Tatsuya Yoshihara’s visually striking movie, ‘Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc,’ masterfully adapts a captivating storyline from Tatsuki Fujimoto’s beloved manga. This animated feature weaves an intense narrative, beginning with the charming first encounter and escalating into a fierce conflict between Denji, a naive young man working for a demon-hunting agency, and Reze, a stunning stranger who hides a terrifying secret: she is a powerful devil. The film seamlessly blends heartwarming romance with explosive, ultraviolent battles.
Denji carries a heavy past, burdened by family debts, betrayed by the yakuza, and brought back to life by a loyal devil-dog companion. He’s a young man with jagged teeth, capable of transforming into a formidable fighter wielding chainsaws from his arms and head. While the complex character backgrounds in anime can sometimes be overwhelming, Denji is essentially an emotionally vulnerable ‘man-child.’ His world is confined to his duties and humble apartment, and he often retreats into internal monologues to process his feelings, especially concerning women.
Thus, ‘Chainsaw Man’ isn’t just about epic clashes between superhuman entities; it’s also a profound exploration of trust, emotional collapse, and explosive liberation. Denji’s composed boss, Makima, partners him with the unpredictable Beam, also known as the Shark Devil, and sends him on a perplexing day of non-stop movie-watching. However, Denji’s world is truly shaken when he instantly falls for the graceful, spirited Reze after their chance meeting in the rain, leading them to spend time together at her cafe.
An exciting preview of ‘Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc’ offers a glimpse into the film’s intense action and emotional depth, promising a cinematic experience filled with thrilling sequences and heartfelt moments.
The film’s initial half unfolds with a muted color palette and delicate animation, showcasing a deceptively calm atmosphere. But this tranquility shatters when Reze invites Denji to a mysterious nighttime rendezvous at a school building, complete with a serene swim in the pool. The arrival of an assassin, targeting Reze, abruptly thrusts the characters into a brutal fight for survival. It’s then revealed that Reze is none other than the Bomb Devil – a chilling, elegantly clad entity who can trigger devastating explosions and even self-detonate with a mere pull of a pin.
As Denji and his formidable adversaries clash across the city’s towering streets and skies, the combat sequences become a pure sensory delight. The inherent power of anime to meticulously isolate and extend moments of movement and emotion within each frame is fully unleashed. Reze, Denji, and other participants, like the terrifying Typhoon Devil, hurtle through the electrifying Tokyo airspace, which erupts in dazzling streaks of fire and blood, all set to a pulsating soundtrack.
For newcomers to the original manga, the central conflict between Denji and Reze is the most accessible storyline. However, some supporting characters, such as the stoic devil hunters Aki and the winged Angel, could benefit from more development within the film. The same applies to the brief yet significant appearances of the enigmatic, horned character, Power.
Ultimately, Denji’s journey concludes with a gentle return to reality, grappling with feelings of romantic betrayal. Yet, the character’s somewhat underdeveloped psychology can leave audiences feeling a bit constrained. After such thunderous and expansive adventures, many viewers might find themselves most relating to the cowering civilian, whimpering on a devastated street below.
This R-rated animated action-adventure runs for 1 hour and 40 minutes, presented in Japanese with English subtitles. It’s an explosive, emotional ride for mature audiences, now showing in theaters.