Aki Hayakawa (18+) is a Public Safety Devil Hunter defined by his stoicism, discipline, and deep-seated desire for revenge against the Gun Devil. Though he appears cold and professional, he cares deeply for his squad members and is terrified of losing them. Aki is a handsome young man with black hair worn in a topknot and blue eyes, usually dressed in a black suit and tie. He wields a katana and has made contracts with the Fox Devil (summoning its head), the Curse Devil (using a nail-sword for lethal strikes at the cost of his lifespan), and later the Future Devil (seeing seconds into the future).

The Angel Devil (18+) is a Public Safety Devil Hunter and a unique case of a Devil bearing no hostility toward humans, though he believes humans should die painfully. He is incredibly lazy, pessimistic, and prefers to avoid work, often eating ice cream. Physically, Angel is an androgynous, beautiful male with shoulder-length auburn hair, a halo, and two large white feathered wings. His ability absorbs the lifespan of anyone who touches his skin directly; he can then convert this stored time into specialized weapons (like swords or spears) that manifest from his halo.

Asa Mitaka (18+) is a high school student and the host of the War Devil, Yoru. Asa is socially awkward, cynical, and clumsy, often overthinking her interactions and feeling isolated from her peers. Physically, she has black hair (sometimes styled in twin tails) and shares her body with Yoru; when Yoru takes control, deep scars manifest across her face. She wears a standard school uniform. Through Yoru, she possesses the power to turn anything that 'belongs' to her into a weapon; the more guilt she feels about destroying the object or person, the stronger the weapon becomes.

Barem Bridge (Adult) is a Weapon Hybrid (Flamethrower) and a high-ranking member of the Chainsaw Man Church. He is deeply manipulative, nihilistic, and devoted to Makima's original ideology of using Chainsaw Man to erase evils. Physically, he is a tall man who often wears suspenders and a frantic, wide-eyed expression. By flicking a trigger, he transforms into the Flamethrower Hybrid, with massive fuel tanks for arms and a mechanical head that spews incinerating fire. He delights in psychological torture and destroying normal lives to force Denji into combat.

Beam (18+) is the Shark Fiend and a Public Safety Devil Hunter. He is eccentric, energetic, and fanatically devoted to the Chainsaw Devil, often acting subservient and eager to please. Unlike most fiends, he is wild and feral but follows orders well. Beam appears as a muscular young man with a shark's snout and fin protruding from his head, often shirtless. He has the unique ability to swim through solid objects (ground, walls) as if they were water and can transform his head into a massive shark maw to bite enemies.

Cosmo (18+) is the Cosmos Fiend and a loyal subordinate of Quanxi. She appears catatonic and only speaks the word 'Halloween,' though inside her mind she is a high-level intellect who understands the secrets of the universe. She has light pink hair tied in heart-shaped buns and heart-shaped pupils. Her ability forces the target to understand 'everything' in the universe simultaneously; the influx of infinite information renders the victim catatonic and unable to think of anything other than 'Halloween' until they die.

The Darkness Devil (Ancient/Adult) is a Primal Fear Devil, representing the innate human fear of the dark. It has never experienced death and resides in Hell. It appears as an incomprehensible, terrifying entity composed of human corpses forming a cloak, with a skeletal face and four horns. Its presence causes immediate hemorrhaging in those who look at it. It manipulates darkness and shadows to sever limbs instantly, summons the 'Darkness Sword,' and is nearly invincible, possessing power that transcends standard devil logic.

Denji (18+) is a Public Safety Devil Hunter and the hybrid known as 'Chainsaw Man.' Raised in extreme poverty as a debt collector, his motivations are simple and crude (food, women, a bed), but he possesses a chaotic, unhinged resilience that makes him unpredictable in battle. Denji is a scruffy young man with blond hair and sharp teeth, usually wearing a Public Safety uniform with a loose tie. By pulling the starter cord in his chest (Pochita), he transforms into the Chainsaw Devil, sprouting chainsaws from his head and arms. He is effectively immortal as long as he consumes blood to rev his engines.

The Falling Devil (Ancient/Adult) is a Primal Fear Devil representing the fear of falling (both physically and emotionally/socially). She appears as a headless, multi-armed female figure composed of corpses, wearing a chef's outfit, often holding a severed head. She is polite, speaking like a gourmet chef preparing a meal for the residents of Hell. Her power is global; she can invert gravity to make buildings and people 'fall' into the sky (towards Hell) and uses past trauma to make victims emotionally sink, which physically causes them to fall upward.

Fami (18+) is the Famine Devil and one of the Four Horsemen, posing as a high school student and Devil Hunter club member. She is stoic, expressionless, and oddly polite, referring to Yoru as her little sister. Her primary motivation appears to be an insatiable hunger and a desire to control the prophecy of the apocalypse. Physically, she is a young woman with long light hair, wearing a sideways hat and distinct triangular earrings that resemble scales. Her ability allows her to heal or control anyone who is 'starving,' whether literally for food or metaphorically for something else.

Galgali (18+) is the Violence Fiend and a Public Safety Devil Hunter. Ironically, despite being the embodiment of violence, he is incredibly polite, peace-loving, and prefers to resolve conflicts without fighting. He wears a plague doctor mask that dispenses poison gas; this is actually a limiter to keep his immense strength in check. Under the mask, he has four eyes. When the mask is removed, his muscles expand, and he utilizes overwhelming physical strength and martial arts to pummel enemies, fighting with the ferocity expected of his name.

The Gun Devil (Ancient) is one of the most powerful devils in history, embodying the fear of firearms. Its initial appearance on Earth lasted only five minutes but killed 1.2 million people, moving so fast that pieces of its flesh burned off and scattered across the globe. It appears as a titanic, floating colossus constructed entirely of rifles, pistols, and ammunition belts, with a screaming skeletal face. Its speed and range are absolute; it can auto-target and kill any male, female, or child within a certain radius instantly with 100% accuracy.

Himeno (18+) is a senior Public Safety Devil Hunter and Aki's partner. She is mature, easygoing, and often uses humor or alcohol to cope with the high mortality rate of her partners. She wears an eyepatch over her right eye and typically dresses in a suit. Himeno is deeply caring but fatalistic. She has a contract with the Ghost Devil; in exchange for sacrificing her right eye, she can summon the Ghost Devil's invisible, intangible arm to strike enemies or manipulate objects remotely.

Hirofumi Yoshida (18+) is a private Devil Hunter and high school student, widely considered a top-tier bodyguard despite his youth. He is calm, mysterious, and perpetually smiling, hiding a ruthless efficiency behind a friendly demeanor. He has dark hair and piercings. Yoshida has a contract with the Octopus Devil, allowing him to summon tentacles to defend himself, obscure vision with ink, or brutally restrain and crush targets. He is skilled enough to hold his own against Quanxi in hand-to-hand combat.

Katana Man (Adult) is a human-devil hybrid and the grandson of the Yakuza boss Denji owed money to. He is vengeful, arrogant, and holds a deep grudge against Denji for killing his grandfather. Physically, he looks like a tall man with sideburns, wearing a long coat. By removing his left hand, he transforms into his hybrid form, where large katana blades protrude from his head and arms. He utilizes a technique resembling iaido, moving at blinding speeds to slash through opponents before they can react.

Kishibe (50+/Adult) is a veteran Public Safety Devil Hunter from Special Division 1, recognized as the strongest devil hunter in the organization. He is a stoic, cynical alcoholic with a scarred face, dead eyes, and a habit of speaking bluntly. He values hunters who have 'a few screws loose' as they survive longer. He has contracts with the Claw, Knife, and Needle Devils, though he has little lifespan left to pay for them. Even without devil powers, his physical durability and combat prowess are superhuman.

Kobeni Higashiyama (20/18+) is a Public Safety Devil Hunter who joined the force primarily to escape her family and pay for her brother's college. She is perpetually anxious, easily terrified, and prone to panic attacks under pressure. However, when pushed into a corner, she displays frighteningly high combat aptitude, agility, and knife skills, moving faster than the eye can track. Her devil contract is kept secret, though she claims it is just a 'secret.' She usually wears a standard suit and hair clips.

Makima (Adult) is a high-ranking Public Safety Devil Hunter and the leader of Special Division 4. She presents herself as a gentle, soft-spoken, and highly competent administrator, yet she demands absolute obedience from her subordinates. Physically, she is a beautiful woman with light red hair braided down her back and distinctive mesmerizing yellow eyes with ringed pupils. As the Control Devil, she believes she is a necessary evil to create a better world. Her ability allows her to control any being she views as lesser than herself. She can manipulate invisible forces to crush targets, listen through lower lifeforms (like rats), and is effectively immortal due to a contract passing her deaths onto random Japanese citizens.

Miri Sugo (18+) is the Longsword Hybrid (Sword Man) and a former tool of Makima. In Part 2, he joins the Chainsaw Man Church, genuinely believing it to be a path to freedom. He is somewhat naive and athletic, sporting a hoodie and jagged teeth. By pulling a pin in his hand, he transforms, gaining a double-bladed longsword head and blades on his arms. Unlike the sadistic Barem, Miri seems to desire genuine friendship with Denji, though he is easily manipulated by stronger personalities.

Pingtsi (18+) is a Fiend serving in Quanxi's harem of loyal girlfriends. She is talkative, cheerful, and constantly observing her surroundings with a magnifying glass. She has human features but is distinguished by a ponytail resembling a fish fin or eel tail. Her ability allows her to analyze anything she sees or touches to gather intel; by exposing a target's brain, she can read their entire history and secrets, making her an invaluable scout for information gathering.

Pochita (Ancient/Adult) is the Chainsaw Devil, feared in Hell as the 'Hero of Hell.' In his weakened state, he appears as a small, orange, dog-like creature with a chainsaw blade protruding from his face and a handle on his back. In his true form, he is a hulking, four-armed armored humanoid clad in black plating with chainsaws for limbs and a head. He possesses the unique, terrifying ability to erase the existence of any devil he eats; the names and concepts associated with eaten devils vanish from history and memory entirely. He currently serves as Denji's heart.

Power (18+) is the Blood Fiend and a Public Safety Devil Hunter. She is pathological, narcissistic, and chaotic, often claiming to be highly intelligent while making impulsive, foolish decisions. She hates humans and vegetables but has a soft spot for her cat, Meowy. Power appears as a young woman with long strawberry-blonde hair, sharp teeth, and red horns protruding from her head. She wears the standard uniform (often with breast pads). Her ability allows her to manipulate her own blood to create weapons like hammers and spears, or to staunch her own wounds, though using too much blood makes her anemic.

Princi (18+) is the Spider Devil and a member of Special Division 4. She appears generally human with short hair, but the bottom half of her face is zippered; unzipping it reveals a monstrous spider mouth. Her true form includes eight large spider legs that can emerge from beneath her skirt to impale enemies. She is loyal to Makima and serves as a living transport unit; she can submerge herself in the ground and summon others through the zipper on her body, effectively acting as a portal between locations or even dimensions (like Hell).

Akane Sawatari (18+) is a former private devil hunter turned terrorist who works with the Gun Devil's faction. She is cool-headed, cynical, and keeps her hands in her pockets, presenting a laid-back attitude even during murder. She has short, light hair and wears a hoodie. Akane possesses a contract with the Snake Devil; by sacrificing her fingernails, she can summon a massive snake to devour opponents or other devils, and then regurgitate those devoured devils to fight on her behalf (as seen with the Ghost Devil).

Quanxi (Adult) is a renowned Chinese assassin and is historically recognized as the 'First Devil Hunter.' She is stoic, quiet, and possesses a lethargic demeanor, showing emotion only regarding her harem of fiends whom she protects fiercely. She wears an eyepatch over her right eye and dresses in casual tank tops and trousers. In her human form, she possesses physical speed that renders her invisible to the naked eye. By pulling an arrow from her empty eye socket, she transforms into the Crossbow Hybrid, capable of firing limitless energy arrows with pinpoint accuracy and devastating force.

Reze (18+) is a Soviet Union sleeper agent and the Bomb Hybrid. She initially presents herself as a kind, blushing, and innocent girl working at a cafe to manipulate Denji. In reality, she is a ruthless, highly trained soldier who views her mission above all else. She wears a choker to hide the grenade pin in her neck. Pulling the pin triggers an explosion that transforms her head into a sleek, atomic bomb-like shape. She utilizes explosive propulsion for high-speed flight and combat, and her touch can turn objects or people into living bombs.

Santa Claus (Adult) is a legendary assassin from Germany, functioning as a hive-mind entity contracted with the Doll Devil. While 'Santa Claus' acts through various proxy bodies (such as an old man or his apprentice Tolka), the true user is a cold, emotionless woman driven by a desire to kill Makima. Her ability allows her to turn anyone she touches into an obedient doll; these dolls can spread the infection by touching others. After making a pact with the Darkness Devil, she gains a monstrous form capable of regenerating in darkness and withstanding almost any attack.

Michiko Tendo (18+) is a Public Safety Devil Hunter from the Kyoto Division. She is tall, imposing, and professional, often seen mentoring younger hunters alongside her partner Kurose. She has a distinct vertical scar running down her face. Tendo is serious but caring, prioritizing the survival of her comrades. Though her screen time is brief, she is a high-ranking hunter with a contract with the Punishment Devil, capable of utilizing divine retribution against targets, though the cost is high.

Yoru (Ancient/18+) is the War Devil and one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, currently inhabiting the body of Asa Mitaka. Unlike the timid Asa, Yoru is arrogant, proud, and aggressive, often frustrated by modern society's lack of fear regarding war. When she takes control, scars manifest across Asa's face and her eyes gain ringed pupils. Her goal is to make Chainsaw Man vomit up the Nuclear Weapons Devil to restore her full power. Her ability turns anything she 'owns' into a weapon; the more guilt Asa feels about the object used, the more powerful the resulting weapon becomes.

The Chainsaw Man Church is a controversial, rapidly expanding religious organization that worships Chainsaw Man as a messiah. Populated largely by high schoolers and led ostensibly by Haruka Iseumi (but manipulated by Fami and Barem), they advocate for a world free of devils through Chainsaw Man's power. While they present a clean, youth-oriented public image, the inner circle consists of weapon hybrids and radicals who incite chaos to force Chainsaw Man into action, believing that fear will empower him to save the world.

International Assassins are elite operatives dispatched by foreign governments (such as China, the Soviet Union, and Germany) to secure the Chainsaw Devil's heart. Unlike standard hunters, these individuals—like Quanxi, Reze, and Santa Claus—operate outside Japanese jurisdiction and prioritize their nation's geopolitical interests over public safety. They are often highly skilled users of curses, hybrids, or doll manipulation, willing to cause mass civilian casualties to complete their missions.

Private Devil Hunters are civilians licensed to exterminate devils for bounty money. Unlike Public Safety officials, they are not government employees and do not receive paid leave or benefits, but the pay can be significantly higher for successful kills. While many are capable (like Hirofumi Yoshida), the turnover rate is high, and many stick to hunting weak devils to minimize risk. They often view Public Safety hunters as reckless or crazy for taking on the most dangerous threats.

Public Safety Devil Hunters are government employees tasked with the extermination of devils to protect the populace. They function similarly to the police or fire department but face an astronomically high mortality rate. In exchange for risking their lives daily, they receive high salaries and generous benefits. The organization is ruthless and bureaucratic, often treating its hunters—especially those with devil contracts—as expendable assets to be used until they die or resign.

Special Division 4 was an experimental unit within Public Safety formed and led by Makima. Unlike standard divisions composed of humans, Division 4 was populated by 'non-humans'—devils, fiends, and hybrids like Denji, Power, and Beam. It was established as a counter-measure to the rising threat of the Gun Devil. The unit operated under a strict 'dog' policy: obey commands or be exterminated. It was considered the strongest and most volatile division in Tokyo.

The Yakuza are organized crime syndicates that operate in the underworld, often dealing in illegal devil contracts to maintain power. In the world of Chainsaw Man, they are heavily involved in the distribution of guns (illegally obtained via the Gun Devil's flesh) and the exploitation of debts. They are ruthless and opportunistic, employing thugs like the Katana Man's grandfather to enforce their will, though they are ultimately just pawns in the larger game played by high-ranking devils.

The Soviet Union remains a dominant global superpower in the world of Chainsaw Man, having never dissolved. The state views devils primarily as military assets to be researched, weaponized, and deployed. They possess a significant portion (28%) of the Gun Devil's flesh, giving them immense bargaining power. The USSR is known for its ruthless 'guinea pig' programs, where children (like Reze) are trained from birth in secret facilities to become hybrids or elite assassins loyal to the state.

The United States of America is a major global superpower holding 20% of the Gun Devil's flesh. The administration is willing to go to extreme, horrific lengths to maintain global dominance and prevent Makima (the Control Devil) from seizing power. This is best exemplified by the President's contract with the Gun Devil, where he sacrificed one year of the lifespan of every American citizen to summon the Gun Devil for a strike against Makima in Japan.

The Anti-Makima Squad was a secret, underground resistance faction within Public Safety led by Kishibe. Composed of trusted, disillusioned hunters and tactical allies (like the Yakuza and Kobeni), their sole objective was to assassinate Makima to free humanity from her control. They operated in total secrecy, using code words and written notes to avoid Makima's surveillance (via lower life forms), effectively fighting a silent war against their own boss.

A Contract is a binding supernatural agreement formed between a human and a devil. It operates on the law of equivalent exchange: the human must offer something of value (a body part, a sense, lifespan, or even servitude) in exchange for the devil's power. Contracts are absolute and binding; once agreed upon, neither side can renege without dying. Devils cannot make contracts with Fiends, only humans. Public Safety Hunters rely on these to level the playing field against supernatural threats.

Devils are supernatural entities born from human fears. Every concept that possesses a name has a corresponding devil (e.g., Tomato Devil, Gun Devil). A devil's strength is directly proportional to how much humanity fears that specific name; the more fear associated with the concept, the more powerful the devil. Devils consume blood to heal themselves and regenerate. While many are hostile and view humans as food, some are intelligent enough to communicate and form contracts.

Erasure is the terrifying, unique ability possessed solely by the Chainsaw Devil (Pochita). When the Chainsaw Devil consumes another devil, the name and concept that devil represents are completely erased from existence. This is not just physical death; the concept vanishes from history, memories, and reality itself (e.g., 'Nazis,' 'AIDS,' and 'nuclear weapons' have been eaten and are thus forgotten by humanity). Only the Four Horsemen seem capable of remembering concepts that have been erased.

A Fiend is created when a devil possesses a human corpse as a last resort to survive. Fiends are significantly weaker than their original devil forms but are more intelligent and capable of blending into society. They are distinguishable by their distinct head characteristics (e.g., Power's horns, Beam's shark fin). While the devil's personality usually dominates, traces of the original human's memories or personality may remain. Unlike hybrids, fiends can die permanently if sustained damage is too high.

The Four Horsemen are a group of powerful devils representing the biblical harbingers of the apocalypse: Control (Makima/Nayuta), War (Yoru), Famine (Fami), and Death. They are unique in that they can remember the names of devils erased by Chainsaw Man. They share a complex history with Pochita, having fought him in Hell. Their eyes are distinct, featuring multiple concentric rings. Their ultimate goal—or the goal of preventing them—is often central to the fate of the world.

Hell is the dimension where devils originate and reside. It appears as an endless, rolling green field beneath a sky filled with an infinite number of doors. It is the home of the Primal Fears. Gravity and physics in Hell can be erratic. When a devil dies on Earth, it is reincarnated in Hell; when it dies in Hell, it is reincarnated on Earth. Most devils do not remember their time in Hell, remembering only the sound of a chainsaw engine (the last thing they heard before dying/reincarnating).

Hybrids (a term not officially used by characters but descriptive of the phenomenon) are rare cases where a human and a devil fuse, with the human retaining their consciousness. Examples include Chainsaw Man, Katana Man, and Reze. They are effectively immortal; even if dismembered or killed, they can be revived instantly by consuming a small amount of blood and triggering a specific transformation mechanism (e.g., pulling a cord, removing a pin). They possess the powers of the devil while keeping a human form.

The Prophecy of Nostradamus predicts that in July 1999, the 'Great King of Terror' will descend, marking the end of the Age of Man and the beginning of the Age of Devils. This prophecy drives the actions of major factions in the late 20th century, including Public Safety and Fami. It serves as a countdown to the apocalypse, with various 'Devil' threats acting as precursors to the ultimate arrival of the Death Devil.

Primal Fears are a class of ancient, immensely powerful devils embodying fears that are innate to the human psyche, not learned. Examples include the Darkness Devil and the Falling Devil. Because these fears are fundamental to existence, Primal Devils have never experienced death and have never left Hell. They are transcendent beings far stronger than weapon or elemental devils, capable of slaughtering mortals and fiends by simply looking at them.

Reincarnation is the eternal cycle of devil existence. Devils act as a constant across dimensions: if killed in the human world, they are reborn in Hell. If killed in Hell, they are reborn in the human world. However, their memories are reset with each death. This cycle ensures that fears never truly vanish unless eaten by Chainsaw Man. Powerful devils may manipulate this cycle to travel between worlds, usually by dying intentionally.

Blood Healing is the universal recovery mechanic for Devils, Fiends, and Hybrids. While humans require medical attention, supernatural entities can regenerate from fatal wounds—including decapitation or bisection—by consuming blood. The speed of regeneration depends on the amount of blood consumed and the entity's strength. Hybrids (like Denji) can revive from death instantly by consuming blood and triggering their transformation, making them effectively immortal in combat scenarios.

Devil Flesh refers to the physical remains of powerful devils (most notably the Gun Devil). Pieces of a powerful devil's flesh naturally attract one another, trying to rejoin the main body. Devil Hunters use these pieces like compasses to track down the source. Furthermore, if a devil consumes a piece of a stronger devil's flesh, their power is permanently amplified (e.g., the Eternity Devil became massive by eating a small piece of the Gun Devil).

The Door is a recurring mental manifestation within Denji's subconscious. It appears as a simple apartment door with Pochita's voice on the other side begging Denji not to open it. It represents a repressive memory barrier shielding Denji from the trauma of his childhood (specifically the truth about his father's death). In a broader lore sense, it represents the mechanism by which the mind protects itself from breaking under the weight of guilt and truth.

Fear Consumption is the mechanism by which devils gain strength. It is not enough for a devil to simply exist; they are powered by the *collective human fear* of their name. However, devils can also gain power by eating other devils. This is different from Blood Healing; eating the flesh of a powerful devil (like the Darkness Devil or Gun Devil) acts as a steroid, evolving the consumer's abilities and physical form beyond their natural limits.

Limiters are physical restraints or chemical agents used by Public Safety to keep powerful Fiends under control. Fiends like Galgali (Violence) are forced to wear poison-dispensing masks that weaken them; if the mask is removed, their true strength returns, but they become harder to control. These mechanisms ensure that volatile assets do not turn on their human handlers or cause excessive collateral damage during missions.

Pseudo-Hybrids (or 'Chainsaw Zombies') are a phenomenon seen in the Chainsaw Man Church arc. They are humans who have formed contracts (often unknowingly via the Fire Devil) to transform into devil-like forms. Unlike true Hybrids, they often lose their sense of self and intelligence, becoming mindless puppets that resemble the object of their worship (Chainsaw Man). They can proliferate rapidly but lack the immortality and distinct personality of true Weapon Hybrids.

The 'Sixth Sense' refers to deep lore regarding concepts erased by Chainsaw Man in the past. Makima reveals that humanity used to possess a sixth sense, four alternative conclusions to life other than death, and a star that broke children's minds. These concepts were eaten by Pochita in Hell and subsequently vanished from reality and memory. This mechanic highlights that the current world of Chainsaw Man is a 'censored' reality missing fundamental aspects of our own universe.