Since her introduction, Nayuta in Chainsaw Man has been like a little sister to Denji, even though she is the reincarnated Control Devil. In chapter #170, however, her severed head appeared on a restaurant conveyor belt, heading toward Denji and his new group as they dined on sushi.
In response, Denji activated his ripcord, bringing forth “Armored Chainsaw Man” for the first time since the end of Part One. Despite the head being presented as if ready to be served, Nayuta’s fate remained uncertain.
The extent of physical damage that Horsemen Devils like Control, War, and Famine can endure is still largely unknown. When readers noticed that Nayuta’s birthmark was missing, it led to speculation that the head might be a fake, deliberately placed to provoke Denji. However, the recent release of volume #18’s official cover art appears to confirm Nayuta’s fate.
Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of Chainsaw Man, has shown through his work that he is willing to remove even the most beloved characters. Many characters who have met tragic ends have later appeared on the cover art of the volumes. Notable examples include Himeno on volume #3, Katana Man on volume #5, Reze on volume #6, and others.
Chainsaw Man Volume #18 Cover Raises Concerns for Nayuta’s Fate Amidst Denji’s Turmoil
Nayuta’s prominent placement on the cover of the upcoming volume #18 does not bode well for her, especially since her last appearance was without a body. There had been speculation that Fujimoto might break the tradition of featuring deceased characters when transitioning into Part Two of Chainsaw Man, but Yuko’s appearance on volume #13 quickly dispelled that notion.
Notably, all volume covers in Part Two have depicted characters in confined spaces, whereas Nayuta is illustrated in an open field with the city far in the distance.
Seeing Nayuta’s head on a sushi platter triggered Denji’s loss of control, leading him to transform into “Armored Chainsaw Man” and wreak havoc on anyone who opposed him. The last time this formidable “Hero of Hell” appeared, he was uncontrollable until Power persuaded him to continue living.
Throughout Part Two of Chainsaw Man, Nayuta and the pets have been Denji’s only family. If the cover art for volume #18 confirms Nayuta’s death, Denji would indeed be left with no one to support him.
Tatsuki Fujimoto has consistently demonstrated his unconventional approach, balancing between the bizarre and the brilliant. This is not the first time the Control Devil has suffered a major head injury, though she was nearly immortal in her previous form. Given her current status, it seems all but confirmed that Nayuta has made her final appearance in Chainsaw Man.
