Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc exploded onto the Japanese box office scene, securing the #1 spot in its opening weekend and ending the nine-week reign of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle. Meanwhile, the sports anime film 100 Meters made its debut at #8.
Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc Slices Through Competition
Released in Japan on September 19, 2025, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc captivated audiences, selling an impressive 807,000 tickets and earning ¥1.251 billion (approximately US$8.45 million) over its opening weekend. On its opening day alone, the film garnered over ¥420 million (US$2.8 million) from 272,000 admissions.
The movie’s stellar performance marks a significant moment, as it dethroned Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle, which had held the top position for an impressive nine consecutive weeks. The film, a direct sequel to the first season of the popular Chainsaw Man anime television series, was distributed by Toho in Japan and is slated for international release by Crunchyroll through Sony Pictures Releasing, beginning September 24, 2025, in select Asian markets and October 24, 2025, in the United States. Produced by MAPPA, the film is directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara and written by Hiroshi Seko, with its distributor TOHO projecting a total theatrical run earning of 5 billion yen (about US$34 million).
The Enduring Popularity of Chainsaw Man
The success of the Reze Arc film underscores the immense and growing global popularity of the Chainsaw Man franchise, based on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s dark fantasy manga. Fans have eagerly anticipated this cinematic adaptation, which delves into a critical story arc following Denji’s journey as a Public Safety Devil Hunter. The strong box office numbers reflect the dedicated fanbase and the series’ impact since its anime debut in October 2022.
100 Meters Anime Film Debuts at #8
Also opening on September 19, 2025, the 100 Meters Anime Film entered the Japanese box office rankings at #8. The animated sports drama, an adaptation of Uoto’s manga focusing on track and field, generated 100 million yen (US$676,400) from 68,000 admissions in its opening weekend. Directed by Kenji Iwaisawa and co-written by Yasuyuki Moto and Uoto, the film tells the story of two rival track stars.
Broader Box Office Context
The Japanese box office continues to be a vibrant landscape for anime films. While Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc took the top spot, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle remains a formidable force, moving to second place in its tenth weekend. Infinity Castle had a record-breaking opening weekend earlier in 2025, grossing ¥5.52 billion (US$37.5 million), and has achieved a cumulative total of ¥34.01 billion (US$230 million) as of mid-September, solidifying its place as one of the highest-grossing films in Japanese history. The strong performance of both new and ongoing anime features highlights the genre’s significant influence on the Japanese cinematic market.
