Do you know the term “loser”? We often consider people with high social status and income as successful. However, there are also people with lower social status and income, and among them, those at the very bottom are sometimes referred to as “losers.” Is there a way for these individuals to become successful, like Cinderella or Jay Gatsby?
Let’s explore the one way for a “loser” to win through the lens of the Japanese manga “Chainsaw Man” by Tatsuki Fujimoto!
What is “Chainsaw Man“?
“Chainsaw Man” is a story about Denji, the protagonist who gains the power of the Chainsaw Devil and works as a Devil Hunter, eliminating devils alongside his comrades.
Tatsuki Fujimoto. 2019. Chainsaw Man. Japan: Shueisha
What is life like at the bottom of society?
Denji is probably the poorest protagonist in the history of shonen manga. Most protagonists attend school or embark on adventures, but Denji is earning a living from the very beginning of the story. This is because he has inherited his father’s debt and is constantly struggling to repay it. Without a steady job, he resorts to various means to scrape together money:
“Cutting wood earns me 60,000 yen a month. I sold my kidney for 1.2 million, my right eye for 300,000.”
“The remaining debt is 38.04 million yen.”
“There’s no food at home, and I have to live on this money for the month… Today’s meal is a slice of bread.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever pay off this debt in my lifetime, and I’ll never be able to date a girl. I can’t invite a girl to this rundown shack, and I have no money for dates.”
Tatsuki Fujimoto. Episodes 1-1. Chainsaw Man. Japan: MAPPA
He’s sold parts of his body and survives on a single slice of bread a day. He’s in no condition to fight enemies, nor does he have the energy to meet a heroine. Incidentally, Denji’s dream is “to live a normal life where he can eat bread with jam.” How heartbreaking.
What Lies Beyond the Bottom?
As the saying goes, “Every crisis is an opportunity.” For Denji, a turning point comes when he faces the brink of death. He forms a contract with the Chainsaw Devil, gaining the devil’s power. As a result, Denji is hired as a Devil Hunter, using his newfound power to hunt devils. He starts living in a clean room with a bathroom and toilet, and he can finally enjoy bread with jam. In other words, he escapes from the bottom rung of society.
According to American psychologist Abraham Maslow, “as lower needs are satisfied, people move on to higher needs.”
Shun Sato: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – Applications in Business and Self-Actualization Examples, STUDY HACKER,https://studyhacker.net/maslow-hierarchy#3-社会的欲求
Denji’s “physiological needs,” “safety needs,” and “social needs” are quickly met, but “esteem needs” and “self-actualization needs” remain.
“I’ve already reached my dream.” “I can take a bath every day, eat good food, and have a good-looking girl close by. It’s a perfect life, but I feel like something’s missing. Is there something else? Seriously, the real goal… ”
Tatsuki Fujimoto. Episodes 1-2. Chainsaw Man. Japan: MAPPA
If Denji rises through the ranks as a Devil Hunter and earns praise from those around him, would that be considered success? The answer is no. No matter how high his social status or how much praise he receives from others, if his heart remains unfulfilled, his life will be empty. In short, the standard of success lies within oneself. It is not something that can be measured by the ever-changing yardsticks of society or others.
The Secret to Success Lies Within Yourself?
So, how can one become a truly successful person who is genuinely fulfilled? Let’s explore the remaining two needs: “esteem needs” and “self-actualization needs”!
Esteem Needs: Esteem needs involve not just belonging to a group but also being highly regarded within that group and having one’s abilities recognized.
Esteem needs are further divided into “lower esteem needs” and “higher esteem needs.”
Lower esteem needs refer to the desire for attention and praise from others.In other words, it is the feeling of wanting someone to compliment you.
Higher esteem needs, on the other hand, focus on whether you can approve of yourself, independent of how others see you. This is akin to enjoying cooking for the joy and sense of accomplishment it brings you, rather than for external recognition.
Shun Sato: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – Applications in Business and Self-Actualization Examples, STUDY HACKER,https://studyhacker.net/maslow-hierarchy#3-社会的欲求
In other words, by clarifying your own values and using them as the criteria for success, rather than relying on others’ evaluations, you can avoid endless dissatisfaction and move forward toward achieving what you truly want to do.
Self-Actualization Needs: Self-actualization needs refer to the desire to achieve something unique to oneself and to live authentically.
Most people have some form of “ideal self-image” or dream.
For instance, if someone has not let go of their dream of becoming a singer, they may struggle with the gap between their ideal and reality, always feeling somewhat unsatisfied.
Shun Sato: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – Applications in Business and Self-Actualization Examples, STUDY HACKER,https://studyhacker.net/maslow-hierarchy#3-社会的欲求
Instead of measuring success by comparing yourself to others, the true measure of success might be how much you have grown compared to your past self. Moreover, those who can envision their future selves and feel excited about it could be considered genuinely fulfilled and truly successful.
Summary
Denji’s ideal reminds us that happiness can be found in ordinary life. Although his tendency to be true to his desires is a bit concerning, it will be exciting to see how he fulfills his dreams alongside the Chainsaw Devil!