Tokyo, Japan – Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has sliced through the competition, claiming the #1 spot at the Japanese box office during its opening weekend from September 19-21, 2025. The highly anticipated animated film earned an impressive ¥1.25 billion (approximately US$8.46 million) and drew 807,000 viewers in its first three days, ending the nine-week reign of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle – Akaza Sairai.
Released by Toho, the movie premiered in Japan on Friday, September 19, igniting fervent fan excitement across the nation.
Explosive Debut for the Chainsaw Man Sequel
The film’s theatrical run began with a strong opening day, selling over 272,000 tickets and grossing more than ¥420 million (about US$2.8 million) on Friday. Momentum continued into Saturday, with a 2.4% increase, collecting ¥445.4 million (an estimated US$3 million). This brought its two-day cumulative total to ¥880 million (US$5.9 million) before the full weekend figures were tallied.
Distributor Toho projects that Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc could ultimately achieve a total theatrical run of ¥5 billion (about US$34 million). The movie screened in 421 theaters nationwide, including midnight showings in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, and was also available in premium formats such as MX4D, 4DX, and Dolby Cinema.
Dethroning a Giant
The film’s immediate success marks a significant moment in the Japanese box office, as it successfully unseated Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle – Akaza Sairai, which had held the top position for nine consecutive weeks. In comparison, during the same three-day weekend, the Demon Slayer film garnered 390,000 viewers and earned ¥645 million (about US$4.36 million), ranking second.
The Highly Anticipated Reze Arc
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is a direct sequel to the critically acclaimed first season of the Chainsaw Man anime series, which aired from October to December 2022. The movie adapts the popular “Reze Arc” from Tatsuki Fujimoto’s original manga, a dark fantasy action series that has amassed over 30 million copies in circulation. Produced by the renowned studio MAPPA, with Tatsuya Yoshihara directing and Hiroshi Seko penning the screenplay, the film continues the story of Denji, a devil hunter with the ability to transform into Chainsaw Man.
Global Release on the Horizon
While Japanese audiences are currently experiencing the cinematic “Reze Arc,” the film is slated for an international rollout by Crunchyroll through Sony Pictures Releasing. Select Asian markets are set to see the movie from September 24, 2025, with a wider worldwide release, including North America, scheduled for October 24, 2025. This staggered release strategy aims to build global anticipation following its strong performance in its home country.
