Reze Arc is the film adaptation of Chainsaw Man's Reze story, and MAPPA's move to push the series' style to the big screen. At 100 minutes, the film focuses on the relationship between Denji and Reze, a seemingly innocent girl who hides her true identity.
The film premiered in Japan on September 19, 2025, grossing $191.4 million worldwide and becoming one of the highest-grossing Japanese films of all time.
Quick Facts
- Studio: MAPPA; directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara; screenplay by Hiroshi Seko; music by Kensuke Ushio
- Release: September 19, 2025 in Japan, followed by worldwide release; runtime 100 minutes
- Source: Adapts volumes five and six of the manga
- Reception: Rotten Tomatoes 96% (48 reviews, 8.1/10 average); CinemaScore A
- Sales: $191.4 million worldwide; Japan ¥10.81 billion ($73.4 million); North America $43.4 million
Story
The film adapts volumes five and six of the manga, when Denji meets Reze, a seemingly innocent girl who is actually the Bomb Devil. The story begins as a romance before turning into a tense battle involving devil hunters, allies and shocking revelations about Reze's Soviet origins.
It follows naturally after the 12 anime episodes, so viewers should watch the anime before the film.
Behind The Scenes
Kensuke Ushio returns to compose the music, Kenshi Yonezu performs the opening "Iris Out" and collaborates with Hikaru Utada on the ending "Jane Doe". The film earned a Best Animation Film nomination at the Japan Academy Film Prize and won multiple awards, including Japan Expo's Daruma for Best Feature Film.
At the box office, Japan reached ¥10.81 billion ($73.4 million) and North America $43.4 million, for a $191.4 million total.
Experience
Animation and staging
Critics used the phrase eye-popping animation to describe the film. The big-screen scale lets MAPPA invest in action and character expression that the TV version could hardly achieve.
The Denji and Reze relationship
Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network gave it an A and stressed the deep bittersweet love story between Denji and Reze as the core of the film. Rotten Tomatoes described a perversely sweet emotional core.
Music
Kenshi Yonezu's opening "Iris Out" and the Hikaru Utada collaboration "Jane Doe" are two musical highlights, alongside Kensuke Ushio's score.
Strengths
- Eye-popping animation on the big screen
- A bittersweet love story forms a strong core
- Music by Kensuke Ushio, Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada
- Major commercial success at $191.4 million
Weaknesses
- You need to watch the anime first for context
- Violence and a dark tone are not for every audience
- Adapts only a short portion of the manga
What Critics Say
Rotten Tomatoes lists 96% from 48 reviews with an 8.1/10 average, the consensus praising eye-popping animation and a perversely sweet emotional core. Audiences gave a CinemaScore of A. Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network gave an A.
The film grossed $191.4 million worldwide, including $73.4 million in Japan and $43.4 million in North America, and earned a Best Animation Film nomination at the Japan Academy Film Prize.
Who Is It For
For those who have watched the Chainsaw Man anime and want to see the Reze story on the big screen. Fans of bittersweet romance and fierce action will be pleased. Those who have not seen the anime should watch it first.
OtaHub Score
Verdict
Reze Arc is a spectacular step up for MAPPA on the big screen, strong in animation, emotion and music. OtaHub scores it 9.4/10.
FAQ
How long is Reze Arc?
100 minutes.
Which part of the manga does it adapt?
Volumes five and six of the manga.
What did it earn?
$191.4 million worldwide.