Chainsaw Man: I Want to Watch Again, But It’s Too Painful… I, a Manga Newbie, Watched the Chainsaw Man Movie: Reze-hen [Report Part / Miri Shira Editorial Staff Who Watch Everything in X Days]

The theatrical film, `Gekijouban Chainsaw Man Reze-hen`, is currently captivating audiences. Here at Anime!Anime!, we have an editor who, in typical contrary fashion, deliberately avoids trending works until the hype has settled, then dives in. This is the latest installment of their “Miri-Shira” challenge, where they previously binged the TV anime `Chainsaw Man` with zero prior knowledge. This time, they ventured to the cinema to witness Aki-kun’s exploits in the new film… So, what were their thoughts?

This article builds upon a previous “Miri-Shira” challenge from September 19, 2025, when `Gekijouban Chainsaw Man Reze-hen` was released. Prior to that, a “Miri-Shira” editor embarked on a binge-watching journey through the `Chainsaw Man` TV series. What charms of the work did they discover then? And how did the movie experience compare?

Author Profile: Nagiyama-san, 20s
Current Status: Reignited passion for UNISON SQUARE GARDEN’s music after experiencing it live at “ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2025.” Has been listening to it constantly. “Sakura no Ato” is a divine song. Thinking of rewatching `Yozakura Quartet` soon.

Understanding `Chainsaw Man`’s Popularity

One Saturday, arriving at the theater, the lobby and concession stands were bustling. Popcorn, an essential companion for any movie, seemed to take longer than usual to prepare.

While `Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugenjou-hen` was screening in the adjacent theater at the same time, it was clear that most people at the concession stand, much like myself, were drawn into the world of `Chainsaw Man`, especially with the film having just premiered.

Stepping into the cinema, I found every seat filled, even the very front row. Looking around, the audience was diverse in age and gender, though men in their teens to thirties seemed particularly numerous. As I settled into my seat, I overheard a conversation in Chinese from the row beside me, a vivid reminder of `Chainsaw Man`’s broad fanbase and the global appeal of Japanese anime.

*Please note: Due to the nature of this topic, the following text contains spoilers for those who have not yet seen the work. Proceed with caution.*

I Came to See Aki-kun’s Activity… Or So I Thought

After the screening, as the lights came up, my immediate thought was, “`Utsu da…`” (It’s depressing…). Since I was watching alone, I kept it to myself, but in my heart, I wished I had brought a friend to share this anguish with.

Denji waits for Reze at a cafe, suggesting they run away together. Reze, initially walking away, finds her feet turning back towards the cafe where Denji is waiting. In the end, they never exchange another word. Denji remains under the misconception that Reze rejected him, and they are never able to meet again. Reze lying in the alleyway, gazing at the cafe’s light where Denji waited, was utterly heartbreaking. Despite it being a truly great film, that scene was so painful that I feel a strong reluctance to watch it again, even though I want to.

For a fleeting moment, I felt a sense of relief in the final scene, saved by Power’s clueless cheerfulness amidst Denji’s heartbreak. However, a few seconds later, I realized the cruel contrast: Reze, who smiled at the single flower Denji pulled from his mouth, versus Power, who was disgusted and screamed upon seeing Denji bite into a large bouquet. This realization made me feel physically ill. How could it be so maliciously clever? So cruel?

As an animated work, I was profoundly moved by the significant power-up from the TV anime. While I’ve mentioned before that I personally enjoyed the TV anime’s more subdued atmosphere, watching this theatrical film made me understand, “Ah, so *this* is what the original manga fans were anticipating!” The sheer intensity was incredible, especially the battle scenes. The cinematography and sound design made me want to exclaim, “This is utterly wild!” I was gripping my seat, captivated by the overwhelming exhilaration and speed, which only heightened the pervasive sense of despair.

The everyday scenes also felt more vibrant and pop-like compared to the anime series. However, the calm, realistic, and subtly lukewarm texture that I appreciated in the anime was also skillfully utilized in the necessary moments. The gradually unsettling atmosphere leading up to the “turning point” in the latter half, and the unnerving, almost visceral eeriness that sent shivers down my spine, left a powerful impression. The combination of anime-style comical direction and cinematic realism created a stronger contrast, enhancing the portrayal of Denji’s emotions and the impending direction of the story.

And then, of course, the theme song is simply excellent. Even before watching the `Chainsaw Man` anime, I knew that `Yonezu Kenshi` and `Utada Hikaru` were collaborating on the theatrical film’s theme song, and as a music fan, I was incredibly excited about this dream team. At the time, I thought it would be enough to just hear the song, but now, I’m truly glad I was able to hear it while fully understanding the lyrics…! Listening to “JANE DOE” for the first time in the theater, steeped in despair, was such a profound musical experience that I believe it rises to the top among all the anime works I’ve watched.

While it was an unparalleled cinematic experience, the lingering taste of the story is incredibly bitter. I desperately want everyone to find salvation. I’m also curious about the future of Aki-kun, my current favorite character, and Angel Devil. In any case, I’ve decided to start reading the manga.

When I asked my friend, a manga fan, “When will everyone be saved?” they gave me a subtle, indecipherable look… For now, I’ve decided to ignore that unsettling reaction.

【The “Miri-Shira” Editors Who Watch Everything in ◯ Days】

This is a daring project where an editor, knowing “not even a millimeter” about a work (a “Miri-Shira” person), binge-watches it for a certain reason. In recent years, the number of anime productions has continued to surge. Viewing platforms have also diversified: TV, streaming, cinemas, physical media, and even older works are now readily available. While having more enjoyable works is certainly a blessing, it’s also true that many popular titles remain unwatched due to missed opportunities. Re-watching such talked-about or classic works can feel like a daunting task… So, we, the editorial staff, decided to take on the “binge-watching” challenge ourselves! We will share our progress. You might even discover how a “Miri-Shira” person falls into the fandom! Feel free to “watch along on the same schedule” if a work piques your interest, or simply “read the article to feel like you’ve watched it.” Join the editorial team in enjoying anime!

《Nagiyama-san》