Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc is the latest in what seems to be the anime craze that has taken over the last couple of years. It’s clear that people want to see anime on the big screen as Demon Slayer just recently broke records. Chainsaw Man probably won’t outshine Demon Slayer but will definitely put a dent at the box office this weekend. The film is a direct sequel to the amazing Season 1 that I just recently binged. The film follows Denji as he continues to work with the Public Safety group to track down and kills devils. Up until this point we’re not sure why Denji is also being sought out by devils, most notably “The Gun Devil”. Reze Arc won’t answer that question but will have Denji on a different path, young love.

Reze Arc, of course, from its title will be introducing us to Reze, a girl who Denji falls for. We see a romance flourish as the two hit it off and an explosive and chaotic film ensues. I was excited and also curious to see Chainsaw Man with a new animation style as the series now has a new director. Tatsuya Yoshihara takes over from Season 1 director Ryū Nakayama in which Yoshihara was the action director. You clearly will see a difference in the two works as Season 1 has a heavier cinematic flow and Reze Arc feels a bit more like the manga and springy. If you’re just casually scrolling through talks of the series online, you’ll definitely see the passion fans have between both styles. I’m actually a fan of both styles and I believe Reze Arc really flourishes from this new style.

The film is a high octane action thriller that blends various genres that cinephiles will love. Tatsuki Fujimoto the creator of the series has always made it apparent that they are a huge film lover. In his manga panels you can clearly tell, and Reze Arc does an incredible job at bringing those to life. There’s a little of everything for those that love films which include slice of life vibes, rom coms, horror, and of course the high-octane action that Chainsaw Man is known for. It’s a complete switch up from the action sequences in Season 1 and left me in awe. The horror sequences in the Reze Arc also make it a great watch during Halloween. I definitely got major Seven vibes during one sequence and that’s just one of the major film-love vibes you’ll get.

Reze and Denji’s romance in the film however is where Reze Arc truly does shine. There is an almost delicate vibe the film has going for itself in the first half that I really loved. The animated sequences of young love and finding someone you can really relate to are so tender. Chainsaw Man, however, still doesn’t lose its prickly and edginess which makes it so interesting. Denji is still a teenager going through so many emotions and isn’t necessarily a cookie cutter hero. This is what has always made the series so interesting to me and Reze Arc continues that as well. Reze as a counter to Makima for Denji makes for some interesting internal conflict we see throughout the film. The contrasting vibes between both in the first half make a unique experience not only for Denji, but also the viewer.

Chainsaw Man Reze Arc also brings forth other characters like Aki and Angel to the forefront. I was fascinated at how much they were able to do for these two in a short amount of time. Of course, I still feel they were a bit underdeveloped and would have loved to have more time with them here. I do know it probably is something we will see in Season 2, but they did a great job at really sparking an interest. It gets me even more excited to see where the series goes from here which is a plus from the film.

The action sequences are what make the second half of the film truly the unique experience of the year. There’s a ferocious element in the way it decides to showcase the climatic battles. Colors and flashes fill the screen with an outstanding soundtrack from electronic music to full on metal. Chainsaw Man is just such an onslaught on all the senses that it’s a wonderful theatrical experience. Reze Arc of course has to pivot from its slice of life/rom com vibes in its first half and does it amazingly well. I was amazed at the pacing from the film which I was worried would feel episodic but just flows so well. The film really never misses a step as we escalate to more and more higher stakes than just a broken heart.

I believe the film does work on its own as well without having to rely on needing past knowledge. On the surface without any knowledge the film is a look at falling in love and having a toxic relationship. I believe even if you haven’t seen Season 1 (which of course you should before watching the film) you’ll still be able to follow along and enjoy Reze Arc. There are so many memorable scenes that I’ll be thinking about for a bit even well after the credits. It’s a new step for the series and just showcases the endless possibilities for the future. Reze Arc is clearly one of my favorite films of the year and a must see on the biggest screen possible.