I found this softcover in this new-to-me Little Free Library in Maynard, MA while dropping off some books of my own, and nabbed it for another release copy.

It's a dark fantasy/action manga in which the protagonist, down on his luck, winds up torn apart - and then reanimated with his chainsaw-form demonic sidekick as part of his body. Typical manga, then {wry grin}.

This one starts out very grimly indeed, as Denji, a young man who incurred huge debt on the suicide of his father and who's barely eking out a living - mostly by contracting to go demon-hunting with his pet demon-dog Pochita (easily the most adorable little round dog-with-a-chainsaw-muzzle ever). But his employer doesn't play fair with him - and is more than happy to sell him out to someone who's eager to absorb his power. In a brutal scene of betrayal it looks as though Denji's story will be over too soon, but Pochita (who has enjoyed listening to Denji talk about his dreams for the future) offers him a deal - effectively entering into him to replace his butchered heart. And thus is born Chainsaw Man!

The scene of his vengeance on his betrayers is very satisfying (also very grisly) - and then the plot swerves, as Denji is taken under the wing of an organization of official government devil-hunters. They want to use him, too, but seem to be a bit more fair-minded than his late employer. And one of them is very, very attractive, making Denji's hopes soar... But one of his new associates is jealous of her - so, yeah, a not-unfamiliar person-with-powers-joins-organization-and-finds-friends-and-frenemies. But it plays out in entertaining and dramatic fashion, though it ends on a cliffhanger; will I tune in again? Not sure, though the chibi-Pochita illustrations at each chapter-change are worth the price by themselves!

[There's a TV Tropes page on the series, with some entertaining tidbits.]

I left this book in the Little Free Library on this grey, chilly day; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in MA here.]