The landscape of the Chainsaw Man community has shifted violently. When the results of the third official popularity poll were cemented, it wasn't just a list of names; it was a declaration of how much the series has evolved since its frantic early days in Weekly Shonen Jump. With nearly a million votes cast—tripling the engagement of previous polls—the data provides a fascinating look into the collective psyche of a fanbase that thrives on chaos, tragedy, and beautifully broken characters.

The Bomb Girl’s Nuclear Ascent

There is no talking about this poll without addressing the explosion at the top. Reze securing first place with over 205,000 votes is a staggering achievement. To put that in perspective, she didn't just win; she doubled the score of the runner-up. This is the "Reze Arc Movie effect" in its purest form. While she was always a fan favorite in the manga circles, the high-octane, emotionally devastating adaptation of her story by MAPPA catapulted her into a different stratosphere of popularity.

Reze represents a specific archetype that Chainsaw Man fans find irresistible: the tragic antagonist who offers a glimpse of a normal life that is ultimately out of reach. Her chemistry with Denji in the movie wasn't just about the spectacle of the Bomb Devil’s explosions; it was about the quiet, melancholic moments in the school at night and the bittersweet tragedy of the cafe. Her victory suggests that the fandom prioritizes emotional resonance and "what could have been" over long-term screen time. Even as a character whose primary arc is contained within a specific window, her impact has outlasted many permanent fixtures of the cast.

The Makima Paradox and the Steady Fall of the "Original Three"

Makima landing in second place for the third consecutive time is perhaps the most impressive feat of consistency in the series. Despite her role as the primary antagonist of Part 1 and the unspeakable things she did to the characters we love, she remains an immovable object in the rankings. It speaks to the brilliance of her character design and the chilling authority she commands. Fans don't necessarily "like" Makima in a traditional sense, but they are captivated by her presence. She is the ultimate villain who people love to observe, a testament to the idea that a well-written monster is often more popular than a generic hero.

However, the middle of the Top 5 tells a story of shifting loyalties. Aki Hayakawa’s drop to third place, while slight, marks the end of his reign as the previous poll's champion. Aki’s popularity has always been rooted in his role as the emotional anchor of the series—the "big brother" who suffered the most. As the story moves further away from the Public Safety Arc, the raw grief associated with his character has transitioned into a respectful, enduring legacy.

More surprising is the positioning of Denji and Power. Denji, the protagonist, sits at fourth. It is a common trend in Shonen series for the lead character to be overshadowed by more mysterious or edgy supporting casts, and Denji is no exception. His relatability is his greatest strength, but in a world of Bomb Devils and Control Devils, the "simple guy" sometimes gets crowded out. Power’s slide to fifth place is perhaps the most heartbreaking for veteran fans. Once the winner of the first poll, the Blood Fiend’s absence in the current manga chapters, combined with the influx of new fans who are more focused on the recent movie stars, has seen her momentum cool. Yet, 61,000 votes for a character who has been out of the main spotlight for years is nothing to scoff at; it shows that the promise of her eventual return is still a major driving force for the readership.

The Part 2 Struggle: Asa Mitaka’s Uphill Battle

The most significant takeaway for the future of the series is the performance of Part 2 characters. Asa Mitaka, the protagonist of the School Arc, managed to crack the Top 10, landing at the tenth spot. For some, this felt low for a character who carries the bulk of the current narrative. However, when you analyze the context, tenth place is actually a massive victory.

Asa is currently a manga-only entity. In an era where animation drives global popularity, she was competing against characters who have benefited from high-budget TV seasons and a blockbuster movie. The fact that she beat out her own alter-ego, Yoru (the War Devil), and several established anime favorites shows that her "delightfully cringey" personality and relatable struggles with social anxiety and self-worth have resonated deeply with the core manga audience.

Asa’s character is a departure from the high-energy madness of Denji and Power. She is internal, neurotic, and deeply human. Her tenth-place finish suggests that as soon as the School Arc receives an anime adaptation, she will likely skyrocket into the Top 3. The fandom is clearly invested in her journey, even if the "flashier" Part 1 characters still hold the seasonal spotlight.

The Cult of the Supporting Cast: Beam and Yoshida

One of the quirks of the Chainsaw Man fandom is their tendency to elevate minor characters to legendary status. Beam, the Shark Fiend, landing in seventh place is a perfect example. Much of this can be attributed to his expanded role and sheer charisma in the recent movie. His unyielding loyalty to "Lord Chainsaw" provides a rare source of pure, unadulterated joy in a series that is often bleak. Beam represents the "mascot" energy that fans cling to, similar to Pochita (who consistently holds the ninth spot).

Hirofumi Yoshida at eighth place is an interesting case of "potential energy." Yoshida is a character who thrives on mystery and a sleek aesthetic. Even with relatively limited screen time compared to the leads, his involvement in the secret organizations of Part 2 has kept the theorist community engaged. He is the "cool" character that fans want to know more about, proving that in this series, saying less often earns you more votes.

The Meme Factor: Kobeni’s Car and Beyond

No discussion of a Chainsaw Man poll is complete without mentioning the "joke" votes. While Kobeni herself placed thirteenth, her car—a recurring gag from Part 1—dropped to nineteenth. In previous polls, the car famously outranked its owner, a peak moment of fandom trolling that even the creator acknowledged. The fact that the car is still in the Top 20 years later shows the long memory of this community. It also highlights a certain level of "poll fatigue" regarding memes; as the stakes of the story have grown more serious in Part 2, the fans seem slightly more inclined to vote for actual characters over inanimate objects, though the Death Devil appearing at eighteenth (despite barely appearing in the flesh) shows that the hype for future threats is very real.

Why This Poll Matters for 2026 and Beyond

These results serve as a roadmap for what fans want to see. The overwhelming success of Reze ensures that her character will remain a focal point of merchandise and potential future cameos. The steady performance of the Part 1 veterans proves that the emotional foundation laid in the early chapters is indestructible.

But more importantly, this poll highlights the "Anime Gap." There is a clear divide between characters who have been animated and those who haven't. For the creators and the studio, the message is clear: the audience is hungry for Part 2 to hit the screen. If Asa Mitaka can capture the tenth spot based on black-and-white panels alone, her potential in a fully realized anime format is limitless.

As we look toward the eventual fourth poll, the rankings will likely undergo another violent shift. With the manga currently navigating intense, high-stakes arcs in Part 2, the "recency bias" will eventually tip in favor of the new cast. But for now, the queen of the hill is the girl who stole Denji’s heart and then tried to blow him up. In the world of Chainsaw Man, that’s just how love works.

Breaking Down the Top 10 Statistics

To see the sheer scale of this year's participation, let's look at the numbers that defined the Top 10:

  1. Reze: 205,775 votes (The undisputed champion, bolstered by the movie release).
  2. Makima: 101,454 votes (The perennial runner-up; her villainy remains iconic).
  3. Aki Hayakawa: 89,804 votes (The sentimental favorite who maintains a strong legacy).
  4. Denji: 66,175 votes (The hero who is often liked but rarely "worshipped").
  5. Power: 61,256 votes (Still a powerhouse, though her rank is slowly slipping).
  6. Angel Devil: 49,899 votes (Benefit from his tragic connection to Aki).
  7. Beam: 40,407 votes (The ultimate hype-man of the series).
  8. Hirofumi Yoshida: 40,349 votes (The mystery factor keeps him relevant).
  9. Pochita: 39,420 votes (The heart of the series, literally and figuratively).
  10. Asa Mitaka: 30,944 votes (The vanguard of Part 2; a sign of things to come).

The total vote count of 949,097 is a record for the series, proving that interest isn't just staying steady—it's growing. As the story continues to subvert expectations, the only thing we can be certain of is that the next poll will be just as unpredictable as a Tatsuki Fujimoto plot twist. Whether you're a fan of the old guard or the new high school drama, the poll results show a series that is healthy, vibrant, and deeply loved by millions.