Backed by the residual heat of Edgerunners and Aoyama's internet fame, the initial release of Chainsaw Man launched under high anticipation.
The metric didn't fail expectations. The popularity score for the first chapter climbed quickly to the number six position on the overall magazine charts.
This was a textbook example of the "Masterpiece Effect."
With Edgerunners standing as a peak standard, readers were naturally eager for Aoyama's next execution.
While the core concept of fighting monsters wasn't groundbreaking, the execution offered a fresh layer of innovation compared to traditional setups.
Specifically, the "Concept Devil" mechanic offered a dark, hilarious edge that was both deeply tragic and amusing at the same time.
And the action-packed, gore-heavy slaughter delivered a wave of satisfying adrenaline to the readers.
The first response differed fully from the slow, world-building start of Edgerunners, which had focused heavily on explaining the Cyberware mechanics.
But Chainsaw Man was framed for immediate, high-tempo entertainment.
The official forums and major digital discussion boards flooded with positive reviews:
{ "As expected, Aoyama the butcher is not holding a full deck of wires. This pacing is jumping around so fast it leaves me flat-footed." }
{ "He's a certified Cyberpsycho. Completely expected." }
{ "Wow, that protagonist... easily the most miserable lead I've ever seen. No parents, debt, and selling body chunks for interest." }
{ "He is tragic to read. His ultimate dream is just eating bread with butter." }
{ "Don't forget holding a woman! Hahaha, he's honest with his desires!" }
{ "I am highly anticipating this. That first chapter was satisfying." }
{ "The female lead is also striking. Aoyama excels at writing charismatic female characters,Lucy, Rebecca, and now this lady in black are all gorgeous and distinct!" }
{ "To the comment above, please address her as Rebecca-chan~" }
{ "Are you guys forgetting Kiwi and David's mother already?" }
{ "Don't forget what Aoyama did in Edgerunners. He's probably just laying the traps before pulling the blades out!" }
---
While the hype for Chainsaw Man gathered steam, the sales figures for the first single-volume copy of Edgerunners were officially tabulated.
"Moshi-moshi~ Ayumi, is there something on the itinerary?"
Aoyama's familiar voice rang through the receiver, and Ayumi struggled to maintain her professional composure.
Choosing to drop the heavy pacing, she let out an excited cheer.
"Aoyama-sensei, congratulations! The first-run single-volume sales for Edgerunners have officially crossed one million copies! It's a massive success!"
Unlike previous standards where reaching one million sales was a rare anomaly, inside the vast borders and dense population of the Federation, a million copies was simply the entry index for a popular hit.
This was mostly tied to the robust financial status of the Federation.
Citizens had excellent income stability and welfare, much like the peak economic index of major Western zones in past eras.
When finances were green, supporting original production rights was natural.
As the saying goes: "When the barns are full, ethics are understood; when food and clothing are sufficient, honor and disgrace are known."
When survival is fully secured, people seek out higher mental entertainment, willing paying for original content to support owners.
With a population exceeding 1.5 billion inhabitants across the central and adjacent districts, even a fractional percentile of support translated into staggering numbers.
Because of this metric, one million units was merely the door.
Reaching ten million copies, or a total of 100 million copies across a full series run, was the condition marking phenomenon-level releases.
Regardless, the speed at which Edgerunners cleared the million-copy mark was incredible to celebrate.
And this was inside a system where Manga World had been playing its initial print run conservatively.
"That's amazing!"
Aoyama was smiling to himself, listening to the adrenaline in Ayumi's voice.
"To celebrate, shall we hit that Michelin three-star restaurant in the downtown district again for dinner tonight?"
Ayumi was slightly embarrassed by the offer. "That feels like making you break your budget continuously, Sensei..."
"It is fine! Reaching a success demands celebration, do not lose sleep worrying about my credit balance!"
Aoyama replied confidently. "I'm laying my cards out on the table: I am a billionaire!"
Combining his late parents' real-estate estate inside the Federal Capital's central district and the actual balance sitting inside his banking cards, Aoyama was indeed holding a mountain of capital assets.
"In that case... alright."
Ayumi smiled, no longer arguing the point.
---
Simultaneously, in the Federal Capital.
Inside a high-level computer processing laboratory.
A middle-aged man wearing a white lab coat sat tapping away on a laptop keyboard while sizing up the mainframe racks sitting opposite his desk.
He rested his chin in his fist, his face locked in a serious posture.
He wore a pair of noise-canceling headphones, and to any passing observer, he looked like a dedicated researcher logging critical data or compiling a high-level report.
But he was completely unaware of the silhouette silently materializing behind his chair.
Professor Sato was watching his student with paternal pride.
'The newly admitted Ph.D. is dedicated and focused. I'll grant him a positive verbal bonus and let him leave early tonight.'
He slowly closed the distance, raising his hand to deliver an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
But before his palm could land, Sato's gaze dropped to the laptop screen...
There wasn't any text report or compiling on the display. It was an open streaming player, and the student was actively watching a video!
Suddenly feeling a sharp, freezing temperature settling on his neck, Masaru Tanaka shivered.
He spun in his chair and made direct contact with the eyes of his advisor, Professor Sato.
His core shivered.
A forced, awkward smile fitted itself to his face, looking less natural than crying.
"P-Professor... when did you arrive...?"
Sato snorted with disapproval.
"Have you compiled the IPC data? What are you doing here, watching a comic stream? Having too much bandwidth on your hands?"
"Perfect. There is a lecture schedule next week; compiling the lecture slides and reading index is sitting on your desk now. It must be flawless!"
"...Yes, sir."
Masaru Tanaka wanted to weep but had no way to defend himself. He'd been caught fishing during office hours.
"Hmpf."
Sato offered a final disapproving grunt and turned to exit the laboratory cage.
But just as he turned to leave, out of the extreme corner of his eye, he caught a glance of a vaguely familiar silhouette playing on the screen.
He froze, snapping his head back around to stare at the display.
On the layout, a video feed of a stage interview was playing, catching the sharp side profile of a high, slender young man with black hair.
Professor Sato's eyes snapped wide open with shock.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]