The boy with the chainsaw heart makes his theatrical debut in Chainsaw Man – the Movie: Reze Arc. The very literal title may exist to hide spoilers, but most of the audience will likely have read all of Denji’s adventures so far, as the anime is quite far behind the manga (which is currently wrapping up its Part II saga). That’s me being generous, though – a lot of anime people don’t read! Much like the recent blockbuster Demon Slayer films, this is not an original story, but part of the overall narrative in lieu of a season of TV. Unlike the aforementioned Demon Slayer films, this actually feels like a complete story, not just something that ends because we’re out of runtime. You might not entirely get why a man with a chainsaw head is riding a shark monster into a typhoon, but you’ll certainly be blown away by the artistry on display.
Though the first season ended in 2022, there’s no recap at the top of the film. Like all these canon anime films, you’re either in or you’re out. Our hero Denji is having just another boring day in his new life as a demon hunter, though he’s given a new partner, the Shark Fiend, as his regular partner Power has to get some blood drained. Don’t worry – she’s the Blood Fiend, so that just happens from time to time. Beam worships Chainsaw Man, an annoyance for Denji, who’s feeling crowded out by his own alter ego. His mysterious boss Makima seems to sense this, offering to take Denji out on a date. What’s their age gap? Well, that would be a spoiler. Denji is on cloud nine, but a random encounter with a beautiful young woman named Reze turns his brain into a tizzy. Can he choose between Makima or Reze? Can he have both? Do either of them even care that he feels this way?
If any part of Chainsaw Man’s story could be adapted for the big screen, it would be this. The story of the Bomb Devil is somewhat self-contained, has a clear antagonist, gnarly, bombastic (sorry) action, and some meaningful moments of emotional introspection on Denji’s part. Unfortunately, he is very stupid, so he’s not going to have some kind of moral epiphany, at least not yet. The production time on Chainsaw Man takes longer than normal series, but the wait is worth the effort. The animation from Mappa is truly top shelf, never finding cheap ways out, always moving, always exploding. This is one of the rare anime series able to elevate its manga source material, as all the added elements (score, colors, dynamism, voice acting) just enhance the tale of Denji and what it truly means to be human. Or a devil. Or a fiend. Or Makima. But no spoilers!
Chainsaw Man – the Movie: Reze Arc
2025
Dir. Tatsuya Yoshihara
100 min
Opens Friday, 10/24 @ Kendall Square Cinema, Apple Cinemas Cambridge, Alamo Drafthouse Boston Seaport, and all local AMCs
