The Psychology of Seduction: Makima Seduces Denji — Chainsaw Man

What is seduction? Is it only sexual? What is the psychological mechanism behind seduction? Psychotherapist Georgia Dow uses Makima from "Chainsaw Man" to help us understand seduction!

#chainsawman #makima #seduction

🚨 DISCLAIMER: This video series is provided for informational purposes only and should not substitute for a personal consultation with a professional.

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[driphearts]

In an interview with Tatsuki Fujimoto (the author of Chainsaw Man's original manga), Tatsuki Fujimoto mentions that Makima's character was majorly influenced by child abuse documentaries. That should tell you just how horrific she is as a person

[KnucklesR]

Makima is always in full control.
In a sense, she dominates Denji here, she's making ALL the moves.
I feel like how she previously told him he's her dog also plays into this. Denji looks up at her the entire time, much like a dog, gets parts of him bitten, like a dog might assert dominance over another, in the end he falls over on his back, much like a submissive animal presenting their belly.
And then Makina gets on him, further establishing that dominance of who is on top, who is in control.

Denji is being deeply manipulated here, a sweet poison~

[youtubesucksbutts]

An anime only friend of mine said that Makima had more red flags than a Communist Parade and all I could say is, "Oh, you have NO idea."

[Sachistar]

And this type of grooming is actually PERFECT to entrap someone like denji who has been yearning for kind human touch for the entirety of his life. He’s probably more “primed” to be receptive to her manipulations.

[birbdude]

I am a writing student and, I have to say, I really like your videos. They are super educational. I really like the maturity and the whole-heartedness you interact with the stories that you look at.

[jordanpickering]

I thought this video was going to be about how Makima uses seduction to manipulate Denji but honestly I really appreciated what you said in this video, just explaining what Makima does and how seduction works.
Although I think a video on the more predatory side of this may be a interesting video if a bit dark. At the end of the day this is still an Adult taking advantage of a 16 year old boy who has never had anything.

[GKMaverick]

Makima’s own manipulation through the use of seduction is one of the most interesting parts to see in action. Aside from how…fluid…the animation makes it, Makima’s power imbalance as Denji’s superior and the one who gave him the things he wanted is what allows Denji to fall for this despite how clear it is that he is in way over his head. Denji also has an issue with never being satisfied so Makima plays into that by giving him things he “might” want or that he thinks he wants all while being careful with how she words everything. She isn’t just saying words without meaning, she’s using body language and the mood of the moment to set a pace and get Denji wrapped around her fingers. It’s straight up what groomers have been known to do and because she is the adult in this situation (Denji is about 16-17) she has the power needed to be authoritative with Denji without even letting him know she’s actually telling him what to do for the most part. From his end, he’s doing it cause he thinks what he wants and she’s the one who told him and enlightened him on such things. She can be the one to give him what he thinks he wants and she capitalizes on that. And the thing is…we still don’t know why which makes her actions and decisions throughout even more concerning and confusing.

[nonparticular]

I also like the way this episode framed Denji's reaction to achieving his goals. He got to experience the full spectrum from crushing disappointment to having it surpass his expectations. It feels like it's saying there is a right way and wrong way to pursue your goals. Too bad it came at the cost of getting super manipulated.

[freshpinkapples]

I love the fact that there are roughly two, maybe three types of people regarding Makima:
The type who hate her because of her manipulation, the type who knows she's probably not good, but adore her as a character, and the type who woofs.

[lrhwdqt]

Light Yagami : Gaslighting
Makima : Gaslighting, but she's a waifu

[GenerationWest]

Makima: You're my pet now, and pets get treats for being good. So bark for me.
Denji: That's cute, I have been good.
Makima: That wasn't a bark...
Denji: ....Oh.

[thvoice]

I agree, there's such a thing as seduction and, in fact, manipulation that doesn't need to be malicious. Someone who wants something FROM someone can, in fact, also just want that someone. Seduction may be both getting them SOMETHING they want but also be something they enjoy and want from that person. It may not be the best long-term solution, but you can also manipulate someone, try to steer them, for their own good rather than your own. It's a false dichotomy people setup far too frequently - "Does X really love Y, or are they just manipulating them to get something?" It CAN be a little from column A and a little from column B.

However... Makima is shockingly predatory and malicious towards Denji. Compared to another not-completely-healthy fictional relationship - Jinx' and Silco's relation is downright sweet and snuggly compared to this. Sure, Makima is TEACHING Denji something - but she's also not treating him much different from what the gangsters in the first episode. Threatened with execution should he turn against her, then strung along and emotionally used.

That said, I *ADORE* Makima as a character. The soul-dead gaze, the inscrutable smile... she's utterly sublime. That, however, doesn't make her any less a monster. I'm convinced she must be some kind of human/devil hybrid creature, like Denji, herself, unless the writer is going for a "humans are the real monsters" angle, which would be cool too. Regardless, I look forward to seeing how this all turns out.

[NotoriousTim]

One of the reasons I don't like Makima at all so far is because of her manipulation and "seduction" of Denji. Maybe that's the point, but my boy Denji needs to stop being used by other people.

[BeldansFire]

This is why i like to watch industry people watch certain anime. Doctors watching Cells at work. Musicians watching openings. Filmmakers watching artistic anime. A psychologist analyzing the characters in this show is the bees knees!

[avivkm]

Makima explaining Makima
MIND BLOWING

[JTByrd]

Achieving this kind of connection without becoming emotionally invested grants immense leverage.
But I cannot see how this can be done without first dehumanizing either the target or the self.
In Makima's case, I believe it is the former: Denji is merely the adolescent-shaped handle by which she wields the Chainsaw Devil.

[nubocerbo]

makima is definitely an expert in seduction as evident in her Control over denji in this scene

[hittkid]

Makima is definitely grooming Denji, it's worse remembering how Makima have an almost complete power over Denji who is basically a child. Not sure of what his age is but Denji definitely did not have the environment to grow into a stable and well-adjusted person. That entire "seduction" scene just creeped me out so much and if that was the intended audience reaction then they did it amazingly well.

[anightdragonspopculture]

OMG, I saw this scene and my first thought was, "I HOPE Georgia analyzes this." lol. I read this as manipulation of the highest order but that comes from my not knowing what Makima's deal is. It worries me that Denji is being taken for a ride. But your explanation does outline the positive aspects of this scene. Let's see where it goes... Anyway, awesome video as always.

[rikkucollins]

Makima is always in control and only gets more terrifying as the story develops. No spoilers, but she is a truly effective villain who puts other anime schemers to shame. Madara who? Aizen should take notes.