Chainsaw Man's Biggest Mystery: Who is Kobeni Higashiyama's Contract Demon? An In-Depth Analysis from "Secret" to "Extreme Luck"
In the world of "Chainsaw Man," the strength of a devil hunter largely depends on which devil they have contracted with and what price they paid for it. However, among the many characters, Kobeni Higashiyama (also known as Little Kobeni), a former member of Public Safety's Special Division 4, is an enigmatic presence. She is timid, cries easily, and always wants to quit, yet she always manages to survive the most desperate and dangerous situations. Her biggest secret is her never-revealed "contract devil." This suspense has sparked countless speculations and discussions among fans.
Official Setting's Blank: "My Contract Devil is a Secret"
The story never directly reveals Kobeni's contract devil. During her self-introduction at the mixer when she first appeared, when asked about her contract devil, she merely replied, "It's... a secret." This answer became the core mystery surrounding Kobeni. In subsequent plot developments, even when facing life-threatening danger, she never summons a devil to protect herself like other devil hunters, instead relying on her superhuman physical abilities and a small kitchen knife to fight.
This反常 behavior led fans to their first bold speculation: Kobeni Higashiyama might not have a contract devil at all. Could it be that, to protect herself and allow her to leave this high-risk job at any time, she never offered any body part to form a contract? This theory perfectly explains why she never summons a devil.
Amazing Physical Prowess and the Nickname "Wrestling Devil"
Although mentally extremely fragile, Kobeni's physical abilities displayed at critical moments are top-notch. In battles against Katana Man and Sawatari, she demonstrated fluid movements, easily dodging attacks and even disarming opponents to counterattack. Her agility even surprised Katana Man, who called her a "monkey." This stark contrast with her timid personality has spawned many interesting fan theories, such as her actually being a contractor of the "Wrestling Devil" or the "Sweat Gland Devil," because she is always falling and sweating profusely. Although these are mostly playful nicknames, they also attest to her extraordinary physical prowess.
Major Fan Theory Guesses: Luck or Another Contract?
Regarding the truth about Kobeni's contract devil, several mainstream and interesting theories circulate within the fan community:
- Secret Devil/Illegal Devil: A quite popular theory suggests that Kobeni's contract devil is the "Secret Devil." Her ability is to make the contract itself a "secret," with the cost being that she cannot use it in front of others. Additionally, there were rumors that author Tatsuki Fujimoto mentioned Kobeni formed her contract in an "illegal" manner, making the "Illegal Devil" an interesting direction for speculation.
- Luck/Unluck Devil: What's most astonishing about Kobeni is her "incredible luck." When facing the Darkness Devil in Hell, Special Division 4 was almost completely wiped out, yet she alone survived unscathed. Therefore, some fans speculate her contract partner might be some kind of devil related to "luck." She might have sacrificed her "normal luck" in exchange for "survival luck" in extreme danger, which would also explain why she always encounters various misfortunes in her daily life.
- Monkey Devil: This theory originates from Katana Man's nickname for her and her superhuman agility. Interestingly, this theory also incorporates the concept of the "Monkey's Paw," suggesting her wishes are always granted in a twisted or unfortunate way, which fits her often-complained-about unlucky constitution.
Conclusion: The Charm of an Unsolved Mystery
Until the end of the first part of the "Chainsaw Man" manga, author Tatsuki Fujimoto never provided an official answer regarding Kobeni Higashiyama's contract devil. It is precisely this空白 that gives Kobeni her unique charm. She is both a timid, cowardly ordinary person and a survivor who can unleash astonishing potential in desperate situations. What exactly is her contract devil? Or is she really just surviving on pure physical ability and a touch of bizarre luck? This unsolved mystery keeps fans eagerly discussing it and makes Kobeni Higashiyama one of the most memorable and highly debated characters in "Chainsaw Man."
Browse Chainsaw Man merchandise now