Chainsaw Man Reze movie turns out to be Mappa's greatest investment

The Chainsaw Man Reze movie has achieved what many thought was impossible: it turned MAPPA’s biggest gamble into its greatest success. Within just 24 days of release in Japan, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc surpassed 5.4 billion yen in box office revenue and recorded 3.55 million admissions, easily exceeding Toho’s initial 5 billion yen goal.

For an R-rated anime film that many believed would struggle to find a broad audience, this is nothing short of phenomenal. Fans who attended the film’s third round of theatrical screenings received new gifts, an exclusive shikishi illustration drawn by creator Tatsuki Fujimoto himself, depicting a touching “if” scenario of Aki Hayakawa and the Angel Devil in school uniforms.

These kinds of personal touches, combined with word-of-mouth praise, have transformed the Chainsaw Man Reze movie into a cultural event rather than just another anime release.

A risk that paid off

When MAPPA announced that the Reze Arc would be turned into a movie instead of continuing Chainsaw Man’s story in a second season, fans were divided. But the decision has clearly paid off.

The movie’s opening day box office haul of ¥400 million may have seemed modest compared to titans like Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (¥1.2 billion) and Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (¥1.0 billion), but its staying power tells a different story.

Rather than fading after opening weekend, the Chainsaw Man Reze movie maintained momentum through glowing reviews, social media buzz, and sold-out screenings. In fact, it has become the most emotionally resonant anime film of 2025, balancing breathtaking action with genuine tragedy and intimacy.

The power of emotional storytelling

The Chainsaw Man Reze movie stands apart from other blockbuster anime films like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle for one key reason: its intimacy amid chaos. While Infinity Castle is grand and operatic, Reze Arc is painfully personal.

Every flicker of light, every reflection in a rain puddle, and every glance between Denji and Reze feels deliberate. MAPPA focused on fluid, hand-drawn animation that prioritizes emotion over flashiness.

Reze’s transformation scenes, for instance, are visually brutal yet heartbreakingly beautiful. Her dual nature, the bomb devil sent by the USSR and the girl who genuinely fell for Denji symbolize the movie’s theme: that love in the world of Chainsaw Man is both explosive and doomed. This blend of romance and carnage is what makes the Chainsaw Man Reze movie so unforgettable.

From business gamble to cultural triumph

The results speak for themselves. With over $26 million in global earnings as of September 2025 and upcoming U.S. screenings set for late October, this film has proven MAPPA’s ability to compete directly with Ufotable on the global stage. The decision to make Reze Arc a standalone theatrical event now looks like a masterclass in marketing and audience targeting.

Why is Chainsaw Man Reze movie MAPPA’s greatest investment

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This movie has reignited faith in the Chainsaw Man franchise after the controversy surrounding Season 1. Critics and fans alike are calling it “absolute cinema,” with many arguing that it outperforms even Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle in storytelling and emotional depth.

As of now, MAPPA hasn’t confirmed whether Chainsaw Man will continue as a Season 2 or another movie, but one thing is certain: the Chainsaw Man Reze movie has cemented its place as MAPPA’s greatest investment yet, both financially and artistically.

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