how Chainsaw Man avenged his loss and overpowered his deadly foe, broken down into the four stages of his victory.

1. Denji Grew Stronger Through Kishibe’s Brutal Training

As the undisputed strongest Devil Hunter, Kishibe told Denji and Power that if they could defeat him in combat, they would become the strongest devils in the world. Though this was his first time training devils, he knew exactly how to draw out their potential.

Knowing that devils are unprotected by human rights laws and can heal simply by consuming blood, Kishibe used the opportunity to torture Denji and Power as he pleased. Consequently, on their first day of training, the duo found themselves on the brink of death time and time again. The relentless physical abuse drove them into severe depression; Denji briefly lost his mind and screamed at nothing, while Power actively tried to flee, unable to endure the torment any longer.

Stumbling home one night after a full day of beatings, Power and Denji realized something crucial: relying purely on muscle would never be enough. Kishibe was physically insurmountable without a solid strategy. They agreed to use their wits, devising clever tactics that might give them a fighting chance.

As a mentor, Kishibe successfully taught them to engage their minds in battle. He instilled in them the importance of not just throwing their hearts and physical strength into a fight, but crafting smart strategies to turn the tide against vastly superior foes.

Reason #1: Denji became significantly stronger and smarter after enduring Kishibe’s intensive training.

2. The Only Options: Win or Die

As devils enlisted as Public Safety Devil Hunters, Denji and Power were bound by strict rules requiring their lifelong servitude. If they ever tried to quit, Public Safety would hunt them down. Furthermore, they belonged to Special Division 4, an experimental unit under immense pressure; if they failed to produce results, the higher-ups would immediately dissolve the team.

After facing Kishibe in daily combat, Denji and Power’s skills developed rapidly. Kishibe even acknowledged that their offensive movements had become flawless. Yet, he didn’t stop there. He advised them to keep their minds active during a fight, stay aware of their surroundings, and maximize the use of their weapons. Satisfied with their progress, Kishibe reduced their training to once a week.

Next, Kishibe ordered them to apply these lessons in a real fight. Division 4 was assigned a critical mission: capture Katana Man and Akane Sawatari. The stakes were absolute—if Division 4 failed, the unit would be disbanded.

Reason #2: Denji had only two choices: win or die. He realized that failing to capture Katana Man meant losing his position at Public Safety and becoming a target of the organization. Even his own mentor, Kishibe, would be dispatched to exterminate him and Power. This ultimate threat forced Denji to push beyond his limits to save his own life.

3. Katana Man’s Overwhelming Strength

Tasked with cornering Katana Man inside a building, Denji felt confident that Kishibe’s harsh training had prepared him for the fight.

Denji scaled the floors, hunting for his target. But the moment they crossed paths, Katana Man ambushed him with explosive force, shattering the walls and sending them both plummeting from the high-rise. Freefalling through the air, Chainsaw Man used his arm blades to brace against the assault. Katana Man swiftly kicked him away, sending him crashing onto the roof of an adjacent building.

A vicious rooftop duel ensued. Chainsaw Man dodged desperate strikes from his relentlessly aggressive opponent. He occasionally countered with his chainsaws, but Katana Man easily parried every blow. The sheer weight of Katana Man’s strikes repeatedly threw Chainsaw Man across the rooftop. A heavy kick then launched him off the ledge, sending him plummeting onto the roof of a moving train.

The battle raged on atop the train cars, with Katana Man maintaining total dominance. Chainsaw Man struggled beneath a relentless barrage, unable to fully block the devastating sword slashes. The massive impacts sent Chainsaw Man flying once more.

As he tried to stand, Katana Man vanished from his line of sight, suddenly plunging from the sky. Chainsaw Man blocked the aerial strike, but the massive collision collapsed the roof, sending them crashing into the passenger car below.

Inside the train, Katana Man unleashed a merciless flurry of attacks, battering Chainsaw Man across the cabin. Finally, he delivered a devastating finishing strike that severed both of Chainsaw Man’s arm blades, leaving him completely defenseless.

Reason #3: Chainsaw Man realized Katana Man was still vastly superior in raw power. Instead of relying on brute force, Denji decided to use his wits. This pivot from muscle to strategy became the turning point of the fight.

4. Victory Through Kishibe’s Teachings

Having severed both of Chainsaw Man’s arms, Katana Man believed the fight was over. To him, it was impossible for Chainsaw Man to continue fighting without his primary weapons.

But Chainsaw Man refused to surrender. He taunted Katana Man, declaring he could still fight using the chainsaw on his head. Taking the bait, Katana Man lunged with a final, lethal strike aimed directly at Chainsaw Man’s face. In the ensuing clash, Katana Man shattered the head blade completely.

Instead of despairing, Chainsaw Man thanked him for targeting his head. The declaration had been a tactical bluff. Without Katana Man realizing it, Chainsaw Man had been silently preparing a hidden attack using the chainsaws equipped in his legs.

Because Katana Man fully bought into the deception—believing the head was the only remaining threat—he failed to anticipate an attack from below. The surprise strike sliced completely through Katana Man, splitting his body in two and securing a spectacular victory for Chainsaw Man.

Reason #4: Denji successfully applied a vital lesson from his training. He mimicked a dirty trick Kishibe had used on him—when Kishibe had falsely called an end to their training, only to throw a knife straight into Denji’s forehead the moment he dropped his guard. Kishibe had taught him never to trust an enemy’s words. Using this exact philosophy of deception, Denji outsmarted and ultimately defeated Katana Man.