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Chainsaw Man 1x07 Reaction (Patreon)

Published:
2025-08-31 22:19:40
Edited:
2025-09-28 01:15:37
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Content

……………………………

Files

cm 107

________________________ patreon - https://www.patreon.com/LMreactions twitter - https://twitter.com/LMreaction tv time - lola - skysstillblue, milena - oneofthe100

Comments

Isaac

yeah......

hman70

Happy Chainsaw Sunday :D won’t be able to watch for a few hours but I can’t wait lmao

cosmotron

I think the puke kiss deserves a warning lmao. I can handle blood and guts all day but that almost made me throw up too. There's more to say about the episode (a lot of interesting things) but that one I had to get out of the way haha.

Dammy Oshikoya

Loool, the thumbnail perfectly explains that moment 🤣🤣🤣

bondbond53

Denji makes everyone feel better about their first kiss, what a guy 😘

bondbond53

nah this is peak content right here

scarxell

A delicious kiss in taste, isn't it ? Bahahaha

Isaac

where are spoilers when you need them, am I right?

priscilla

The thumbail lmaooo

Robert Dirk H.

Yeah. Chainsaw Man will show you everything.... :D Next episode will be insane.

HenryM

I'm not currently watching this show but that thumbnail has me intrigued to say the least lmao

MJ

I feel bad for whoever had to edit this episode and see that vomit scene over and over and then the himeno scene with denji…. Yeah

George Nedev

The most uncomfortable episode 🤮😆😆😆 Although as a former 16 year old boy, I would’ve probably fallen in the same trap 🥲

Jack SV

Brother, not only does he get puked on his mouth but he also gets sexually groomed by her at the end lol I could write a long ass easy but you know what… hey Siri play “Not like Us” by Kendrick Lamar lol

Tom

I would say the situation at the end of this episode is the main reason people wanted to "warn" you away from this anime, but TRUST that everything happening is strictly necessary and not any flavour of fanservice 👍 bear with it

Jack SV

Hmm ehh.. I could argue why it wasn’t really necessary but that would be throwing spoilers to anime and manga people who haven’t read or watch Chainsaw man part 1.

Cornhorn

Denji just needs one purely positive role model in his life. I wish I could give him a hug.

Tom

I would argue it too and it would be an essay XD

Yanis Panagaris

It’s kinda funny how so many people feel the need to protect them over stuff like this… I mean, they’re almost 30, they can totally handle a weird or awkward situation in a fictional story.

Komikall

22:35, To me, I felt like she was taking advantage of Denji b/c she wanted to use him so that Aki had a higher likelihood of survival. In episode 6, she called Aki a crazy person and said that crazy people survive for a long time. In this episode, we see that she doesn't actually think he's crazy, but she simply said that he was crazy to convince herself that he won't die. Encountering someone she believes actually is crazy however, she now sees a beacon of hope where he could live. Also, I did not finish watching the video, so I don't know if that is discussed more. I loved the reaction though, have a good one! Edit: Love the discussion!

Robert Dirk H.

The worst part about this situation is how everything bad stacks up at once. Himeno is several years older than Denji, who is still a minor. He ends up consuming alcohol unwillingly through the vomit and the kiss, while his body is already weakened from blood loss after the fight and his mind is clouded from exhaustion. He was carried unconscious to her home, and when he wakes up, he can barely think straight. In that state, she offers him sex after already invading his comfort zone. At the same time, Himeno is acting out of grief and desperation. She has lost her partners and feels the need to live in the moment. She is afraid that Aki will never leave this job with her and that Makima already has too much control over him, just like with Denji. To her, pulling Denji away from Makima might be a way to get proof that she can pull Aki away too. It's so messed up. Next episode will be interesting.

Robert Dirk H.

What are you talking about? They are 25 for like 4 years now :D

Dimitron

Ok now just power through the start of next episode and you'll be good

Jory

Guys I can’t watch the reaction until tmw, are they put off by the show yet? lol

Robert Dirk H.

Japanese writing uses kanji, which do not directly indicate pronunciation. They function more like symbols or small pictures that convey meaning without giving any clue about how the word is spoken. Denji can recognize and read some kanji he has learned, but there are many others he cannot. It's not about dialect. Here a good video that many people can't read difficult kanji: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh8Rme_GDrA

Milen Karabadzhakov

It's impressive how every time I rewatch THAT SCENE, it never fails to make me gag lol.

Merfhew

Honestly, even if they were both grown ass adults, both had dating and real world experience, both were fully educated, and there was no work connection power dynamic, just the fact that alcohol was involved and so heavily impacting the situation means no consent could truly be given. I feel like that shouldn't be a controversial statement, and it probably isn't here, but I know there are people outside your Patreon who would strongly disagree with me on this.

Robert Dirk H.

By the way, I love the clever writing. The IQ, Nobel Prize, and Perpetuum mobile jokes in the last 2 episodes are incredibly funny to me. I also really like how the fighting isn’t about shouting attack names but instead comes through smart dialogue, similar like the stronger dream dialogue in episode 3 & 4.

Jack Hoff

This reaction is like a sample of how they'd react to Berserk.

ntn

I love Himeno's portrayal as someone whose grief made her willing to seek comfort even at the expense of others. Although it's much less horrible than what she did this episode, getting Aki hooked on cigarettes was part of this same pattern of behavior

Merfhew

Yeah, the cigarette scene was definitely not Himeko's finest moment. Less bad then what we saw in this episode, but still bad in my opinion.

JoloPolo

I know right... These guys are acting like parents warning their almost 30 years old children to close their eyes when inapropiated scenes do appears... So cringe

Robert Dirk H.

They are not ready for the horse. Such a disturbing scene.

Paden Snell

Aaaaand THIS is why people thought you might not like the show. The show definitely isn't condoning what makima and Himeno are doing. I think its intentionally taking a shounen trope of older women making passes at the younger MC by showing it as upsetting as it should be. I believe the writer has said when he was writing Makima he researched the psychology of parental sexual abuse to model her off of. And having that as a fairly central theme can be pretty rough. Anyways, if you guys want an actual heads up/content warning on what the next scene is: SPOILERS! . . . . . A long scene of himeno carrying Denji into her apartment leading up to where we left off. She starts to undress him and he says no and sleeps on the floor. This is by far as graphic and heavy as the grooming/sexual abuse angle gets for a long time. Like the rest of this whole storyline. ( chainsaw man part 1 ends after 100 chapters and most of the currently storylines and character arcs get wrapped up, then part 2 begins and its more or less starting an all new storyline) There are some stuff recently in the Manga that is getting there again. But its like 150+ chapters away so it wouldn't be animated for like a decade.

Jack SV

Yeah we are never getting that Berserk reaction ever lol

Robert Dirk H.

It's actually a good idea for the two of them to react to the show. Too many reactions were “Let's gooo Denji.” We need more people saying that this is wrong.

My Toasty Toast

fr so many reactors acted like middle schoolers for this show. I’ll admit the tone of everyone watching is what originally put me off to the series before I watched it/read the manga

My Toasty Toast

I can tell you that they were certainly put off in the moment

My Toasty Toast

No spoilers but reading ahead in the manga, what I am understanding from the author is that the he is intentionally shedding this light where boys fantasize about these harmful non-consensual relationships and how media, be it films or porn, capitalize on these fantasies that are harmful in the long run for their intended audiences

Robert Dirk H.

I like the story arcs in season 2 the most because they take this subject to a higher level and shift it from physical needs for love to mental needs, which makes it even worse. I'm so excited to see them animated in 2 years.

Iwa

fr it's so refreshing to see people with média litteracy react to chainsaw man

CC

I agree. Luckily the reactors I watch knew this was messed up (maybe because I mostly watch women or couple/groups that include women?) but the ppl in the comments and on twitter were so disappointing

Jenny. H

This episode is not a good watch for dinner...

Robert Dirk H.

I think they do it because of Black Sails. Episode 3 made Milena stop the show for years.

YawnSong

Himeno as a character is one of the million reasons i love Chainsaw Man. Humans cant be broken down in black and white and Fujimoto isnt afraid of depicting that while still treating them with empathy. I think many of the comments who seem unbothered by that aspect of the series already know where things go thematically. Also always important to remember in art though that depiction isnt endorsement!

Robert Dirk H.

Attack on Titan does not endorse genocide? And Vinland Saga not war? :D

YawnSong

I know they dont need to be reminded but many people do! lol

My Toasty Toast

Idk why but it’s somehow much worse that it’s pixelated

Paden Snell

I've definitely seen several other anime make jokes about menus being hard to read because of stylized fonts or being handwritten... on top of Kanji being really complicated. So I think menus being particularly hard to read is a thing.

Asura Swiper

Denji didn't drink, only Himeno was drunk. Denji was dizzy because of the meds he took after puking

Paden Snell

Himeno is one of my favorite characters in terms of how deep and complicated they make her with relatively few actual scenes she's in up til then. Even when we see her doing something as despicable as seducing a minor, you still can't help but understand and feel for her, overall.

CC

ngl, this is the most controversial part of csm (part 1) for me. This whole situation makes me feel really sad for Denji. Even the most universal human experiences he’s having for the very first time (meeting new people, hanging out, touching a girl, having his first kiss) end up being messed up one way or another. I just want my son to go to school, meet a girl his age, and live a normal life, damn 😔 I'd really like to say something to ease your anxiety, but I don't want to spoil anything, I'll just say that, STRICTLY speaking about this situation between Denji and Himeno, you probably won't feel more disturbed than you already did in this episode. for me, when it comes to Denji, episode 7 is definitely the toughest.

Asura Swiper

I think the big controversy comes because some people think showing a scene with a bad/horrible scene means the show is endorsing it or agreeing with it or protraying it as something good, which isn't the case here. I'm not talking about people who feel too uncomfortable to watch it, that makes perfect sense. I'm referring to those who think it's the show's attempt at "fanservice", which absolutely isn't the case as you'll see as the show progresses. The people minimizing it or even being happy for Denji are just as bad imo, they're speaking out of ignorance, perviness, and just a complete lack of understanding of human psychology, consent, etc.

Kiki Varas

I agree, I have noticed that sometimes there is a show or a series that is showing that type of scene and not endorsing it at all and not trying to make it seem okay at all and showing how it affects the main character etc. But then I see people saying that show or series is bad simply for having it. Which I completely disagree with. It’s normal to be uncomfortable or not want to watch a show with that topic but having that type of scene doesn’t automatically mean it’s endorsing it. Same way as having a murder scene or any crime in a show doesn’t automatically mean the show is endorsing it. 🙌

Kiki Varas

Just like the comment below said. I think some ppl consider it controversial bc it is showing that type of scene. I noticed that sometimes there is a show that is showing that type of scene and not endorsing it at all and not trying to make it seem okay at all and showing how it affects the main character etc. But then I see people saying that show or series is bad simply for having it. I personally just don’t view it that way. It’s normal to be uncomfortable or not want to watch a show with that topic but having that type of scene doesn’t automatically mean it’s endorsing it. Same way as having a murder scene or any crime in a show doesn’t automatically mean the show is endorsing it. I have seen gruesome scenes of murder done well and graphic and it’s not endorsing it at all. It’s simply showing how gruesome it can be etc. I feel it’s the same way with this or any other crime. There are definitely shows that don’t do it well but I have noticed with some shows I’ve watched where there is a scene with that type of scene and not endorsing it at all and showing how awful the person committing the crime is etc and I see ppl considering that a big controversy and saying it’s endorsing it. I personally think there’s a difference between being uncomfortable about a topic and not wanting to watch it vs a show having that type of scene and endorsing it. There are shows that are written badly and do an awful job on that topic. Also, For example, I have a friend who hates anything gruesome and gory. She can’t watch it at all and feels super uncomfortable so she simply doesn’t watch it. But even though she doesn’t like it and feels uncomfortable and sometimes even triggered by it, She doesn’t automatically think that a movie having gore means they are endorsing it or endorsing murder etc. She just personally doesn’t like it and is able to understand that just bc she feels uncomfortable it doesn’t automatically mean the scene is promoting anything bad etc. I think it honestly different for any show or movie and not be automatically seen as bad just for that topic and call out shows or movies that are actually promoting it or written badly.

Iwa

it's really interesting seeing all the different interpretations in the comments and what's even more interesting is seeing that all interpretations I saw can be true

menofhorror

The horse scene is almost comically over the top. Story wise it barely has any real meaning which automatically makes it easier to forget it. In fact, Berserk would be a great series for them to react to.

Jack Hoff

It would be great for them to watch. Just the 90's version not the 3d abomination. But there are more disturbing scenes than the horse scene guys.

Alec

This was indeed the scene everyone was dreading, and yes a lot of people has been downplaying it in the comments (not everyone), but as you said, the show itself recognizes it as something that is not ok in the way it has been shown. That might be the major point of contention, a lot of people think the show itself is bad or wrong just because the situation occurs. Feeling uncomfortable is more than valid and understandable, even dropping the show, everyone has different sensibilities, but I really don't think the show is glorifying the situation and it's clear it's abuse, it's just not perceived like that from denji's perspective because he doesn't have enough understanding of what's happening. The saddest part about it all is that a lot of the audience don't recognize the abuse, and simply call the situation "fanservice" whether they like it or dislike it.

Iwa

Just to inform that last week, we got announced that the the extra chapters (very short stories at the end of each volume of the manga) are going to be animated. So if you wanna see more interactions between characters like the main trio, I definitly recommend watching those

My Toasty Toast

28:00 this was very important to me and I’m glad you talked about it. I do think CSM’s author is trying to say something in the overall story regarding consent, SA, and societal perception when it comes to boys who do not have a supporting structure around them. I also think, and this is just my opinion, that the anime somewhat missed the mark in this episode trying to tell this story - it didn’t seem to glorify that final scene but then it cut to an outro with all the women in the show scantily-dressed and posing like calendar girl. There’s a chance I could be missing the mark, this is just how I took it

Jory

I haven’t watched the reaction yet did they mention dropping it at all?

Alec

not really, just talked about the people dropping it

Sowin

Personally my story resonates a lot with Denji’s, when I was in high school, I had a situation with someone older than me, I was still 16 years old just like Denji, and I remember that this person “taught” me many things that at that time I thought were cool, I was a hypersexual boy who felt that my only way to obtain affection was through physical contact, one time this person tried to touch me in a way that I did not like while kissing me, I was crying because it was the anniversary of my parents’ death, I still remember how my guts were twisting while that was happening and I only wanted a hug but I knew that if I said something or stopped her, I would lose that connection with a person who I back then thought was my only home, today I am 23 years old and I can tell you that I went to therapy at 19 because of this incident and many more, nowadays I have a beautiful and very healthy relationship with a woman who makes me very happy and just like Denji's dream, we play video games, we watch you girls together, we laugh, we eat slices of bread with jam and we hug each time before bed LOVE YOU GIRLS!!

Gucci Pucci

Seeing Kishibe reminds me: With Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 dropping in January 2026 now is the best time to hop on btw!!

Lau

this episode is always such a hard watch. horrible.

Lau

a lot of reactors do think and react the way you described at the end there, to this scene, and it turned me off so much i became biased against it

Lau

depiction isnt always endorsement but it can certainly be!!

Lau

I agree with you !

Robert Dirk H.

It's Season 3 Part 1. After that we will get Season 3 Part 2, then Season 3 Final Chapters Part 1 and then Season 3 Final Chapters Final Final. I think the best time would be after Part 2.

Ved

I agree with all of y'all in this chain. So damn refreshing.

Robert Dirk H.

The rest of the story is still 36-48 episodes, and season 3 part 1 will probably only have 12 episodes. There is still a very long way to go.

Slice of life Reactions

THE episode is here! I watched the show as it was aired. Traumatised for a week while waiting for the next episode to drop

LM Reactions

thank you for sharing, couldn’t be happier for you, sending you so much love ❤️❤️❤️

nellie

The worst is (almost!) over. I can't wait for the next episode!

Robert Dirk H.

I think Chapter 71/72 and Chapter 80/81 are close in my opinion. But yeah, Season 2 is probably 2 years away.

SoClose

They’re not missing on anything. JJK is peak generic mediocrity. Carried by MAPPA.

Robert Dirk H.

I think you might have misunderstood the ending. Denji craves simple things like affection, food, sex, but the show twists those desires into ugly forms. He gets a kiss that turns into vomit. He’s offered intimacy, but in a forced sexual situation only within a context of grief, coercion, and imbalance by Himeno. The ending is like a fantasy version of those desires, right after we see the messy, confusing, and disturbing situation. The women around him are shown as idealized objects of desire. It shows how real abuse can be turned into something that looks “wanted”. For example, Makima in the ending is actually fan art that the animation team inserted, which is kind of a meta touch. Even the vomit kiss becomes a rainbow. This contrast makes the situation feel even more wrong. Best example: The lyrics. "Get get get on! Get get get on! Get on chu!". But if you just listen to just the lyrics, you kinda hear "Gero". Gero means vomit or puke in Japanese. And you can go further, "Chu" is kiss but it also kinda sounds like "You". So it could mean "Puke Kiss" or "Puke You".

YawnSong

CSM also made me realize how many times older women approached me when I was in middle or high school. Being at like a charity event at a bar with my mom and two women (drinking) trying to chat me up for example. Nothing ever happened but because I’m a male, I just thought it was weird and moved on with my life. It was interesting to have this series make me even remember that stuff like that had even happened. It never even registered.

My Toasty Toast

See I admitted there was a chance I was missing the mark about the ed. I was following re; “food turns to ash in his mouth” when it comes to Denji but thank you for giving me that context with the outro

bondbond53

@SoClose how about no

My Toasty Toast

It’s amazing how people have so many experiences and they don’t really get talked about because it’s perceived that boys want this. When I was 15, a friend of my dad’s was very drunk and literally forced herself on me, and at the time I thought it was hot that a 48 year old woman was all over me. Another day at a bbq at my family’s house, she found my room and wanted to “rest” in my bed and wanted me to join her. It wasn’t until years later that I realized this was wrong, but I admit it feels disingenuous to say I’m a victim or anything like that because at the time I did like it. I even told my dad about this and he kinda shrugged it off, he did invite me to dinner with her earlier this year, idk why but I obviously declined. It didn’t help that I was going to a boarding high school that was separated by sex (one side boys, one side girls), where the school had an academic and social rewards that would set up dates with the girls (who had the same rewards vice versa with the boys). So now you have hormonal teenage boys who are being taught that women are a reward, it was all kinds of fucked. Btw this wasn’t like in the 70s or whatnot, I’m only 30 they were doing this shit in 2010.

CC

I wish 😭 their viewers are so against jjk tho...

Gucci Pucci

@SoClose Thankfully your personal opinion doesn’t matter in this, I’m taking away your JoJos license tho

hman70

Thank you guys for sharing your honest feelings of discomfort and everything the final scene made you feel. Your honesty & openness sparked a lot of really great conversations down in the comments and I'm sure will continue when this drops on youtube. Thankfully there doesn't seem to be anyone minimizing things in this comment section. Like others have said I think/hope much of that comes from the series being published in shonen jump and its primary demographic being teenage boys. A teenager who sees Denji as a self insert might not see any problems with the power/age dynamics at play just like Denji doesn't seem to and therefore they react defensively in online comment sections when other people describe it as assault and statutory rape. Another source may come from misplaced over-empathy with Himeno. I don't necessarily think she's a monster or anything like some people call her (though I'm not going to really judge anyone for doing so, everyone is entitled to their own perspective) but being empathetic for her own damaged and traumatic past should never come at the expense of overlooking how unhealthy and wrong her relationship with Denji is becoming right now. And at the end of the day I would hope even those teenagers/himeno defenders would ultimately agree that what's happening here isn't going to be healthy or fulfilling to either of these people and should not be happening. People who can't agree with that or who want to defend what's happening for some other reason I don't want to really engage with at all lol

.Mvnk

they’re splitting cours fr?? I’m so tired of this scheduling🫩

Timothy Smith

So Japan's age of consent was 13 in 2022 when Chainsaw man anime was released, it was raised to 16 in 2023. Almost all Asian countries are 16 with most raising that in past 5 years. Alot of European countries are 16 as well some are 14. I'm just providing context.

Timothy Smith

Also I'm going to need to see a supporting Women's Rights and Wrongs shirt from now on 😂

Zaek

Hopefully it's okay to add on to this, my understanding has been that while the national age of consent was changed from 13 to 16 in 2023, prefectures locally control and set their own age limits. So even prior to this change, the age of consent throughout pretty much all of Japan was 16+. I just wanted to expand since ik there's some misconceptions about it, I certainly didn't understand until a couple years prior

Timothy Smith

Definitely adds some useful context to the situation. Basically federal law lagging behind local laws

Robert Dirk H.

Milena has to wear that shirt in episode 8! :D

deb

XD

Robert Dirk H.

I think what shows how socially acceptable this abuse is are all the appearances Justin Bieber made at the beginning of his career. Older women harassed him on stage, he openly said and showed that he felt uncomfortable and violated, and yet all he got was laughter from others.

Miitei

I appreciate your discussion at the end. We need to talk more about SA that young boys go through. Like I get they get brainwashed into thinking is cool an older woman "wants you" but in the long run is detrimental to their mental health. And I like the show never shows the situation in a positive light, it's a shame most of its audience can't really see that.

Iwa

Still doesn't really change anything since the author portrays this as something problematic and even himeno says that it is illegal

Iwa

And then part 2 is gonna have a controversial ep each week seeing what happens in the last 50chapters 😭

leon

Next episode gonna be a fun one!

Asura Swiper

Just got a trailer on top of that for an anime series they've made for almost all of Fujimoto's one-shots. We're eating GOOD this year. Oh, yeah, it airs this year.

Iwa

I've been asking for 17-21 and 22-26 adaptations for so much time I honestly didn't think it would ever happen I'm so happy. Fujimoto fans are winning

chivo

is evangelion an option as the next anime

David Caine

Thematically and "literally" this episode is more relevant than just a shock value cringe moment here and there. In other words, the show is not just doing things for the nastiness of it or the questionable content. Things are gonna have a point beyond themselves. This is as bad as it gets, there is only one other moment that comes close, but that won't get animated for years, and the point is more blatant. People won't look beyond Denji's goal of touching breasts, or wanting to score with Makima, and then will go on to say that anime is nothing but crazy fanservice and sexual deviancy. It's why many thought this channel wouldn't tolerate this show. But oh the payoffs are so good, just not in the sense one can expect.

Mr. Every

Me personally? I would never trivialize what happened or what’s going to happen, but I still love this story. It not only makes sense, like the characters are extremely well written, but it’s also a very important type of story people should be exposed to, at least once or twice in their lives. The only thing romanticized in this show is the action scenes. Everything else is deadly serious even when is just slice of life moments, because these characters exist outside the “story” they’re in. These kinds of moments do happen in real life, and I’m glad Denji was written in such a way that he could handle something like this and come out the other side, still moving forward. That’s not a spoiler, that’s just his personality. This will certainly have an impact on him, but it hasn’t yet been decided if it will be a good outcome or a bad one.

Mr. Every

I’m not looking forward to the next episode either

Deviongod

When is episode 8 coming out? Loving the reactions

Iwa

nah they said next anime should be 12episodes since the want to watch frieren s2 as soon as possible

My Toasty Toast

That’s tomorrow. x1 a week on Saturday’s (although last week was a day behind)

tanasia

the sunday devil

X

This topic is too interesting not to comment on. Frankly, all the guys I know don’t see a problem with the interactions between Denji and Himeno. You can clearly see it in the vast majority of male reactors’ reactions to the scene (seeing it as exciting and not repulsive). I understand your point of view, and if Denji were a woman, then it would be seen differently of course. However, the reason a lot of guys don’t see it as a problem is because many of them see themselves as the strong gender, not the ones typically taken advantage of (and that’s well within biological and even social reasoning). The author himself revealed in an interview that he modeled his female characters after low-key enjoying being pushed off a bike by girls, lmao. So whether he intended the scenes to be disturbing or not is really a toss-up depending on the viewer.

yorozuyakagura

I personally think you have to be a bit obtuse not to see Denji being pushed around by older, much more confident adults who don't care about what he wants as a bad thing, both with the framing of episodes 7 to 8 and especially with story developments that happen in part two. But even in the current arc, the framing of the story itself feels sinister. Himeno ignores him when he asks what's going on and when he says that he's thirsty she just gives him more alcohol. The shot of her approaching his prone body and his feet bouncing on the bed when she gets on are emphasizing his lack of agency, his lack of active participation. The fact that he's not the person making any choices, but that other people are choosing for him. My question to you is; have you ever been in a relationship with an older adult when you were a teenager? Cause I know at least one guy that was who definitely thinks it's messed up. I also remember what I was like at Denji's age, and now that I'm an adult the difference in thinking is so extremely obvious to me. Of course it was easy for Makima to manipulate him lol

X

I respect your opinion, but saying “you have to be obtuse not to see it as bad” doesn’t hold up. Thousands of male viewers saw the exact same scene and didn’t interpret it as sinister. Their reactions exist, and they can’t all be dismissed as obtuse. Even the reactors here acknowledge this “phenomenon” and find it crazy. I’d argue that it’s not actually crazy for men to think this way, it’s quite normal. (Not saying it’s objectively right or wrong, just that it’s normal). If we look at the facts of the scene alone, yes, it can be called an abuse of power (especially with the way you laid it out). But the reality is that most guys don’t notice, and even if they do, they don’t care. For them, it doesn’t register as harmful. You can see this in reaction videos all over YouTube. Most men are excited, not disturbed. You hear “I wish that was me” far more than “that’s messed up.” Why? Because men don’t see themselves as the weaker gender being taken advantage of. Because an older woman hitting on a younger man is a common fantasy. And because biologically, men are wired to respond positively to sexual attention from women. For most men, this kind of situation feels like an opportunity, not a threat. I think the controversy is mostly a byproduct of modern safe society, not biological reality. To answer your question: I wasn’t in a relationship with an older adult as a teen, but I can tell you this is a common male fantasy. And I’ll ask you this, if you showed the same scene to people outside of modern “safe” culture, such as in Papua New Guinea or among aboriginal groups, would they find it disturbing? My guess is no. Even the author himself admitted he got enjoyment from being pushed off a bike by girls. Is he just weird? Probably. But I think it reflects the same instinct that shows up in the male audience. Men often experience female aggression or dominance not as truly threatening, but as exciting. That’s why so many male viewers reacted to the scene with “I wish that was me.” IMO, the author’s preferences echo what biology suggests and what audience reactions confirm. I’ve noticed most people who find the scene uncomfortable are women. That makes sense, because a lot of women self-insert and assume men process these situations the same way they do. Most women interpret it through their own lens and feel discomfort. But many men don’t. For many, it doesn’t register as abuse. It registers as awkwardness, excitement, or fantasy fulfillment. Im curious to know what you think!

Naja Shotsfired

Why can't it be both? I think a person can be like "This is a fantasy that would have felt exciting to me as a teen but also I'm aware that this is an adult forcing herself on a drunk minor". Whether Denji feels taken advantage of or not is a separate matter from whether Himeno's actions are ethical or ok. I feel that this show is complex enough to have this kind of layering. Also, respectfully, many teenage girls or young women have crushes on older men so I'm not sure why you explain this as if this was a thing that women know nothing about.

X

Not sure what the disagreement is here.

X

Yeah, you're not understanding. Nothing I said debates that - there is no "dissecting". We're not even on the same page. My point is that a lot of guys dont care. Even the author.

X

If you really think the author is condemning grooming, there’s a simple way to test it. Use the logic of a null hypothesis: start with the most generous assumption (that he is condemning it), and then see if the story supports that. So let’s assume Fujimoto disapproves of what Himeno did. That he wrote this to show grooming and manipulation as wrong. Now test that: - Denji experiences no trauma, no emotional fallout, and no moral reflection (at least not yet in the anime as far as I'm aware). - The story doesn't punish or even challenge the behavior, it just moves on. - Audience response is mostly “I wish that was me,” not “that was messed up.” (for men at least). - The author sees that response, and keeps writing similar setups: Himeno, Makima, Power, now the movie. - Fujimoto said in an interview that a girl knocked over his bike and laughed at him, and he was happy about it. He also said he likes girls like that. This is undeniable fact. So right away, it’s hard to believe he’s trying to frame that kind of behavior as wrong. If this was meant as a critique, the tone would shift. But it doesn’t. There’s no guilt or regret. No warning. So the assumption that he’s condemning this fails the test. The null hypothesis gets rejected. The evidence doesn’t back it up. You can call the scene weird or disturbing and that’s fair, but don’t claim it was written as a moral lesson. The author doesn’t write it that way and pretending he does just means you’re trying to bend the story to fit your values. Not all stories are moral messages. And not every author shares your worldview.

Atlas Creation

I don’t see it that way. Makima who groomed and manipulated Denji and others is clearly one of the antagonists, himeno was ultimately killed and her actions over Denji was not portrayed as something to be desired by the show and author, and those who have manipulated him has consistently gotten their due punishments. Both things can be true: the author understands that these things are bad and doesn’t endorse it, but it can also be a fantasy. Also about your comment on how men “men dont see it that way” is just the bandwagon fallacy considering one of your supporting reasons is that thousands of men see it that way and they can’t call be wrong. You realize that kind of thinking is exactly why male victims’ experiences gets so minimized? I cannot believe that you’re even putting two cents into the idea that it’s not as bad since many men would want to be in denji’s position. The author’s position is quite clear. He clearly recognizes that these actions are bad. That also doesn’t detract that he may have fantasies about them. It’s seen in the way he handles the himeno scene or the whole dynamic between Denji and makima and others.

X

1. “Makima is an antagonist. Himeno was killed. Those who manipulated Denji were punished.” That doesn’t prove the story condemns their actions. Characters die for all kinds of reasons. Death isn’t the same as moral framing. Himeno doesn’t feel guilty, doesn’t apologize, and isn’t punished for what she did to Denji. She dies in battle. This is just normal plot chaos. Denji doesn’t think it was abuse and the story never challenges him on that. If Fujimoto wanted to show it was wrong, there would be some signal but there isn’t. No regret or moral fallout. The story just moves on. - 2. “Both things can be true. The author knows it’s bad, but it’s also a fantasy.” That’s possible, but you can’t just assume the author thinks it’s bad without clear evidence. That’s why I use a simple test: start with the most generous assumption (that Fujimoto disapproves) and then check if the story supports that. If he wanted to criticize grooming, we’d see: -Denji feeling violated or disturbed -Emotional consequences or growth -The story framing the scene as abusive -Some kind of narrative punishment for it -A tone shift of some kind But there's none of that. Denji doesn’t reflect on it. The author saw the “I wish that was me” reaction when he wrote the manga and kept writing more of the same. Again, he said he enjoyed a girl knocking him off a bike. That doesn’t sound like someone trying to make a moral statement, it sounds more like someone simply writing from preference. So the null hypothesis fails. There’s no real evidence that he’s condemning it. - 3. “You’re using the bandwagon fallacy. Just because many men say it’s okay doesn’t mean it is.” I never said it was okay. I said most male viewers don’t see it as abuse, and the story doesn’t push them to. That’s a factual observation, not a fallacy. If the message were as clear as you think, the audience wouldn’t be this split. The fact that so many men say “I wish that was me” shows that whatever message you think the story is sending is not landing. If you think they’re wrong, fine, but then explain why they interpreted it differently. Don’t just hand-wave it away. - 4. “The author’s position is quite clear.” No, it’s not. That’s just an assertion. The writing doesn’t go out of its way to show these actions as wrong. Himeno’s behavior isn’t framed as abusive. Again, there’s no thematic focus and no fallout. If the condemnation were “clear,” people wouldn’t still be debating it. And Fujimoto’s past comments (like liking when girls bullied him) don’t back up the idea that he’s condemning anything. If you assume he's trying to make a statement against grooming, the story doesn’t support it. You're free to interpret it that way, but it’s not “clear.” --- Stop treating your culturally shaped morals as objective reality. No one addressed the Papua New Guinea point. Why? Because it exposes the core issue: you’re not talking about objective morality, you’re reacting based on modern, Western, 1st-world, post-Enlightenment, liberal moral conditioning. In other societies or in other eras, this scene wouldn’t even raise eyebrows. That doesn’t make it right or wrong, but it does prove your reaction is learned and not universal. So when people say “the author clearly condemns this,” what they’re really doing is projecting their own values onto a story that never agreed to carry them. I don't think CSM was written to be a moral lesson. I’m not saying abuse is good. I’m saying: stop mistaking your emotional discomfort for objective proof that the story is condemning something. --- Still waiting for someone to answer these: If the author truly saw it as "absolutely disgustingly wrong," then why does he keep doubling down on that exact dynamic? Why write more scenes like it with existing and new characters? How about the upcoming movie? How twisted would that be to know it’s wrong and keep doing it anyway? But that’s exactly what he’s doing. So much for the “moral message.” He’d have to be a total hypocrite. LOL. (another inconsistency no one is addressing) Maybe it is wrong (I see the argument). But maybe he just doesn’t care (more likely tbh). Maybe he’s not trying to teach you anything. Maybe he’s just writing what he and a lot of his audience find exciting (common sense). Because at the end of the day, that’s the part everyone keeps dodging: for a lot of guys, this doesn’t feel like abuse. It feels like fantasy. And no amount of moral projection changes the fact that the story doesn’t frame it otherwise. Denji doesn’t see it that way. The audience doesn’t see it that way. The author doesn’t seem to either. Why has no one addressed the Papua New Guinea point where these modern moral codes don’t even apply? Because once you admit your discomfort is cultural, not universal, the whole argument collapses. You're not standing on some objective moral truth, you're just uncomfortable. Which is fine. But don’t mistake your discomfort for objective proof that the story agrees with you. It doesn’t.

X

If Fujimoto is truly trying to condemn grooming, he's doing a piss-poor job because the male audience is still reacting with "Damn, I wish that was me." And he knows this, yet doesn't stop. He doubles down instead. So much for the "moral messaging."