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Chainsaw Man Soundtrack: Complete Music Guide to Dark Fantasy’s Sonic Chaos
The Chainsaw Man soundtrack represents a bold sonic experiment that perfectly captures the series’ anarchic energy, emotional brutality, and thematic complexity. Composed by the visionary Kensuke Ushio, whose previous work on A Silent Voice and Devilman Crybaby established him as anime’s most daring sound designer, this score abandons conventional anime music tropes to create something genuinely unsettling, emotionally raw, and unforgettably powerful.
Chainsaw Man, adapted by MAPPA Studios from Tatsuki Fujimoto’s acclaimed manga, follows Denji—a desperate teenager who merges with his devil-dog companion Pochita to become the titular Chainsaw Man, wielding grotesque chainsaw appendages to hunt devils in exchange for basic human dignity. The series blends hyperviolent action with coming-of-age vulnerability, dark comedy with genuine pathos, creating tonal complexity that demands equally sophisticated musical accompaniment.
Ushio’s soundtrack doesn’t simply enhance the viewing experience—it fundamentally shapes how audiences perceive and emotionally process Chainsaw Man’s intentionally jarring world. From the industrial chaos of combat sequences to the melancholic beauty of character moments, from the viral sensation of “KICK BACK” to the atmospheric dread of “imagine devils,” every musical choice serves the series’ unique vision.
This comprehensive guide explores Chainsaw Man’s complete musical landscape: Kensuke Ushio’s revolutionary compositional approach, track-by-track analysis of Season 1’s extensive OST, the cultural phenomenon of the series’ twelve unique ending themes, and why this music resonates so powerfully with global audiences.
Kensuke Ushio: Composing Chaos and Humanity
Breaking Anime Music Conventions
Kensuke Ushio (also known by his stage name agraph) approached Chainsaw Man with radical creative philosophy: reject every comfortable anime music convention. Where typical action anime employ triumphant orchestral themes, Ushio uses industrial noise. Where emotional scenes might feature soaring strings, he opts for discordant electronics. Where conventional scores provide clear emotional guidance, Ushio creates deliberate ambiguity.
This anti-conventional approach mirrors Chainsaw Man’s narrative strategy. The series refuses to clarify whether Denji’s journey represents triumph or tragedy, whether devil hunters are heroes or exploited laborers, whether surviving means winning or merely not dying yet. Ushio’s music embodies this ambiguity—beautiful and ugly simultaneously, triumphant and despairing in the same moment.
His background in experimental electronic music as agraph prepared him perfectly for Chainsaw Man’s demands. His comfort with noise, willingness to embrace dissonance, and understanding that unsettling audiences can be artistically valuable allowed him to create score that many composers would consider too risky.
The Philosophy Behind the Sound
Ushio described his Chainsaw Man approach in interviews: he wanted music that felt visceral and physical rather than ethereal or inspirational. The chainsaws in the series aren’t elegant weapons—they’re brutal, mechanical, grotesque. The music needed to match that physical brutality.
He incorporated real chainsaw recordings, metallic scraping, industrial machinery sounds, and distorted electronics to create textures that feel dangerous rather than safe. When Denji transforms into Chainsaw Man, the music doesn’t celebrate—it unsettles, reminding viewers that this transformation is body horror as much as power fantasy.
Yet Ushio balanced brutality with unexpected gentleness. Tracks like “Deep down” and “You Were Here” demonstrate his capacity for genuine beauty when serving emotional moments. This dynamic range—from cacophonous violence to fragile tenderness—keeps the soundtrack unpredictable and emotionally honest.
Influences and Innovation
Ushio draws from diverse sources:
Industrial music pioneers like Nine Inch Nails and Godflesh influence his aggressive textures
Electronic experimentalists like Autechre inform his complex rhythmic structures
Contemporary classical composers’ willingness to embrace dissonance
Punk and hardcore aesthetics prioritizing raw energy over polish
Japanese noise music tradition accepting abrasiveness as legitimate artistic choice
These influences fuse into something distinctly Ushio—music that references traditions while sounding completely original.
“KICK BACK”: The Opening That Defied Expectations
Kenshi Yonezu’s Viral Phenomenon
When “KICK BACK” by Kenshi Yonezu premiered as Chainsaw Man’s opening theme, it immediately sparked intense discussion. This wasn’t typical anime opening—it was strange, unpredictable, genre-fluid, and deliberately off-putting in ways that made it compulsively watchable.
Kenshi Yonezu, one of Japan’s most innovative pop artists, brought his signature style: mixing J-pop accessibility with experimental production, conventional song structure with unexpected left turns, polished professionalism with intentional roughness.
Musical Deconstruction
“KICK BACK” defies easy categorization. The composition incorporates:
Swing jazz elements in certain sections
Rock instrumentation during aggressive passages
Electronic production throughout
Traditional Japanese instruments in surprising moments
Intentional rhythmic awkwardness that sounds wrong until it suddenly sounds right
This genre chaos perfectly mirrors Chainsaw Man’s tonal unpredictability. Just as the anime shifts from comedy to horror to tragedy within single episodes, “KICK BACK” careens between styles without warning.
The lyrics capture Denji’s psychology brilliantly. Lines about wanting simple pleasures, choosing to dance despite pain, and kicking back against oppression reflect his simultaneous vulnerability and defiance. Yonezu doesn’t make Denji sound heroic—he sounds desperate, horny, angry, and confused, which is exactly right.
Cultural Impact
“KICK BACK” achieved massive viral success:
Over 100 million views on YouTube within months
Chart-topping performance in Japan and internationally
TikTok phenomenon with thousands of dance and lip-sync videos
Cover culture spanning languages, instruments, and genres
Mainstream crossover introducing Chainsaw Man to audiences who’d never watched anime
The opening’s animation deserves mention—MAPPA’s creative decision to change visual styles throughout the opening, matching the music’s unpredictability, created unforgettable viewing experience that elevated both music and visuals through synergy.
The Revolutionary Ending Theme Strategy
Twelve Unique Endings
Chainsaw Man made unprecedented decision: every episode features a different ending theme by different artists. This ambitious approach required coordinating twelve separate musical acts, creating twelve animated sequences, and trusting that variety would enhance rather than fragment the viewing experience.
The strategy brilliantly served the series’ themes. Chainsaw Man’s world lacks consistency—Denji encounters vastly different devils, emotional tones shift dramatically, allies become enemies, plans crumble unexpectedly. The constantly changing endings musically reinforce this instability.
The Complete Ending Theme Lineup
Episode 1: “CHAINSAW BLOOD” by Vaundy – Energetic rock establishing the series’ violent vitality
Episode 2: “Chu, Tayousei.” by ano – Experimental pop reflecting character complexity
Episode 3: “Rendezvous” by Kanaria – Haunting vocals suggesting doom beneath normalcy
Episode 4: “DOGLAND-Star tour, Venus to you” by PEOPLE 1 – Psychedelic journey mirroring mental escapism
Episode 5: “In the Back Room” by syudou – Claustrophobic tension matching trapped situations
Episode 6: “Livingroom” by Marika Hackman – Intimate vulnerability in English
Episode 7: “Hazukashi-kutte Shouga-ne” by Kanako Takatsuki – Embarrassment and longing
Episode 8: “First Death” by TK from Ling tosite sigure – Aggressive processing of trauma
Episode 9: “Deep down” by Aimer – Devastating beauty exploring hidden pain
Episode 10: “DOGLAND” by PEOPLE 1 – Return to psychedelic chaos
Episode 11: “Violence” by Queen Bee – Unhinged energy before finale
Episode 12: “Zankou” by Zutomayo – Melancholic reflection after devastation
Each ending received unique animation by different directors and studios, creating anthology-like variety while maintaining quality. This unprecedented production approach demonstrated MAPPA’s commitment to realizing Chainsaw Man’s vision completely.
Strategic Emotional Manipulation
The ending themes serve crucial emotional function: they provide space to process each episode’s events. After intense violence or emotional gut-punches, the endings offer minutes to simply feel before returning to reality.
The stylistic variety means every episode’s emotional tenor receives appropriate musical send-off. Comedic episodes get playful endings, tragic episodes receive melancholic closure, and chaotic episodes earn unhinged musical responses.
Complete Season 1 OST Analysis
Combat and Chaos Themes
“Edge of Chainsaw” and “Chainsaw attacks!” represent the series’ brutal combat music. These tracks abandon heroic orchestration for industrial cacophony—grinding metal, discordant electronics, and rhythmic chaos suggesting violence’s mechanical brutality rather than glory.
“CHAINSAW BLOOD” pulses with aggressive energy, the title’s blunt violence reflected in uncompromising sonic assault.
“Gun, knife” captures weapon-based combat with sharp, percussive elements that feel like actual attacks rather than abstract musical representation.
“Fight Song” ironically titled, provides battle accompaniment that sounds nothing like conventional fight music—instead offering unsettling soundscape that makes violence feel wrong rather than exciting.
Psychological Horror Themes
“imagine devils” creates oppressive atmosphere through sustained dread—no melodic release, just accumulating tension suggesting supernatural threats lurking beyond perception.
“Black despair” does exactly what its title promises, exploring bottomless emotional darkness through compositional choices that offer no comfort or hope.
“Stranger in Paranoid” combines paranoia and alienation, perfect for scenes where trust crumbles and reality feels unstable.
“Death Cluster” suggests multiple deaths simultaneously—the accumulation of trauma and loss that defines devil hunting.
“Verge of Death” scores near-death experiences with music that sounds like dissolution, consciousness fragmenting under extreme stress.
Character and Emotion Themes
“Deep down” provides rare unguarded emotional vulnerability. This beautiful, melancholic composition acknowledges that beneath Chainsaw Man’s chaos lie genuine human feelings deserving musical respect.
“You Were Here” captures loss and memory with devastating gentleness, suggesting that even in this brutal world, connections matter and absence hurts.
“Sweet dreams” offers bitter irony—dreams in Chainsaw Man’s universe bring terror as often as comfort, and this track’s uneasy beauty reflects that ambiguity.
“Song for unbirthday” explores absence and what wasn’t celebrated, appropriate for characters denied normal childhood experiences.
“Humans are Fools” reflects the series’ cynical perspective on human nature while maintaining enough empathy to make the observation sad rather than merely harsh.
Atmospheric and Setting Themes
“100% sales tax” captures economic desperation with its absurdist title reflecting Denji’s poverty and exploitation.
“Livingroom”, “In the Back Room”, and “Special division 4” create distinct spatial atmospheres—domestic spaces that should feel safe but don’t, and institutional settings where violence is normalized.
“In the bullet train” scores transit and motion with appropriate kinetic energy while maintaining underlying threat.
“Stay in the darkness” suggests hiding, survival through invisibility, and the compromises required to persist in hostile environments.
Violence and Consequence Themes
“Brutal Life” acknowledges that survival in Chainsaw Man’s world requires accepting brutality as baseline existence.
“First Death” treats death’s initial encounter with appropriate gravity, recognizing how first losses shape characters permanently.
“Tear off” violently suggests dismemberment and destruction, the physical separation of bodies that occurs constantly.
“The devil appears” and “The devil hunter” establish the predator-prey dynamic defining the series—hunters who are simultaneously hunted, victims who victimize.
“nail-biter” creates tension through its title and composition—the anxiety of watching disasters unfold inevitably.
“Metal Riser” brings mechanical, industrial energy appropriate for a series where even biological entities feel partially mechanical.
Miscellaneous Character and Mood Themes
“A tombstone” confronts death’s finality with somber recognition that not everyone survives.
“Eat.Sleep.Play” ironically references basic needs and pleasures that characters struggle to access reliably.
“He’s on the back foot” musically represents disadvantage and desperation.
“Hazukashi-kutte Shouga-ne” explores embarrassment and awkwardness, reminding viewers these are still teenagers despite violence.
“HAWATARI NIOKU CENTI” and “Pong Pong Pong” provide occasional levity through their absurdist energy.
“Time Left” creates countdown tension—limited opportunity to act before disaster.
Piano Arrangements and Reflective Pieces
“KICK BACK [Piano]” strips the opening theme to its melodic core, revealing surprising beauty beneath aggressive arrangement.
“the door” (mentioned in future volumes) suggests transitions, thresholds, and irreversible passages.
“Rendezvous” creates meeting tension—encounters that might be romantic, deadly, or both.
“Lost In the Night (Chainsaw Man)” captures disorientation and searching without finding.
What Makes Chainsaw Man’s Music Special
Emotional Honesty Without Manipulation
Ushio’s score refuses to tell audiences how to feel. Unlike soundtracks that clearly signal “this is sad” or “this is triumphant,” Chainsaw Man’s music presents emotional complexity and trusts viewers to process it independently.
This respect for audience intelligence creates more authentic engagement. Viewers develop their own emotional relationships with scenes rather than having feelings predetermined by manipulative scoring.
Genre as Characterization
The musical diversity reflects character perspectives. Denji’s simple desires suit straightforward rock elements. Makima’s manipulative complexity deserves unsettling ambiguity. Power’s chaos earns appropriately unhinged compositions.
This approach makes music active storytelling participant rather than passive accompaniment.
Physical and Visceral Sound Design
The incorporation of actual mechanical sounds, industrial noise, and physically recorded textures makes the music feel materially real rather than abstractly representational.
When chainsaws roar in the score, they sound like actual tools adapted for violence. This grounds the fantasy elements in uncomfortable physicality.
Balancing Extremes
The soundtrack’s dynamic range—from cacophonous violence to fragile beauty—prevents monotony while maintaining cohesion. Ushio understands that constant intensity numbs audiences, so he provides strategic contrasts that make both extremes more effective.
Cultural Fusion
The OST incorporates Japanese and Western musical influences without treating either as exotic or default. This creates genuinely international sound appropriate for a series balancing manga tradition with global horror influences.
Global Reception and Cultural Impact
Streaming Success
Chainsaw Man’s music achieved massive streaming numbers:
“KICK BACK” topped charts in Japan and internationally
Soundtrack albums charted on various music platforms
Ending themes individually accumulated millions of streams
YouTube compilations of the soundtrack gathered tens of millions of views
This commercial success validated MAPPA’s experimental approach, proving audiences embrace ambitious, unconventional anime music.
Social Media Phenomenon
The music became viral sensation:
TikTok challenges using “KICK BACK” and ending themes
Cover culture spanning instruments, languages, and genres
Music theory analyses explaining compositional techniques
Reaction videos capturing first-time listeners’ responses
AMVs pairing Chainsaw Man music with various anime footage
This organic fan engagement demonstrated genuine enthusiasm beyond manufactured hype.
Critical Recognition
Music critics and anime commentators praised the soundtrack’s bold innovation:
Recognition for rejecting safe commercial approaches
Appreciation for emotional sophistication
Acknowledgment of Ushio’s technical mastery
Celebration of the unique ending theme strategy
Even viewers who struggled with the anime’s violence often praised the music unconditionally.
Influence on Anime Production
Chainsaw Man’s soundtrack influenced industry conversations about anime music:
Demonstrating viability of experimental approaches
Proving audiences accept ambitious sound design
Showing that unique ending themes can work
Validating investment in high-profile musical collaborations
Future productions will reference Chainsaw Man’s musical boldness when advocating for creative risks.
Where to Experience Chainsaw Man’s Music
Official Streaming Platforms
Spotify hosts complete Season 1 soundtrack plus all ending themes, allowing playlist creation and discovery.
Apple Music provides high-quality streaming with offline downloads for subscribers.
YouTube features official uploads, extended versions, isolated tracks, and extensive fan-created content.
Amazon Music includes the soundtrack for Prime members with additional purchase options.
Digital Purchase Options
iTunes/Apple Music Store sells complete albums and individual tracks in high-quality formats.
Amazon MP3 offers competitive pricing on digital downloads.
Bandcamp occasionally features anime music releases with lossless audio options for audiophiles.
Physical Media
CD releases in Japan include bonus content, liner notes, and collectible packaging.
Import retailers like CDJapan provide access to Japanese exclusive editions.
Vinyl releases may follow if demand justifies pressing, as occurred with other popular anime soundtracks.
Upcoming Season Considerations
With Season 2 announced and potentially more beyond, fans can anticipate:
- Additional Kensuke Ushio compositions expanding the musical universe
- New opening and ending themes continuing the innovative strategy
- Possible soundtrack concerts or live performances
- Enhanced physical releases collecting multiple seasons
The Artistic Vision Behind the Sound
Director and Composer Collaboration
Ryū Nakayama (director) and Kensuke Ushio collaborated closely, ensuring music integrated seamlessly with visual storytelling. This partnership allowed Ushio to compose with knowledge of specific scenes while maintaining creative freedom to experiment.
Their shared vision—refusing to soften Chainsaw Man’s difficulty, maintaining tonal complexity, respecting source material while creating something cinematic—resulted in rare harmony between visual and sonic elements.
MAPPA’s Production Support
MAPPA Studios’ willingness to invest in ambitious soundtrack demonstrated commitment to complete artistic vision rather than cutting corners. The budget allocated for twelve unique ending themes, Ushio’s experimental freedom, and high production values showed confidence in the property.
This production philosophy—treating anime as art deserving investment rather than merely commercial product—distinguished Chainsaw Man’s adaptation and attracted talent willing to take creative risks.
Fujimoto’s Manga Spirit
Tatsuki Fujimoto’s original manga influenced the musical approach. His willingness to embrace ugliness, sudden tonal shifts, and emotional ambiguity required musical equivalent. Ushio captured Fujimoto’s spirit by refusing conventional beauty when ugliness served truth.
The music honors Fujimoto’s artistic integrity by never sanitizing or simplifying the complex emotional landscape he created.
Additional Resources for Deeper Understanding
For those wanting to explore Chainsaw Man’s music further:
Crunchyroll offers streaming access to the complete series with original Japanese audio, allowing proper context for the soundtrack.
Anime News Network provides news, reviews, and production information about Chainsaw Man’s music and upcoming seasons.
Music theory channels on YouTube offer detailed analyses of Ushio’s compositional techniques and the ending themes’ musical construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the Chainsaw Man soundtrack?
Kensuke Ushio composed the original soundtrack, bringing his experimental electronic music background and experience scoring emotionally complex anime like A Silent Voice and Devilman Crybaby.
What is Chainsaw Man’s opening song?
“KICK BACK” by Kenshi Yonezu serves as the opening theme. This genre-defying track became a massive viral hit, accumulating over 100 million views and introducing millions to the series.
Why does every episode have a different ending?
MAPPA made the unprecedented decision to feature twelve unique ending themes by different artists, each with custom animation. This strategy reinforces the series’ unpredictability and tonal shifts while showcasing diverse musical talent.
Is Chainsaw Man’s music suitable for all audiences?
While the music itself contains no explicit content, it’s designed for a mature series featuring graphic violence. The aggressive, unsettling nature of certain tracks might disturb younger listeners, and the association with extreme content means parental discretion is advised.
Will there be a Season 2 soundtrack?
With Season 2 officially announced, fans can anticipate Kensuke Ushio returning to compose additional music. While details remain unconfirmed, the success of Season 1’s soundtrack makes continued investment in high-quality music likely.
Where can I legally download Chainsaw Man music?
Legal options include Spotify Premium, Apple Music, Amazon MP3, and Japanese import CDs through specialty retailers. These support the artists and ensure high-quality audio files.
Conclusion: The Sound of Beautiful Chaos
The Chainsaw Man soundtrack achieves something rare in anime music: it refuses to comfort audiences, instead embracing the material’s difficulty with unflinching artistic integrity. Kensuke Ushio’s score doesn’t apologize for dissonance, ugliness, or ambiguity—it recognizes these elements as essential to honest storytelling about violence, exploitation, and desperate survival.
From the viral phenomenon of “KICK BACK” to the revolutionary twelve ending theme strategy, from industrial combat chaos to fragile emotional vulnerability, every musical choice serves Chainsaw Man’s unique vision. The soundtrack proves that anime music can be genuinely experimental while remaining emotionally accessible, that audiences will embrace challenging art when it’s executed with skill and conviction.
For fans of the series, the music provides gateway back into Chainsaw Man’s world between episodes and seasons. For music enthusiasts, it offers bold, uncompromising compositions that work beautifully independent of visual context. For the anime industry, it demonstrates that creative risks can be commercially successful when backed by genuine artistic vision.
Whether you’re drawn to aggressive industrial textures, emotionally devastating ballads, or the sheer unpredictability of constantly shifting musical approaches, Chainsaw Man’s soundtrack offers rewards for diverse tastes. It’s music that demands attention rather than settling into background, that challenges expectations rather than confirming them, that respects audiences’ capacity to handle difficulty.
As Denji would say: it’s not pretty, it’s not comfortable, but it’s honest—and sometimes honesty is the most beautiful thing art can offer. The Chainsaw Man soundtrack strips away anime music’s comfortable conventions to reveal the raw, beating heart underneath—ugly, beautiful, undeniably alive.
