All New CSM Units in Anime Guardians: Tier List & Abilities
The highly anticipated Chainsaw Man update has finally roared into Anime Guardians, bringing a wave of chaos and excitement to the game. This major content drop introduces a roster of iconic characters from the popular series, each with unique abilities and passive effects that are set to redefine the current meta. As someone who’s been playing Anime Guardians since its early days, I can tell you this is one of the most game-changing updates we’ve seen in 2026!
Complete Chainsaw Man Update Units Overview (March 2026)
The Chainsaw Man (CSM) update doesn’t just bring new skins and models—it introduces characters with distinct kits that offer new strategic depth to your team compositions. From devastating controllers to relentless damage dealers, these units bring fresh dynamics to battle strategy. Let me break down every single new unit you can get in this update.
| Unit Name | Tier | Role | Rarity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makima (Control Devil) | S-Tier | Support/Controller | Legendary | Team control & Denji synergy |
| Denji (Chainsaw Devil) | A-Tier | Main DPS | Legendary | Charm-based damage teams |
| Darkness Devil | A-Tier | Main DPS | Legendary | Consistent AoE damage |
| Raz | B-Tier | Balanced/Support | Epic | Early-mid game stability |
| Hajun | B-Tier | Secondary DPS/Tank | Epic | Backup damage dealer |
| Reze (Bomb Devil) | B-Tier | Damage | Epic | Explosive AoE damage |
| Himeno | B-Tier | Support | Epic | Utility-based teams |
| Aki Hayakawa | C-Tier | Niche Damage | Rare | Collection/early game |
All New Units in Anime Guardians Chainsaw Man Update (2026)
S-Tier: The Meta-Defining Units
Makima (The Control Devil)
Rank: S-Tier
Role: Support/Controller
Rarity: Legendary
Makima stands at the pinnacle of the new Chainsaw Man units, and for good reason. She isn’t just a pure damage dealer—her kit revolves around powerful crowd control and team support, making her an invaluable asset for any endgame composition.
Key Abilities:
- Charm Effect: Makima’s most defining ability is her powerful Charm effect, which can effectively neutralize key enemy threats
- Synergistic Support: She provides direct synergistic support for Denji, amplifying his damage and making their combination one of the deadliest in the game
- Battlefield Control: Her presence alone changes how engagements play out, giving you unprecedented control over the flow of battle
Why She’s S-Tier: Makima’s Charm ability makes her the best controller in the current meta. When paired with Denji, she creates a devastating synergy that can carry you through even the most challenging content. Her flexibility means she fits into virtually any team composition, but she truly shines in control-focused setups.
Best Team Compositions:
- Core: Makima + Denji + any strong supports
- Alternative: Makima + Darkness Devil for control + raw damage
- Early Game: Makima + Raz for stable progression
A-Tier: The Powerful Core Units
Darkness Devil
Rank: A-Tier
Role: Main DPS
Rarity: Legendary
A visually striking and incredibly potent unit, the Darkness Devil serves as a premier main DPS option. It consistently outputs massive damage while maintaining good survivability, making it a reliable anchor for any team.
Key Abilities:
- Consistent AoE Damage: The Darkness Devil is a powerhouse of consistent Area-of-Effect (AoE) damage
- High Survivability: Unlike glass cannon units, it can take hits while dealing damage
- Straightforward Kit: Easy to use effectively, making it accessible for all player levels
Why It’s A-Tier: While slightly below Makima due to less team synergy, the Darkness Devil is an excellent standalone Main DPS. If you prefer a straightforward, high-damage carry over a more strategic controller like Makima, the Darkness Devil is a fantastic choice that won’t disappoint.
Best Team Compositions:
- Core: Darkness Devil + Makima for control + damage
- Solo Carry: Darkness Devil + supports/tanks
- Balanced: Darkness Devil + Raz + utility units
Denji (Chainsaw Man)
Rank: A-Tier
Role: Main DPS
Rarity: Legendary
The star of the show brings immense damage potential. Denji excels as a hyper-carry, especially when his unique mechanics are supported by the right teammates. His synergy with certain units, particularly Makima, unlocks his true power.
Key Abilities:
- High Sustained Damage: Denji is a relentless damage dealer built around dealing high sustained damage
- Charm Synergy: His potential is maximized when paired with units that can trigger or enhance his passive damage effects, particularly those that apply Charm
- Scaling Potential: Becomes exponentially stronger with the right support setup
Why He’s A-Tier: Denji is still a very strong A-Tier damage dealer on his own, but he truly reaches his S-Tier potential when paired with Makima. He can work well in other teams, but the synergy with Makima is what makes him exceptional and worth building around.
Best Team Compositions:
- Core: Denji + Makima (the deadly duo)
- Alternative: Denji + Raz for stable early-mid game
- Support: Denji + any charm-applying units
B-Tier: Solid Situational Picks
Raz
Rank: B-Tier
Role: Balanced/Support
Rarity: Epic
Raz is a well-rounded and versatile unit. He is a fantastic choice for early-to-mid game players, offering stability and consistent performance, particularly in support-based team compositions.
Key Abilities:
- Balanced Performance: Raz provides a stable presence on the battlefield
- Support Utility: He doesn’t excel in pure damage but offers a good mix of utility and support
- Early Game Value: Fits nicely into teams that don’t rely on a single hyper-carry
Why He’s B-Tier: Raz is a solid unit that won’t blow you away with damage but provides consistent value. He’s perfect for players who haven’t unlocked the legendary units yet or need a reliable filler for their team composition.
Best Team Compositions:
- Early Game: Raz + Denji for stable progression
- Support: Raz + any main DPS for utility
- Balanced: Raz + multiple damage dealers
Hajun
Rank: B-Tier
Role: Secondary DPS/Tank
Rarity: Epic
Hajun is a capable guardian who can hold his own. However, he doesn’t offer a significant advantage over existing top-tier units, often serving better as a secondary damage dealer or a team filler.
Key Abilities:
- Durable Frontline: Functions as a durable frontline unit capable of dealing decent damage
- Consistent Performance: Effective but doesn’t bring any unique mechanics that would place him higher
- Team Filler: Good for filling gaps in your team composition
Why He’s B-Tier: Hajun is effective but doesn’t stand out compared to the S and A-Tier units. He’s a good option if you need a filler tank/damage dealer, but you’ll want to replace him with higher-tier units as you progress.
Best Team Compositions:
- Backup: Hajun + main DPS for extra durability
- Filler: Hajun + any team composition needing a tank
- Early Game: Hajun + Raz for balanced progression
Reze (Bomb Devil)
Rank: B-Tier
Role: Damage
Rarity: Epic
Reze brings explosive AoE damage to the battlefield, making her a solid choice for players who enjoy area-clearing capabilities.
Key Abilities:
- Explosive AoE: Specializes in area-of-effect damage with explosive effects
- Wave Clear: Excellent for clearing large groups of enemies quickly
- Situational Power: Shines in specific game modes with many enemies
Why She’s B-Tier: Reze is a solid unit with good AoE capabilities, but she’s outclassed by the higher-tier units in most situations. She’s worth using if you need area clear but isn’t essential for the meta.
Best Team Compositions:
- AoE Focus: Reze + other AoE units for wave clear
- Support: Reze + tank units for protection
- Early Game: Reze + balanced team composition
Himeno
Rank: B-Tier
Role: Support
Rarity: Epic
Himeno provides utility-based support to teams, offering various buffs and debuffs that can enhance your overall team performance.
Key Abilities:
- Utility Support: Provides various buffs and debuffs to help your team
- Team Enhancement: Can enhance the performance of other units through her abilities
- Flexible Usage: Fits into multiple team compositions
Why He’s B-Tier: Himeno is a decent support unit but doesn’t bring the game-changing utility that Makima provides. He’s useful for specific team compositions but isn’t essential for the current meta.
Best Team Compositions:
- Support: Himeno + any damage dealers
- Utility: Himeno + units that benefit from buffs
- Balanced: Himeno + mixed team composition
C-Tier: Niche or Collector Units
Aki Hayakawa
Rank: C-Tier
Role: Niche Damage
Rarity: Rare
Unfortunately, Aki finds himself in the lower tier. While thematically fitting, his passive abilities and overall damage output don’t compete effectively in high-level content, making him a unit mostly for collectors.
Key Abilities:
- Thematic Design: Stylish design that fits the Chainsaw Man theme
- Basic Damage: Simple damage abilities without special mechanics
- Early Game Use: Can be used in the early game but falls off quickly
Why He’s C-Tier: Aki’s abilities and passives are generally outmatched by other units. He can be used in the early game but falls off quickly as you acquire stronger units. Unless you’re collecting for aesthetics or story reasons, Aki might not be the best investment for gameplay.
Best Team Compositions:
- Collection: Aki + other Chainsaw Man units for theme
- Early Game: Aki + basic team composition
- Filler: Aki + any team needing a temporary unit
Best Team Compositions and Synergies
The key to mastering the new meta is leveraging the powerful synergies between the Chainsaw Man units. Based on my testing and research, here are the most effective team compositions:
The Devil’s Duo (Top Meta Combo)
Core Units: Makima, Denji
Support Units: Any strong supports or tanks
Why It Works: This is the most potent combination from the update. Makima’s Charm not only controls the battlefield but also directly empowers Denji, turning him into an unstoppable damage machine. Fill the remaining slots with other strong supports or tanks to create a well-rounded team.
Strategy:
- Place Makima in a position where she can charm multiple enemies
- Position Denji to take advantage of charmed enemies
- Use supports to enhance both units’ abilities
- Watch as Denji destroys everything with enhanced damage
Darkness Carry Team
Core Units: Darkness Devil, Makima
Support Units: Tanks and utility supports
Why It Works: Pair the raw, consistent damage of the Darkness Devil with the unparalleled control of Makima. This creates a team that can both control the flow of battle and delete enemies efficiently.
Strategy:
- Use Makima to control dangerous enemies
- Let Darkness Devil shred through controlled targets
- Supports keep both units alive and enhance their abilities
- Focus on positioning for maximum AoE coverage
Balanced Early-Game Team
Core Units: Raz, Denji
Support Units: Early-game accessible supports
Why It Works: For players who haven’t unlocked Makima, Raz provides a stable foundation that allows Denji to deal his damage safely. This is a reliable team for progressing through the mid-game.
Strategy:
- Use Raz as a stable damage dealer and support
- Position Denji to focus on high-priority targets
- Use early-game supports to enhance both units
- Gradually replace supports as you unlock better units
Complete Tier List Analysis (March 2026)
S-Tier: Meta-Defining Units
- Makima: The best unit in the update. Her Charm ability and synergy with Denji make her essential for the current meta.
A-Tier: Strong and Reliable
- Darkness Devil: Excellent standalone DPS with consistent AoE damage
- Denji: Powerful DPS that becomes exceptional when paired with Makima
B-Tier: Solid Fillers
- Raz: Good early-mid game unit with balanced performance
- Hajun: Decent tank/damage dealer but outclassed by higher tiers
- Reze: Solid AoE damage specialist
- Himeno: Useful support with utility abilities
C-Tier: Niche or Collector Units
- Aki Hayakawa: Mostly for collection, falls off in late game
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who is the best unit to summon for in the Chainsaw Man update?
A: Without a doubt, Makima is the top priority. Her crowd control and ability to enable Denji make her the most impactful and meta-defining unit of the update. If you’re going to spend resources on any unit from this update, make it Makima first.
Q: Is Denji good without Makima?
A: Denji is still a very strong A-Tier damage dealer on his own, but he truly reaches his S-Tier potential when paired with Makima. He can work well in other teams, but the synergy with Makima is what makes him exceptional. If you get Denji but not Makima, he’s still worth using, just not at his full potential.
Q: Where does the Darkness Devil fit in the meta?
A: The Darkness Devil is an excellent standalone Main DPS. If you prefer a straightforward, high-damage carry over a more strategic controller like Makima, the Darkness Devil is a fantastic choice. It’s particularly good for players who like consistent, reliable damage output without complex positioning requirements.
Q: Should I invest in Aki or Hajun?
A: It is not recommended to heavily invest resources in Aki. Hajun is a better option if you need a filler tank/damage dealer, but both are outclassed by the S and A-Tier units. Save your resources for Makima, Denji, or Darkness Devil instead.
Q: What’s the best team composition for the Chainsaw Man update?
A: The best composition is Makima + Denji + supports. This combination leverages the powerful synergy between Makima’s Charm and Denji’s damage potential. If you don’t have both, Darkness Devil + Makima is the next best option, providing both control and consistent damage.
Q: Are the Chainsaw Man units worth the investment?
A: Absolutely! The Chainsaw Man units, particularly Makima and Denji, are some of the most powerful units in the current meta. They introduce new mechanics and synergies that can significantly improve your team performance. Even the B-Tier units like Raz and Hajun are solid additions for early-mid game progression.
Conclusion
The Chainsaw Man update has successfully injected a fresh and thrilling dynamic into Anime Guardians. With powerful new units like Makima and Denji introducing unique synergies, and formidable solo acts like the Darkness Devil, the strategic landscape of the game has evolved significantly.
Focus on acquiring the S-Tier and A-Tier units to stay competitive in 2026. Remember, building a team with strong synergy, especially the devastating combination of Makima and Denji, is the key to dominating the new meta and mastering this explosive update.
Whether you’re a veteran player or just starting out, these new units offer exciting possibilities for team building and strategy. Don’t forget to check out our Anime Guardians Codes for free rewards to help you summon these powerful units, and our Anime Guardians Tier List for more comprehensive rankings of all units in the game.
Pro Tip: Save your gems and resources for Makima first—she’s the cornerstone of the new Chainsaw Man meta and will provide the most value for your investment. Once you have her, focus on getting Denji to unlock their deadly synergy combination!
Looking for more Anime Guardians content? Check out our Anime Guardians Update 14 Patch Notes for previous update information, or explore other tower defense games like Retro Tower Defense for similar strategic gameplay experiences!