The highly anticipated Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has unveiled its main trailer, featuring “IRIS OUT,” the new theme song performed by acclaimed artist Kenshi Yonezu. This marks a significant return for Yonezu, who previously provided the hit opening theme “KICK BACK” for the first season of the Chainsaw Man TV anime.
The announcement came during a MAPPA panel at Anime Expo 2025, thrilling fans eagerly awaiting the cinematic continuation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s dark fantasy saga.
A Cinematic Return: The Reze Arc Explored
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is a direct sequel to the first season of the Chainsaw Man anime series, produced by the renowned studio MAPPA. The film will adapt the popular “Bomb Girl” arc from Fujimoto’s original manga, specifically covering chapters 39 through 52 or 53 of the first part of the series. This arc is considered one of the shortest major arcs, making it an ideal fit for a feature film adaptation.
The story picks up immediately after the events of Season 1, with Denji, the titular Chainsaw Man, continuing his work as a devil hunter in Special Division 4. The central plot revolves around Denji’s encounter with Reze, a mysterious and captivating girl who works at a café. Their budding relationship, initially a heartwarming and endearing love story, takes a dramatic and explosive turn as Reze’s true identity and intentions are revealed. Manga readers are well aware of Reze’s pivotal role in Denji’s character development and the significant impact she has on his understanding of connection and betrayal. Her introduction also raises questions about Public Safety and presents Denji with a “country mouse vs. city mouse” dilemma, a recurring theme in the series.
Tatsuya Yoshihara, who directed episodes four and ten of the TV anime, is at the helm for the movie. Hiroshi Seko returns to pen the screenplay, with Kazutaka Sugiyama handling character designs. Other returning staff include Masato Nakazono as assistant director, Kensuke Ushio as the music composer, Sota Shigetsugu as action animation director, and Kiyotaka Oshiyama overseeing devil designs. Reina Ueda, who briefly voiced Reze in the final episode of Season 1, will reprise her role.
Kenshi Yonezu’s Musical Contribution
The revelation of Kenshi Yonezu performing the theme song “IRIS OUT” has generated considerable excitement among fans. Yonezu’s previous contribution, “KICK BACK,” served as the iconic opening theme for the Chainsaw Man TV anime, instantly becoming a fan favorite and a commercial success. “KICK BACK” was digitally released in October 2022 and quickly achieved widespread recognition.
In a statement regarding “IRIS OUT,” Yonezu expressed his privilege in continuing his musical involvement with the Chainsaw Man franchise. He mentioned intently studying the Reze scenes from the original manga while composing the song. Yonezu’s return underscores the strong artistic synergy between his musical style and the dark, emotional, and explosive world of Chainsaw Man. His ability to craft songs that capture the intricate psychological and action-packed elements of a narrative makes him a fitting choice for the “Reze Arc,” which is known for its blend of romance and brutal conflict.
Release Dates and Global Reach
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is scheduled to premiere in Japanese theaters on September 19, 2025. Following its Japanese debut, Sony Pictures Entertainment will release the film internationally, beginning September 24, 2025, in over 80 countries. For audiences in the United States and the United Kingdom, the movie is set to open on October 29, 2025. This staggered global release strategy ensures that the film reaches a wide audience relatively quickly after its initial premiere.
The film’s theatrical release is a significant event for the Chainsaw Man franchise, which gained a global following after the success of its first anime season in 2022. Crunchyroll currently streams the TV series, allowing new and existing fans to catch up on Denji’s journey before the movie’s release. The decision to adapt the “Reze Arc” as a feature film, rather than a second season of the TV anime, highlights the arc’s self-contained yet impactful narrative, making it perfectly suited for the cinematic experience. Fans can anticipate a visually stunning and emotionally charged continuation of Denji’s story, enhanced by Yonezu’s powerful new theme.
