‘Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc’ review: A bombastic spectacle

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, based on the manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, delivers an explosive punch. 

When I first started reading manga for the first time in over fifteen years, not much was sticking until I found myself hooked on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man. Each volume opens with a bit of detail from the millennial mangaka on his love of movies, both independent and horror, notating everything from cult favorites like Jacob’s Ladder and Sharknado to modern classics such as Hereditary and Mad Max: Fury Road. This man clearly loves genre films; and if you share that taste you’re the target audience.

Love of film and manga as visual art mediums is evident throughout his work. Most notably in one-shots like Goodbye Eri and Look Back, the latter of which was adapted into one of 2024’s most outstanding achievements in animated film. On a surface level, it’s easy to sell Chainsaw Man as a typical gore-filled twist on the shonen format, but it’s so much more than that.

The fandom will tell you that it’s filled to the brim with action, comedy, and brutal combat that pumps you full of adrenaline until both you and the titular devil hunter run out of gas. Beyond those strong selling points, the works of Fujimoto earn their breathtaking set pieces by building them on considered, stylistic, and gut-wrenchingly human character work and world-building. While it is hard to suggest that anyone who is not a regular anime film attendee could stand Chainsaw Man alongside the works of David Cronenberg, this film’s pacing, emotional resonance, and production value are comparable to those of The Fly.

Denji’s not-so-happy coming-of-age story continues.

At its heart, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is a coming-of-age romance with a tragic turn of consequence. Throughout most of Denji’s (Kikunosuke Toya) journey in Chainsaw Man, the pit stops are levels of maturity. The film picks up following Season One of the anime, with Denji’s satisfaction with the small but simple life he stumbled into. In exchange for being the lap dog of the Devil Hunter’s Special Division, he’s escaping from his life in the gutter. Now, he gets to eat all the meals he wants, make friends, and kill devils. Even better for Denji, the woman who makes it all happen indulges in having a date with him.

Denji is thrilled, as he spent the whole of the first season pining for his commanding officer. Now that he is thinking with his heart and  less with what’s in his pants, he delights in the simplicity of movie theater hopping with her for a whole day. This sequence begins the film’s communication of Fujimoto’s love of cinema through Makima (Tomori Kusunoki) and Denji’s growing appreciation for the medium; culminating in a midnight screening of the Soviet-era BAFTA winner Battle of a Soldier.

Denji’s romantic pining for Makima swiftly finds complications when he encounters Reze (Reina Ueda), a girl who outwardly and enthusiastically tempts him. Despite her inevitable ulterior motives, she delights in showing him what life as a normal, hormone-enraged teen usually is. Throughout the film, they share outrageously cute and hysterical romantic rendezvous. As a result, Denji internally struggles with his loyalty to Makima.

MAPPA once again delivers breathtaking animation.

It is in the building of this love triangle that the film’s animators at MAPPA get to use everything their artistic toolshed. Through stunning Tokyo backgrounds, stylized interstitials and grimy atmosphere, the film express the mood conveyed in Fujimoto’s original work. The story is even elevated in some aspects through tricky editing, which can result in breathtaking sequences or gut-busting comedy. Then, as the tension of Denji’s courtship of Reze faces a critical decision he’s never encountered, the action detonates.

Once the film embarks on the fan favorite “Bomb Girl” arc, the action doesn’t cease until mere minutes before the credits roll. The animation team for Chainsaw Man makes a clear aesthetic choice here. It differs from the show’s first season; but in both the relentless action and the romantic sequences, the decision is an absolute keeper. Even when using 3D character models and environments, the designs and choreography remain clear. Quieter moments allow color to pop, and rotoscoped movement is compelling. Every stroke is roughshod in a charming way as it brings characters to life.

This choices in style, montages, and editing get to shine even further in the film’s last act. If the visual style on display here continues in Season Two, it will be better for it in the long run.  This new direction achieves a unique hybrid between the adaptation of Look Back and MAPPA’s stellar (if exhaustive) work on Jujutsu Kaisen’s ‘Shibuya Arc.’

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc may alienate newcomers.

Is Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc a good onboarding point for new fans? Possibly; as it sidelines most of its main characters besides Denji and his Special Division partner, Aki (Shogo Sakata), who gets light but crucial character development here ahead of next season. Apart from a decent setup, most of the film refuses to dwell on what came before.

As season one is only 12 episodes — or for manga readers, a mere five volumes — it’s not too much to catch up on. But for newcomers, the film gives only just enough context clues for Denji’s place in the world to enjoy the ride.

Regardless, as a weekly reader, I can’t stress enough that Chainsaw Man as a narrative is one of the most outlandish, shocking, and hysterically morbid pieces of artistic media of the modern age. This film excels at adapting the storyline in a way that will satisfy fans and hopefully convince others to welcome themselves into the manga and anime with open, very pointy arms.

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is out now in theaters. Watch the trailer below.

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