Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc - "Peak Cinema"

What a time to be alive! The cinematic evolution of anime since the pandemic has been truly culture-defining. The powers that be have gifted us with the latest installment of the Demon Slayer series featuring Infinity Castle, and just a month afterward, we receive the continuation of the Chainsaw Man anime with Reze Arc. These two titans of the anime industry are dominating the US box office and likely every other box office globally at the moment.

However this post wont be a deep dive on the state of anime movies, but instead I will try to convey to you my unfiltered and spontaneous thoughts of the Chainsaw Man movie after having watched it yesterday in glorious IMAX at BFI Southbank in London. If you can, make sure to watch this on the big IMAX screen, as the animation and fights scenes pop that much more.

Chainsaw Man screening at BFI Southbank in London

It's been exactly 3 years since season 1 of Chainsaw Man aired, and the franchsie hasnt exactly dominated our laptop and phone screens ever since. In fact, it felt like the anime struggled to continue the massive momentum it had built up leading to the premier of the first episode back in 2022. We didnt get a movie immiediately after like Jujutsu Kaisen or Demon slayer did. But I am happy to report that this movie makes up for the 3 year wait that fans had to endure.

Screening of Chainsawman Reze Arc at BFI IMAX

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc continues Denji’s story after the events of the first season, following him as he tries to navigate a brief moment of normalcy amid the chaos of his life as a devil hunter. When a mysterious girl named Reze enters his world, Denji finds himself drawn into a new kind of conflict—one that blends tenderness and danger in equal measure.

The movie doesn't feature the most intricate storylines—it's a straightforward yet impactful plot that often takes a backseat to the chaos of the world of devils and devil hunters. Denji returns, going about his daily life, until he encounters a girl named Reze. I can't recall the last time a new character captivated me with their charm and vibe as swiftly as Reze did. It's testament to the author, Tatsuki Fujimoto, that he is able to continiously introduce such memorable and unqiue characters to the story. I can just see the cash that's coming in from all the Reze merchandise in the future.

Seeing Reze's interaction with Denji made it very clear early on where the plot was going. However, despite the predictability, its done in this ultra cinematic style that the anime/manga is known for and known to be inspired by.

Personally, I am much more invested in the Demon Slayer narrative than Chainsawman’s which is why Inifinity Castle stayed with me more than Reze Arc did. Nevertheless, even for a casual fan like myself, Reze Arc is an undeniable spectacle of gorgeous animation and unique characters.

In short, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc doesn’t just tell its story — it films it. Its aesthetic sits somewhere between anime and cinematic realism, turning every frame into something that feels raw, lived-in, and emotionally charged.