Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc (Japanese Title: Chainsaw Man: Reze-hen) is an anime film adaptation of the Bomb Girl Arc of the Chainsaw Man manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto. It is the continuation of its original anime series and also animated by the same Studio MAPPA. It premiered on September 19, 2025, in Japan with international release dates beginning from September 24. Unlike the preceding series, Tatsuya Yoshihara (Chainsaw Man action director, Black Clover series director [later chief director], Wistoria: Wand and Sword Season 1) handled directorial duties for the movie.
For the very first time, Chainsaw Man slashes his way onto the big screen in an action-packed sequel to the popular anime series. Denji was a yakuza Devil Hunter who worked to pay off his deceased father’s debt – until they betrayed and murdered him. Near death, Denji fuses with his chainsaw devil-dog Pochita and is reborn as Chainsaw Man. Now caught in a deadly way between devils and hunters, Denji meets Reze – a mysterious girl whose secrets may change everything. Love and violence collide in this brutal, emotional arc where survival has no rules.
Much of this story is crafted to emphasize how inhuman Denji is. He grew up in social isolation and without most creature comforts that even the poorest of us have. He had sold an eye and a kidney to live – and three meals a day is all Makima needs to win him over. He never attended school, never had friends of his age and never had a romantic relationship. But even more than that, things such as the unspoken rules of society or even general pop culture are alien to him. He is a stranger with regard to living as a human.
The thing is that Denji is closer to the devils he fights, kills and lives with than the average human. The instincts control the devils more than any other thing. Although they can think logically, that intelligence is virtually all about acquiring what their instincts demand – be that food, survival or acting out whatever human fear they embody.
Likewise, Denji has dedicated his life towards a single goal: getting with Makima. But what happens when he is able to obtain what he desires from another girl – one who does not fail in her flirting with enthusiasm? That is the question at the center of this movie.
Initially, Denji’s reaction to Reze is purely physical – though that doesn’t mean much. At this stage, Denji basically does not comprehend the distinction between lust and romantic love. To him, he feels as though he was in love with two people. However, as the movie progresses, Denji forms a much healthier relationship with Reze than with Makima. Makima literally treats Denji like a pet – something she keeps around for both its usefulness and her own amusement. Reze seems to enjoy her time with Denji – and him with her.
Of course, it’s obvious from moment one that Reze is not what she appears to be. Denji himself has nothing to offer as a person – he is immature, uneducated and makes a living by killing devils. A young, beautiful girl isn’t just going to throw herself at him for existing. She desires Denji for the same reason as Makima – the mighty devil within him. The important distinction between her and Makima, however, is that, despite what she’s trying to achieve, she actively wants Denji to improve himself – and even assists him in doing so. Part of her truly does like the earnest goofball because, if nothing else, he is true to his feelings. He never lies to her. He’s as genuine as a person can be.
And in the end, she and Denji both realise that they could have a possibility of living happily with each other – that they have transcended their base natures and have learned about love. And they can even live a normal high school life together – and for the first time, that’s something both of them want. All that makes for a surprisingly deep and bittersweet story that would make the film worth watching all on its own – even without it being a visual masterpiece.
The presentation of this film is simply stunning. The directing is artistic and imaginative – using the visual language of film to tell its story as much as the dialogue. Various art styles are employed in the film, and each at the perfect moment. And then there are the action scenes. The final battle of Denji with the Bomb Devil will make your eyes water, then bleed in response to the flashy effects and astonishing cinematography.
The music is not quite on the same level as the art and animation; however, it is good. The juxtaposition of the calm setting of Denji and Reze and the hard metal in the scene where Chainsaw Man is fighting has been done beautifully. And the overall sound design and voice acting are also spot on. The film is a feast for the eyes and the ears.
Overall, the movie adapts one of the lesser arcs in Chainsaw Man and uses the flexible length of a feature film to allow the story to resonate in a way that vastly overshadows what originally existed on paper. Add to that some amazing fights, silly comedy and a score of top-tier visuals, and you have one of the must-watch anime films of the year. Bookmark Otaku Mantra for more amazing content.
Final Score: 9/10
