I do agree that Denji's cunning and adaptability is impressive, but I think it's fair to say that it likely goes both ways, Kaneki is shown several times fighting people solely on instinct, like his training against Banjo. Denji's instinctual actions wouldn't be too much of an issue considering Kaneki can read attackers movements (including chaotic/unorthodox ones) develop mid fight and continuously overwhelm people with his Kagune spam to donut hole them.
Did you read the scan I mentioned? The point is that Denji doesn't just fight on pure instinct, his attacks and reactions are calculated, not random. Even when he's acting on "instinct," it's informed by experience, strategy and deception. In fact, Denji's fighting style is so unpredictable because he's not consciously thinking about the fight in a traditional way, he's mixing instinct with quick-thinking tactics. Someone trying to "read" him would struggle because Denji doesn’t telegraph his moves in a conventional way, he sets traps, uses the environment and adapts based on what’s happening moment to moment. Kaneki might be good at reading combat patterns, but Denji’s entire fighting style is based on dirty tactics, misdirection and strategies with a sea of unpredictability and chaos. Instinct isn't only at play here as well, Denji has formal combat training and his ability to bait and deceive opponents, along with his ridiculous endurance are all being stacked together. That makes it even harder for Kaneki to predict or overwhelm him, no matter how chaotic or spam-heavy Kaneki’s attacks are. At the end of the day, Denji isn’t fighting Kaneki "fairly" or predictably. He's going to exploit every opening, endure through everything Kaneki can throw and pull off unconventional counters just like he’s done against much smarter and more dangerous opponents than Kaneki.
Another thing to mention is that Kaneki has resistances to things like information analysis' and analytical pred which is going to make it hard for Denji to analyze things about him mid fight.
Overall, I think Kaneki wins due to :
a superior kit with much more range
the ability to ascertain Denji's movements for counters
a counter to Denji's ability to analyze his opponents well
and of course, the ability to one shot someone after a few minutes of fighting.
Most of your points don't really address what I actually said. Denji’s ability to "analyze" is based on situational awareness, quick thinking, exploiting physical openings and adapting in real time through dirty tactics and deception. Kaneki resisting things like "information analysis" doesn't matter when Denji is simply reading behavior, the environment and exploiting mistakes
instinctively. Denji doesn’t need to "analyze" Kaneki in the way you’re thinking, he baits and adapts in the moment, whether or not he can perfectly "read" his opponent. That’s how he beat much deadlier and more skilled opponents like Makima, Santa Claus, Reze, Katana Man, and the Falling Devil (momentarily).
As for Kaneki’s "superior kit" and "range," it’s not like Denji hasn’t dealt with enemies who had both overwhelming strength and range advantages before. Reze massively outclassed him in strength, skill and mobility, Santa Claus had invulnerability and an army of dolls that were constantly attacking him and even Santa Claus was frightened by Denji's refusal to die and even called him scary because
he just kept pushing and pushing and pushing. No not because he's pregnant, but because of his determination. (I encourage you to actually read the imgur link I attached). Makima defeated Pochita, the Gun Devil and had entire countries submit to her, even forcing Kishibe to give up and rely on Denji to try his plan, yet Denji
still pulled off a win through strategy, deception and raw grit. Kaneki's range won't stop Denji from baiting, tanking through, or exploiting weaknesses when the opportunity appears. Kaneki being able to "ascertain movements" also assumes Denji fights conventionally. He doesn't. Denji intentionally fights dirty: hiding chainsaws, baiting attacks to expose himself for counters, weaponizing his own pain and injuries to create openings and pulling unpredictable, suicidal stunts (like setting himself on fire) to flip battles around.
Lastly, saying Kaneki can "one-shot" after a few minutes assumes he even gets a clean hit through. Denji’s endurance is absolutely insane, this guy fought for 3 straight days against the Eternity Devil, cut into his own brain to resist mental attacks and kept fighting after being bisected and repeatedly stabbed through vital organs.
Kaneki’s not one-shotting Denji unless he lands a fatal blow and Denji just stands there and lets it happen, which he won’t.
At this point, I'm heavily inclined to assume you didn't actually read everything I said above:
Based on examples I gave above, yes his endurance is pretty broken as well, more examples such as: surviving being stabbed through the chest multiple times, enduring being bisected, fighting while heavily injured and even feeling pleasure from wounds inflicted by enemies like Sword Man.
At the end of the day, Denji has fought
stronger, smarter and deadlier opponents than Kaneki and survived using exactly the traits Kaneki would have the hardest time countering: unpredictability, ruthlessness, dirty tactics, endurance, on the fly strategy etc
... And why are we refusing to acknowlege that any attack Denji gives Kaneki slices through him like butter.
vsbattles.com
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