The anticipation surrounding Chainsaw Man is reaching a fever pitch as fans eagerly await its return to theaters with Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, set for release on September 19, 2025. This full-length film is poised to adapt one of the most beloved arcs from Tatsuki Fujimoto’s acclaimed manga, aiming to capitalize on the widespread enthusiasm generated by the anime’s initial season.
However, the first season did evoke mixed reactions from audiences. Despite the manga’s phenomenal success before the animated adaptation, many fans expressed disappointment with the show’s divergence from the source material. In light of this feedback, significant adjustments were implemented for the upcoming Reze Arc film, though opinions remain divided on whether these changes will be advantageous.
Chainsaw Man’s Initial Season Sparked Contrasting Reviews
A Highly Anticipated Series Fails to Meet All Expectations
Following the conclusion of Season One, director Ryu Nakayama departed from the project to establish his own animation studio, a move speculated to stem from the negative feedback the series faced during its airing. The anticipation for Chainsaw Man was enormous, uniting fans across the anime community who eagerly awaited its debut.
On its release, the first episode caused a surge in traffic that temporarily overwhelmed Crunchyroll, achieving a milestone as the platform’s most-watched episode until overtaken recently by Solo Leveling. While initial reactions were largely favorable, a segment of viewers criticized the integration of CGI, leading to growing dissatisfaction after the second episode, which notably omitting a key confrontation from the manga. This exclusion intensified divisions within the fanbase and led to a chorus of negative reactions.
As the episodes progressed, the division deepened, with half of the audience lauding the creative approach taken by Nakayama and MAPPA, while others voiced their disappointments vehemently. Consequently, the upcoming chapter of the series promises to implement substantial shifts in response to this feedback.
Major Transformations for the Reze Arc Film
A New Direction with Staff Changes at the Helm
After the show’s initial run, there was noticeable silence surrounding developments for the anime’s future. It wasn’t until December 2023 that the announcement for Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc came to light along with a teaser trailer. A year later, further insights were shared through a second trailer that stirred excitement within the fan community.
With Ryu Nakayama’s exit, Tatsuya Yoshihara, who contributed to the first season as an episode director and animator, has taken the lead as the film’s director. Yoshihara aims to infuse the animation with a style that closely mirrors the original manga, drawing on his experience from directing works like Black Clover. The visual changes are already notable in the film’s trailers, suggesting a fresh aesthetic direction.
Are These Changes in Chainsaw Man Favorable?
A Split Fan Community Reemerges
The previous season’s muted color palette and nuanced storytelling appear to be replaced with a vibrant and dynamic aesthetic, emphasizing high-energy action and character designs that align more closely to the manga’s essence. While this represents a shift that seems to respond to critiques, a significant portion of the fan base remains dissatisfied. As the film pioneers a new visual style, the fan community finds itself at odds once more.
Manga enthusiasts may appreciate the updated visuals, particularly given their resemblance to other successful adaptations such as Look Back, which effectively captured Fujimoto’s artistic flair. Nevertheless, fans of the original season might struggle with the newly adopted stylistic changes, which some didn’t anticipate. Deciding which approach is superior is subjective, yet the Reze Arc trailer undeniably showcases some breathtaking visuals.
The inaugural season of Chainsaw Man offered a cinematic ambiance enriched with intricate, anime-exclusive scenes highlighting the characters’ everyday lives. The upcoming film, however, seems to pivot toward a style that resonates more with the gritty, rebellious tone of the manga. With the community previously fractured, launching a film amidst such division poses challenges. As the release approaches, fans may need to approach this adaptation with an open mind to ensure a more unified reception.