‘Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc’ Is An Absolute Triumph Of Storytelling And Animation

A common priority in animated action films is to deliver extreme spectacle meant to leave the audience in awe of its artistry. Sometimes this can be to a film’s detriment, prioritizing spectacle over a proper story and characters. But the very best animated films, the ones that go down in history, deliver not only the gorgeous, animated action sequences, but also the heart-tugging character drama that will stick with the audience for a very long time. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc could very well be one of the best animated movies of the year and of the decade.

Produced by MAPPA, directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara, and adapted from the manga of the same name by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the film serves as a direct sequel to the first season of the anime series. It follows Denji, the titular Chainsaw Man and voiced by Kikunosuke Toya, as he meets a mysterious woman named Reze, voiced by Reina Ueda. Denji finds himself developing a relationship with Reze and comes into conflict with his own feelings, as he wrestles with his desire to be with Makima and his newfound feelings for Reze. But Reze is not all she appears to be, leading to a destructive conflict that pushes Denji further than ever.

Despite its appearance as an animated action spectacular in addition to its utterly absurd premise, the film wisely decides to place the brunt of its focus on its characters, mainly Denji and Reze. The first half features little action as character takes center-stage, fleshing out Denji, developing him, and allowing the audience to connect with Denji and become truly invested in his perspective. The film does a good job at pointing out his lack of proper childhood and how Reze’s own background parallels his, building proper chemistry between the pair, which makes the ensuing action and final tragedy hit all the harder. Their arcs are what define this film, and the ending is ultimately both bittersweet and immensely tragic, showcasing Denji’s maturity that unfortunately comes with a heavy price that even he isn’t aware of.

Yet, at no point does this character work feel like filler before the action to extend the film’s runtime. It is incredibly well-paced and gorgeously told through both dialogue and visuals. Some of the writing is incredibly clever and circles back towards the end, mainly the film’s underlying question regarding the city mouse and the country mouse.

This is all helped by excellent voice performances, especially by the film’s two leads. Kikunosuke Toya continues to play Denji perfectly, elevating the character to new heights with incredible depth and weight with his voice acting. But the star of the show has to be Reina Ueda as Reze, a fascinating character made even better by a nuanced and multifaceted performance. The audience is left to wonder what is true and false about her, how much of her feelings for Denji are real, and also the personal feelings she buries deep inside her. Ueda combines all these aspects into a perfect performance, one that will stick with a viewer long after the film is done.

However, if one is looking to enjoy this film as a newcomer to the franchise, they will likely be lost in the plot. The film does not take the time to explain the mechanics of its world, instead opting to jump right into the drama of the present. As such, the anime’s first season is required viewing to fully enjoy this film beyond its spectacle. It fails to stand on its own and is clearly part of a larger story. Furthermore, this means certain characters are given little to do. Power, a main character from the show, and even newcomers like Beam, are remarkably stagnant in terms of character development. But they do stand out thanks to good performances and creative designs, with promises of future development as the series goes on. Despite the movie being a direct sequel, the writers are able to tell a compelling overarching story that is contained exclusively to this film.

But of course, the main selling point of this film is its animation, and it is a slam dunk on all fronts. Though the first half handles character development, each scene is so meticulously detailed and full of life. The backgrounds make the world and the city feel lived in and alive, thus immersing the audience fully into the story. Characters move with such smoothness and are incredibly expressive, indicating a huge step up from the anime’s first season. Furthermore, the film uses visual storytelling expertly, with a particular instance that is remarkably excellent at the film’s second act turning point. A moment of intimacy between Denji and Reze intercut with a child’s lollipop that will definitely stand out to those who have seen the anime.

But when the second half descends into explosive and violent chaos, the film truly shines in terms of spectacle. The action sequences are gorgeous, combining excellent choreography and direction with creative and varied visuals. At no point is the viewer lost despite the chaotic nature of the action, and the escalation feels well-done. The tension is heightened thanks to the work done in the first half to develop the characters, foreshadow upcoming events, and immerse the audience in the world. Even during the action, there are moments of visual storytelling that further develop the characters, and rarely does it feel like the plot is dragging people along. The characters remain the sole focus and are the reason why this film will stick in the minds of many.

The soundtrack, by Kensuke Ushio, is also perfect for the film. It heightens every moment it is featured, knowing when to be bombastic and loud, but knowing when to pull back and let the emotions on-screen do the talking.

Overall, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is a resounding success. While not entirely standalone, it nonetheless continues the story of the anime in a beautiful way. The animation is gorgeous, the voice acting is top tier, but the character work is what truly makes this film. Audiences will be in awe of the spectacle, for sure, but it is the story of Denji and Reze that will stay in the mind of audiences for years to come.