Is Chainsaw Man: Buddy Stories Canon? A Guide For The Fans

Chainsaw Man: Buddy Stories is a light novel that gives fans more time with their favorite Devil Hunters, but is it canon to the official Chainsaw Man story? If you’ve ever wondered whether Power’s detective antics or Aki and Himeno’s first mission count in the manga’s timeline, you’re not alone. Let’s break down what’s canon, what’s not.

Written by Sakaku Hishikawa and illustrated by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto, Buddy Stories includes four short tales about Denji, Power, Aki, and others. These stories feel like deleted scenes from the manga, but their place in the official lore isn’t clear-cut. Some fit neatly into the timeline, while others clash with major events. Here’s everything you need to know.

ALSO READ: Why Does Makima Fear Chainsaw Man?

What Is Chainsaw Man: Buddy Stories About?

The light novel has four stories:

The Great Detective Power and Her Assistant Denji: Power cosplays as a detective, dragging Denji into a goofy hotel mystery.
Nine Years’ Savor: Explores Quanxi and Kishibe’s complicated relationship nine years after they met.
The Day They Became Buddies: Shows Aki and Himeno’s first mission together, highlighting their early bond.
Enoshima, Island of Dreams: A 'what if' beach trip with Denji, Power, and Aki that never happened in the manga.

Fujimoto provided illustrations and the original concept, but Hishikawa wrote the stories. This collaboration makes fans wonder: Does the author's involvement make it canon? Whether Chainsaw Man: Buddy Stories is canon or not depends on two factors: timeline consistency and creator intent.

Chainsaw Man: Buddy Stories Canon Debate: Which Stories Count?

The First Three Chainsaw Man: Buddy Stories - Maybe canon.

Detective Power and Aki/Himeno’s Mission don’t contradict the manga. They slide neatly into quieter moments when characters aren’t involved in major arcs.
Quanxi and Kishibe’s backstory also lines up with what the manga hints at, especially their history as comrades, though it adds some extra and toxic layers to their relationship.

Fans often call these stories “slice-of-life canon”: side adventures that deepen characters without changing the main plot, similar to One Punch Man specials. But does that label really fit?

The fourth story, Enoshima, Island of Dreams, clearly doesn’t. In it, Denji, Power, and Aki take a beach trip, something that never happens in the manga. In fact, the manga cancels this exact trip after Power is seriously injured by the Darkness Devil.

Why Does It Matter?

Canon debates might seem nitpicky, but they affect how fans view character growth and world-building:

Aki and Himeno’s Relationship: Their buddy story adds emotional depth to their tragic manga fate.
Quanxi and Kishibe: Their history explains Kishibe’s later ruthlessness.
Power’s Personality: The detective story reinforces her chaotic, attention-seeking vibe.

However, Buddy Stories isn’t essential to understanding the manga. It’s more like bonus content for fans craving extra moments with the cast. So, don't just go ahead and build opinions just yet; enjoy the stories with some popcorn.

Final Verdict: It’s Complicated (But Mostly Not Canon)

Officially, Chainsaw Man: Buddy Stories exists in a gray area. Tatsuki Fujimoto hasn’t confirmed if it’s canon, and the stories range from plausible to impossible. Here’s the simplest take: Treat the first three stories as soft canon: They don’t break the timeline and enrich character dynamics. Skip the fourth story if you care about strict lore accuracy.

At the end of the day, Buddy Stories is best enjoyed as a fun expansion of the Chainsaw Man universe, not a must-read for plot continuity. It’s worth reading just to hang out with these characters a bit more.