I’ve always been captivated by how Aki Hayakawa appears so calm, yet harbors a powerful desire for revenge and a surprising warmth toward those around him. I personally found his look—notably his distinctive topknot and composed demeanor—striking. Beneath that cool exterior, there is a fierce determination to avenge his family and protect the people he’s come to care for. Let’s delve into every dimension of this intriguing character.
Spoiler Alert: This article contains major plot points and character details regarding Aki Hayakawa from the series Chainsaw Man. If you’re not fully caught up, you might want to proceed with caution.
The Early Profile of Aki Hayakawa
- Name: Aki Hayakawa
- Role: Public Safety Devil Hunter in Tokyo’s Special Division 4
- Distinguishing Feature: “Chonmage”-style hair, both practical (for devil contracts) and stylistically unique
- Personality: Composed, dutiful, but capable of profound empathy and kindness
In the series, Aki hails from Hokkaido—returning annually for family grave visits. This consistency, to me, highlights how deeply the tragedy of losing his parents and younger brother to the Gun Devil shaped him. He chose the Devil Hunter path for one purpose: to exact revenge on the fiend who shattered his family.
A Fierce Motivation: Revenge on the Gun Devil
Aki’s gravest loss happened when the Gun Devil appeared in Japan, killing thousands in mere seconds. Devastatingly, Aki’s entire family perished in that onslaught, leaving him the lone survivor. I personally think it’s this heartbreak that fuels his absolute resolve; from that day on, every choice he makes—even the devils he contracts with—serves his mission to tear down the Gun Devil. That unwavering drive, however, eventually intertwines with a dire prophecy of a “worst possible death.”
Working for Public Safety: High Stakes and Unusual Duties
From the outset, Aki was a highly motivated recruit. However, it’s apparent that the job entails more than mere devil-slaying. For instance, Aki ends up living with two major wildcards:
- Denji: The naive yet surprisingly powerful rookie, who constantly tests Aki’s patience. Their first demonstration of “teamwork” involved an alleyway fistfight—Aki sought to instill discipline, while Denji responded with swift, comedic low blows. Despite that tense start, they forge a bond that feels almost like a family.
- Power: A chaotic, cat-loving fiend (or “magical roommate from hell,” as I joked in my head). Her disregard for domestic norms leads to repeated comedic run-ins with Aki. I personally found their clashing personalities amusing—especially when Aki tries to maintain order while she disregards nearly every household courtesy.
Some might assume Aki’s stoic manner means he’s unsympathetic, but I see his protective approach differently: he genuinely wants these two misfits to thrive, even if it means tutoring them in everyday chores and quietly cleaning up after them.
Aki’s Contracted Devils: The Balance of Power and Cost
The daily life of a Devil Hunter is never simple. Like others in his profession, Aki forms contracts with Devils to gain combat abilities, each arrangement demanding its own sacrifice. I personally find these deals both chilling and revealing, emphasizing how Aki’s quest for vengeance keeps pushing him to take greater risks.
Fox Devil
Most commonly known as a “friendly” Devil to which many Public Safety Hunters bind themselves, the Fox Devil is fond of “attractive humans,” granting them the ability to summon its head for battle. Since Aki is noted for his good looks, he initially had a favorable arrangement, calling upon the Fox Devil’s power by offering some of his skin or hair. I was surprised, however, when the Fox Devil eventually broke all ties after Aki’s reckless move risked its wrath.
Curse Devil (a.k.a. “Cursed Blade” or “Cursed Nail”)
Sharp and unsettling, the Curse Devil’s power takes form in a nail-like blade that can kill an enemy if stabbed multiple times. In return, it devours a large chunk of the user’s lifespan. When I realized Aki’s future was drastically foreshortened by using it, it underscored just how far he’d go to avenge his family.
Future Devil
After losing access to his other contracts, Aki turns to the Future Devil. It demands to live in his right eye and offers glimpses into what’s yet to come. When the Future Devil declares that Aki faces “the worst possible death,” I personally felt a chill run through me. Yet, that ominous forecast never once shakes Aki’s resolve. In my view, it shows how his spirit remains stronger than any looming tragedy.
Unknown Devil (via Makima)
In a desperate move to protect his newfound friends, Aki begs Makima to let him contract with “any devil at all” if it means saving them from the Gun Devil. She effectively uses her “dominion” to subjugate him, which results in him losing free will and eventually falling victim to the Gun Devil’s possession. To me, this moment underscores the tragic irony: Aki’s vow to defend his loved ones inadvertently seals his own fate.
Key Relationships: From Comrades to Friends
Himeno: A Trusted Partner’s Legacy
Aki’s first partner was the spirited Himeno, who mentored him in devil-hunting fundamentals. She introduced him to smoking (though he was initially reluctant, citing concerns like “it rots your bones”), and she helped him see that life can’t run purely on revenge. Although their partnership was fiercely effective, it ended tragically when Himeno sacrificed herself to protect Aki from the Katana Man. That event left him deeply shaken—a stark reminder that no matter how driven he was, the people closest to him could still vanish in an instant. I personally felt a pang of sadness reading how Aki kept her memory alive and even planned to share some of his future savings with her family.
Makima: Superior, Savior, or Something Else?
Among the women in Aki’s orbit, Makima stands out as his commanding officer—and a figure he considers a lifesaver. He openly admires her, seeing her as an unassailable pillar of authority. Yet as the story unfolds, it becomes clear Makima’s intentions might not align neatly with Aki’s. In that push and pull, Aki finds himself following her orders without question, convinced she’ll help him achieve vengeance against the Gun Devil. Ultimately, this faith leads him down a tragic path, raising questions of whether she ever truly saw him as more than a pawn.
The Unwanted Legacy: Aki Becomes the Gun Fiend
Long before he can realize his dream of slaying the Gun Devil, Aki winds up possessed as the “Gun Fiend.” The heartbreak hits its peak when he returns to his old apartment—only to wage a chaotic battle against the very friends he meant to protect. In that surreal, devastating confrontation, Aki experiences illusions of a carefree snowball fight while he’s actually unleashing bullets upon Denji. Ultimately, Denji is forced to strike him down, fulfilling the Future Devil’s grim prophecy of his “worst possible death.”
Personal Reflection: Why Aki Hayakawa’s Arc Moved Me
I was genuinely stirred by the contrast between Aki’s solemn demeanor and the intense emotional undercurrent driving his actions. For all his seriousness, he grows attached to “useless strays” like Denji and Power, reinforcing how beneath his quiet exterior is a fierce loyalty. His final chapters—transformed into a mindless fiend, ironically destroying the life he fought so hard to preserve—left me feeling a deep pang of sorrow. It was the perfect example of how even the apparently strongest souls can be undone by a world embroiled in devils and manipulations.
The Possibility of Revival?
Fans speculate Aki may resurface in some capacity. As the story’s second part continues, questions arise: Could the Gun Fiend or a new devil-based incarnation of Aki reappear? For me, while it might provide closure to see him return, it also risks undermining the brutal finality that made his story so compelling. Regardless, people hold out hope for a cameo or mention, especially given references in official art hinting that “we’ll meet again.”
Aki Hayakawa stands as one of Chainsaw Man’s most riveting figures. From his calm facade concealing boundless rage, to the devils he contracts with (often at great personal cost), he merges unstoppable determination with surprising tenderness. In my eyes, his bond with people like Denji, Power, and Himeno underscores that, even in a grim setting, a compassionate heart can surface.
I’m writing this article to highlight Aki’s complexity. Yes, he’s fixated on avenging his family, but he also evolves into an older-brother figure for those he initially deemed reckless. Ultimately, his fate is heartbreakingly tied to illusions, betrayals, and self-sacrifice—yet his spirit leaves a vivid imprint on audiences.
