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Shonen manga has always been a breeding ground for compelling plots, intense battles, and incredible character designs, particularly, the villains. The creator ofMy Hero Academia, Kohei Horikoshi, is one of the most celebrated modern mangaka in this arena. However, with the panels of the recent chapter ofChainsaw Man, Tatsuki Fujimoto has solidified his name as Horikoshi’s greatest competitor in terms of designing some of the creepiest and most fearsome antagonists of all time.
This isn’t just about who can draw the most grotesque villains’ designs, but rather, it’s about how these creators use their artwork to evoke emotion and deeper meaning, both for their characters and the worlds they inhabit. Chapter 178 ofChainsaw Manserves as proof of Fujimoto’s genius, and it’s clear that Horikoshi may now have the artistic competition he needs.
Chainsaw ManChapter 178: Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Visual Masterpiece
Tatsuki Fujimoto didn’t hold back with its imagery inChainsaw Man‘s chapter 178. Titled,“Gun Goddess“, this chapter is set against the backdrop of New York City, and readers are greeted by a disturbing transformation of Statue of Liberty. Yoru, the War Devil, awakens the Gun Goddess within by shattering the Statue of Liberty.
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This scene is not just shocking for the story’s purposes but also for its sheer visual impact. As the statue crumbles, the monstrous being underneath reveals a jarring imagery. @Avan96339514 has shared the panels of the manga praising Tatsuki Fujimoto’s brilliance as an artist.
“Are you all ready to learn how to make the best devil designs?“Tabata sighedHorikoshi gulpedGege choked*“Yes Fujimoto sensei"The all said in unison#csm178pic.twitter.com/BHw6t2dvNE
The design of the Gun Goddess; a spinal column and ribcage protruding from the neck of the statue — draws lots of comparisons with Eren Yeager’s Founding Titan form fromAttack on Titan.Tatsuki Fujimotohas always excelled in crafting eerie panels with grotesque creatures, and Chapter 178 is the zenith of that expertise.
However, it’s not the first time that Fujimoto has stunned the fans with his jaw-dropping artistry. This recent imagery brings back the creepiness of chapter 64 ofChainsaw Man, where Fujimoto astonished us with a series of seemingly nonsensical but haunting visuals — the astronauts, the frog, and the fixation on arms during theDarkness Devil’s appearance. These moments, while confusing at first, left an indelible mark on readers, showcasing Fujimoto’s mastery of symbolism and psychological horror.
My Hero Academia‘s Villains: How it Differs fromChainsaw Man‘s
WithChainsaw ManChapter 178, Tatsuki Fujimoto has proven once again that his artistic vision is unparalleled when it comes to creating haunting, unforgettable imagery. His ability to shock and disturb through his devil designs givesChainsaw Mana unique edge in the Shonen landscape.
Genuinely this is the first one that reached the level of darkness devil for me. And I don’t mean that as a minus to many other crazy devil Designs but both this one and the darkness devil are such insanity, so interesting to see and just plain cool
It reminds me a lot of erens founding Titian
Fujimoto is on a generational run of back to back goated manga, he genuinely does not miss
Obviously. He said he analizes the roots of every fear while receiving feedback from Shihei Lin and then shakes it a bit with reference images of horror movies
Hate how shonen jump treated such a goated series manpic.twitter.com/0u6YGdujL1
On the other side of Fujimoto’s creative competition isKohei Horikoshi. WhileMy Hero Academiahas received mixed reactions for its story, particularly in the later arcs, one thing remains consistent: the stunning quality of Horikoshi’s artwork. Even the harshest critics ofMy Hero Academiacan’t deny that Horikoshi has an incredible talent for designing villains that stand out, not only within his series but within the broader Shonen genre.
However, despite Horikoshi’s undeniable skill, there has been some criticism about the way the anime adaptation by Studio Bones has handled certain dark and intense moments, especially when it comes to the villains. The studio has been accused by fans of softening the brutal and often grotesque imagery present in the manga, missing out on fully capturing the darkness Horikoshi carefully illustrated.
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This is where Fujimoto’sChainsaw Manstands apart. As of now, Studio MAPPA has directly translated his art into shocking moments that remain true to Fujimoto’s original vision, which highlights the artistic gap that some feel exists between theMy Hero Academiamanga and its anime adaptation. We can only hope that in the upcoming anime adaptation, the integrity of Fujimoto’s work will remain intact just like it has been till now.
Chainsaw ManandMy Hero Academiaare currently available to read on Viz Media.
Moumita Chakraborty
Articles Published :931
Moumita Chakraborty is a seasoned Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 900 published articles. Passionate about the vibrant world of Japanese anime, she brings sharp analytical skills and cultural insight to every piece. From dissecting intricate plotlines to spotlighting the latest trends and releases, Moumita’s work resonates with both casual fans and seasoned otakus. Her writing aims to connect with fellow anime enthusiasts while contributing meaningfully to the ever-growing anime community.
