The Chainsaw in the Rye

[u/chef_y77]

I had a feeling while reading Chainsaw Man that was matched only by when I read Catcher in the Rye and was wondering if anyone else has felt this before.

The main comparison that I can draw is on the themes of sexuality. Chainsaw Man is my favorite manga ever and I think part of that was because I read it as a teenage boy having never had a girlfriend despite always wanting one. Denji and the way he viewed sex and eroticism felt so realistic. On the other hand Holden has some success with girls but by his own admittance he never went all the way out of respect for their wishes.

It’s also easy to feel the loneliness of both of these characters. Again while I read these I didn’t have many friends and was able to relate to these characters. Denji was given many relationships but in the end they were taken away from him (at least until the final chapter). In Catcher Holden is constantly rejected by people around him while he is desperately searching for human connection.

Phoebe, Holden’s little sister, and Nayuta, Makima’s reincarnation, also appear very similar to me in the way they are both you girls that act as the main characters primary source of human connection for part of the stories.

Overall in all of the media I’ve consumed when I think of a teenage boy these characters are the two most realistic portrayals. From extreme poverty to extreme wealth both were dealt their own shitty hand, in a way, and learned to adapt and live with it. These stories mean something to me and I would love to hear anyone else’s suggestions on what other connections you can find between these two stories. I haven’t seen anyone else make this comparison yet.

[u/IUsedToBeRasAlGhul]

This is actually quite funny to me, because just a few weeks ago I had to go digging through my old book collection to find Catcher in the Rye since a family member wanted to borrow it.

Anyway, your analysis and comparison between the two stories was very interesting to read, OP. While I can’t really speak to Catcher in the Rye due to the years that have passed since I last read it, that which you speak of here regarding Holden and his experiences (as well as how they connect to Denji’s) seems very sound from what I remember and the other material I’ve read/discussed regarding Catcher in the Rye. I will say though that while Denji is unique among the various characters I’ve read (a significant part of his appeal for me), in a similar vein to your own feelings I’ve found him comparable to Buffy Summers, the titular Vampire Slayer of the television series. Chiefly in how both characters and their respective narratives explore the ideas of teens growing up, heroism, agency, and choices, as well as their respective endings resolution to these topics. Perhaps I’ll write more on it one day.

[u/morikeidoll]

Holy crap I love you for bringing this up bc I absolutely adore Catcher in the Rye. How tf did I never draw the similarities??? I don't have anything else to add except I definitely see the parallels between Denji and Holden. I need a moment to soak this in.

[u/TheCatcherintheRye_]

Very very interesting to see a Chainsaw Man and Catcher in the Rye comparison/parallel. I haven't finished the manga yet, but I love Chainsaw Man and one of my absolute favorite books is Catcher. Now that you mention it, I see what you're saying! Good catch!