Before we dive into the intricate world of Makima's powers, it's crucial to clarify a common point of confusion. Makima is a central, incredibly powerful character exclusively from Tatsuki Fujimoto's groundbreaking manga and anime series, Chainsaw Man. She does not appear in Fire Force. It's a common mistake, given the shared dark fantasy themes, but rest assured, this deep dive will focus on her true origins and abilities within the Chainsaw Man universe.
Makima isn't just another powerful entity; she's a force of nature, embodying humanity's deepest, most primal fear of control. As the Control Devil, her abilities are less about raw destructive force and more about insidious, pervasive manipulation, making her one of the most formidable and terrifying antagonists in modern fiction. Understanding how she operates requires peeling back layers of deceit, twisted contracts, and a chilling vision for a "better" world.
The Architect of Fear: Who is Makima, The Control Devil?
In the universe of Chainsaw Man, devils are manifestations of human fears, growing stronger the more deeply humanity fears their concept. Makima stands apart because she embodies the intangible, yet universal, fear of control. This makes her uniquely powerful, elusive, and devastatingly effective. She is not merely a devil but one of the Four Horsemen, an ancient group of immensely potent devils, positioning her at the very pinnacle of supernatural power. Her ability to blend seamlessly into human society, working as a Public Safety Devil Hunter, only amplifies her danger, as she orchestrates events from the shadows. To truly grasp her influence, it's essential to .
Twisted Deals: Makima's Unique Devil Contracts
Devil contracts typically involve a human offering a sacrifice, often a body part, in exchange for a devil's power. These are usually straightforward transactions. Makima, however, subverts this fundamental concept entirely. Her approach to contracts is not about lending power, but about compelling obedience and servitude.
Instead of transparent exchanges, Makima's contracts are often one-sided, designed to force individuals—be they humans, fiends, or hybrids—to fight for her, becoming her pawns. She masterfully employs both deceptive charm, as seen in her calculated interactions with Denji, and outright compulsion through her inherent control abilities. This transforms the traditional "deal with the Devil" into a predatory act, highlighting why it's crucial to . Her vast network of these forced contracts grants her unparalleled influence, making even entire nations hesitate to challenge her directly.
The Unkillable Foe: Makima's Immortality and Eventual Defeat
One of Makima's most terrifying attributes was her near-perfect immortality. This wasn't a natural devil trait but a result of her most significant and chilling contract: a pact with the Prime Minister of Japan. Under this agreement, any fatal attack inflicted upon Makima would be immediately redirected to a random Japanese citizen, manifesting as a plausible cause of death like a sudden illness. This allowed her to cheat death repeatedly, making her seemingly invincible.
However, even the Control Devil had a loophole. Her defeat came at the hands of Denji, the Chainsaw Man, in a truly unconventional manner. Denji, through an act he perceived as "love and care"—consuming her in a loving, non-attack context—bypassed the conditions of her immortality contract. This ultimate act of "eating" her, driven by a twisted form of affection rather than hostility, allowed her to be truly defeated at the climax of Chainsaw Man Part 1. To fully appreciate this groundbreaking moment, you'll want to .
A Symphony of Domination: Makima's Powers and Abilities
As the Control Devil, Makima wields a vast array of powers, combining standard devil capabilities with unique, mind-bending control-based abilities that are most effective against those she deems inferior.
Standard Devil Abilities:
- Enhanced Senses: Makima possesses an incredibly keen sense of smell, allowing her to identify individuals, even detecting Pochita's presence within Denji.
- Superhuman Strength: She exhibits formidable physical strength, notably breaking Denji's chainsaws with ease.
- Regeneration: Like most devils, she can rapidly heal from severe injuries by consuming blood.
- Reincarnation: The Control Devil, like all devils, cannot be truly eradicated as long as the fear of control exists. Makima's death only led to the Control Devil's reincarnation as Nayuta.
Special Control Devil Powers:
Her true terror lies in her specialized abilities:
- Brainwashing and Mind Control: Makima can effortlessly control minds, erase memories, and fundamentally alter personalities, turning even her fiercest enemies into affectionate, loyal subordinates.
- Ability Steal/Subordination: She can utilize the unique powers of her subordinates, effectively adding their capabilities to her own arsenal. This was terrifyingly demonstrated through her use of the Angel Devil's lifespawn-draining abilities.
- Remote Spying: Her control extends to lower life forms, enabling her to manipulate creatures like rats to conduct widespread surveillance across the globe.
- Telepathy: By placing her hand on an individual's head, she can transmit her voice directly into their mind, a terrifying method of communication, even with deceased devils.
- Teleportation: She can move vast distances at incredible speeds by controlling and forming clusters of rats, effectively using them as a rapid transport mechanism.
- Force Manipulation (Ritual/Invisible Force): This is perhaps her most visually distinct and brutal power.
- Ritualistic Force: This requires a specific ritual: blindfolding her targets, writing the name of a "human sacrifice" on her hand, and joining her hands together. This act allows her to remotely crush opponents with an invisible, devastating force, leading to an exceptionally gruesome death.
- "Force Bullets": In her reincarnated form as Nayuta, the Control Devil has shown the ability to project powerful "force bullets" by simply uttering "BANG!", demonstrating raw destructive power even against formidable devils like the Darkness Devil.
Despite her immense power, Makima does have limitations; she cannot control entities she perceives as superior to herself, most notably the legendary Chainsaw Devil (Pochita) and the terrifying Darkness Devil. For a complete breakdown of her full range of domination, you’ll want to check out .
Beyond Power: Makima's True Intentions and Ultimate Goal
Makima is defined by her extreme manipulation, chilling selfishness, and utter lack of honor or remorse. She operates under the guise of being a human ally within the Public Safety Commission, masterfully concealing her true devil nature to advance her agenda. She views others not as equals but as tools, famously stating she sees herself as a "lonely creature" surrounded by puppets instead of friends. Her machinations against Denji, creating a false sense of family and romantic affection, were all designed to break his spirit and exploit the Chainsaw Devil within him.
Her ultimate, world-altering goal was to harness the Chainsaw Devil's unique ability to "erase" concepts from existence. By using Pochita, Makima aimed to eliminate the existence of all devils and their associated fears, thereby creating an ideal world free from fear and suffering – a world where she would be the ultimate, benevolent ruler. She also sought to eliminate the other Three Horsemen to consolidate her power. To truly get inside her head, it's worth taking a moment to .
A New Beginning: The Control Devil Reincarnated as Nayuta
Following Makima's defeat, the Control Devil reincarnated in China as a young girl named Nayuta. While no longer Makima, Nayuta still embodies the essence of the Control Devil. She displays echoes of Makima's traits, such as her exceptional sense of smell and a particular fondness for dogs. Now under Denji's care, there's a fragile hope that with the right guidance and a loving environment, Nayuta can develop differently from her predecessor. However, the inherent nature of the Control Devil always looms. If you're curious about the future of this terrifying power, be sure to .
Makima, as the Control Devil from Chainsaw Man, stands as a testament to the idea that true fear often lies not in monstrous appearances, but in the insidious power of manipulation and the desire to control. Her legacy continues to shape the narrative, even through her reincarnation, proving that some fears are simply too fundamental to ever truly disappear.