Chainsaw ManisTatsuki Fujimoto’s most famous ongoing work, although with other acclaimed projects before and since then, includingFire Punch, Goodbye, Eri,andLook Back(recently adapted into a successful anime movie) he’s amassed an adoring following. However, Fujimoto’s work has not only shaped the readers' perception of his idiosyncratic style over the years, but alsothe careers of many other mangaka. TheChainsaw Mancreator had incredible assistants behind him, including Tatsuya Endo, Oto Tōda, Yuji Kaku, Yukinobu Tatsu, and Tohru Kuramori.
Chainsaw Manhas become a global phenomenon, selling over 28 million copies. Fujimoto’s many assistants have also gone on to create stories and attain impressive presences in the manga scene,with massive hit anime to many of their credit.While this is not an unusual phenomenon, the impressive number of assistants to Tatsuki Fujimoto who have gone on to create other successful manga is fascinating to explore.
Chainsaw Man Creator’s Former Assistants Are Phenomenal Manga Artists
One of the Most Impressive Waves of Talent in Recent Years
Tatsuki Fujimoto’s recent wave of famous assistants, each producing a gorgeous series with distinctive visual flair and thoughtful writing, is not especially new in the manga world,but the quantity and quality, in this case, are incredible. There are previous instances of this, including Hiroyuki Takei and Eichiro Oda working under Nobuhiro Watsuki, creator ofRurouni Kenshin.Artists in the field like Takeshi Obata(Hikaru no Go, Death Note)have mentored future creators, including Yusuke Murata(Eyeshield 21, One-Punch Man), Kentaro Yabuki(Black Cat),and Nobuhiro Watsuki. Kentaro Miura’s assistant and best friend, Kouji Mori,famously continued Berserk after Miura’s passing.
Chainsaw Man Reveals the Key Difference Between Its Two Main Characters And Why Denji Is Still the Protagonist
In the midst of a showdown between two of its strongest characters, Chainsaw Man takes the time to reveal the differences between its main characters.
In the case of theChainsaw Mancreator,Fujimoto’s most famous assistants most often worked on hisFire Punchmanga, which is unsurprising given the immense detail in its paneling and composition. Oto Tōda, who also worked onTo Strip the FleshalongsideSpy x Familycreator Tatsuya Endo andHell’s Paradisecreator Yuji Kaku, contributed to the beloved series.Dandadan’screator, Yukinobu Tatsu, worked onFire Punchbut also worked as an assistant forChainsaw Manas well as under Yuji Kaku forHell’s Paradise, while Toru Kuramori, assistant forGoodbye, Eri,releaseda new series this year calledCenturia.
Oto Tōda also illustrated Tatsuki Fujimoto’s one-shot manga,Just Listen to the Song,in 2022.
That places no fewer than five associated talents recommended by Tatsuki Fujimoto, each showing his influence in varying ways, from his fascinating cinematic style to his immense focus on environments and posing. What’s impressive is that each of these series has thrived on theJump+imprints under Shueisha, withHell’s Paradisebeing once cited as the most popular work onShonen Jump+during its run andSpy x Familyoutselling evenChainsaw Man. But it’s equally fascinating to speculate on just how much of Fujimoto’s style appears in the work of his former assistants.
Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Influence Appears Subtly in His Assistants' Manga
Each Series Boasts Distinctive and Wonderful Qualities
While each of the works is too numerous to summarize in a few paragraphs accurately, the manga of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s former assistants makes one point:they deserve to be recognized wholly independently from Fujimoto.However, each shares varying levels of influence.Tatsuya Endo’s research forSpy x Familyand attention to detail reflect that found in Fujimoto’s work; Yuji Kaku shares a similar design philosophy in his monster creations, and Yukinobu Tatsu’s iconoclasticDandadanstrongly resemblesChainsaw Man’swild and bold storytelling.
Other noteworthy works show shades of Fujimoto while telling their own stories in the process. Oto Tōda’sTo Strip the Fleshexplores protagonist Chiaki Ogawa’s journey as a trans character seizing bodily autonomy and agency, whileFire Punchfamously incorporates Togata, a trans supporting character. Toru Kuramori’sCenturiais perhaps the most interesting emerging example, with the art style incorporating more of an almost seinen-typical cosmic horror vibe, with new chapters every week. It’s no stretch to say thatthese creators don’t live in Tatsuki Fujimoto’s shadow.
Chainsaw Manmay be an especially hot topic withthe upcomingReze Arcmovie, but Tatsuki Fujimoto has been on a streak, withLook Backhaving also recently launched in cinemas. Much of Fujimoto’s work benefited immensely from these creative contributions, and the potential of each of these mangaka is nothing short of breathtaking. With long-running series likeMy Hero AcademiaandJujutsu Kaisenending, any of these stories, each with wildly varying tones and themes, are reasonable forChainsaw Manfans seeking a truly phenomenal read.
Chainsaw Man
Cast
Chainsaw Man follows Denji, a young man burdened by debt, who teams up with his pet devil Pochita to fight devils under the yakuza’s control. Released in 2022, the series portrays Denji’s struggle to achieve his dream of living a simple, peaceful life.
