Philippine theaters will explode with the visceral, heart-pounding chaos of Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, the first cinematic adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s groundbreaking manga series, bringing Denji’s devil-fueled saga to the big screen in an epic action-packed adventure. Directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara, with a screenplay by Hiroshi Seko and production by the acclaimed Studio MAPPA, this film continues the hugely popular anime series that captivated audiences in 2022, diving straight into the Bomb Girl arc—also known as the Reze Arc—from Fujimoto’s original work serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump and Shōnen Jump+. As Denji grapples with his dual life as a devil hunter and a boy yearning for normalcy, the story unleashes a brutal war between devils, hunters, and secret enemies, where survival hinges on razor-sharp chainsaws and shattered illusions of love. With a new trailer dropping the gauntlet and a handy series recap for newcomers,Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc arrives just in time for the festive “-ber months” in Manila, Cebu, and Davao, distributed by Columbia Pictures, promising Filipino anime fans an unforgettable blend of gore, romance, and high-stakes fantasy that will have you questioning: die as a devil or live as a devil hunter?
The film’s pulse-racing narrative picks up right after the events of the first anime season, thrusting Denji—voiced by Kikunosuke Toya—back into the fray as the unstoppable Chainsaw Man. Once a debt-ridden teenager working for the yakuza to honor his late parents’ obligations, Denji’s life shattered when his bosses betrayed and killed him, only for his loyal chainsaw-powered devil-dog companion, Pochita, to forge a desperate pact. This fusion resurrects Denji as Chainsaw Man, a hybrid with a devil’s heart that sprouts chainsaws from his body, granting him ferocious power at the cost of constant bloodlust and vulnerability. Now embedded in Tokyo Special Division 4’s Devil Hunters under the enigmatic Makima (Tomori Kusunoki), Denji juggles mundane dreams—like a simple meal or a kiss—with relentless battles against supernatural horrors. But in Reze Arc, trouble escalates when a rain-soaked shelter after a date with Makima introduces him to Reze (Reina Ueda), a mysterious café worker whose purple-haired allure and green-eyed charm spark Denji’s first taste of genuine romance. As their flirtation deepens amid stolen moments and awkward confessions, Reze’s hidden identity as the Bomb Devil—a Soviet hybrid assassin sent to steal Chainsaw Man’s heart—unleashes a torrent of explosions, betrayals, and emotional gut-punches that test Denji’s fragile humanity. 0 4
Adapting chapters 39 to 52 of Fujimoto’s manga—the Bomb Girl arc—this movie captures the arc’s explosive mix of raw action and heartbreaking twists, where Denji’s budding feelings for Reze collide with her deadly mission, forcing brutal confrontations that leave both scarred. The story’s late-1990s setting, with the USSR still intact in this alternate world, adds layers of geopolitical intrigue, as Reze’s hybrid nature—able to detonate her body parts like bombs—mirrors Denji’s own monstrous evolution. Supporting characters like Aki Hayakawa (Shōgo Sakata) and Power (Ai Fairouz) provide comic relief and camaraderie, but it’s Denji’s internal conflict, torn between Makima’s manipulative allure and Reze’s deceptive tenderness, that elevates the narrative into a poignant exploration of desire in a devil-infested apocalypse. Fujimoto’s signature style—visceral gore juxtaposed with absurd humor and tender vulnerability—shines through, making Reze Arc a pivotal turning point in the Public Safety Saga, as noted by GameRant, where Denji’s romantic illusions shatter in a hail of blood and shrapnel.
Behind the scenes, Tatsuya Yoshihara steps into the director’s chair, bringing his dynamic flair from key episodes in the original Chainsaw Man anime (eps 4 and 10), where he handled storyboarding, episode direction, and action sequences. A freelance animator since debuting at age 20 with Actas, Yoshihara’s Kanada school influences—evident in fluid, high-energy fights from Black Clover and Jujutsu Kaisen 0—promise to amp up the movie’s chainsaw-slinging battles and explosive set pieces. As ScreenRant highlights, Yoshihara’s involvement ensures a visual style closer to Fujimoto’s manga, blending the anime’s cinematic vibes with heightened animation quality for the big screen. 23 Screenplay maestro Hiroshi Seko, who penned the TV series and hits like Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga, and Jujutsu Kaisen, returns to craft a script that balances Fujimoto’s cinematic pacing with emotional depth. In a 2022 interview with Sekainootomodachi, Seko emphasized his love for the manga’s “movie-like” quality, aiming to translate its appeal through precise action descriptions and character-driven tension. 25 Production powerhouse MAPPA, fresh off Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan: The Final Season, handles the animation, known for its gritty realism and fluid combat—though not without controversy over its demanding schedules, as discussed on Reddit’s r/ChainsawMan. 32 The film’s theme song, “IRIS OUT” by Kenshi Yonezu, and ending track “JANE DOE” (composed by Yonezu, vocals by Hikaru Utada), add an atmospheric punch, as revealed at Anime Expo 2025. 1
For anime newcomers or those rusty on the lore, the provided series recap (https://youtu.be/LtcRNLgEKG4) offers a swift catch-up on Denji’s origins: orphaned and yakuza-bound, his fusion with Pochita births Chainsaw Man, pulling him into Public Safety’s devil-hunting ranks alongside the enigmatic Makima, stoic Aki, and chaotic Power. The recap teases the Reze Arc’s setup—a rain-drenched encounter that blooms into a deceptive romance—without spoiling the gut-wrenching reveals that make this arc a fan favorite for its blend of heartfelt yearning and savage violence. Crunchyroll notes the movie’s compilations will bridge gaps for viewers, ensuring accessibility ahead of its October 24 U.S. release. 19
Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man, serialized since December 2018 in Weekly Shōnen Jump (ending Part 1 in 2020) and resuming Part 2 in Shōnen Jump+ in July 2022, has sold over 26 million copies worldwide, blending dark fantasy with satirical jabs at society, as per Wikipedia. 31 The 2022 anime, MAPPA’s 12-episode triumph, earned a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score and Crunchyroll Anime Awards, setting a high bar this film aims to surpass with theatrical spectacle. Anime News Network confirms the PH premiere aligns with international rollouts, following Japan’s September 19 debut via Toho. 11 In the Philippines, where anime fervor runs high—think Demon Slayer marathons at SM Cinemas—this R-rated bloodbath (expect gore and language) fits perfectly into the post-typhoon season’s thrill-seeking vibe, as ABS-CBN Lifestyle reports on September’s anime surge. 10 Themed merchandise tie-ins, like SuperManila Comic Con’s exhibit (September 6-7 at One Ayala, Makati), let fans “step into the world of devils and hunters” with previews and carnage immersion. 18
As #ChainsawMan trends on X, Filipino otakus are hyped for Denji’s deadliest clash yet—a tale where love fuels the chainsaws in a rule-less apocalypse. Tag @columbiapicph and join the frenzy: Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc slashes into PH cinemas September 24, 2025, courtesy of MAPPA/CHAINSAW MAN PROJECT and Tatsuki Fujimoto/SHUEISHA. © 2025. Will you hunt devils or chase hearts? The choice is yours—grab tickets before they’re chainsawed away.
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