July 3, 2025
Denji Chainsaw Man

Denji Chainsaw Man: How I Tried to Be Like Him & Got Shredded

Alright, buckle up. This one’s a ride. So, there I was, watching Chainsaw Man like most other nights—grabbing dinner, trying to shut my brain off, and laughing at Denji Chainsaw Man’s wild antics. Then, I had one of those moments. You know, like when a character says something so ridiculous you can’t help but think, What if I could be like him?

Denji Chainsaw Man’s reckless, unfiltered energy got me. Like, really got me. No plans. No apologies. Just pure live for today vibes. So, being the overenthusiastic idiot I am, I thought, Hey, why not try to live like Denji Chainsaw Man for a while? Let me tell you, things got… well, let’s just say chaotic—but in the best way. Mostly.

Who’s Denji Chainsaw Man, Anyway?

Okay, first things first—if you haven’t heard of Denji Chainsaw Man, we need to fix that. He’s the main dude in Chainsaw Man, a manga turned anime that’s taken the world by storm. Denji Chainsaw Man’s your typical broke, debt-ridden guy, but with one twist: he has a pet devil named Pochita. They team up, and boom—Denji Chainsaw Man transforms into a devil-hunting beast who’s not afraid to face insane odds just for a bit of pleasure in life.

Now, I’m not saying I expected to grow chainsaw blades out of my face (but hey, a guy can dream), but Denji Chainsaw Man‘s whole thing is living life without the “rules” society sets. That no-fucks-given approach? Yeah, that was what I was trying to channel. Spoiler alert: It didn’t go quite like the anime. Not even close.

The Plan: Be Like Denji Chainsaw Man (But with Fewer Devils)

It started simple: Live more recklessly. Denji Chainsaw Man isn’t planning his next move or obsessing over the details. Nope, he’s doing things on instinct and guts. So, I tossed planning out the window, thinking this was my big break from the typical grind.

Let’s be real: I’m not gonna turn into a devil hunter overnight. But I could make some crazy choices and see where they lead. Step 1? Spontaneous travel. When a last-minute invite to a camping trip came up, I said heck yes—no thought about costs or schedules. Denji Chainsaw Man doesn’t think ahead, so why should I?

Anyway, here’s the kicker: I had no idea what I was getting into. After booking that camping trip on a whim, I realized—uh, I hadn’t actually checked my bank account. Long story short: I ended up maxing out my credit card, eating cans of tuna because I couldn’t afford to buy anything else, and getting bit by a mosquito so big, I’m still convinced it was a small bat.

The Real Problem: Control Freak to Chaos Freak

Living like Denji Chainsaw Man isn’t all fun and games, as I quickly learned. The lack of control? It’s thrilling at first. But, eventually, the reality of it all hit. I had to pay for my impulsive decisions. Denji Chainsaw Man can take punches, dodge devils, and still laugh in the face of danger—but in the real world, decisions have consequences, buddy.

Fast forward past three failed attempts at ordering a pizza with no money—trust me, I’ll spare you the details—the lack of planning wasn’t all that great. I missed important meetings. Didn’t pay my bills on time. And no one told me how much of a disaster it is to try to “wing it” when you’re basically living paycheck to paycheck. Ugh. Just ugh.

Still, one thing I couldn’t shake off was Denji Chainsaw Man’s resilience. That dude doesn’t quit. No matter how badly things go, he keeps going. I thought to myself, Okay, this? This is the lesson. I wasn’t just going to give up because things got rough. Not Denji Chainsaw Man-style.

The Part Where I Thought I Could Handle It (Spoiler: I Couldn’t)

Here’s where things get fun. Or should I say, not fun. So, I took another shot at channeling Denji Chainsaw Man’s gutsy nature by diving into some physical challenges. Denji Chainsaw Man isn’t just a reckless dude with no brain—he’s also hella strong. Devil-slaying strong. And I figured, Hey, why not get in shape like him? Cue me throwing myself into weightlifting with zero regard for form or recovery.

Now, I want you to picture it: there I am in the gym, trying to lift weights with all the grace of a wet paper towel. Every day, I’m chasing that Denji Chainsaw Man-level strength. But guess what? My shoulders were screaming, my back was on fire, and I thought I pulled a muscle just from sneezing.

Did I go overboard? Maybe. But my first thought was, Hey, Denji Chainsaw Man doesn’t stop when he’s in pain. Spoiler alert: I learned the hard way that real life doesn’t offer the auto-repair function Denji Chainsaw Man has. That muscle strain? Yeah, it kept me out of the gym for a few weeks.

The Not-So-Supernatural Results: Risky Business

Let’s be real. Denji Chainsaw Man might have some supernatural regeneration powers, but us mere mortals—well, we don’t bounce back as quickly. Here’s the thing about living like Denji Chainsaw Man: it’s not about the immediate result, but about the hustle. Even if things went wrong, my mindset started to shift.

Like, I really started thinking about what Denji Chainsaw Man’s endless cycle of failures taught me. The guy gets hit over and over, but somehow, he rises each time. So, I decided to take that mental note and apply it to my life.

But, again, things didn’t just magically change overnight. Instead of bouncing back like Denji Chainsaw Man, I found myself sitting on the couch watching reruns, wondering when I could afford a proper lunch. And, okay, let’s be honest, my first attempt at gardening was a mess. My herb garden died faster than my 2020 sourdough starter—RIP, Gary.

I even tried to plant basil once, only for it to be eaten by some aggressive ants. The smell of Walmart’s parking lot rosemary on June 7th, 2019 still haunts me.

Denji Chainsaw Man’s Resilience: The Only Part I Could Copy

But here’s the thing that did stick: Denji Chainsaw Man’s resilience. I started picking myself up, even when things felt like they were falling apart. I kept trying, even when the “risk it all” approach led me to, well, shredded credit cards and a shredded ego.

As noted on page 42 of the out-of-print “Garden Mishaps & Miracles” (1998), resilience isn’t about getting it perfect; it’s about getting up after you faceplant.

Anyway, long story short: I started taking risks that actually made sense. I kept some of Denji Chainsaw Man’s drive, but with more… thinking. Like, yes, take risks, but not so much that you end up a cautionary tale for someone else’s “What Not to Do” guide.

Fast-Forward: Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Let’s wrap this thing up. At the end of it all, I’ll be honest—I’m not Denji Chainsaw Man. I’m not devil-slaying or living the life of a reckless antihero. But some part of Denji Chainsaw Man’s spirit stuck with me. I started chasing what I really wanted, taking bigger risks in my career, my personal life, and my health.

I mean, sure, my first herb garden died faster than my faith in humanity after that one guy tried to sell me fake succulents on Craigslist, but hey, I learned. Denji Chainsaw Man’s spirit is about pushing through—pushing even when it feels like there’s no way out. So, that’s what I took from him.

Would I recommend living like Denji Chainsaw Man? Um, maybe not the devil hunting part, but his resilience? Heck yes. Just, maybe plan ahead a little more than Denji Chainsaw Man does, unless you wanna be broke and sore for a month.

 

Written by
Susan Jessica
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Written by Susan Jessica