After months of silence, we finally know that the Chainsaw Man movie is officially releasing in 2025. That's right, instead of a second season (for now, anyway), Denji's story continues in a feature film. It's one that will adapt the Reze Arc, too. And as fans of the manga know, it's certainly going to be explosive.
Below, we'll dive into what to expect from Denji's big-screen adventure as we inch closer to that 2025 release window. That includes release date speculation on Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, which chapters of the source material will likely be adapted, the newest teaser, and more. In the meantime, Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto's Look Back is streaming on Prime Video and was named one of GamesRadar's best movies of 2024.
For more from some of anime's biggest names, be sure to check out our guides to the Demon Slayer Infinity Castle movie trilogy, all the latest on the new anime arriving in the next 12 months, and One-Punch Man season 3.
Chainsaw Man movie release date speculation
As announced at Jump Festa, Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc is releasing in 2025 in Japanese cinemas.
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There are more projects for animation studio MAPPA in the pipeline, but we imagine Chainsaw Man will be high priority at this stage.
So, when can we expect it? The fact a new teaser is out (and that the first season came out two years ago) would indicate that things are moving along nicely. 2025 remains a distinct possibility, potentially around the spring or fall windows. Probably the latter, given the reluctance to name anything beyond a 2025 window.
The only other question mark, then, would be if western audiences get the Chainsaw Man movie close to its Japanese release. If previous big-name features are any indication, those in the US, UK, and other regions should perhaps be patient - and wait another few months after Japanese audiences get it.
Chainsaw Man movie story: what's happened and what is being adapted next?
The synopsis of the Chainsaw Man movie reads, "Denji became Chainsaw Man a boy with a devil’s heart, and is now part of Special Division 4’s devil hunters. After a date with Makima, the woman of his dreams, Denji takes shelter from the rain. There he meets Reze, a girl who works in a café."
The first season of Chainsaw Man adapted the first 38 chapters of the manga. So, if you want to read ahead to see what the movie will cover, then you’ll need to start from chapter 39.
As of right now, it’s unclear how far the feature film will reach in terms of adapting the source material. We’re about 40% of the way through the manga’s first part (the Public Safety Saga), though there’s likely a little too much material to cover for just one movie.
Unless it runs longer (or into a second season), it appears the Chainsaw Man movie will hurtle through the explosive Bomb Girl arc (chapters 40-52) and will set up the International Assassins arc (chapters 53-70) for a second season.
No spoilers here, but the woman seen at the end of the season 1 finale – Reze – will factor heavily into the movie, and she'll certainly get close to Denji. The overarching threat of Gun Devil will also be keenly felt as the now-merged Division 4 of Public Safety and its team of Devil Hunters encounter new friends and foes.
On the topic of Chainsaw Man season 2: yes, we're just as surprised as you are that the anime is going into a canon movie directly after its first season. A second season will surely arrive down the line and will likely cover the aforementioned International Assassins arc, which (to keep it vague) features Denji's notoriety increasing, something which puts him on the radar of various hitmen.
Still catching up on one of the best anime series around? The first season of Chainsaw Man revolved around a boy called Denji and his Chainsaw Devil/dog companion, Pochita. After inheriting his father’s debt from the yakuza, Denji becomes a Devil Hunter – but is killed by a Zombie Devil, one of many creatures that manifest from humanity’s fears.
Denji, however, is revived and fuses with Pochita to become the titular Chainsaw Man. By pulling the ripcord on his head, he can turn into what is, essentially, a sentient chainsaw.
Much of the first season saw him grow into his role as Public Safety Devil Hunter alongside partners Power, Aki, Himeno, and Kobeni. They face off against the likes of the Bat Devil, Ghost Devil, and Katana Man – who they eventually capture. The season ends with the Snake Devil killing Akane, the team being on the hunt for the Gun Devil, and the introduction of a mysterious new woman who asks whether someone would rather be a "country mouse" or a "city mouse."
Chainsaw Man movie trailer: the first Reze Arc teaser
The new Chainsaw Man trailer is here. The Reze Arc teaser, released in December 2024, puts the spotlight on Reze and her fledgling dynamic with Denji. You can see it for yourself above!
Chainsaw Man movie cast: who could return in the Reze Arc?
We expect Denji (Kikunosuke Toya), Makima (Tomori Kusunoki), Kobeni (Karin Takahashi) Power (Fairouz Ai), and Aki (Shogo Sakata) all to return in the Chainsaw Man movie. One major newcomer will be Reze (Reina Ueda), while we also anticipate much of the English dub cast to reprise their roles. More news as and when we get it.
Where is Chainsaw Man season 2? And is the Reze Arc movie canon?
For all intents and purposes, yes. Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc continues where the first season left off and will be canon to the events of the anime. In short, it's a must-watch if you want to continue Denji's saga - in much the same way Mugen Train was effectively presented (and later adapted) as Demon Slayer's second season.
However, we still expect an actual Chainsaw Man season 2 to be released at some point after the movie. That means, in effect, the watch order will go: Chainsaw Man season 1, Reze Arc movie, Chainsaw Man season 2.
Where can I watch Chainsaw Man?
The first season of Chainsaw Man is available to watch, subbed and dubbed on Crunchyroll for Premium members. It's safe to assume the Chainsaw Man movie will be released theatrically and will likely stream on Crunchyroll down the line.
Not sure what to watch next? Here are some of the best anime movies you should be watching right now, plus our guides on how to watch Dragon Ball in order and how to watch Attack on Titan in order.
