Three years after an explosive first season, the Chainsaw Man franchise will be gracing theatres with the movie Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc in Japan on September 19th. While this development isn’t entirely satisfactory, as fans were expecting a well-loaded second season, Manabu Otsuka, the CEO of MAPPA, revealed one reassuring and captivating twist the movie holds.

In an interview with ScreenRant at Anime Expo in Los Angeles, Manabu Otsuka, MAPPA’s CEO, teased the impactful potential between the movie’s two central characters – Reze & Denji – on the sequel’s storyline. According to Manabu, the evolution of the duo in the movie will leave a “strong impression” enough to quench fans’ thirst from the three-year break of the sensational shōnen anime.

The “Chemistry” Between Reze And Deji Is Something Fans Should Look Forward To Seeing In The Upcoming Movie

Reze and Denji are at the Forefront of the Movie’s Success

In the interview, Manabu Otsuka praised the “Reze arc,” referring to it as an “all-time great” in the history of shōnen. Coming from the CEO behind mega adaptation successes like Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan’s final season, this adoration garners a weighty effect that clears all doubt regarding the entertainment value Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc will bring.

ScreenRant: That’s actually a really good segue to my next question because the Reze arc is such a beloved arc. I mean, in recent memory, it’s one of the most beloved shōnen arcs. What do you think makes this arc stand out so much?

MANABU OTSUKA: You know, I think it’s in the all-time great, greats of shōnen history.

CSM: The best part of the Reze arc… Of course, there are a lot of other arcs, right? Well, there are a lot of other manga as well, but the Reze arc in Gensou is the one that everyone loves. The Reze arc. The best part of the Reze arc… There are a few, but I think the easiest way to put it is… The change of Denji and Reze’s character is so straight-forward. It’s a story that conveys it to the audience in a good way.

Also, for me personally, the scale of the battle scene was expanding from Reze. It was a moment when the scale of the story was expanding at once. I think that’s why it left a strong impression on everyone. I think there are many reasons. First of all, Denji, his character evolved. And then you’ve got Reze.

She’s so captivating. I think the chemistry, the existence of these two characters makes the arc very strong. In addition to that, we think that starting from the Reze arc, the action, the scope, the scale of the action has elevated so much. That’s probably why it’s become a very memorable arc among fans.

From Manabu’s statement, the climactic point of the movie hinges on the battle between Reze and Denji. Despite Denji’s undeniable power as a devil-human, his character is mostly flat and lacks enough substance in the first season of Chainsaw Man. Thankfully, the upcoming movie will host the titular protagonist’s character evolution, overlapping the story’s depth and thematic effects.

Manabu Otsuka clearly reveres Reze’s character, commenting on her captivating nature that complements her overall impact on the story’s intrinsic narrative. Manabu promises breathtaking action that Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc will leave fans reeling in their seats after discovering the profound clashes that take center stage in the movie.

In good measure, Chainsaw Man’s Reze arc will feature more refined, vibrant, and explosive action sequences that surpass the cinematics of the first season. This is an advancement with the raw potential to enhance the Chainsaw Man legacy as a shōnen masterpiece.

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc Might Be Enough To Pacify Fans Expecting A Second Season

The Arc in the Manga Merely Spans 14 Chapters, and The Movie Should Comfortably Accommodate It

At Anime Expo, Manabu Otsuka clarified that the reason why Chainsaw Man’s Reze arc is a movie is because the story works better. This decision is rooted in practicality when one discovers that the arc spans just 14 chapters in the manga.

Furthermore, the decision isn’t far-fetched, considering the success of Ufotable’s Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, which took the movie route and was rewarded with immense profits. Presently, Mugen Train is the highest-grossing Japanese film worldwide, setting a foundational standard that Mappa and other animation studios can rightly follow.

Ultimately, if Mappa plays their cards right, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has enough potential to rival Mugen Train at the Box Office. Fans can only anticipate the adaptation of the heated chemistry between the devil-human Denji and the “captivating” Reze, and hope it deservedly lives up to the hype.

Created by

Tatsuki Fujimoto

First Episode Air Date

October 12, 2022

Cast

Kikunosuke Toya, Tomori Kusunoki, Shôgo Sakata, Ai Fairouz, Mariya Ise, Kenjiro Tsuda, Shiori Izawa, Reina Ueda