Focus: Chainsaw Man's Reze Arc Takes a Leap into Theaters

For MAPPA, adaptation is never about replication, it's about reinvention. With Chainsaw Man Movie: Reze-hen (Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Arc), the anime powerhouse behind hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season (Attack on Titan: Final Season), ventures into new territory, turning one of Chainsaw Man's most emotionally charged arcs into a theatrical experience.

"Fujimoto-sensei made the Reze Arc very theatrical and cinematic," MAPPA President Manabu Ootsuka told us in a recent interview with MyAnimeList. "It was just a perfect match."

Spanning manga chapters 39 to 52, the Reze Arc marks a turning point in Denji's journey. Set immediately after the finale of Season 1, the arc introduces Reze, first as a mysterious and charming girl who seems to offer Denji the kind of warmth he's never known. But the budding romance quickly twists into something far more volatile, revealing new layers of betrayal, identity, and survival. It's a tightly constructed story that fans have long praised for its emotional intensity, and MAPPA saw in it the makings of a standalone film.



A Shift in Format, A Surge in Pressure
Adapting a serialized manga into an anime series presents its own challenges, but a theatrical release comes with a different kind of weight. MAPPA Vice President Hiroya Hasegawa points to the film's "density of the visuals" as one of the main hurdles in its production. "It's been challenging from the beginning to end, and we're still being challenged," he said. "The production staff are still working on the film at the studio right now, so their efforts are going to show, and we believe that it's going to be great."


From the film's trailers and promotional visuals, that commitment to quality is already apparent. Stylized action sequences, expressive cinematography, and precise character animation all hint at a level of polish that goes beyond the already high standards set by the television series. And with music by returning composer Kensuke Ushio and a theme song by Kenshi Yonezu, whose track "Kick Back" helped define the sound of Season 1, Reze Arc promises a multisensory experience uniquely fit for theaters.


Continuity and Change
While the format is changing, the film continues the emotional throughline established in Season 1. "Denji's thoughts towards living and life have evolved throughout the series," Ootsuka said. "We considered that very important when portraying his character."


Much of the arc's resonance comes from this evolving sense of self. Reze's appearance forces Denji to confront what he truly wants—beyond survival, beyond acceptance, and beyond the simplistic fantasies of love he once clung to. MAPPA appears keen on bringing that nuance to the forefront, while also honoring the offbeat tone and raw energy that made the anime a breakout hit.


Asked how the studio approached this new chapter creatively, Ootsuka framed it as a rejection of comfort zones. "We try to make sure that we don't repeat the same things," he said. "We want to set new goals and strive to achieve those."


A Quiet Collaboration
One of MAPPA's guiding hands in this adaptation has been Shihei Lin, the manga's editor and a close collaborator with creator Tatsuki Fujimoto. While Fujimoto famously avoids the spotlight and does not attend production meetings, Ootsuka emphasized that the studio consulted with Lin frequently and took creative feedback seriously. "We showed him a lot of work in progress materials and consulted him to get his advice and opinion," he said. "Fujimoto-sensei doesn't really show himself...but he always gives us his support."

That creative alignment, even if indirect, has become a hallmark of MAPPA's approach to adaptations: working closely with editorial teams and respecting the source material while shaping it for new mediums.



Going Global
The Reze Arc movie also reflects a broader strategic shift for MAPPA—one with global ambitions. With distribution handled in collaboration with Sony Pictures, the studio is positioning the film for international reach.

"Working with Sony Pictures, I think we will be more aggressive in trying to deliver films globally," Ootsuka said. "This will also be an opportunity for us to understand how global fans enjoy our films, which in turn will become our motivation and strengths for future projects."

That worldwide scope is no small feat. Chainsaw Man already has an enormous global following, and delivering a film that meets fan expectations across different cultures and regions demands both creative precision and a sharp sense of market awareness.



Looking Ahead
MAPPA has become synonymous with risk-taking—whether it's the jaw-dropping animation in Jujutsu Kaisen 0 or the dark, stylized chaos of Chainsaw Man. But what anchors that ambition is a steady respect for its audience.

"We're able to create anime because of such fans," Ootsuka said. "We don't take them for granted. While maintaining our existing fan base, we want to expand it and work hard to make sure more people can enjoy our works."

With Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Arc slated for a September 2025 premiere in Japan and a global rollout to follow, that philosophy is about to face its latest test. If MAPPA can deliver on the promise of this arc, and the promise of cinematic anime itself, they won't just meet expectations. They'll redefine them.


Interview was conducted through an interpreter and has been edited for clarity.

Chainsaw Man Movie: Reze-hen Trailer


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