Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is a moony, gory, and unhinged love story for the ages

As someone who religiously follows the Chainsaw Man manga and has watched every episode of the anime adaptation, I would argue that I know a thing or two about the series. Thus, I went into the Reze Arc movie anticipating three things: an onslaught of revving chainsaws, non-stop gory bloodbaths, and more action scenes than I could count. Was I correct? No. Did I leave the theatre feeling even a bit disappointed? Also, no.

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc plays out more like a twisted rom-com than a straight-up action flick. The crux of the story revolves around Denji, our jagged-toothed main character, and Reze, the titular female lead who presents herself as a potential love interest to Denji. This is an interesting predicament for the former, as Denji has hardly ever experienced basic humanity, let alone love.

However, he is no stranger to infatuation, particularly towards his cold, mysterious boss, Makima. It is the collision between these two conflicting feelings that stirs up the teenage devil hunter's mind — does he try to stay loyal to his unrequited crush and idol, or does he reciprocate the seemingly genuine feelings from someone who is far more alike?

Studio MAPPA's visual portrayal of these internal conflicts is where the film shines brightest. Building on top of the source material's strengths – the minute details – it depicts the subtle and gradual softening of Denji's otherwise restless energy as well as the sudden bursts of colour that fill the screen when Reze appears. All of it work together to make Denji's first brush with love feel genuine and alive. It may be a slow burner but once it is put into the context of the series' usual chaos, the Reze Arc feels like a stroll in the countryside away from the city (if you know, you know).

Then, about 60 minutes into the film's 100-minute runtime, things start taking an unhinged turn. As the final third of the movie begins and the central antagonist of the Reze Arc, the Bomb Devil, makes its first on-screen appearance, the gloves come off and the chainsaws start whirring.

From that point onwards, the entire film becomes a full-blown feast for the eyes, with some of the punchiest and most striking visuals in an anime film that I've seen in recent times. Buildings get blown up, civilians drop dead like flies, and blood pools the entire city — very on brand for Chainsaw Man.

If that wasn't unhinged enough for you, perhaps the spectacle of a screaming man with chainsaws coming out of his arms and head riding a huge anthropomorphic shark into a typhoon head-first will check off that box. It is ridiculous to the point of no return, but it is also, in part, what makes the film one of the best shounen anime to hit the big screen in recent memory.

With most of the tail-end of the movie being fight scenes and utter destruction exclusively, the animation turns into a visual feast. Bombastic visuals, vivid colour splashes that mirror the manga covers, and meticulously choreographed fight scenes all combine into an incredibly stimulating theatrical experience that will get the entire crowd on their feet and yelling in excitement.

The production quality of the Reze Arc film never wanes. The early, softer scenes carry a dreamy palette and fluid animation that perfectly capture Reze's playful charm and Denji's tentative affection. When the chaos begins, though, the visuals explode into a flashy, frantic, and beautifully destructive sensory overload that is on brand for Chainsaw Man.

The soundtrack deserves its own praise too. The opening sequence, backed by Kenshi Yonezu's "Iris Out", feels like a psychedelic fever dream, with the punchy vocals and screeching electronic arrangement matching Denji's personality quite aptly. Meanwhile, veteran composer Kensuke Ushio's piano-heavy score elevated the emotional beats, adding depth to both the tender and the following tragic moments.

Naturally, audience members who have no previous exposure to the Chainsaw Man franchise might be wondering how much of a standalone entry this is. I, for one, would argue that while it's part of the canon Chainsaw Man story, the Reze Arc works well as a self-contained entry. While some knowledge of the previously introduced side characters like Aki, Power, and Makima would be ideal, the film does not spend much time on them, choosing to focus instead on Reze and the newly introduced devils.

So, whether or not you're a fan of the franchise, you should not deprive yourself of the absolute eye candy that is Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc on the big screen.

Ayaan immerses himself in dinosaur comics and poorly-written manga. Recommend your least favourite reads at ayaan.shams@gmail.com