Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has stormed the Japanese box office, selling over 272,000 tickets and grossing more than 420 million yen (approximately US$2.8 million) on its opening day, Friday, September 19, 2025. The highly anticipated anime film debuted across 421 theaters in Japan, marking a significant start for the franchise’s cinematic venture.
Impressive Box Office Debut in Japan
The film’s strong performance on its opening day underscores the fervent anticipation surrounding the Chainsaw Man universe. Distributor Toho projects the movie could achieve a total theatrical run earning of 5 billion yen (about US$34 million), indicating high expectations for its sustained success. The movie also had midnight screenings in 12 theaters across major Japanese cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Hokkaido, offering MX4D, 4DX, and Dolby Cinema experiences to fans.
Global Rollout and International Anticipation
Following its domestic premiere, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is set for a staggered international release. Crunchyroll, in collaboration with Sony Pictures Releasing, will distribute the film globally, with screenings kicking off in select Asian markets from September 24, 2025. North American audiences can look forward to its release in theaters and IMAX screens starting October 24, an earlier date than initially scheduled. The film is also slated for an October 29 release in the United Kingdom.
The Story of the Reze Arc
The film is a direct sequel to the acclaimed first season of the Chainsaw Man anime television series. It adapts the popular “Reze Arc” from Tatsuki Fujimoto’s original manga. The story continues to follow Denji, a young Devil Hunter fused with the Chainsaw Devil Pochita, as he navigates a brutal world filled with devils and hunters. In this arc, Denji encounters a mysterious and captivating new girl named Reze, who works in a café, but harbors a dangerous ulterior motive that could prove to be his deadliest challenge yet. Reina Ueda plays Reze in the film, joining returning cast members such as Kikunosuke Toya as Denji.
Comparing to Anime Film Giants
While Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc‘s opening day numbers are robust, they stand in comparison to the phenomenal records set by other recent anime blockbusters. For instance, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle opened to ¥1.5 billion, and Demon Slayer: Mugen Train garnered ¥1.2 billion, while Jujutsu Kaisen 0 earned ¥1.0 billion on their respective opening days in Japan. Despite not reaching these unprecedented heights immediately, industry insider reports suggest the Reze Arc could earn between $9 million and $11 million during its three-day opening weekend in Japan. This strong debut indicates significant momentum for the Chainsaw Man franchise on the big screen.
The Popularity of Chainsaw Man
Produced by the renowned studio MAPPA, with Tatsuya Yoshihara directing and Hiroshi Seko writing the script, the film benefits from the strong foundation laid by the anime series and the immensely popular manga. The Chainsaw Man manga itself has sold over 30 million copies in circulation by December 2024, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. Critics have widely praised the series for its eccentric blend of humor, violence, and emotional depth, distinguishing itself through its unapologetically chaotic yet earnest execution. The anime adaptation has also been lauded for its faithful recreation of Fujimoto’s original masterpiece and its technical skill in animation.
The strong box office performance of Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc on its opening day signals a promising future for the film and further cements the Chainsaw Man franchise’s status as a major player in the global entertainment landscape.
