What Is The Control Devil In Chainsaw Man? Makima’s True Identity Explained

Daksh Chaudhary
May 7
3 min read

What is the Control Devil Makima's Power

If you’ve watched or read Chainsaw Man, you know Makima is the most terrifying and mysterious villains out there. She might seem like a cool, collected boss who takes Denji under her wing, giving him food, shelter, and even a sense of family. But later in the series, we learn she’s something much darker: the Control Devil itself.

So, what is the Control Devil, really? What are her powers? Why does Makima act the way she does? There's a lot to understand about Makima and her true form as the Control Devil. And wait, she has a connection to the legendary Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse as well. Time to break down everything about her.

ALSO READ: Why Does Makima Fear Chainsaw Man?

The Control Devil’s Power

Makima’s most terrifying ability is control. As the embodiment of humanity’s fear of domination, she can manipulate anyone she sees as beneath her, including humans, animals, and even other Devils. With just a glance or a word, she can force people to obey her, erase their memories, or even turn enemies into loyal servants - like Reze and Quanxi.

But her powers go even further. She can hear through animals like rats and birds to spy on anyone, anywhere. She can crush people with a single gesture, using a creepy ritual involving human sacrifices. And thanks to a contract with Japan’s Prime Minister, she can’t die, as any fatal injury just gets passed to a random citizen instead.

What Is Makima’s True Goal As The Control Devil?

Makima’s ultimate plan isn’t world domination, but something weirder and more personal. She’s obsessed with Pochita, the original Chainsaw Devil, because of his unique power to erase Devils and their concepts from existence. She doesn’t just want to control him; she wants to be with him, either by forcing him to submit or by letting him eat her, which she sees as an honor.

This obsession explains why she “adopts” Denji. She doesn’t care about him, she just wants to break his spirit so Pochita takes over. That’s why she kills Power, Aki, and everyone Denji loves: to crush his hope and force Pochita out. It’s messed up, but in her mind, it’s all for a “better world”.

The Four Horsemen Connection: Makima’s Dark Origins

Here’s one of the biggest reveals of Chainsaw Man: Makima isn’t just any Devil; she’s one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, a group of ultra-powerful Devils who remember every Devil Pochita has erased. The other Horsemen, which are later revealed, are War Devil (Yoru), Famine Devil (Fami), and Death.

ALSO READ: Chainsaw Man Breaks The Typical Shonen Formula Like No Other

This explains why she’s so strong - she’s literally a biblical force of doom. But it also makes her tragic. Unlike her sisters, Makima was raised by the Japanese government, who turned her into a weapon. That’s why she calls herself a “necessary evil”. She’s been molded into a cold, calculating monster.

How Makima Was Defeated In Chainsaw Man?

So, how do you kill someone who can’t die? Denji outsmarts her by exploiting her one flaw: she only remembers the scents of people she cares about. Since she never bothered to learn Denji’s smell (she only saw him as a tool), he ambushes her, eats her alive, and because he loves her, it bypasses her death contract.

But Devils don’t stay dead. Makima reincarnates as a little girl named Nayuta, whom Denji now raises. Unlike Makima, Nayuta isn’t evil, which proves that the Control Devil could’ve been good if raised with love, not manipulation.

Final Verdict: Makima Is More Than Just A Villain

While Makima turns into a scary boss lady, let's not forget she’s a tragic figure. She’s a Devil who craved love but only understood control, a weapon who wanted to change the world but didn’t know how to be human. Her story raises a big question: Are the true Devils humans?

With Nayuta’s arrival, Chainsaw Man suggests there’s hope. Maybe the Control Devil can be different, or maybe history will repeat itself. Either way, Makima’s legacy and her terrifying powers will haunt Denji forever.