Beyond Chainsaw Man: Exploring the Works of Q Hayashida

Fans of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man are continually engaged with new manga chapters, the recent Reze Arc film and the upcoming second season. However, diversifying one’s reading list can offer fresh perspectives, and two manga series—Q Hayashida’s Dorohedoro and Come on Dark—are particularly noteworthy, not simply for their similarities to Chainsaw Man, but as they inspired its creator.

The Influence of Female Mangaka

There’s a notable trend of female mangaka consistently producing critically acclaimed and enduring manga series. Rumiko Takahashi, creator of Inuyasha, Ranma ½, and Urusei Yatsura, continues to influence modern manga. Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist remains a widely recommended entry point into the medium.

Q Hayashida: Bridging Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Q Hayashida stands out for her ability to seamlessly blend sci-fi and fantasy elements in her operate. Tatsuki Fujimoto himself has jokingly referred to Chainsaw Man as a “rip-off” of Dorohedoro (alongside Jujutsu Kaisen) when his series received an anime adaptation.

Dorohedoro: A Split Personality Manga

Dorohedoro is a dark fantasy series characterized by its blend of ultra-violence and deadpan comedy. The story follows Caiman, a man who wakes up with no memories and a lizard head, accompanied by a mysterious person living inside his mouth. Believing sorcerers are responsible for his condition, Caiman teams up with Nikaido to hunt them down, with a unique method of determining guilt: shoving a sorcerer’s head into Caiman’s mouth and asking the resident within.

Their pursuit draws them into a conflict with Ina, a powerful sorcerer crime boss, and her enforcers, Shin and Noi. MAPPA adapted Dorohedoro into an anime, utilizing a unique 2D and 3D CG animation style, and a second season is scheduled for release in April 2026. However, many fans consider Hayashida’s original manga to be superior, praising its artistry and graphic depictions of violence, comparable to the work of Kentaro Miura on Berserk.

Despite its grimdark imagery, Dorohedoro incorporates moments of charm and humor, featuring a cast of compelling characters and a vividly realized world.

Come on Dark: A Sci-Fi Epic

While Dorohedoro is a dark fantasy, Come on Dark ventures into the realm of science fiction, maintaining Hayashida’s distinctive art style. The series centers on Zaha Sanko, a teenager hunted across the galaxy due to a rumor that collecting his bones will grant any wish.

Sanko allies with Avakian, a sentient skeleton backpack; Shimada Death, the embodiment of death; and Hajime Dame, an immortal man. Together, they travel the stars, battling religious cultists and searching for the source of Sanko’s curse. The series is known for its focus on character interactions and downtime, reminiscent of Farscape, and is currently ongoing, though currently on hiatus.

Which to Read First?

For those new to Hayashida’s work, Dorohedoro is a good starting point due to its complete storyline. Fans of science fiction may prefer to begin with Come on Dark, despite its ongoing status. Exploring both series offers a deeper appreciation for Hayashida’s unique artistic vision and storytelling prowess.