Denji (Chainsaw Man)

Denji (Japanese: デンジ) is the protagonist of the manga series Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto. As a young boy, he inherits his father's debt from the yakuza upon his father's death. After meeting the Chainsaw Devil Pochita, he becomes a Devil Hunter in an attempt to clear his debt. The yakuza kill him, and Pochita becomes his heart, setting a contract with Denji, who is to live his dreams of a normal life. After this, he can transform into the devil-human Hybrid known as Chainsaw Man (チェンソーマン, Chensō Man) by pulling a cord on his chest. As a Public Safety Devil Hunter, Denji fights alongside the members of Tokyo Special Division 4 in their battle to kill the Gun Devil, all the while pursuing his own personal interests.

Denji is the main protagonist of the series' first part, the Public Safety arc, and has a major supporting role in its second part. The character was largely praised by critics, many taking note of how his character's simple goals contrasted with other shōnen protagonists' lofty ideals. His backstory and the relationships Denji forms with other characters, particularly Pochita and Power, had a positive reception. Denji is voiced by Kikunosuke Toya in Japanese and Ryan Colt Levy in English.