Control Devil
Makima / The Horseman of Conquest
| Control Devil | |
|---|---|
| Type | Horseman Devil |
| Threat Level | SSS |
| Horseman Role | Conquest / Domination |
| Human Identity | Makima |
| Primary Power | Domination of perceived inferiors |
| Weakness | Cannot control those she sees as equals |
| Status | Reincarnated (Nayuta) |
Control Devil Overview
Key Insight: The Control Devil's ability requires the controller to view the target as inferior. This psychological condition is central to both Makima's power and her eventual downfall.
The Control Devil is the manifestation of humanity's fear of being controlled, dominated, or enslaved. In Part 1, the Control Devil takes the form of Makima, a public safety devil hunter who rises to the highest ranks of the Japanese government's devil-hunting organization. Makima's calm, calculating demeanor hides a ruthless ambition to obtain the Chainsaw Devil's erasure power.
Unlike many devils who act primarily on instinct, the Control Devil is patient and methodical. Makima spends years positioning herself, building a network of contracts, and manipulating events to create the ideal circumstances for her ultimate plan. Her ability to dominate others extends beyond mere physical control to emotional manipulation, making her one of the most dangerous antagonists in the series.
Domination Ability and Contract Network
The Control Devil's domination ability allows Makima to assert control over any being she considers beneath her. Once dominated, the target must obey all commands without hesitation. More insidiously, dominated beings develop genuine affection for Makima, viewing her with loyalty and devotion. This ability extends to both devils and humans, giving her an army of willing servants.
Makima's contract network is extensive. She dominates numerous devils, gaining access to their unique abilities. The most notable aspect of her power is her contract with the Prime Minister of Japan, which redirects fatal damage to random Japanese citizens. This effectively grants her multiple lives, as any injury she sustains is suffered by a citizen instead. Combined with her domination of the Gun Devil's power, she becomes nearly invincible.
Makima's True Identity and Plan
Makima's true identity as the Control Devil is revealed gradually throughout Part 1. She presents herself as a public servant dedicated to protecting humanity from devils, but her actions consistently serve her hidden agenda. She orchestrates the deaths of Denji's friends, manipulates the major arcs from behind the scenes, and systematically eliminates anyone who might interfere with her plans.
Her ultimate goal is to obtain the Chainsaw Devil's erasure power to create a better world by erasing concepts she considers undesirable. Specifically, Makima wants to erase death, poverty, war, and other negative aspects of human existence, creating a world where only the Chainsaw Devil remains as the sole figure of fear. This twisted vision reveals her fundamental misunderstanding of what makes life meaningful.
The Four Horsemen Connection
The Control Devil is one of the Four Horsemen, a group of powerful devils named after the biblical Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The other members are War Devil (Yoru), Famine Devil (Fami), and Death Devil (yet to appear). These four devils represent some of the most fundamental human fears and operate on a level far above ordinary devils.
The Four Horsemen share a complex relationship. Makima and Yoru have conflicting agendas, while Fami operates with mysterious motives. The Death Devil remains unseen but is mentioned as potentially the most powerful of all. This group dynamic adds a layer of cosmic politics to the Chainsaw Man universe, with the Chainsaw Devil at the center of their schemes.
Control Devil's Weaknesses and Limitations
The Control Devil's primary weakness is its own psychological condition: it can only dominate those it considers inferior. This creates a critical blind spot. Makima cannot dominate anyone she views as an equal or superior, which Denji exploits in their final confrontation. By appealing to Makima's genuine emotional attachment to him - feelings that contradict her domination ability - Denji creates an opening.
Denji's victory over Makima comes through the realization that their relationship has elements of genuine connection that transcend her control ability. The Chainsaw Devil's erasure power ultimately destroys Makima, but it is Denji's emotional insight that creates the opportunity. This thematic resolution emphasizes that human connection can overcome even the most absolute forms of control.
Nayuta - The New Control Devil
After Makima's death, the Control Devil reincarnates as Nayuta, a young girl whom Denji adopts as his younger sister. Nayuta retains the domination ability but develops a fundamentally different personality under Denji's care. She is headstrong, possessive of Denji, and suspicious of anyone who gets close to him, but she genuinely cares for him and their life together.
Nayuta's role in Part 2 explores whether the Control Devil can develop differently given a nurturing environment. While she still uses her powers to control others, her motivations are more protective than Makima's grand ambitions. Her relationship with Denji and Asa Mitaka creates interesting dynamics as she navigates human society while retaining devil instincts.
Control Devil's Philosophical Implications
Makima's ability as the Control Devil raises profound questions about free will, consent, and the nature of relationships in Chainsaw Man. The Control Devil's power to perceive and dominate those she considers inferior creates a disturbing parallel to real-world dynamics of manipulation and coercion that exist in unequal relationships. Makima's tragedy is that her devil nature prevents her from experiencing genuine connection - she can only control, never truly relate to others as equals. This philosophical dimension elevates the Control Devil from a simple antagonist to a complex exploration of what it means to seek authentic relationships in a world where power imbalances constantly threaten genuine connection.
The contrast between Makima and her reincarnation Nayuta offers hope that even devil nature can evolve with the right influences. Nayuta, raised with care by Denji, demonstrates that control need not manifest as domination - it can transform into protection, guidance, and ultimately love when nurtured properly. The Chainsaw Man Fandom Wiki documents how the Control Devil's journey from Makima's toxic control to Nayuta's guarded affection represents one of the series' most hopeful threads, suggesting that even beings defined by their conceptual nature can grow and change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Control Devil's ability?
The Control Devil can dominate any being it considers inferior. Once dominated, the target must obey all commands without question and develops genuine affection for the controller.
Is Makima the Control Devil?
Yes, Makima is the Control Devil who infiltrated the Public Safety Devil Hunters. She orchestrated the major events of Part 1 to achieve her goal of obtaining the Chainsaw Devil's power.
How does Makima's contract network work?
Makima uses her domination ability to create contracts with numerous devils. This network gives her access to diverse abilities, including limited resurrection through contracts with Japanese citizens.
What is the Control Devil's weakness?
The Control Devil cannot dominate those it considers equals or superiors. Pochita's Chainsaw Devil form operates outside this hierarchy, making Denji immune through his unique heart contract.
Who is Nayuta in Part 2?
Nayuta is the Control Devil's reincarnation after Makima's death. Denji raises her as a younger sister in Part 2. She retains the domination ability but develops a different personality under Denji's care.
