Santa Claus-Chainsaw Man
Introduction
In Chainsaw Man, Santa Claus is not the cheerful figure of myth, but rather a cold, cunning, and horrifying assassin. Introduced in the International Assassins arc, Santa Claus is a mysterious devil hunter hired to obtain Denji’s heart, just like several other international assassins.
What sets her apart is her methodical cruelty, high intellect, and mastery over doll manipulation and hellish contracts. She’s widely considered one of the most terrifying and powerful antagonists in the manga’s first part.
Himeno’s Role in the Story
Despite being referred to as a singular entity, Santa Claus is actually a title used to conceal the true puppet master. The Santa Claus most characters see is a puppet controlled by an elderly German woman who sends her doll proxy into battle.
This woman operates behind the scenes and controls a network of dolls and human vessels, remaining almost untouchable until the climax of the arc.
Her motivation is to deliver Denji’s heart to her contractor and fulfill a pact that grants her access to immense infernal power, at the cost of her own humanity.
Powers and Abilities
Doll Devil Contract
Santa Claus’s most signature ability comes from her contract with the Doll Devil.
She can turn people into living dolls by simply touching them.
These dolls follow her commands and can spread the curse by touching others, creating mass armies of human dolls.
Hell Devil Contract
She offers three innocent children as a sacrifice to the Hell Devil in exchange for transportation to Hell.
This lets her trap Denji’s group in Hell, where they face the terrifying Darkness Devil.
Darkness Devil Power
In one of the most terrifying moments in Chainsaw Man, Santa Claus makes a contract with the Darkness Devil while in Hell.
How is Santa Claus Defeated?
Despite becoming virtually unstoppable, Santa Claus is ultimately defeated by Denji using a clever tactic. Denji covers himself in kerosene, sets himself on fire, and uses light to counteract her darkness-based abilities.
In a fiery and desperate battle, Denji delivers the finishing blow, killing Santa Claus and ending her reign of terror. The final moments are as symbolic as they are violent, fire (light) destroying a creature of darkness.
Impact on Manga Fans
Santa Claus is one of the main antagonists of the International Assassins arc. When several foreign groups are dispatched to capture Denji and deliver his heart, Santa Claus stands out due to her:
- Strategic brilliance
- Relentless pursuit
- Psychological manipulation
She nearly succeeds in eliminating Denji and his allies by trapping them in Hell and later re-emerges as a darkness-powered monster. Her plan is foiled only through Denji’s ingenuity and power.
Final Thoughts
Santa Claus is not your typical villain. She’s a shadowy mastermind who weaponizes fear, darkness, and humanity itself. From crafting doll armies to striking terrifying deals with the Hell and Darkness Devils, her presence in Chainsaw Man is unforgettable.
