“Our love is like a red, red rose … and I am a little thorny.”
– The Mask in The Mask (1994).
The manga series Chainsaw Man created by Tatsuki Fujimoto began publishing as part of Weekly Shōnen Jump in December 2018 before shifting to Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ in July 2022. As happens with popular series, Chainsaw Man transitioned to animation with the Studio MAPPA-produced 12-episode first season tackling a portion of the “Public Safety Saga” that begins the series, introducing the setting, the rules, and the characters audiences will follow. Amid the frequently surreal situations and bloody conflicts, there resides a profound examination of the human condition centered on a young man given a second chance at a life well-lived — if it weren’t for everyone wanting his heart … literally. Rather than continue the narrative arc in series form, MAPPA, in partnership with Sony Pictures and Crunchyroll for North American distribution, created Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc, directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara (Chainsaw Man) and written by Hiroshi Seko (Jujutsu Kaisen 0), a theatrical experience that’s an undeniable treat for fans of the series and a fairly easy pickup for newbies. Mixing the usual absurdity and bloodletting, Reze Arc offers an opportunity to see the dazzling action of the series in a cinematic format while never once allowing the audience to forget the terrible trauma at the center of it all.
Denji voiced by Kikunosuke Toya in CHAINSAW MAN – THE MOVIE: REZE ARC. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures. © 2025 MAPPA/CHAINSAW MAN PROJECT ©TatsukiFujimoto/SHUEISHA.
In the wake of the attack on Public Safety Division 4 and the arrest of perpetrator Samurai Sword (voiced by Daiki Hamano), surviving members Denji, Aki, Power, Beam, Angel Devil, and leader Makima (voiced by Kikunosuke Toya, Shogo Sakata, Fairouz Ai, Natsuki Hanae, Maaya Uchida, and Tomori Kusunoki respectively), get back to their daily routines. While on patrol, Denji seeks shelter from a sudden storm in a phonebooth right as young lady Reze (voiced by Reina Ueda) does the same. Charmed by Reze, Denji begins to share a great deal of time together with Reze, but, as often happens, things don’t quite go as Denji plans, leading to glorious battle and incredible violence — the outcome of which will have rippling effects none can perceive in the moment.
Manga readers already know what’s in store for audiences with Reze Arc, however, in an effort to keep things spoiler-free, this review will presume only that you’re somewhat familiar with the world of Chainsaw Man as we dive in.
There’re two ways to look at Chainsaw Man — a top-level action adventure in which a dipshit protagonist finds himself perpetually in over his head, but thanks to the people around him, survives *or* a subtext thought experiment regarding emotional manipulation of a young adult in a situation he can’t possibly understand due to repeated abuses since childhood making him ripe for molding.
Reze voiced by Reina Ueda in CHAINSAW MAN – THE MOVIE: REZE ARC. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures. © 2025 MAPPA/CHAINSAW MAN PROJECT ©TatsukiFujimoto/SHUEISHA.
Regarding the first one, the theatrical experience is going to be an absolute wild ride for fans of the series. Even watching the episodes at home on a 63-in tv doesn’t compare to seeing Denji go hog-wild on the Typhoon Devil (voiced by Eri Kitamura) in a heads-up match that rivals Denji taking on the Eternity Devil (voiced by Masao Komaya) on the big screen. Action director Sota Shigetsugu (Kaiju No. 8) finds a way to make use of every single main character of this arc so that each one gets a moment to move their character forward in the transition from the previous Katana Man Arc through Reze and into whatever comes next. This means that not only do we get to see Aki once more swing his blade (with assistance from the Future Devil), thereby creating inventive adaptations of space given Aki’s new-found ability to see a few seconds ahead into the future, but creating tension within these moments because foresight only provides cover when one is adept at maneuvering, adjusting, and responding tactically and physically. As with the series, the camera moves dynamically without breaking the rules of cinema, director Tatusuya moving around the characters so as to provide the audience with a sense of scope and scale regardless of whether the fight is 1v1, 1-v-many, on the ground, in the air, or anywhere else a Devil may cry havoc. The gift for the audience: blood and sinew galore amid Toya’s maniacal laughter, Denji’s chainsaw blades tearing for purchase in anything they can grip.
Denji voiced by Kikunosuke Toya in CHAINSAW MAN – THE MOVIE: REZE ARC. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures. © 2025 MAPPA/CHAINSAW MAN PROJECT ©TatsukiFujimoto/SHUEISHA.
This being Chainsaw Man, the violence is often supported with salacious jokes and provocative character moments, such as Denji’s first time touching a girl’s breast or his first kiss. Within Reze Arc, the basis is founded on Denji’s hormones and the internal conflict between his established desire for Makima and new lust for Reze. There’s even a comical moment in which Denji attempts introspection and growth as he proclaims loyalty for Makima before, expectedly, walking off with Reze. Unfortunately, trouble befalls anyone who seems to cross Makima — including those who pursue Denji/Pochita’s heart — so the introspection only goes so far, but do we really want a Denji who thinks before he acts? What fun would that be? Thankfully, before any of the several confrontations and during many of the batshit moments that make Reze Arc memorable, main animator Shoichi (Jujutsu Kaisen) constructs a meticulous world for audiences to explore that’s as marvelous as the series, just enlarged and more comprehensive to make use of the sheer size of the screen, enabling audiences to take in every detail of the frame. This does translate to enhanced real estate for the more salacious elements of the Chainsaw Man series to get center stage, but when the protagonist is a 16-year-old Devil Hunter that functions mostly on hormones, three hots, and a cot, to expect anything more may be convincing yourself of a reality that doesn’t exist — at least within this world. By the by, while Power takes a backseat this time ‘round, audiences get to spend more time with the Shark Fiend, Beam, a character only briefly introduced in the series who may challenge Power as fan-favorite Fiend moving forward. Though much of that has to do with Hanae’s (Dan Da Dan; Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) vocal performance which exudes an excitement and profound idiocy that rivals Denji’s own.
To get the best sense of what to expect in terms of tone and content without any spoilers, look no further than composer/songwriter Kenshi Yonezu’s theme song/intro song “Iris Out,” which expresses all the zany mania you’re going to get when experiencing Reze Arc. It’s not as instantly catchy as Yonezu’s Chainsaw Man Season One theme “KICK BACK,” but the instrumentation, orchestration, and lyrics all convey that blood’s going to be pumping (carotid or penile artery) in this particular adventure.
Underneath it all, however, is something truly dark and sinister that should be on the mind of every Chainsaw Man fan. Denji is a kid who, from an extremely young age, worked to pay off his father’s debts, forgoing any kind of socialization or education. Denji can’t read, he can’t write, and his personal goals prior to joining Public Safety were consistent food and shelter. His first interaction with Makima, she directly tells him that he’ll be her dog and he (passingly begrudgingly) accepts the terms. His next level goals — to engage in physical contact with a girl — even if somewhat easily met, don’t give him the satisfaction that he’s looking for, leaving him more downtrodden than happy. Of course, his first kiss was a nightmare, so that makes a touch of sense; however, all of this continues to make him a pliable target to those who know how to lure him. The way that everyone uses Denji and how he allows himself to be used implies either no self-esteem (which we know not to be true, he’s too daft to think so inwardly) or having survived the kinds of trauma that make one susceptible to control, a trait not great for a Demon Hunter and worse for one with the heart of the Chainsaw Devil. A heart that, through the Katana Man Arc, we learn that other people want. This is where Denji’s hormones are more than his potential downfall to someone like Makima, they’re also emblematic of someone who is desperate for physical connection; an aspect that Chainsaw Devil Pochita (voiced by Shiori Izawa) clearly shares as its final words to Denji imply wanting to see his dreams come true as it gives itself up to replace a dying Denji’s heart. One can make all the jokes about Denji and his attraction to women, but it all belies a deep subconscious need to touch and be touched, not just as the Chainsaw Devil, but as a person. The horniness is just the vehicle the script uses to explore this. Despite all the laughter that the undeterred Denji induces, his entire life is a terrible tragedy and we’d be remiss to forget that, even as he unthinkingly trails any girl who gives him passing attention, regardless of their past/present/future malicious intent. This is what ends up giving Reze Arc so much of its weight and why the film lingers. At first glance it appears as much ado about nothing, when, in fact, it’s really about everything and what comes next feels like a tragic inevitability for Denji.
Speaking of, make sure to stay through the credits. Just like we got our introduction to Reze Arc at the conclusion of Katana Man Arc, there’s something planted at the end here.
Denji voiced by Kikunosuke Toya in CHAINSAW MAN – THE MOVIE: REZE ARC. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures. © 2025 MAPPA/CHAINSAW MAN PROJECT ©TatsukiFujimoto/SHUEISHA.
In summation, Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc is exactly what fans want: gratuitous violence, juvenile humor, and absolute animated insanity. It just so happens that Seko’s script also brings the emotional pain, too. Thus far, there’s no word as to whether Reze Arc will receive the television treatment (as was done with Demon Slayer’s Mugen Train years ago), so your best bet to get in on the action is to head to the theater. Top to bottom, this is not a cash grab in the slightest as the entire film is made all the more immersive and exciting by virtue of being shown on a gigantic screen. If you have the chance, rip the cord and go.
In select theaters October 24th, 2025.
For more information, head either to the official Japan-release or North American-release Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc website.
Final Score: 4 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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