Makima, an enigmatic and alluring figure, served as one of the most compelling antagonists in Chainsaw Man Part 1. For many readers, she was a terrifying yet captivating force, initially appearing as Denji's benevolent superior within Public Safety before revealing a disturbing, manipulative core. She represented both salvation and ultimate control, pulling the strings of fate with chilling precision. This flagship guide delves into every facet of her character, from her true nature to her ultimate, intricate defeat, connecting you to the essential pillars that unpack her complex legacy.
Unmasking Makima: The Control Devil and a Horseman of the Apocalypse
From her very first appearance, Makima exuded an aura of authority and mystery. She initially presented herself as Denji’s kind, if strict, handler, offering him a life far removed from his impoverished past. Yet, beneath this facade lay a terrifying truth: Makima saw Denji not as a person, but as a loyal dog, a means to an end tied directly to the Chainsaw Devil residing within him. Her identity is far more ancient and sinister than mere human.
Makima is, in fact, the Control Devil, an embodiment of humanity's primal fear of domination and subservience. This terrifying truth explains her absolute command over those she deems inferior. If you're eager to , you'll discover how her very existence is woven into the fabric of human fear. Beyond this, she holds an even more significant cosmic role: she is one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These ancient, fearsome entities once battled the Chainsaw Devil in Hell, an event that ignited Makima’s profound obsession with controlling its power. To truly grasp her origins and cosmic significance, we recommend you .
The Extent of Her Power: Control, Manipulation, and Near-Immortality
Makima’s power set is nothing short of terrifying, stemming directly from her nature as the Control Devil. Her signature ability, "This is an order," allows her to strip individuals of their free will, bending humans, devils, and even fiends to her absolute command. This power isn't limited to living beings; she can also manipulate the corpses of those she has dominated, harnessing their innate devil powers.
Her other abilities further cement her status as one of the most formidable characters in Chainsaw Man. She can use animals as an extensive surveillance network, linking with rats and birds to eavesdrop on conversations across vast distances. Makima also wielded a chilling "Pressure Death Ritual," seemingly an ability borrowed from the Punishment Devil, allowing her to remotely crush targets to death simply by naming them. After a decisive confrontation, she even gained the ability to fire invisible bullets by mimicking a gun with her hand and uttering "Bang!"
Perhaps her most shocking ability, however, was her near-immortality. Thanks to a secret contract with the Japanese Prime Minister, any fatal damage inflicted upon Makima was instantly redirected to a random Japanese citizen, manifesting as an illness or accident. This made her virtually invincible, allowing her to shrug off seemingly mortal wounds without a scratch. To , including her unique form of regeneration and other specialized techniques, check out our detailed breakdown.
Makima's Grand Vision: A Twisted Pursuit of a Better World
Despite her ruthless methods, Makima claimed a lofty goal: to create a "better world" free from suffering. She believed that by harnessing the Chainsaw Man’s unique power to "erase" devils and the concepts they represent, she could eliminate war, hunger, and fear itself. She cited instances where Chainsaw Man had already eradicated historical horrors like Nazis, World War II, and AIDS from global memory, implying a cosmic reset button she desperately wanted to wield.
However, beneath this grandiose societal aspiration lay a far more personal, and ultimately tragic, longing. As the Control Devil, Makima's nature forced her into relationships built on dominance and fear. She yearned for true, equal connections, for someone to love her not as a god or master, but as an equal. Her quest to control Chainsaw Man was, in a twisted way, an attempt to erase the very fear that defined her existence and isolated her. Dive deeper into to understand the intricate psychological layers of her character.
The Unbreakable Bond: Makima's Relationship with Denji
Makima’s interactions with Denji form the emotional core of Chainsaw Man Part 1, establishing a dynamic that was both tender and utterly predatory. She manipulated Denji with food, shelter, and affection, turning him into her loyal "dog" while systematically dismantling his support system. Her ultimate aim was to sever Denji's emotional bond with Pochita, the Chainsaw Devil, whose heart protected Denji from her direct control.
Makima systematically destroyed Denji's loved ones: she orchestrated Aki Hayakawa's transformation into the Gun Fiend, forcing Denji to kill his friend, and brutally murdered Power, Denji's closest companion and adoptive sister. Her actions were designed to isolate Denji, leaving him vulnerable and compliant, believing he would then willingly surrender Pochita. For a complete look into this central relationship, .
The Unconventional End: How Denji Defeated the Control Devil
Makima's seemingly insurmountable power and invincibility led many to believe she was unstoppable. Yet, her ultimate downfall came not through brute force, but through Denji's cunning and love – albeit a twisted form of it. Makima primarily identified individuals by scent, but crucially, she only recognized Pochita's scent on Denji, overlooking Denji's unique individual smell.
Denji exploited this blind spot with an elaborate ruse. He detached a piece of Pochita, creating a decoy Chainsaw Devil in its full devil form. Makima defeated this fake, believing she had finally seized Pochita’s heart. In her moment of perceived victory, Denji, unnoticed due to her misidentification, struck her down with a chainsaw crafted from Power’s blood. Power's blood was crucial here, as it interfered with Makima's rapid regeneration, buying Denji precious time.
The final, decisive step leveraged a critical loophole in her Prime Minister contract: it only redirected attacks. Denji proceeded to cannibalize Makima, consuming her piece by piece. This act, he reasoned, was not an "attack" but an expression of his desire to "become one with her" and bear the weight of her sins. By eating her, Denji circumvented her pseudo-immortality and definitively ended her reign of terror. To truly , explore our dedicated guide.
The Legacy of Control: Nayuta and the Future
Makima's death marked the end of her direct influence, but not the end of the Control Devil. Since Denji, in his human form, consumed her (and not Chainsaw Man, whose power erases devils entirely), the Control Devil was merely killed, leading to its reincarnation. Soon after, a young girl named Nayuta appeared, embodying the new Control Devil but without any memories of her past life as Makima.
Captain Kishibe, recognizing the potential for history to repeat itself, entrusted Nayuta to Denji. His hope was that by raising her in a loving, non-manipulative environment, Denji could prevent Nayuta from following Makima’s destructive path. This offers a poignant chance for redemption and a new future for the Control Devil. Learn more about in the continuing story of Chainsaw Man.
Makima remains a complex and polarizing character, her name itself hinting at Denji's subconscious yearning for maternal affection and authority ("Mama" + "ki" from chainsaw). Her story profoundly explores themes of power, love, control, and the inherent human struggle for genuine connection. As Chainsaw Man continues, the shadow of Makima's ambitions and the potential for Nayuta to forge a different path will undoubtedly shape Denji's world.