Sony Pictures
I went into Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc not knowing a single thing about Chainsaw Man. I didn’t grow up watching much anime, so this was honestly one of my first big anime movie experiences — and it completely blew me away. I walked in curious, but walked out amazed.
I’ve always admired animation as an art form, and Japanese anime has this incredible reputation for creativity, imagination, and emotional depth. It’s no surprise the fanbase continues to grow in the U.S., and after this movie, I completely understand why.
The story centers on Denji, a 16-year-old demon hunter who’s also part demon himself — a half-human, half-Devil hybrid known as Chainsaw Man. He’s just a kid trying to figure out his place in the world, trying to fall in love, and trying to live like any normal teenager would… except he also has to fight monsters and protect humanity in the process.
The first half of the movie completely caught me off guard in the best way. From the poster, you expect something loud, gory, and over-the-top — but what you get first is a heartfelt story about a lonely kid finding connection. The tone is surprisingly funny, romantic, and at times even tender. Denji meets Reze, a mysterious girl who seems to genuinely understand him, and their growing connection is what gives the movie so much emotional weight.
The animation is stunning. Every frame feels hand-drawn with purpose, and the expressions, colors, and pacing pull you in. The film starts with a grounded, almost slice-of-life look — detailed 2D art with visible lines and texture — but once the action begins, it transforms into something wild. The second half explodes with energy, switching styles in a way that feels experimental but seamless. It’s a sensory overload of movement, emotion, and sound that you just have to experience.
And that sound — the music is unlike anything I’ve heard in an animated film. It moves from soft piano themes to love songs, then suddenly shifts into heavy metal and even hip-hop. It’s all over the place in the best possible way, perfectly matching the film’s chaotic, unpredictable energy.
When the action hits, it really hits. From Denji’s transformations to massive city-wide battles, the film is pure adrenaline. We also meet memorable side characters like Power, a wild and hilarious Blood Fiend, Aki, the cool-headed Devil Hunter, and Beam, Denji’s loyal Shark Fiend companion. Together, they form a strange but lovable team that grounds all the madness with personality and humor.
Even though I didn’t know the full backstory from the manga or show, I still understood about 85% of what was happening — and the rest didn’t matter, because the movie was so visually and emotionally captivating. The storytelling and character work were strong enough to make me feel invested without needing context.
By the time the credits rolled, I realized something: this movie made me want to watch anime. It made me want to dive into the show, read the manga, and explore this world further. Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc isn’t just an incredible adaptation — it’s also a perfect gateway for newcomers like me to see what anime is truly capable of.
A stunning mix of action, emotion, humor, and heart.
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has a run time of 1 hour 40 minutes, and is rated R for strong bloody violence/gore and some nudity.
Sony Pictures