Spoilers ahead! If you haven’t watched the first season of Chainsaw Man, proceed at your own risk.

Oh, dear, do you remember Himeno? The one and only Best Girl in Chainsaw Man? She’s the sweet and flirty sociopath who will make you gag if she drinks too much. Yes, that actually happened. Tragically, Himeno dies while bravely sacrificing herself for her partner, Aki. It still hurts.

But even in death, Himeno continues to support Aki in his fight against their enemies. During Aki’s second encounter with one of Himeno’s killers, Akane Sawatari, Akane summons the fearsome Ghost Devil. However, Himeno had made a contract with the Ghost Devil when she was alive. In the midst of battle, the Ghost Devil hands Aki a cigarette with the words “easy revenge” written on it. This cigarette becomes the key to Aki’s glorious victory over the Ghost Devil. But what does “easy revenge” mean? And why is it written on a cigarette?

Let’s Start from the Beginning

Years before the story begins, Himeno and Aki become partners after burying their previous partners. Aki is a rookie Public Safety Devil Hunter, while Himeno is lively and full of joy. Their unlikely friendship blossoms, and it’s absolutely adorable (maybe even a little romantic). One evening, during dinner, Himeno offers Aki a cigarette. Aki declines, aware of the unhealthy consequences of smoking. However, Himeno argues that most devil hunters don’t live long enough to experience the harmful effects of smoking. Eventually, Aki starts smoking, and they begin sharing cigarettes. This act deepens their bond and signifies their shared worldview—a world where life is short and precious.

It’s only fitting that Himeno’s final advice to Aki comes in the form of a cigarette. Smoking was the symbol of their connection, and now it becomes the catalyst for Aki’s revenge. But what do the words “easy revenge” imply?

The Power of Fear

The Ghost Devil is unlike any other devil. Their power is derived from fear. The more fear the public holds toward a devil, the stronger it becomes. Conversely, devils like the “Chicken Devil” are weak due to the lack of fear. However, the Ghost Devil takes fear to another level. With its eyes sewn shut, it “sees” or rather “senses” its victims through fear. If a character shows no fear, the Ghost Devil is effectively blind.

And that’s where Aki finds his advantage.

After Himeno’s death, Aki’s perspective on life becomes even bleaker. Losing someone he was so close to devastates him. To make matters worse, in his first battle against Akane Sawatari and the Snake Devil, he relied on a cursed sword that trades power for stolen years of his life. Awakening in the hospital and learning of Himeno’s demise, Aki realizes he only has two more years left to live. Surrounded by death, he becomes unafraid of it. With nothing to live for except revenge, the horrors he witnesses make combat with the Ghost Devil seem mundane. It no longer frightens him. Climbing onto its back, he easily decapitates the Ghost Devil without breaking a sweat.

Himeno may have had a short life, but her impact was profound. Her bubbly yet honest demeanor charmed both the characters of Chainsaw Man and us viewers. Oh, Himeno, I know how much Aki misses you. But truthfully, I miss you even more. I’d give anything to see you vomit in Denji’s mouth again. Well, maybe not that particular scene, but any other scene. You get it.

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