Spoiler Alert !!!This Article Contains Major Spoilers From Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc

Despite being an age-restricted anime film, the hype for Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has been off the charts. Even more so because it directly picks up from where the anime left off, carrying sky-high expectations from both anime-only fans and manga readers alike.

So, did the movie live up to those expectations? Yes, it did; more than anyone could have ever hoped for. MAPPA truly pulled off an ‘absolute cinema’ experience with the Reze Arc, backed by what felt like an unlimited production budget. It didn’t just faithfully adapt the manga panel by panel; it gave the story a new identity.

However, some may find the movie a bit rushed. But make no mistake, it doesn’t skip a single important detail from the manga. The Reze Arc was always meant to be a shorter continuation of the storyline, raising the stakes while fleshing out previously introduced characters, such as Denji, Makima, Aki, and the Angel Devil.

None May Have Found Denji’s Heart Yet, but the Movie Sure Found Ours

Reze was like an illusion in Denji’s life, yet at the same time, he was this close to grasping her. Makima fans might not agree, but Reze has been the only girl Denji truly deserved. The two shared the kind of similarities every wannabe couple dreams of. Yet, fate was never in their favor.

It turns out Reze was essentially the Bomb Devil, or more accurately, the current hybrid host of the Bomb Devil, sent by the USSR (the Soviet Union) to capture Chainsaw Man’s (Pochita’s) heart. It was all part of a political scheme to seize control of the Chainsaw Devil, whom even other devils fear for reasons not shown yet in the anime.

But what does Denji have to do with any of this? Nothing. All he ever wanted was to live the simple life of his dreams: sleeping in, bathing, and eating good food. Sure, he desperately wants to get laid, too, but above all, he is hopelessly determined when it comes to Makima. Reze, however, gave him, and us fans, a glimpse of hope that she might be the ‘real one.’

The sad truth, though, is that nobody ever cared about Denji’s heart. Everyone’s after the Chainsaw Devil’s heart. This issue might sound trivial, but to Denji, it’s painfully real. And the saddest part? At the very end of the movie, just as Reze was truly starting to feel something after being saved by Denji, Makima showed up and ruined any chance she had to change.

Sure, Reze was a devil, and by that logic, she had to be killed. But the way Makima handled it made the scene feel a little too brutal. It raises questions like: Did Makima really do the right thing? Or should Reze have been left alive? Guess we’ll never know!

Very Few Anime Can Rival Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc’s Cinematic Soundtracks

Chainsaw Man in a still from Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc | Credits: MAPPA

Anime movies often don’t have that cinematic charm, you know? Especially the soundtracks – they lack that full, immersive presence. But Chainsaw Man was built differently, right from Season 1, and that carried over beautifully into this movie. The film’s soundtracks were truly a chef’s kiss.

The opening by Kenshi Yonezu, ‘IRIS OUT,’ is such a bop that fits the movie perfectly, so much so that his voice itself screams chainsaw vibes. Then add Hikaru Utada into the mix with the ending theme ‘Jane Doe,’ and it’s absolute perfection. And beyond these obvious bangers, every OST in the movie is awe-inspiringly well-composed.

MAPPA Showcased Their Class Once Again Without Missing a Single Frame

Reze in a still from Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc | Credits: MAPPA

Animation was the least of anyone’s worries. Just from the trailer alone, it was obvious MAPPA was going to cook. And oh boy, so they did – a literal 5-star Michelin meal with bombastic Sakuga that felt like a parting gift from Reze. Neither Season 1 nor the anime has any lazy camera shots or awkward frames.

Everyone knows that even a mediocre anime puts its best effort into its fight scenes. So even if we exclude that from the movie (which was arguably better than anything MAPPA has done before), every other frame, the choreography, and the camera angles were all picture-perfect.

Most of the credit must go to the director, Tatsuya Yoshihara, who also directed the JJK 0 movie. So, this level of mastery is a hallmark of his work.

Now, to conclude, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc may feel a bit rushed, especially for viewers unfamiliar with the prior story or the deeper themes of the series. But for those who know, Reze was never meant to be a spotlight character in the long run. So, the movie was Perfect in almost all possible ways.

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc will be released in US theaters on October 24, 2025.
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