Chainsaw Man: The Reze Arc [Review]
After Demon Slayer stunned at the box office just a couple months ago, anime fans are being treated to yet another big-screen spectacle in the form of Chainsaw Man: The Reze Arc. Early weekend results suggest that Tatsuki Fujimoto’s wild world of devils and blood-soaked carnage is striking box office gold again, with the film raking in over $110 million against a modest $4 million budget. If this momentum continues, it’s shaping up to be yet another massive anime film run this year.
Picking up not long after the events of Season 1, The Reze Arc sees Denji growing more comfortable with his bizarre new life as a devil hunter for Public Safety. His twisted but strangely endearing desire for affection remains front and center - especially when Makima rewards him with a full day of movie-hopping bliss. But even as Denji basks in his small victories, his world is thrown off balance by the arrival of a mysterious girl named Reze. Their chemistry is undeniable, and for the first time, Denji’s heart might actually be within reach of something genuine. Unfortunately, when whispers of a devastatingly powerful devil - “Bomb” -start surfacing, things spiral quickly into bloody chaos. What follows is part romance, part tragedy, and pure Chainsaw Man madness.
The film builds on the strong foundation of the first season, leaning into the franchise’s signature mix of absurd humor and high-octane violence. We get plenty of Denji’s immature antics and offbeat dialogue, but there’s also a touch of melancholy beneath the surface that gives the story more weight. Power fans will be a bit disappointed, as she’s largely sidelined this time around, but her absence allows for new characters to shine: including the fan-favorite Shark Devil (Beam), who brings a chaotic, scene-stealing energy to every fight he’s in.
We’re also introduced to a few new antagonists, including a gleefully sadistic assassin and the Typhoon Devil, whose grotesque design and menacing presence add plenty of tension to the second act. These side villains serve as both obstacles and distractions, and while the eventual “twist” is fairly easy to spot - especially for anyone familiar with the manga - the emotional payoff is still gut-wrenching. The Reze Arc doesn’t linger too long on flashbacks or unnecessary exposition, either, which helps keep the film’s pacing tight and propulsive. It’s a refreshing change of pace from other recent anime films that feel compelled to over-explain their lore.
Visually, Chainsaw Man: The Reze Arc is a feast. The animation isn’t quite as otherworldly as Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, but it’s still phenomenal. MAPPA delivers fluid choreography, creative camera work, and an incredible command of light and shadow. Quiet scenes, like Denji and Reze enjoying a nighttime swim at the pool or their quieter moments in the café, are beautifully understated, giving the audience a rare breather before the inevitable onslaught of chaos. Once the fighting starts, though, it’s pure visual fireworks. The explosive showdowns against the Bomb Devil are jaw-dropping, each detonation a symphony of motion and color that practically demands to be seen on a theater screen.
Adding even more flair is the film’s stellar soundtrack. The opening theme, “Iris Out,” is an absolute banger, combining pulsing bass and gritty vocals that perfectly match the series’ anarchic energy. Meanwhile, quieter tracks like “In the Pool” and “Daydream” layer on the melancholy, grounding Denji’s emotional turmoil with aching sincerity. It’s one of the best anime film soundtracks in recent memory, toeing the line between chaos and tenderness.
Ultimately, Chainsaw Man: The Reze Arc reminds us why it’s such an exciting time to be an anime fan. It delivers top-tier animation, a brisk and emotionally charged narrative, and a killer soundtrack that refuses to leave your head. It’s bombastic fun (pun absolutely intended) that balances heart and horror in a way few series can.
